Page 84 of The Save

He flicked his tongue over my lowest rib, then kissed his way to the underwire of my bra. “Where else do you want me to touch?”

It was only the second time he’d asked that, and I was already in love with the question. It made me feel like he trusted me. Like he expected me to know the answer.

I threaded my fingers in his hair, and when he looked up, my cheeks heated at the devilish grin on his face. “Surprise me,” I murmured.

If tonight was any indication, Chase was good at surprises.

I tilted my head back, eyes fluttering shut. Every brush of his lips sent sparks chasing down my spine. I let my hands roam over his warm skin, reacquainting myself with my favourite parts of him.

“I’m so glad you’re staying.” Chase made his way back to my mouth. He lowered himself against me, dipping his leg betweenmine. I traced my hand over his cheekbone, his jaw. “I love you, Maddie girl.”

I grinned. “I doubt Axel is going to let you coin that.”

His eyes darkened as he smoothed my hair over his pillow. “I think you’ll hear it a little differently out of my mouth.”

Heat flashed across my thighs. “I’ll need a sample to compare.”

Chase kissed my forehead, my temple, my nose. “Did you bring a notebook?”

I laughed, wrapping my arms around his neck. No more watching on the deck. Tonight we were diving into the deep end. “I always bring a notebook.”

“Good. Because you’re going to want to write this down.” Chase slipped the strap of my bra off my shoulder, and my breath shook as I closed my eyes andfelt.

Somehow, after months of dedicated research, all the puzzle pieces fell into place. I knew this man, and more importantly, I knew who I was with him.

Maybe love didn’t follow a proof. Maybe this particular equation didn’t balance until we both stopped trying to solve it.

Chase murmured, “Perfect symmetry,” against my skin, followed by, “Absolute maximum curvature.” I breathed a laugh, but he didn’t let me respond. He brushed a hand over my thigh. “And your legs? Optimal slope.”

I sighed, grasping his shoulders. “I’ll never be glad this is over.” I murmured, sucking his earlobe into my mouth.

“What?” he asked on a laugh.

“Nothing.” I grinned, breathing him in. From the moment I’d stepped into Room 413, I knew I’d never be the woman in that poem with Chase.

“I love you,” I whispered into his neck. “We’re so good at this already.”

Epilogue

Crystal

Streamers in pinkand blue twisted between the old wooden beams of Ranchman’s. Sharla was perched on a stool opening presents. She looked beautiful—round-bellied and flushed. Rob stood behind her like he was her personal guard dog, grinning each time she turned to put a baby item on display.

The night had been perfect. Food, laughter, and a game of pin the cord on the belly button. Axel made the point that the goal was to remove the cord after birth, but Rob told him the goal was steadiness of hand then proceeded to spin him ten times before letting him loose.

It was perfect. Which was why, after taking a small piece of cake, I was ready to head home.

I made the rounds, embracing my friends. I spent a little time chatting with Maddie and Chase, who had decided that after so much time apart, they no longer wished to stop touching each other, then made my way to the street.

My car was parked a half a block down. I held my purse tight and started toward the crosswalk, but didn’t make it.

The truck in front of me was familiar. I paused, staring at it, then jumped when the driver’s side door opened.

Holy shit.

“Hey, Logan.” I crossed my arms, trying not to show my shock. What was he doing here? Why was he sitting out here in front of Ranchman’s in the dark?

“Hey.” He ran a hand over the back of his neck.

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