Sweet Love: Forever Safe Romance Series Page 2

  “A stick in the mud, but a gentleman.” Tori is an adorable drunk, and the lopsided grin she grants me endears me to her even more. “Are you one of the nice guys Chase?”

  “I try to be.”

  “The problem is all guys act nice at first, then things start to change. Eventually, you’re all assholes.”

  I’m about to respond when she grabs her stomach and throws up, all over my jeans and boots, at the same time the valet pulls up in my truck. The guy takes one look at me and shakes his head. “I’ll be right back, man.” He runs inside and comes back out less than a minute later with a small towel and a bottle of water.

  “Thanks,” I say as he hands me the towel.

  “I’m so sorry, Chase. I didn’t mean to do that.”

  “I know Darlin'’. Come here.” I guide her on shaky legs to my truck and help her get in on the passenger side. I pour some water onto the towel to wet it then wipe Tori’s face clean. Then I put the open bottle of water up to her lips. “Drink, slowly,” I demand, and her eyes snap to mine. She nods and grabs onto the bottle and takes a small sip. She gives me the bottle back after a few more sips.

  “Thank you.”

  “Always Darlin'’. You good to get going or do you think you might get sick again?”

  “God, I hope not, I feel bad about it enough already.”

  Curling my finger under her chin, I nudge it up, so her eyes meet mine. “They’re just clothes, what I’m worried about is if you’re feeling okay.”

  “I think I’ll be alright.” She smiles at me tremulously.

  I close her door after making sure she’s buckled in then hand the valet guy a twenty. “Thanks, man,” I tell him.

  Then I get into my truck, and we’re off.

  Three

  Tori

  I wake in a dark, barely lit room with the sun shining through a set of closed curtains. Before I can figure out where I am, my head begins to throb in pain. Oh God, what did I do to myself last night? I roll to my side and sit up on the edge of the bed, which only makes my head hurt worse than before. I really need some freaking coffee. I think back to last night and start piecing together what happened.

  It was a girl’s night, more like a pity girl’s night because I had to basically beg Summer to come out with me. I’ve barely seen her since she and Drake became a couple. Don’t get me wrong, I’m more than happy that she’s found such a great guy, but it sucks that I feel like I’ve lost my best friend in the process. When we got to the club, I was ready to forget my life and started drinking immediately, way more than Summer was. Then we danced, and I felt so free and happy for the first time in too long. When did I start to feel like this? The guys on the dance floor were annoying, constantly grabbing at Summer and I, wanting to touch what they had no right to. Most of them gave up quickly when she shut them down, but one guy didn’t understand the word ‘no.’ Drake showed up and saved Summer from him, though. Then Chase arrived, and we argued about leaving the club. He ended up throwing me over his shoulder and walking us out. When we got outside… oh dear god, I threw up all over the sexy firefighter. Embarrassingly enough, the rest of the night is a blur of bits and pieces. Chase taking me to his place so he could keep an eye on me since as he put it, ‘you need looking after Darlin'.’ Why does he make so much sense and have to look so sweet while doing it?

  Stumbling to my feet, I’m relieved to discover that I’m in a big t-shirt and some boxer shorts instead of my dress from last night. I walk as quietly as I can to one of the doors in the room and find a bathroom instead of a hallway. I need to pee, so this works too. After using the restroom, I wash my face, getting the smeared eyeliner and mascara off as best as I can. I pull my hair into a ponytail at the top of my head and check myself in the mirror. Girl, this is as good as it’s going to get. I shake my head at myself in the mirror and go to the door across the room, which leads out to a short hallway. The place is very quiet. Did Chase leave me here alone? I walk into the living room, which is much brighter with the sun shining in through the sliding glass door, and find Chase, who is only wearing some basketball shorts, asleep on the sofa. He looks adorably uncomfortable with his legs hanging off of the end. I take a moment just to stare at the perfect specimen God made when he created Chase. I mean damn, he is one fine looking man. A body like that must spend a lot of time at the gym. Thank god I’m naturally thin because I am not all about that work out life. I may be thin, but I eat terribly, and I’m completely out of shape. I’d still get caught by the zombies if they ever attacked if you know what I mean.

  Realizing my staring has gone from okay into creeper status, I look around Chase’s apartment and see that it is about the same size as mine. His one bedroom one and a half bath open floor plan has a combined living and dining room. The kitchen is tiny and is next to the dining room. I guess one guy doesn’t need that much space, I can relate to that. His apartment is decorated sparsely with barely anything hanging on the walls, although he does have two large bookshelves filled with books. I’m itching to check out his collection, but I need something to drink to get rid of the nasty taste in my mouth that the swish of Chase’s mouthwash did not get rid of.

  When I open the refrigerator, I find it’s almost empty except for some eggs and bacon sitting on the top shelf. Score! My stomach rumbles, and I know exactly how I’m going to make my amends for last night. I get to work quickly by starting a pot of coffee. If I’m going to make it through this awkward morning, I need the water of the gods to help! I get the bacon cooking in the frying pan while I locate some milk and sugar because there’s no way I’m drinking that god water, black.

  Every few minutes, I look back at Chase and find him still asleep on the couch. I feel bad that I took his bed last night and he had to take the couch, that couldn’t have been comfortable. The next time I look back, the couch is empty, and I don’t see Chase anywhere. Man, he’s quiet, I didn’t even hear him get up. A few minutes later Chase walks out of his room, pulling a t-shirt over his head. My eyes travel down from his face to his very defined abs, I don’t get to see the rest of the show because he clears his throat. I look at his face and see that he’s blushing. Could he be any more different than all the other guys that I’ve met?

  “Good morning.” I point at the mug of coffee I poured for him on the counter. “I made coffee.”

  “Ahh just what I need.” He smiles and picks up the coffee from the counter. I watch as he blows on the steaming cup and takes a small sip. Everything he does is turning me on right now, and that is not a good thing. I am a hot mess, and that’s the last thing I should be thinking about.

  “Breakfast is almost done. Go have a seat at the table, and I’ll bring you your plate.” I tell him while turning the bacon in the pan.

  Chase walks up behind me quietly, so quiet that I don’t know it until he’s pressed against my back and gripping my hip. My mind goes blank, and all I can think is how close he’s standing. “You didn’t have to do all of this Tori, but thank you.” He drops a kiss on that one spot between my shoulder and neck that sends shivers down my spine then he goes to sit down at the dining room table.

  Once he’s no longer behind me, my mind turns back on, and I can think once again. I clear my throat. “How do you like your eggs and how many do you want?”

  “Overeasy and I’ll take three.”

  I crack three eggs into the bacon grease and wait until they’re ready to flip. I look over at Chase, and he’s sitting there drinking his coffee and watching me cook. My nipples pebble against my borrowed shirt, and I quickly get back to finishing the breakfast I’m cooking. I’ve always been attracted to Chase, but after last night the walls I put between us don’t seem as indestructible as they were before. Each time he does something selfless that wall becomes weak. Tori, he’s a guy, he isn’t interested in anything more than a few sexy times. When he’s finished with you, he’ll leave and move on to someone else that has caught his attention. It’s better to not bother with him and get a dog, at
least they’d be loyal.

  I pile the eggs, bacon, and toast and a plate and place in front of him a bit harder than I should, then turn to walk back to the kitchen.

  “Wait,” Chase says, grabbing my hand. “What’s wrong? You seemed happy a couple of minutes ago. I could have made us breakfast if that’s what you’re mad about.” He looks so concerned. His deep brown eyes roam my face trying to figure it out.

  I try for a smile, but he doesn’t look convinced. “I’m not mad at you Chase. Really. I forgot about something, and I’m frustrated, I forgot. It’s fine, I promise.” He lets me go, and I make my breakfast next.

  When I go to sit down with my plate, I see that Chase hasn’t touched his food. “Is something wrong? Did you need anything else?”

  He picks his fork up and smiles at me. “Nope, just waiting on you to get here before I ate. My dad wouldn’t let us eat until my mom sat down with her plate too. I guess it’s just ingrained in me to wait.”

  “Your dad sounds like a good guy.”

  “He’s the best man I know. How about your dad?”

  I shrug. “I don’t know, I’ve never met him.”

  “Oh. Shit, I’m sorry, Tori.”

  I laugh. “It’s not a big deal. I don’t know my mom, either. I was put in a group home when I was three, so I only have a few memories of her. She couldn’t handle taking care of me, so she gave me to the state. It’s been twenty years, I worked through my issues when I was a teenager and pissed off at life. Summer is my family now.”

  “When did you meet?”

  “We group up together in the group home. She was there before me. Theresa, the woman who ran the home back then, said we were inseparable from the start. We’ve been friends for so long it’s like she’s my sister.”

  “I can understand that. Drake’s dad and mine are cousins. I’ve known him since I was a baby. We’re not only family, but we’re best friends. He would come down here to visit every year for the summer since we were ten. When we got older, I kept telling him to move down, and eventually, he did.”

  I take a sip of my coffee then set it down. “Well Summer sure as hell likes him. He better treat her right, though.”

  “Why are you so convinced that he’ll do her wrong?” He laughs.

  I roll my eyes. “Because he has a dick. I’m convinced that it makes guys a little crazy and gives them an excuse to do whatever the hell they want.”

  Chase stops chewing his food and gives me a weird look. He wipes his mouth before speaking. “So you think all guys are bad?”

  “Pretty much.”

  “So some are good?”

  “Chase, I’m not crazy. I know there are great guys out there, I just think they are few and far between. From what I’ve seen, they are selfish assholes. As I said, I know they all aren’t like that.”

  Chase shakes his head at me. I’m sure he thinks I’m insane.

  “Thanks for last night and sorry about throwing up all over you. I never drink like that.”

  “That’s good to hear. You should know as a nurse that it’s not good for your body to consume that much alcohol.”

  “Yes dad, I know drinking like a fish is bad news, but it seemed like a good way to drown my sorrows for the night.”

  “Is this about your boyfriend?”

  I laugh, darkly. “That’s hilarious. What boyfriend? I have no boyfriend.”

  “Remember when we ran into each other a few months back? I figured you and… what was his name?”

  “Aaron?”

  “Yeah, Aaron. I see him in the parking lot at the hospital, so I figured that you two were still together.”

  “When was the last time you saw him?”

  “He was there yesterday when Drake and I came up. Why?”

  I shake my head, no. “It’s nothing.” I grab Chase’s plate and stack it on mine then stand up and walk our dishes to the sink and put them down. I’ve never noticed him before. Why would he be at the hospital? This doesn’t make sense. Holy shit, is Aaron stalking me now too? His cryptic texts are starting to make a lot more sense now.

  “Darlin’ it’s not nothing. You’re shaking.” Chase says from behind me.

  I turn around and look up into his concerned eyes. This is all too much. A tear escapes and travels down my cheek. Chase wipes it away before I can. Another tear falls, and he wipes that one too.

  “Tell me so I can protect you and make sure you are safe. Tell me what’s going on so I can fix it.” He says low, looking down into my eyes.

  I shake my head, no. This isn’t his problem. I can take care of this on my own. “You’re so damn stubborn Tori.” He growls, leaning down close to me, our lips inches apart.

  He smells like bacon and toothpaste, and he’s looking at me like he wants to slay my dragons. I can’t help but wrap my arms around his neck to pull his lips to mine. As if it’s the invitation he’s been waiting for, he encircles his arms around my waist and runs his hands down to my ass, squeezes my cheeks. He lifts me up and sets me on the counter, his lips never leaving mine. His fingers spear into my hair, and he pulls, my head going to the side and changing the angle of our kiss. Chase deepens it, pushing his tongue into my mouth and dominating the kiss and me like I never knew I needed. Sucking my bottom lip into his mouth, he bites down just hard enough to make my pussy pulse in need. We’re teeth and tongues and hands. He kisses down my chin leaving small bites against my skin until he gets to the place he kissed earlier, making me moan as his tongue and teeth do something magical.

  I rock my hips against Chase, needing to feel him against me, needing to come for him. The man is tall enough that he fits just right against my center, his thick dick pushing against the thin boxers I’m wearing and hitting my clit perfectly. Jesus, I’m about to come, and I need him to come with me. I pull his shorts down enough that his dick springs free. He hisses when my hand wraps around his shaft. He’s so thick my hand can’t wrap all the way around. Sliding my hand up and down his shaft, he presses into my hand, moving with me. The next thing I know Chase has ripped the boxers down the middle and my wet pussy is exposed to him.

  “Fuck Tori, you’re pretty pussy is weeping for me. I need a taste.”

  He kneels before me and trails wet kisses up to my center. Grabbing my thighs, he spreads me wide then puts my hands on the back of my legs. “Hold yourself here and don’t move.” He commands, his eyes are serious and full of heat. He doesn’t move until I nod and whisper okay. Once I do, he flattens his tongue and licks from the bottom of my opening to my throbbing clit.

  “Oh fuck,” I moan.

  Sucking my clit into his mouth, he sucks hard then runs his tongue up and down my slit. I rest my head against the cabinets and watch Chase feast on my pussy. His arm is moving, and I see that he’s jacking off while eating me out. Dear lord in heaven, I’ve never done anything like this. Chase spears his tongue in and out of my pussy, then licks back up to my clit and nibbles on it before sucking my lips and the fucking me with his tongue again. He’s relentless and never stops until my pussy starts to quiver, and I know any second I’m not going to be able to hold back my orgasm.

  “Come on my tongue Darlin'’. Give me your sweet sugar so I can drink it up.”

  That’s all it takes, and I’m coming for him. My orgasm explodes out of me and my eyes close as I come down from the high this man took me to. When I open my eyes, Chase is standing there, staring down at my pussy. His head a shade of purple and looking angry. “Use me, Chase, what do you need?” I moan needing to give him whatever it is that will get him there.

  “Lift up your shirt and show me your tits.” He pleads in a guttural tone.

  As soon as he says it my shirt is over my head and thrown to the floor. I run my hands up to my boobs and hold them up for him. “This what you need baby?”

  He sucks one of my hard nipples into his mouth and moans. His tantalizing teeth tease my nipple, and I’m well on my way to coming for a second time. Chase rubs the head of his dick through my wet
pussy lips and up to my clit. I arch my pussy toward him, our sexes moving against each other.

  “Chase, I’m going to come,” I whine.

  He groans. “Me too Darlin'’, fuck me too.” He pulls back enough so he can watch his two thick fingers enter my core while steadily stroking his dick. He pumps in and out of me until I convulse around him and I’m coming again. Then he’s coming, his hot cum shoots against my pussy. When he’s finished coming he strokes his fingers through his cum and mixes it with mine, pushing it into my pussy.

  My phone rings beside me on the counter, and Summer’s name pops up, making me groan. I guess it’s back to reality. I look up at Chase, and he’s giving me a sweet smile. There’s something about Chase that makes me want to give in. Maybe taking the day and forgetting about the real world is exactly what I need. I run my hand up his chest and forget about Summer calling. Grasping his neck, I pull him to me for a slow kiss. My phone goes off again, and this time it’s a text. I look down and see that Summer sent a picture. Interest piqued, I open my messages and see a picture of Drake and Summer, Summer holding up her hand, showing off an engagement ring.

  Four

  Chase

  “Oh, my God!” Tori squeals and turns her phone to show me. “Drake asked Summer to marry him!”

  “Yeah, I didn’t think it would be much longer before that happened. Once he has what he wants, he doesn’t mess around.” I say, knowing exactly how he feels.

  “What about you?” She asks and bites her bottom lip.

  “Me?” I ask, still entranced with her mouth and not thinking straight. She looks down and away from me. Then it dawns on me what she’s asking.

  “Darlin’ look at me,” I demand.