Page 30 of Sex, Lies, and Margarita Mixes

Then, she whispers, “I—I still need time, Chase.”

I nod. “Take all the time you need.” Leaning over, I kiss the side of her head. Her dark hair tickles my chin.

Another pause before she leans into me. “I’m scared,” she says.

“I know.” I hoarsely reply.

“I don’t want to fall… to let you in, like really let you in, and get left again. Eventually, you’re going to realize that I’m selfish and insane and that you can do better with someone else.” Her voice is thick.

Roxy, you’re it for me. You’re my Beth Dutton.

All I say aloud is, “Nah. I already know you’re selfish, and a lunatic, but there is no one else for me, baby.”

A tear slides down her cheek, “Why do you love me, Chase?”

Leaning in, I press my lips to hers. Not heated, just soft, careful. When I lean back, I rest our foreheads together, “Because I can’t not love you, Rox. The day you insulted me and stole my beer was the day you stole my heart. You own it. There’s nothing left for anyone else.”

She looks at me. Really looks at me. And I see it—the pain. The anger. The vulnerability. The fear. And underneath it all… the hope.

Baby, I’m here until the end.

“I miss this,” she whispers.

Nodding, I say, “I miss your snort-laugh. Your chaos. The way you eat cake like it owes you money.”

She cracks a half-smile. “I miss your hand on my back when I’m overthinking and acting like a lunatic. I miss the way you can go into a kitchen that has practically nothing in it and whip up something that tastes incredible and feels like home. And how you always make the first move, even when I don’t deserve it…”

“That one is my favorite.” I smirk and kiss her again before sliding my arm around her and pulling her more fully into me.

She leans in, her curves aligning against me like we’re the perfect fit.

We are and I’ll never stop clinging to us.

“I wanted to kiss you today,” I murmur. “In front of all of them. After you basically pounded your chest to claim me. I thought you were going to fight her.”

She snickers. “I did not. And I might have. But I’d have kissed you back.”

“I still want to.” I practically growl.

She swallows and stares into my eyes, “So, what are you waiting for?”

I lean in, slowly, trying not to spook her.

Her eyes are full of heat.

She’s not going anywhere.

Our lips touch and the kiss quickly heats up. Her lips part willingly, and my tongue sweeps through her mouth. Her tongue licks my teeth, and she lightly sucks on my tongue. It’s hot but not frantic. This is not a game or a fight to see who can exert dominance. It’s two people who love each other, taking the time to show each other that, and relishing the experience. It’s home.

Her hands drift to my head, her fingers delving into my hair. My thumb lightly rubs her cheek.

We’re kissing like we’ve forgotten what just being together feels like and we’re eager to relearn.

She pulls back and I groan in frustration.

Seriously Roxy. Please don’t push me away again.

She doesn’t go far, just enough to look into my eyes. Her hands are still in my hair. She exhales as she says, “We’re not fixed, Chase.”

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