I wrapped my arms around my chest. The breeze from the water made the night even cooler. When I'd picked out my outfit, I hadn't been concerned about spending much time outside.
"Are you cold? Do you want to go back inside?"
"No," I answered completely honestly. There was something almost enchanting about the quiet evening. Being with Chase felt far more comfortable than I'd have ever expected.
"Are you sure?" He put a hand on my leg. The contact warmed me up.
"No, but leave your hand there. You're warm." Once again, I was forward with him. Maybe it was because we'd already had sex. That kind of intimacy changes people I guess.
"No problem." He moved his hand up and down my leg. The touch sent warmth far more places than just my leg.
We sat in silence again, as though neither of us wanted to break the spell of the evening. Eventually, he broke the silence. "Can I show you some things back at Riley's?"
I laughed. "Is that your way of getting me into a bedroom?"
"Technically, yes, but not for the reason you think."
"Then sure." Even Chase's touch couldn't keep me warm for that long. I accepted his hand, and we walked back to Riley's apartment. Warmth greeted me as soon as we walked inside, and I felt surprisingly few nerves as he led me down the hallway into a tiny bedroom which was filled almost completely with a double bed.
I sat down on the edge of his bed while he rifled through a duffel bag. "Here's my proof."
"Your proof?" I accepted the handful of plain white pages he offered.
"Yeah. You didn't seem persuaded by my sex on the beach song, but here's a bunch of other stuff I wrote after meeting you." He sat down next to me and took my hand. "I probably sound absolutely crazy and borderline insane, but I felt something that night, and it wasn't just good sex."
"So, the sex was good for you too?" I smiled.
"Very. A little sandy, but that kind of comes with the territory."
I rested my head on his chest. "We can't just have sex tonight."
"Technically, we could." He grinned. "But I think talking has to be high on the list."
"But what's the point? I mean, you're just going to leave. When do you leave anyway?"
"Tomorrow." He ran his thumb over my hand.
"Exactly my point."
"It's still worth it. Now that I actually know who you are and where to find you, it's much more likely I'll see you again."
"It might also help if you had my number."
"Yes, that would help." He fished his phone out of his back pocket. "What is it?"
I read it off to him, and moments later, my phone vibrated in my purse. I took it out to add him as a contact and to send quick texts to my roommates to tell them I was fine. Neither of them would be sleeping in our room that night, so they'd never know I wasn't there.
"Nice, you did give me the real number."
I pushed him playfully, which somehow ended up with me lying down on the bed with him next to me. "Of course I gave you the real number."
"I'm glad, because I didn't want to have to show up at your sorority house begging to see you."
"You'd beg to see me?" I slipped my hand under his t-shirt.
He closed his eyes. "That feels so good."
"That does? But I'm barely touching you."
"Image how good I'd feel if you were doing something more than barely touching me then." He raised an eyebrow.
"Then get your shirt out of the way." I leaned up and pulled his t-shirt over his head. I took in the sight of him shirtless. I'd only gotten a moonlight view last time, and he looked even better in the brighter light of the lamp. He wasn't diesel like Aaron, but I liked that. Chase clearly worked out, and every part of him was toned, but it wasn't over the top.
"Do I get to have you shirtless then too?" He pulled up on the edge of my layered tanks.
"I suppose it's only fair." I pulled both tanks off in one motion. Before I could contemplate taking off my bra, he had it unclasped and tossed to the edge of the bed with our shirts.
"I missed these." He cupped my breasts in his hands.
"You mean my nice tits."
He laughed. "I did not use those words."
"Oh yeah?" I ran my hand down his chest. "Then what words did you use?"
"I may have said something about perfect."
"Perfect? My breasts aren't perfect."
"Yes, they are." He lowered his mouth to one.
I closed my eyes, enjoying the sensation of his tongue gliding across my nipple.
"The perfect size-not too big, not too small." He squeezed both breasts. "The right shape, and they fit perfectly in my hands and mouth." He lightly nipped my other nipple with his teeth. "What isn't perfect about them?"
I was so turned on it wasn't funny. So much for not having sex. I reached down and undid his belt. He was sliding my skirt down my hips before I got to his button.
He hesitated with my panties, standing up to kick off his pants and boxer briefs before sliding my pink polka dot underwear off.
"I wasn't expecting anyone to see me in my underwear tonight."
"That makes me very happy." He sat down next to me, letting his eyes rake over me. "And finally seeing you in more light makes me happy."
"I was thinking the same thing."
"Oh yeah? Still think I'm hot now that you're sober?"
"No." I grabbed him. "I think you're sexy."
"We're supposed to be talking, aren't we?" His voice was husky.
"Let's promise to talk after."
"All night." He moved his hand between my legs.
I closed my eyes again, hesitantly opening up to his fingers.
"Are you nervous?" he asked softly.
"Kind of."
"Why?" His fingers stilled. "You do want this." It was a statement and not a question.
"It's different doing this now. We're sober, the lights are on."
"And the lights are staying on." He lifted me up slightly so he could pull down the comforter. "And we're doing it on the sheets but not under them. I was robbed of watching you and your reactions last time. I get them this time."
"Okay." My confidence slowly returned as he stretched out next to me on the cool sheets.
"You're so unbelievably beautiful. I can't believe you're real." His voice was so strong, so clear. It was as though he really believed his words.
"Thank you."
"And I promise this isn't the last you're going to see of me, Cara. Run all you want, I'll keep finding you."
"I'm not running. I gave you my phone number, didn't I?"
"That you did." He moved between my thighs.
I gazed up at him, waiting as he opened the wrapper of a condom. My whole body buzzed with anticipation.
"The look you're giving me is the sexiest look I've ever seen." With that, he thrust into me.
I gasped, getting used to the feel of him inside me again. He kept his eyes fixed on mine as he moved. He started slow, only moving in part way. I whimpered, feeling amazing but needing more. I grabbed on to his back and he thrust harder, filling me with the entire length of him.
I moaned, trying to bite back the scream that wanted to come out. We weren't home alone. I needed to stay quiet. His lips attacked my neck, and I closed my eyes, giving him better access.
"Chase."
"Yes, Cara?"
I opened my eyes to see him staring into mine again. "Don't stop. Never stop."
He laughed. "I'm not planning on stopping yet."
I closed my eyes again, letting him move and fill me. I thought the first night was good, but without the effects of alcohol dulling the experience, the second was even better. He pushed me over the edge, and my whole body tingled when he reached his release moments later.
We lay quietly for a few moments before he shifted to my side. "How do you feel?"
"Emotionally or physically?"
"Both." He kissed my shoulder.
"Perfect."
He got a goofy grin. "I feel exactly the same way."
I reached for the sheet but he stopped me.
"Do you want the sheets because you're cold or because you're trying to cover up?"
"I'm definitely not cold." I was still sweating from the workout he'd given me.
"Then can you let me look at you a little longer?"
"I think you've looked at me plenty." I resisted the urge to cover my chest with my arms.
"Nope. I need to look at you so long that I have every inch of you memorized. It's going to be six weeks or so before I see you again."
I leaned up on an elbow. "I'm already counting down the days."
"Sounds like you're going to be excited to see me?" He pulled me on top of him.
"Aren't you going to be excited to see me?"
"Of course. I'll get back here as soon as I can."
"At least we still have tonight."
"That we do." He grabbed my ass.
"Okay, we need to do some more talking now." I rolled off him and pulled up the sheet. I wanted to be cozy.