"Yes, I can. You violated my privacy."
"You can just wipe the video."
Chase put an arm around me. "Oh, I will, after you prove it's not on the cloud. And then I need this to make sure I can find you if you've already backed it up and this shows up somewhere else."
"You can't even see anything!" His nerves had become anger, but his anger was nothing compared to mine.
"Not only did you film us having sex, but you filmed us admitting our feelings to each other. Those things are private." I was fuming, and I appreciated having Chase's arm for support.
I left the phone with Chase. I'd let him make sure the file wasn't backed up somewhere.
I said good night to my friends again and waited for Chase back in the tent.
He came back, zipping the tent behind him. "I'm so sorry about that, babe."
"Yeah, well. I think that's an example of how things are going to change."
He laughed.
"What?"
"Cara? You think that kid was paparazzi? It was just some stoned teenager who obviously followed us here."
"Yeah, but."
"No buts. This is our night, and we're going to enjoy it."
"You expect me to have sex with you again after what just happened?" I sat down, pulling my knees up to my chest.
"Yes. Yes, I do." He gently pulled my knees down and eased me down on the sleeping bags.
"And you're sure you're feeling okay?"
He laughed. "Come on, babe. We almost had our first sex tape. We're on our way."
I swatted at him, only grazing his arm. "Not funny."
He nuzzled into my neck. "At least I know any tapes will be with you. There will be some consistency for my fans."
"You're treading on thin ice."
"No, I'm not."
"Yes, you are."
"Nope." He unbuttoned my jeans. I let him since I didn't want to sleep in them anyway.
Once my jeans were off, I slid into the sleeping bag. He followed behind. Still in just underwear, he didn't have much to take off.
He slipped a hand under the oversized t-shirt I was wearing. I took in a breath.
"If I'm treading on thin ice, then why is my touch getting such a reaction?" He made a gentle line with his other hand down my stomach.
"Because I can't help it."
"Because you love me and the way my hands feel on you."
"That too."
He paused in his exploration to pull off my t-shirt. "I almost have you naked again. Still think I'm treading on thin ice?"
"Maybe. Almost naked doesn't mean you're getting any."
"It doesn't?" His lips tickled my ear as he leaned in.
"Nope."
He slowly eased off my panties and his underwear. "Now we're both completely naked. Still don't plan on letting me have you?"
"Nope."
"Oh." His hand slid down my body, teasing me as it drew circles on my inner thigh. "So you wouldn't want me to move my hand a little?"
"I don't know what you mean."
"You don't? I'll have to show you then." He slipped a finger inside me.
I tried to hold back a moan.
"I heard that." He added another finger, and I didn't bother to hide my reaction.
"See I think it's the other way around. You're the one who's treading on thin ice."
"Is that so?" I reached out and grabbed him. I stroked him far less gently than I usually would.
He groaned.
"Just say I won." I continued my stroking.
"What did you win exactly?"
"Just admit that you're on thin ice, so I can say I forgive you and we get to have sex."
He laughed. "I'm on thin ice. You're right, I'm wrong."
"Perfect." I moved on top of him, sitting up, even though it meant exposing myself.
"See this would be a hotter video. You on top."
"Chase!"
"Sorry, couldn't resist."
"And here I thought you wanted me." I teased him by starting to situate him, but pausing just before allowing him inside.
"I want you so bad it literally hurts right now."
"Then stop talking about sex tapes."
"I will. Lips are sealed."
"Who said I wanted your lips sealed?" I eased him slowly inside.
"In that case, I'll find some good uses for my lips tonight."
"You better."
Chapter Twenty-One
Saying goodbye to Chase hurt less this time. It's not that it was easier exactly, I was just less worried. Even though it was going to be a longer period of time apart, I knew I had plenty going on to keep me busy, and I knew he wasn't going to forget about me.
The next few weeks went quickly. Between a gazillion papers, some tutoring at a local high school I'd picked up, and sorority events, I'd discovered that going alone to a date party wasn't that bad, and the radio station, I barely had any down time. I found I liked it that way. Of course, I still missed Chase like crazy, but our nightly chats helped ease the pain of the distance, and I'd come up with a plan to make sure I'd see him more over the summer. Jade, Kyle, and I also got an awesome opportunity to broadcast from another local festival. The thought of doing something on location made me nervous, but my excitement definitely won out.
I'd been put in charge of organizing the senior send-off for Delta Mu which meant I had to find a venue that fit our budget. I'd put off actually visiting the restaurants for a few weeks, but the clock was ticking. I decided to head over to a few right before the lunch crowd. I negotiated a great deal at the second place I visited, and I happily headed back toward campus to grab lunch and get some reading done before class.
"Cara! Hey!" I glanced over to the direction from which my name was being called.
"Hey, Rachel." I smiled, heading over to where she sat outside a café with a middle-aged woman.
"Wait, is this Chase's Cara?" The women looked at Rachel and then at me.
"The one and only." Rachel grinned.
My stomach dropped as the possible identity of the woman dawned on me.
"Cara, this is Carol Denton. Riley and Chase's mom. She's in town to help with some wedding planning."
I took a deep breath. "Hi, Mrs. Denton. Pleasure to meet you."
"What a fantastic surprise to finally meet you. Why don't you join us? We were just about to order lunch."
"Oh. That's all right. I was just running some errands."
"Have you eaten yet?" she asked.
"No."
"Then, come on." She stood and pulled a chair over.
This wasn't happening. I shot Rachel a look over Carol's head, and she only smiled. She was in so much trouble.
I took a seat, carefully smoothing out my skirt before unfolding a napkin and placing it on my lap. Luckily, I'd dressed up a little that day. "Thanks for inviting me to join you."
"Of course. I've heard so much about you, and I've been waiting for Chase to introduce us. It looks like Rachel beat him to the punch."
"I guess so." I wondered if Chase had any plans to introduce us yet. I was getting close to asking him to come meet my parents.
"What errands were you running?" Rachel asked. I'm sure she was just trying to break the ice, but I didn't feel like explaining.
"Oh. Just checking out some venues for the senior send-off for my sorority."
"Rachel was telling me you girls are part of the same organization?" Carol's question made it sound like she hadn't been Greek in college. Hopefully, she didn't have an aversion to sororities.
"Yes. It's a fun coincidence."
"That's great. I know Riley and Chase are glad you two are so friendly."
I smiled. "I feel the same way."
Rachel's phone beeped and she glanced at it. "That's my boss. I have to go take care of a mess with a client. I'm so sorry, but I need to go." Rachel stood up. "I'll see you at the fitting, Carol. And call me later, Cara." She dashed off in a blur.
Carol unfolded her napkin. "Rachel moves quickly when she wants to, doesn't she?"
"That she does." I forced down my frustration at Rachel inviting me over and then leaving. She probably had a good reason, but it was still awkward. I couldn't mess this up. You only had one chance to make a good impression, and this one needed to be great if Chase and I were going to be together for any significant period of time.
"You don't have to be so nervous. I'm so excited to meet you. Chase has never talked about a woman as much as he talks about you."
"Really?" I had no idea he'd been discussing me with his mother.
A waiter came over with water, and I quickly scanned the menu to pick a meal. I settled on an apple walnut salad.
"Yes. You seem to have him captivated. I'm sure you've realized this already, but Chase is pretty strong headed when it comes to getting what he wants. When he sets his sights on something, he does everything to make it happen. He was that way with school, and his music, and now he seems to have turned that single-minded determination to you."
"It's not as though I tried to stay away."
"Is that so? I heard quite the opposite about your first meeting." She watched me as she sipped her water through a straw.