Page 38 of The Convict Gets His Girl

She snorted and glanced at him. "I'm not going to call you all the time. Don't be ridiculous."

"It won't be all the time, remember? You said it's only a handful of times a year…" He let the words drop between them, and she remained silent. He didn't press her, his focus shifting as they drew closer.

With each step down the dirt drive, the single-wide trailer grew larger, its presence looming and still, save for the occasional flicker of light that seeped through the curtains.

Jewel wrapped the blanket around her shoulders and stumbled slightly, her foot catching on the blanket's edge. Without hesitation, Chase reached out, pulling her close to his chest and drawing them to a stop on the drive. Her body was warm against his, her breath quick with surprise.

"Gotcha," he breathed out, relief flooding through him at keeping her safe. In that moment, he felt capable, protective, important if for no other reason than to be there for her. It was as if by holding her, he was doing something profoundly right for once in his fucking life.

"Thanks," Jewel whispered, her eyes reflecting a glimmer of gratitude in the faint light of the moon and highlighting the curve of her cheekbones. They stood there, her hands gripping the edges of the blanket and sliding up his biceps to wrap them in an electrifying cocoon of intimacy.

"Welcome," he said gruffly, dipping his head slightly as her lips parted, beckoning him closer. He'd thought of her lips all day, and if he were honest, for years.

She lifted onto her toes and moved closer with a deliberate intensity. His heart raced as her arms encircled his neck with a fervent grip, drawing him into a kiss so powerful it seemed to halt the very flow of time itself.

The rush through him at the touch of her lips was more potent than adrenaline. She was an addicting combination of sweet and spicy, a flavor that was uniquely her own and made his head swim with desire.

His heart thundered a wild rhythm, thumping loud in his ears, and he lost himself in the sensation, in the taste of her, in the scent of wildflowers that clung to her skin.

His hands held her waist, his thumbs going into the belt loops on her jeans as the warmth of her body melded with his own. The intoxicating mix of desire, longing, and acceptance was a heady rush that left him breathless. In that moment, he forgot where they were and what they were doing.

She was all he could think about, all he could feel, all he wanted. The taste of her was like forbidden fruit, and his heartbeat synced with the fervency in their kiss, growing and leaping with every swipe of their tongues. He was lost in her, consumed by her, and for the first time in a long, long time, his mind stuttered to a stop.

He found peace and exhilaration, the whirlwind of emotions a dichotomous storm that consumed him entirely. It was sensory overload and yet somehow not enough.

The plaintive whine of a dog sliced through the charged silence, severing their kiss. Jewel sighed, her breath warm against Chase's neck as her head dropped to rest on his chest. His heart was a stampede against his ribs, and his arms tightened around her involuntarily.

Their surroundings flooded him, making the lights of the trailer brighter, the wind stronger on his cheek as stray curls grazed him from where they escaped her messy bun. He felt an overwhelming need to protect her and keep her safe, and out in the elements like this, they were too exposed.

"Stay here," he murmured, kissing her temple and reluctant to break their connection. "I'll go get the dog. It's safer."

Jewel lifted her gaze, determination flashing in her eyes and etched in the curve of her jaw. "No, I'm going."

Her voice left no room for argument as she pulled away from him and strode purposefully down the dirt drive. Chase, spurred by her resolve and unwilling to let her face the darkness alone, quickly caught up. His hand found hers, interlocking in silent solidarity as they moved with stealth toward the back of the property.

Jewel jumped as a dark, small creature raced in front of them, and his own heart leaped in response, making him pull her flush against his side and turn her away from it. Probably a rat, but they were too close to the trailer now to risk speaking.

The moon cast long shadows as they navigated the yard, the border collie coming into view, lying listless and defeated on the ground. Jewel's fingers worked deftly to unfasten the chain from the dog's collar while Chase gathered the thin blanket around the animal.

As he lifted her, the border collie whimpered softly, and Chase hushed her with a gentle whisper. "Easy, girl," he soothed as quietly as he could, cradling her frail body in his arms, feeling her tremble against the fabric.

Jewel led the way, her steps cautious yet unwavering. They were almost clear of the broken and bent fence line when the back porch light flared to life, flooding the yard with stark, revealing brightness. Panic surged through Chase as he clutched the dog closer, their dash for freedom now illuminated by the glaring bulb.

"Move," he hissed, urgency lacing his words, and together they ran, ducking low and making for the cover of night beyond the reach of the light.

Adrenaline surged through Chase's veins as they sprinted down the driveway, the loose gravel crunching under their frantic steps. Andre's voice boomed from behind them, a guttural shout that was part warning, part threat, before the door slammed shut, muffling his anger within the confines of the house.

"Keep moving!" Chase urged Jewel, his breath ragged. The too close pop of gunfire startled him, causing his heart to leap into his throat. He darted a glance over his shoulder and saw the muzzle flash as the front porch light flickered on and Andre raised a pistol—a brief, violent spark in the night. They were targets now, not just thieves in the dark.

"Go, go, go!" he gasped, the fear of being caught—or worse—propelling him forward with even greater speed. He could've outpaced her, but he kept her in front of him, trying to protect her by using his body as a shield between Andre and her. Gravel and dirt flew as bullets landed mere feet from them along the drive, and his stomach heaved with fear.

They reached the truck amid more pops, Jewel shoving the keys into the ignition with trembling hands. The engine roared to life, and she slammed her foot on the accelerator, tires squealing as they spun out onto the highway. The rearview mirror framed a dwindling view of the McBride property, receding into obscurity as they raced towards safety.

Chase cradled the shaking dog, wrapping the blanket tighter around her fragile form. He could feel Jewel's panic as if it were his own, could almost hear her heartbeat thundering in time with his. Her knuckles were white on the steering wheel, her movements sharp with anxiety.

"Hey," he said softly, reaching over to place a steadying hand on her arm. "You're doing great, Jewel. Just focus on the road."

She nodded, but her hands still trembled. He pushed her hair out of her eyes, tucking the strands behind her ear and stroking her upper back, her shoulders, anything he could touch.

---