Page 151 of Chasing Lyric
By the time we reach the pool house, Chase is practically devouring me with his hands and his mouth, trailing kisses along my jaw as he fumbles with the sliding door.
But the second we push it open, we both freeze.
Rory and Dax are walking out of the bedroom, tousled and flushed, adjusting their clothes with a look of guilt neither of them seems quite ready to explain.
For a breath, none of us speaks.
The music thuds through the walls, muffled but present, the pulse of the party still going strong just beyond this bubble of awkward tension. Rory’s eyes meet mine, her pupils dilated, her lips red and kiss-bruised.
Dax glances at Chase, his jaw tight, his hand firmly gripping Rory’s like it’s a shield.
The realization hits me fast and hard, and my mouth twitches with a smile.
They were in there.
Together.
And judging by the panic dancing across both their faces, they know we know.
“Don’t say a fucking thing,” Dax blurts, pointing at us like we’re the problem. Then he snatches Rory’s hand and power-walks them right past us.
“Didn’t see a damn thing,” Chase mutters, deadpan, before they shuffle out into the night like nothing happened.
Chase watches them go, brow raised. I glance back at him, my amusement bubbling over. “You think that’s their first time?”
His lips twitch, a light chuckle escaping him. “Oh, yeah. No doubt about it.”
A laugh escapes me as Chase guides me further into the room. The second the door shuts behind us, the buzz from the party dims, and the space wraps around us in quiet intimacy. He pulls me down with him onto the love seat, and I’m curled against his side, the weight of the evening sinking into my bones in the best way.
“I hope it turns into something,” I murmur as my fingers trail absently along his chest. “They both deserve real happiness.”
Chase’s response is a low hum, deep and thoughtful, his hand skimming up my thigh before settling at my hip. “They do,” he agrees, his voice quieter now. “But I don’t want to think about Dax or anyone else right now.” He shifts, brushing my hair backwith one hand as he leans in close, his mouth grazing the shell of my ear. “All I want isyou.”
A shiver unfurls across my skin as his lips press to my neck, the heat of his mouth sending sparks down my spine. I turn slightly, just enough to lift my hand and let the light catch the diamond on my finger.
It glows not just from the sparkle, but from what it represents.
Our story.
Our second chance.
Our future.
My eyes water, my chest aching in the best way.
“I love it,” I whisper, eyes locked on the ring. “It’s perfect.”
Chase pulls back, just enough to meet my gaze. The softness in his eyes nearly undoes me, all warmth and reverence and unshakable love.
“No,” he says with quiet certainty, cupping my face. “You’re perfect. This ring’s just a symbol. But you, Lyric… without you, none of this would matter.”
Emotion swells in my throat, thick and heavy and impossible to hold back. “You are my w-world, Chase Covington,” I say, my voice breaking slightly on the words. “Even if you are a total Hallmark-level deceiver.”
He chuckles low in his throat. “Yeah, but I’m your Hallmark-level deceiver, Mrs. Covington.”
“I’m not married to you yet,” I tease gently, brushing my thumb along his stubbled jaw. “But I gotta admit, I really do like the sound of that.”
His eyes darken with something fierce, something primal, something entirely male. “So do I, Starlight,” he murmurs, right before he pulls me into a kiss that’s deep and consuming, his mouth stealing my breath, his hands anchoring me to him like he never plans to let go.
