Chapter 7

 

Sun shone through the skylights, and Bex blinked a few times before opening her eyes. She sat up on the couch and looked down at the blanket draped over her. She must’ve fallen asleep during the movie last night.

Willy stretched lazily in a sun spot on the floor, and Bex got up, taking him in her arms. She kissed his nose, and he swatted at her which only made Bex kiss him even more. “You can’t get rid of me,” she said as she tucked him in her arm.

She turned and spotted a note on the fridge. A giddy sense of excitement ran through her as she walked over to it.

Didn’t want to wake you.

Chase.

P.S.

I hope you brought sneakers with you because I’m taking you hiking. See you at noon.

Bex glanced down at her phone and screeched, realizing it was already ten thirty. She hadn’t slept that late in a long time, and she also hadn’t felt as alive as she did in that moment. She kissed Willy again and put him back down on the floor.

“I have to get ready,” she said like Willy cared. When he plopped back down in his sun spot she knew he didn’t.

The only hiking Bex ever did was walking on an incline on a treadmill. She never really did well with nature, but then again, she never really gave it a chance. She’d always preferred the city over the country, but only because the city was filled with opportunity. She didn’t expect to like small-town life, but so far, she was rather enjoying the quiet serenity.

She quickly showered, her mind thinking about Chase the entire time. He stayed last night when she had asked him and didn’t leave until she’d fallen asleep. She wasn’t lying when she said it was lonely here. Nor could she believe how that little bit of truth fell from her mouth so effortlessly.

After they’d settled in to watch The Goonies, she rested her head on his lap and fell asleep to him stroking his finger up and down her arm. It was so innocent, yet something about it had been so intimate.

She’d thought about slipping her hand up his thigh, signaling that she was okay if he wanted to take things further but, she stopped herself. The intimacy of the moment, the level of comfort was something she didn’t want to disrupt. His finger gliding up and down her arm felt too good, his lap too warm, and for the first time in a very long time she had felt at peace.

She got out of the shower and wrapped her hair in a towel when her phone rang for the millionth time since she’d left L.A.. Once again it was her so-called best friend, Calla Lily. Calla was a byproduct of two celebrity parents and had no real claim to fame. When she had befriended Bex, Bex had thought she was sweet and accepting of a girl who had no idea how to navigate the world of Hollywood.

The last few weeks though her true colors began to show. Perhaps it took Bex too long to see the truth, but getting away from L.A., had opened her eyes to what she should have seen from the beginning.

Calla had been using her to stay relevant after her modeling career crashed and burned. There was a reason the paparazzi kept showing up at the exact moment something went wrong. Calla had been sending them tips. She had no proof, and she hoped she was wrong, but there was no other explanation.

Each thing the paparazzi caught on camera and sold to whatever tabloid with their fabricated stories made up the worst week of Bex’s life. She thought the world was out to get her, but when she took a step back and a nice hard look at everything, the only thing that stayed consistent was Calla.

It all was so obvious now that she didn’t have Calla in her ear feeding her lies and manipulating the situation.

The accident happened because Calla had grabbed her shoulder and forced her to look away from the road and that’s when she rear-ended that car. The drugs weren’t Bex’s; she didn’t even like to take Tylenol for crying out loud, but it was her car and her glove box. The only person who had access to her car was Calla.

She had nothing to say to Calla and had no idea why she kept calling her. Unless she honestly thought she’d gotten away with her tricks. Calla was as conceited as she was manipulative. Even if she thought she was caught, she’d still pretend she was innocent.

Who knew maybe she was.

Bex didn’t want to be bothered. It was something she’d have to deal with when she got back to L.A., but for now she had nothing to say to the girl she thought was her best friend—at least nothing that didn’t include a slew of words that would make even a sailor blush.

She tossed her phone onto the couch and finished getting ready, ignoring the urge to see what the tabloids were saying about her today. It would inevitably lead to scrolling to the comment section and getting lost in a black hole of self-loathing.

She didn’t want to ruin the day before it even got started. It was like that saying about a tree falling in a forest. If nobody read the comment section did those words even exist? As far as she was concerned, for right now at least, absolutely not.

Chase showed up on time, filling the door with his large frame. Bex greeted him in a pair of yoga pants, a tight pink t-shirt, and a pair of running sneakers. She might be a novice hiker, but she worked out regularly at the gym. She really had no choice. It was either stay in shape or lose her parts to the girl who did.

Chase on the other hand was in another white t-shirt and a pair of tan cargo pants. He looked the picture of perfection in the early afternoon sun. Without her heels on, she could appreciate his true height. She had to bend her head back just to look at his face.

“Hey,” he said, looking her up and down with an appreciative smile. “I see you got my note.”

“I did.”

“I was expecting to get a call telling me to take a hike by myself.”

“You don’t think I can handle it?” she asked.

“Oh, I definitely think you can, I just wasn’t sure if you owned anything other than those ridiculous heels you’re always in.”

“My heels are not ridiculous. Not everybody is gifted with height. Some of us need a little boost.”

She was just about to shut the door when a blur of white brushed past her leg. Panic flooded her system as she cried out, “Oh no.”

Chase’s large frame dropped from her sight as he dove for Willy.

He caught Willy by the backside and pushed up on one knee. “Not this time buddy,” he said, gathering Willy in his arms. “I am not rescuing you from that tree again.”

Bex placed a hand over her heart in total relief.

“I believe this belongs to you,” Chase said, holding Willy out to her.

“Good catch,” she said.

“I’d lean more toward lucky, but I’ll take it.”

“Willy, what am I going to do with you?” she said, kissing his nose. She tucked him in her arms and looked up at Chase. “Let me put him back inside and shut the door before you have to make another daring rescue.”

She spun away from the door and walked Willy over to a new sun spot. She placed him down and patted his head. “You stay here and be a good boy. No more chasing squirrels.”

She kissed his head and met Chase back outside, making sure to shut the door behind her as quickly as possible.

“You think he’s going to listen?” Chase asked.

Bex laughed. “Not a chance in hell. So where are we going?”

“Angel’s Den.”

“What’s that?”

“It’s a hiking trail that starts out around a lake and goes up a mountain to a few caves.”

“Caves? There aren’t bears in those caves, right?”

“Probably not. We’d be more likely to encounter a moose than anything.”

“A what?”

He had already started heading for his truck, unconcerned that her voice just jumped five octaves.

“They don’t attack, right?”

“Usually not.”

“That’s not reassuring.” She was hoping for a “never” not a “usually not”.

“As long as we keep our distance they won’t bother us. They usually warn you before they charge, too. Raised hackles along the moose's shoulders and ears pinned back or a lowered head are good signs to give them more distance.”

“What if you give them more distance, but they don’t think it’s enough and charge anyway?” Chase laughed, and she pinned him with her eyes. “Don’t laugh. I’m serious.”

“I’ve been hiking Angel’s Den since I could walk, and I have never been charged by a moose. I think we’ll be fine.”

“I am holding you to that,” she said, pointing her finger at him.

He smirked. “I have no doubt that you will.”

It was about a twenty-minute drive, and once they got there, Chase went to the bed of his truck and grabbed a backpack. He unzipped it, pulling out a can of bug spray. He started spraying himself down and then held the can out to her.

“No thanks,” she said. She hated the smell and how it always left behind a sticky residue. She’d rather take her chance with the mosquitoes.

“It’s not an offer; it’s a must.”

“I can handle a few bug bites,” she said.

“That’s fine and well, but if you get bit by a tick and get Lyme disease it’s not going to go away in a few days.”

Her eyes widened, and she snatched the can out of his hand, spraying her entire body down, including her hair.

“I said spray yourself, not bathe in it.” Chase laughed.

“I’m not taking any chances.”

He smirked. “I thought you could handle a few bug bites?”

“Only if they don’t have any long-term effects.”

He put the spray in the bag and zipped it back up before slipping his arms through the straps. “You ready?” he asked.

“Let’s do this.”

He started toward an opening in the woods, and she followed after him not wanting to leave too much distance between them in case a moose decided to show up. The closest thing she’d ever seen to a real moose was Bullwinkle, but she doubted a real-life moose would be as well-meaning as the cartoon.

Chase turned toward her, eyes wide as he ran in her direction. “Watch out!” he exclaimed.

Her heart slammed against her chest and a scream tore from her throat. She went to run but her legs were two pillars of ice frozen in place. She only hoped that he would get to her before whatever danger it was he was warning her against did.

Her legs shook right before fight or flight kicked in. She finally managed to get one leg to pivot and she was just about to bolt as far away as her body would carry her when Chase grabbed her in a hug from behind.

Relief raced through her veins as his strong body pressed against her. He smelled of bug spray and she took comfort in the scent. She breathed deeply, filling her lungs with much needed air, allowing his arms around her to calm her. She waited for him to make the next move when his laughter echoed around them.

It took her only a second to realize there was no danger. The jerk was joking. She spun out of his hold and he jumped back. “You’re such an ass!” Her legs that only a moment ago could barely move, stomped toward him with determination.

He took off and she followed in pursuit, refusing to let that stunt go unpunished. Using the strength she’d discovered inside of her after taking one too many spin classes, she pushed herself harder. She caught up to him and gave him a playful shove.

He stumbled slightly but quickly regained his footing.

“You should have seen your face,” he said through a laugh. “It was classic.” He held his mouth open, eyes wide, mimicking her at that moment.

She gave him a good swat to his chest, and he caught her hand, bringing it up to his mouth and kissing her fingertips. Goosebumps scattered across her skin giving way to desire.

“Don’t try to play nice with me now,” she said, her breath much breathier than she anticipated.

With a slight tug, he pulled her close and guided her hand up and over his shoulder. Unable to resist, she linked her arms around his neck and tilted her head up to him. His mouth curved into a slow sexy smile before capturing her lips. Sweet waves crashed into her as his hands, warm and strong, tightened around her waist and drew her even closer. Tilting his head, he deepened the kiss and she let him. Passion consumed her as the soft rasp of his tongue slid against the tender flesh of her mouth.

He cupped the nape of her neck, holding her steady as his ravenous kiss turned to a slow steady stroke of his lips.

“Sorry,” he said against her mouth before pulling back and smiling down at her. His gray eyes dark with desire made her feel like she was the only thing in the world that mattered. “But I’ve been wanting to do that since the minute I saw you answer the door.”

“Scare me to death?” she joked.

His lip twitched. “No, kiss you.”

She blinked up, meeting his dark gaze head on, lips still tingling from his kiss. “Then why didn’t you?”

His brow furrowed as he stroked his thumb across her bottom lip. “I don’t know, but I guess it’s a good thing.”

She dabbed her tongue against the pad of his thumb as it reached the corner of her mouth. “Why is that?”

“Because there is no doubt if I kissed you Willy would have taken full advantage and made his escape.”

She laughed as warmth spread through her chest and into her heart. He might’ve hated cats but the fact that he was concerned about her furball struck her in a way that was as unexpected as it was touching. “You’d probably still be trying to get him out of the tree.”

“Nah, I think him and I have an understanding now.”

“Oh really? If I remember correctly last time Willy drew blood.”

Chase shrugged. “It was a love mark.”

Bex laughed, loud and boisterous. It felt good to freely laugh without wondering if it would capture some unwanted attention. Out here, in the woods, it was only her, Chase, and nature. Nobody could ruin this moment.

“I’ll remember that the next time,” she said.

“Let’s just hope there isn’t a next time.”

“That’s up to Willy.”

“You sure you don’t want to get him a leash?”

“I already told you. I’ll put Willy on a leash when you’re willing to put one on.”

“I don’t have a habit of chasing squirrels up trees.”

“Good point but still.” She turned to him, running a finger along his neck. “I think a pretty white collar with Swarovski crystals would look very nice on you.”

“Fine no leash.”

“Glad we could finally come to an agreement on that,” she said with a satisfied smirk.

“Not like you really gave me a choice.”

“I think I gave you a great choice. Do you know how many people would kill to be draped in Swarovski crystals?”

“Do I look like one of those people?” he asked, dark eyebrow raised in a menacing way that caused a rush of heat to surge to her core.

Her teeth slid over her swollen bottom lip as she took in every inch of his strong body. Surrounded by dirt and trees, dressed in a simple white t-shirt that clung to solid muscle and cargo pants that sat low on his hips, he was the definition of rugged perfection.

Before she could answer, he moved toward her, grabbing her from behind, and pulled her against him. His lips brushed against the crook of her neck, and his breath warm on her skin, caused a chill to shoot down her spine. “So?”

She held out answering, loving the feel of his body wrapped around her. Savoring the warm safety of his arms and how being with him made her forget about all the things she was running from. With Chase, she didn’t feel the need to run, if anything she wanted to stand still with him as long as she could.

His hands roamed up her sides and he turned her to face him. She melted beneath his gaze, cherishing how one look from him made her heart happy.

She ran her fingers through his hair, the hints of copper accented by the midday sun. He didn’t need crystals or anything to make him shine, he did just fine on his own. She lifted up on tiptoes and pressed a chaste kiss to his lips.

“Come on,” Chase said. “We’re almost there.”

“Almost where?” she asked as they fell into step side by side.

Their fingers brushed against each other as he turned to her, a smile lighting up his entire face. “You’ll see.” He took her hand in his, lacing his fingers between hers and guided her farther into the woods.

They continued walking, the path becoming more enclosed and secluded. It smelled fresh with new spring growth. The rich green leaves stood out against the deep blue sky. Birds chirped from all around them, and Bex absorbed every peaceful sound.

She wasn’t used to hearing birds or old pine needles crunching under foot. She started her days with the sound of L.A. traffic and the constant stream of questions yelled at her from ensuing paparazzi whenever she got out of the car. This was a nice change of pace—something she could actually get used to.

She relished in the stillness around her, absorbing the calming waves of silence. When she had packed her bags and left L.A. she had no idea what to expect but this was better than anything she could have ever imagined.

A few minutes later they stepped out into a clearing and stood in front of a large lake. The trees reflected off the water’s surface making the lake look like a canvas of a beautiful painting.

“Wow,” Bex managed as she scanned the entire area, taking in every breathtaking view. “This is unreal.” She slipped out her phone and snapped a few pictures, knowing a photo would never do this place justice but wanting to try to capture some of the beauty.

“This is where we start our ascent. You ready for that?”

“Lead the way.”

She followed Chase around the perimeter of the lake to another path that lead back into the woods.

“The view from the top is unreal,” he said over his shoulder.

“It can’t possibly be better than this?” Bex said, looking back to the picturesque lake.

Chase threw her a smile over his shoulder. “Just you wait.”