11. Chapter Eleven

Chapter Eleven

Belinda

I wrapped the flannel shirt he gave me tighter around me and leaned against the counter as I watched him.

He was mighty sexy walking around the kitchen as if he knew what he was doing in nothing more than a pair of Wranglers, that had the button undone.

Why that was sexy, I wasn’t sure, but he was doing a number on me!

And like this, I can see every tattoo. Like the one on his arm, which is a beautiful piece of Mother Mary. Add on the ones on his chest, his ribcage, plus the one on his leg and I’m fully drooling.

“What are you doing?” I asked him, crossing my arms over my chest. His eyes floated over my body, landing on the hem of the shirt that honestly barely covered my ass. I’m sure he didn’t mind though.

“What does it look like? Baking Christmas cookies.”

I eyed the ingredients and then shook my head. Truthfully, he was going to end up making a bigger mess than actually making the cookies.

“Oh, please let me help you.”

“Why?”

I passed by him, flicking my finger over his pouting lip.

“Because you’re going to ruin them. And I’d like something nice for the family to come home too.”

I grabbed the bowl and measured out the items before starting to whisk it.

“You’re a party pooper.”

“Chase, don’t you think we made a big enough mess? We had to clean all that up. And let me tell you, my body was protesting that given the time since it’s had a workout like that.”

“That was not a mess, that was fun.”

I rolled my eyes before putting the dough on the tray. At least he had the foresight to make chocolate chip cookies with red, green, and white sprinkles.

It was fun, and something I like to do again with this man, but I know I shouldn’t. This was a one-time thing because I knew Chase. I highly doubt that he’s changed all these years later.

“Not getting into that with you.”

I pushed the cookie off the spoon with my finger, then stuck it in my mouth. If there was ever something I loved to bake, it was cookies. The rich and sweet aroma that filled the air always made my heart soar. And as simple as it was, chocolate chip cookies were my favorite.

“Don’t do that,” he hissed, and I tossed him a look over my shoulder.

“Do what?” I questioned, repeating the action. He grabbed my hand, sticking the cookie dough finger in his mouth and looked at me. “Oh,” I whimpered, causing his eyes to flare up.

Hello dangerous ground!

“Yes, oh.” He dropped my hand and then went back to lean against the counter. “You can’t handle another round, so don’t tease me.”

“I’m not teasing you, Chase. I’m making your cookies.”

I ignored him as I finished the cookies, then put the tray in the oven, ignoring his groan as well.

Not my fault if things seemed to turn him on easily enough these days. There could have been any number of ladies to have warmed his bed over the years, I’m sure.

“Belinda,” he growled, and I looked up as I grabbed another bowl and the flour.

“What?” I asked. I wasn’t pretending to be innocent. I really couldn’t understand what was getting him so worked up.

“You,” he responded, moving towards me. No, not just moving. Prowling. Stalking even. I sat the bowl down and walked backwards to the other counter.

“What about me? I didn’t do anything?”

“You’re driving me crazy, and I think you enjoy that.”

Okay, sure, I did enjoy it. But I really didn’t mean to do it on purpose.

“Seriously, Chase, I didn’t do anything.”

“Right.”

His hands found my waist and lifted me up, plopping me down on the counter. As if they had a mind of their own, my legs fell open and he stepped between them, rubbing a hardening member right against my now aching clit.

When the hell did that happen?

I wasn’t feeling anything a moment ago.

Maybe it was the look in his eyes?

Maybe it was the feel of him wanting me?

Maybe it was my own traitorous heart that wanted more and was getting my body the go ahead to feel the same way?

“You’re wet. But you’re sore.”

“So,” I told him, before locking my legs around his hips and drawing him impossibly closer. I moaned as he rubbed against me again just as his lips captured mine.

I held on tight as his mouth devoured mine, his tongue dancing with my own. God, this man could kiss! It seemed that he had gotten better at that. Gone was the sloppy teenager and young man. Here was a man who knew the art of turning a woman on.

It shouldn’t bother me.

But it did.

It’s been ten years, ten very long years, he wouldn’t have stayed celibate. I wasn’t a fool enough to believe that.

But as his lips took me into a whole other world where I could believe anything was possible and that this man loved me as much as I was falling for him, I wanted to be that fool. I wanted to believe that he waited.

His lips pressed even more desperately against mine, his hard cock straining against his jeans. I moved with him, my lips with his, my hips with his. I wanted all he was willing to give me, and that was a dangerous road.

I know we just wrapped up earth shattering sex minutes ago, and I know my body couldn’t handle another round, but it sure didn’t stop me from longing for it.

“We’re home, it smells good in here!”

We broke apart so fast and I jumped off the counter, tugging the shirt down, even knowing it wasn’t going to go anywhere.

“Chase, you’re baking cookies?”

I blinked, seeing him by the stove as his mom rounded the corner. Her eyes took in the scene, and I waved.

“I figured I better help him before he burns the place down.”

“Thank you, Belinda.” She frowned as she waved her hand over me. “What happened?”

“Garland mess,” Chase offered, keeping his back to his mom. For a moment, I couldn’t figure out why and then I had to smirk. Couldn’t quite tell mom, when I was half naked, and he had a big ol hickey, that nothing happened.

“Yeah, I had to wash my clothes. But since you’re here to cover for me, I think I’ll just head out.”

“Oh, dear, not if your clothes aren’t dry. You can change in Chase’s room, but please stay for dinner. I’m going to put my stuff away. Chase, make sure you clean up.”

“Will do, Mom.” I smiled as she left the kitchen and then turned to face Chase, just as he faced me.

It was a slippery road I was walking on with this man. He just saved me because lying on the fly was not my thing. And even more so to his mom.

What’s worse? In all of this, I got the impression that Chase wasn’t going to take this very far. That he had no intention of making our relationship a go thing again.

And I couldn’t blame him.

Even all these years later, I still couldn’t open up to him about what happened. That was Grandma’s Betty story to tell. She had to let him in. In fact, she had to let them all in.

I swallowed hard, fearing that I needed to guard my heart. I knew I was falling all over again. Well, not like I really ever stopped loving this man.

But I wasn’t about to give him the means to break it.

I could see the look in his eyes. This was a fun romp in the hay, but that’s all it was.

So, I straightened, gave him a smile to let him know I was okay, and left the kitchen, needing a few minutes to put the wall around my heart up all over again.