Chapter 15

 

Bex could feel the tension rolling off of Chase. She didn’t know what to say to make it better. This was her life; if he couldn’t handle one photographer then they’d never be able to have a real relationship. Back home it wasn’t uncommon for twenty of them to be waiting for her outside a restaurant or follow her to her car.

Her life was a never-ending game of hide and seek. She didn’t get to call timeout or even make the rules. She had to learn how to be smart, take advantage of back entrances, setup decoy cars, and never let the paparazzi see her at her worst.

It was working well… until it wasn’t. They never caught her doing anything remotely bad. She lived up to her role as America’s Sweetheart and then one incident turned into a feeding frenzy. Every tabloid wanted documentation of Bex Shepard’s fall from grace, and she let her guard down, giving them exactly what they wanted.

She couldn’t ask Chase to be on his best behavior because she didn’t want to control him. He was free until she walked into his life complicating everything. But even if given the chance to take it back, she didn’t think she would.

It was selfish, but she cared for him too much and didn’t want to imagine life if she had never met him.

“I’m sorry,” she finally said as he pulled in front of her place and put the truck in park. She didn’t know what else to say, but her heart hurt and her mind was racing a mile a minute.

“What the hell are you apologizing for?” he snapped.

She threw her hands in the air, the frustration of the day finally catching up to her. “I don’t know. For putting you in that situation.”

“You didn’t do anything.”

“Then why won’t you look at me?” she asked, her voice cracking.

He turned then, his gray eyes as dark as onyx. “Because I hate that you saw me like that.” He ran his hand over his face. “I lost control. I always knew I had my father in me but… I’ve never let it surface or at least not since I was a kid.”

Bex didn’t know what she had been expecting but it definitely wasn’t that. The dark stones of his eyes weren’t anger, they were disappointment in himself, embarrassment and doubt. She moved closer to him, grabbing his arm.

“No!” she said. “You’re not your father.”

His gaze swung to her, uncertainty plaguing his normally bright face. “You’re just saying that to make me feel better. Truth is, if you didn’t stop me, I would have pounded that asshole into the ground.” He shook his head. “I’m a firefighter. I’m supposed to be saving people not putting them in the hospital.”

“You stopped and walked away.”

“I didn’t want to.”

She grabbed his face, forcing him to look at her. “But you did.” The darkness in his eyes began to fade. “When your father lost control,” she said, “was he able to stop?”

“Usually not.”

She ran her finger down the hard line of his jaw. “That’s not you. You might think you have your father inside of you, but you don’t. Paparazzi have a way of saying things to get under your skin. They push buttons on purpose to get a reaction.”

“So I gave the bastard exactly what he wanted.”

“It was your first encounter. Next time you’ll know to tune them out.”

“How do you do that?”

“I guess it’s kind of like that mom thing where they tune their kids out. Once the noise becomes too much, your mind helps you to ignore it.”

He tucked her hair behind her ear, and she closed her eyes, savoring his touch.

“It must be hard going through life tuning the world out,” he said.

Bex shrugged. “It’s not always easy, and I have to admit, since coming here I haven’t had to, and it’s been nice. I feel like I’m appreciating life again instead of just going through the motions.”

“What are you going to do now?” he asked, sorrow filling his tone. The sound reached into her heart and squeezed. She couldn’t make promises about her future, and she didn’t want to think that far ahead.

“I’m not sure.” She linked her arms around his neck and kissed his lips. “All I care about is right now.”

She climbed over the seat and straddled him. His hands knotted into her hair and he pulled her mouth to his. She parted her lips, deepening the kiss and letting the deep strokes of her tongue soothe him.

His lips moved with hers, his tongue meeting her thrust for thrust, but the passion that exploded between them whenever they came together was lacking.

She pulled back, looking into his eyes that were dilated with passion but also filled with unease.

“What’s wrong?” she asked, pressing her hand to his cheek.

He closed his eyes and nuzzled into her hand. “What are we doing?”

“We were kissing.”

“No, that’s not what I meant.” He ran a hand over his face and looked out the window before bringing his gaze back to her. Tight lines formed around his eyes, and she hated to see his apprehension. “I mean us. What is this?”

It was a conversation she purposely avoided. When the photographer called it out as they drove away she’d secretly hoped that Chase didn’t hear him.

“We’re having fun,” she said.

“I think you and I can both agree that this is a lot more than just two people having fun.”

“I care about you.” The admission wrapped around her heart like a warm hug, filling her with joy.

“I care about you, too. Can’t that be enough for now?”

He touched his fingertip to her bottom lip then pressed a soft kiss there. “For now,” he said.

She linked her arms around his neck and brought his mouth back to hers. “I want you,” she said against his lips. “Don’t make me wait any longer.”

He opened the door of the truck and slid out with her in his arms. She held on tightly, their lips never leaving each other’s as he made his way up the porch steps.

He took her key and eased the door open. Willy’s head lifted from his perch.

“Don’t even think about it,” Chase said as he quickly shut the door and carried her toward the couch.

He placed her on the cushion and lowered himself over her, caging her with his arms. His eyes were distant though and she needed him to get out of his own head.

She reached up, cupping her hand around his hard jaw. He turned his head, kissing her palm.

“Look at me,” she said and he obliged. “Stop thinking about the future and just be here with me now. I need you now. We’ll figure the rest out. I promise.”

She watched as the wall he had put up crumbled and his gaze focused on her completely. “I need you, too,” he admitted, taking her face into his hands and looking straight to into her soul. “So damn bad.”

Her chest was heavy like her heart might burst. “Then what are you waiting for?”

He covered her mouth with his and she melted into the kiss. Each brush of their lips, erased every uneasy feeling until all Bex could focus on was the way their bodies moved as one.

There were still things they needed to figure out, and she believed in time they would, but for now all that mattered was his hands on her body and his mouth on hers.

After hours of love making, Bex slept like the dead. When she opened her eyes, she was surprised to see the sun shining through the skylight. Chase’s arm was securely around her waist, holding her tight like she might run away from him.

She watched him, loving how cute he looked in slumber. He smiled, the tension that had been so evident yesterday nothing more that a distant memory.

She reached for her cellphone to check the time and make sure Chase wouldn’t be late to work, but when she clicked on her screen her phone was riddled with missed calls and notifications for every social media platform.

“What the heck?” She clicked open the first notification and her heart stopped. A picture of Chase stared back at her and not just any picture. A picture of him, angry faced with his lip curled and eyes as black as the night sky.

“Oh no…”

Chase stirred beside her and pulled her tight against him. “It’s too early for those kind of words,” he said.

She didn’t know how to break it to him. She clicked over to the next notification, and it got worse. The awful picture was there alongside another of him in his uniform with the title: Five Things You Need to Know About Chase Marshall.

“Oh no,” she said again.

Chase grabbed her phone from her and tossed it aside. “Don’t let that ruin your day before it even starts.”

“But, Chase…” She had no idea how to start. “That photographer must’ve sold the pictures. You’re all over the internet. Like all over.”

“Who gives a shit?” he said and all Bex could do was stare down at him. His eyes were still closed, a smile still lifting the edges of his lips.

She smacked the top of his head.

“Ow! What the hell was that for?”

“I’m just making sure you’re awake.”

He let out a breath and sat up. “I am now.”

“Good. Did you hear me?”

“Yes, I heard you.” He picked up his own phone and looked at the time before getting out of bed. He ducked so not to hit his head on the ceiling and pulled his shirt on. She watched as his sexy abs disappeared beneath the white fabric.

“Okay so…”

“So what? I knew yesterday there was a possibility of this happening.”

“But the picture… it’s bad.”

Chase smirked. “He didn’t get my good side?”

“How are you making jokes right now? You were so angry yesterday.”

“And today I’m not.” He kneeled on the mattress and crawled toward her. “If it’s one downfall I have to deal with for being with you then I’ll deal with it.” He kissed her. “You’re worth it.”

“So you’re not angry?”

“No.”

“Do you want to see the picture?”

“I couldn’t care less about the damn picture. I have to get to work and while I’m gone, do me a favor and stay off the internet.”

“But—”

He rested his finger on her lips. “No buts. Just do. Enjoy the day. Go see Sarah or go for a hike. Actually, don’t do that alone.”

“Afraid I’ll get lost?”

“Well that, but I had to carry you back the last time, if you remember.”

“That had nothing to do with the hike!”

He gave her a wicked smile then captured her lips in a sweeping kiss that had her head spinning. “I have to go.”

He sat up, and she met his gaze, letting the sheet fall. His eyes went right to her chest, and she dragged her finger down her lip, letting it fall to her hardened nipple.

“Surely you have time for breakfast.”

His eyes darkened as he dove back on the bed and flipped her beneath him.

“I always have time for you,” he said before devouring her.

***

Chase flew into the firehouse on cloud nine. He could still taste Rebecca on his lips, feel her soft curves pressing against his body, and hear the tiny moans that slipped from her lips.

Every night with her made for a better morning. He stopped thinking about when she would leave and started enjoying the time he did have with her. There was no point in worrying over something he couldn’t change.

It was eerily quiet as he made his way through the garage bay. Miguel, a morning person, usually greeted him with a smartass smile and too much energy.

As Chase moved farther into the station, his eyes caught the picture covered walls. He scanned the large space, taking in the hundreds of copies of him looking like an angry psychopath.

“You have got to be kidding me,” he mumbled as he started ripping them down.

“It’s him!” Miguel cried out. “Oh my god. Our very own celebrity.”

“Shut up,” Chase said as he noticed Sam in the doorway, lips twitching. “You think this is funny?” Chase said to the Chief, holding up the pictures.

“Damn straight,” he said. “I especially like the one of you with your nostrils flared. Great angle.”

He worked with a bunch of great guys who loved to play pranks on each other, but at the end of the day, their behavior represented their station. Fun and games didn’t tarnish a reputation but the pictures he held in his hand could.

Chase let out a breath. “You’re not mad?” he asked Sam.

Sam shook his head. “No. I would’ve punched the son of a bitch. If you ask me, you showed great restraint.” He patted Chase on the shoulder. “I’m proud of you.”

Chase didn’t know what to say. Maybe he should have let Rebecca show him the pictures so he wouldn’t have seen them for the first time in front of the guys. Though, they had seen him at his worst.

“I think there’s only one thing left to say,” Sam said.

“What’s that?”

“Can I get your autograph?”

Chase punched him in the arm. “Screw you,” he said as he ripped the pictures in half and tossed them in the nearest trash can. “Just do me a favor and help me take these down.”

“But they took us so long to put up,” Miguel said.

Chase glared at him, and Miguel shrugged, pulling down a picture.

It took them twenty minutes to get them all down. “How long did this take you?” he asked.

Sam laughed. “We had a few of the new recruits do it for us.”

“The taxpayers’ money being put to good use,” Chase said.

Sam shot him a look. “All the work was done and we had no calls. It was that or watch one of those stupid zombie movies Miguel keeps here.”

“I’m kidding,” Chase said, resting his hand on Sam’s shoulder. Sam had been fighting for them to get more money in their budget, but he met resistance every time. There simply wasn’t enough, which was why they’d all gone so long without raises.

Chase didn’t mind. He didn’t need the money. It would be nice to have a little extra cash, but he grew up learning how to get by on very little so his income was more than enough to keep him and his sisters afloat.

He wished he could find a way to help Sam get the basic needs met for the station. Their equipment needed updating, and they could use a new truck. Sam had been throwing around an idea of having a fundraiser—heaven knew the folks of Red Maple Falls loved any excuse to get together—but there simply weren’t enough people in the town to make a significant difference.

“I have another meeting with the mayor in a month. We’ll see what happens.”

“If I haven’t said it before… thank you. I appreciate you fighting for us.”

“Someone has to take care of your ass,” Sam said, holding up a picture. “Clearly you can’t be trusted.”

Chase snatched the picture from his hand, crumpled it up, and threw it back at Sam. Sam with lightning fast reflexes caught it and tossed it into the trash. “By the way,” Sam said, “a reporter came by right before you got here.”

“Jesus, do they even sleep?”

“Apparently not. She got tipped off yesterday from the photographer and took the next flight here.”

“What’d you tell her?” Chase asked.

“I told her to get the hell off the property before I called the sheriff and had her fined for loitering.”

Chase laughed. “Nice.”

“She started throwing words at me, acting like she knows our laws, so I just shut the garage door on her. She hasn’t been back since.”

“That wasn’t very Red Maple Falls of you,” Chase said.

“Yes, it was,” Sam said. “We protect our own.”

Chase was no longer that punk teenager Sam took under his wing and gave guidance to, but the man was still looking out for him. It was nice to know he had him in his life. “Thanks.”

“You can show your appreciation by polishing the truck,” Sam said, patting him on the back then walking away, laughing as he went.

Before Chase could polish the truck, they got a call for a traffic accident just at the town border. He hated accidents more than anything… mostly because of his mom. His biggest fear was coming onto an accident and finding a lifeless body slumped over the steering wheel. Or worse, a person just barely alive and fighting for every breath.

Every wreck he arrived at he’d send up a silent prayer that the person was okay. He never wanted another family to go through what he had.

Luckily, the wreck was nothing more than someone swerving to avoid a moose and side swiping a boulder. Her door was stuck, and she couldn’t get out, but the woman was more shaken up than hurt.

After that he had a few other calls. Mrs. Wilkinson thought she smelled gas—which she did but only because she forgot she turned her stove on. Another bonfire which wasn’t uncommon for the time of year. No matter how many fire safety classes they held at the schools, some kids thought they were too cool to pay attention.

Finally, the day was over and all Chase could think about was getting back to Rebecca. He slid his phone out, surprised not to have any texts from her. Maybe she did as he asked and avoided social media.

He pulled Rebecca’s number up on his phone and hit call. After the second ring she answered. Her voice was filled with joy as if she had been laughing.

“I’m done with my shift. You home?” he asked.

“Actually, I’m not. I’m at your place.”

“What?”

“I called Brooke to see if she wanted to go shopping so we took a drive to the outlets with Sarah. Now Brooke and I are having a glass of wine and talking about you.”

“I can only imagine what she’s saying.”

“Wouldn’t you like to know,” Brooke’s voice came over the phone just before the call went dead.

“That brat,” Chase said as he called Rebecca back.

“Sorry,” she said when she answered. “That was Brooke.”

“I figured as much.”

“We’re cooking dinner, so hurry home,” she said, and an unexpected warmth surged through him, encasing his heart. The words that were so simple and most likely meaningless to her meant so much to him.

He imagined life with Rebecca waiting for him after a long day at work, coming home and her greeting him at the door. It was a damn fairy tale, and he couldn’t help but lose himself in the idea.

“I’ll be there soon,” he said and hung up, holding onto the fantasy the entire way.