“Sometimes matching too much isn’t a good thing. Ever hear about opposites attracting?”
“Yes. But are we really opposites?”
“No. We’re not. I discover how much more we’re alike every time we talk.”
“It’s strange, isn’t it? How two people can be alike without knowing it?”
He shifted on the bed. “Why were you at that party when we met?”
“My friend dragged me to stop me from moping over Aaron.”
“And it was because of your hurt over Aaron that you did something crazy like hook up with a weird sexy guy like me?”
I laughed. “Pretty much.”
“Did you ever wonder why I did it? Why I was out on that balcony that night?”
“Not really,” I admitted. “I mean, I focused more on why you cared about me afterward.”
“A few weeks before, I found out Ariana was engaged. It killed me. For months after the breakup, I pushed forward with the small hope that we’d get back together, that she’d realize it was all a big mistake. Her engagement destroyed any hope for that.”
“Oh. That would be hard.”
“Hard?” He laughed dryly. “Try impossible. I was up on that balcony avoiding the rest of my band so I could muster the nerve to tell them I was quitting. I was done. I was busy trying to figure out what else to do with my life.”
“What?” I sat up straight. “You were going to quit?”
“We’d just signed with Interline, but I knew I couldn’t uphold my end of the contract. I couldn’t come up with any new material.”
“Wow. I had no idea.” Had I really been so oblivious to his mood?
“But then I met you. You did something to me with the first few words out of your mouth, and there was no turning back. After what happened on the beach—well, the block was gone. I wrote song after song about you and the way you made me feel.”
“That’s crazy.”
“Not crazy, amazing. You weren’t the only one who was broken, babe. We both were. The difference is you put me back together the first night we met. You took more work, but it’s the kind of work I would dedicate my life to.”
I started to cry again, but this time the tears were happy.
“I wish I were there to wipe those tears away for you.” He watched me intently.
“These are the good kind of tears.”
“Still, I should be there.”
“You will be, and I do want to come up to New York to see you eventually.”
“Yeah? That’s good, because it’s not something I’m going to drop. Maybe not this weekend, but another one.”
“I miss you.” I leaned back against my pillows, allowing my body to let off some of the tension that had been mounting all afternoon.
“I miss you too. I miss you every day and every night.”
“Wow, this fight really brought out the sentimental side in you.” What I didn’t add is that it had done the same to me. The only thing I wanted to do at the moment was melt into his arms.
“Fight? Is that what this was?” He ran a hand through his hair. I wanted my fingers there.
“I think so, but it seemed more like a turning point. A fork stuck in the road so to speak.”
“Think we’re taking the right path?”
“We’re staying together, so I can’t imagine we’re doing the wrong thing.”
“I’d kiss you for that comment if you were here.”
“Can’t you blow me a kiss instead?”
He kissed his hand and blew the kiss to me. “Of course.”
“Have a good show tonight.”
“I will. I think I’m going to go write something new.”
“I look forward to hearing it.”
“I think you’re going to like this one.”
“Love you, Chase.”
“Love you, Cara.”
I hung up and set aside the tablet. I was exhausted from the emotional rollercoaster of the day, and I decided to treat myself to a luxury I hadn’t had in years. A nap. I hoped I’d get lucky and have a Chase dream. Considering everything, I figured I deserved it.
Chapter Twenty-Two
I reached for my headphones as I sat on a stool under the large canopy that was saving us from the heat. Our makeshift booth served its purpose, and we’d successfully covered the event while interviewing four of the bigger bands. I was on an adrenaline high and ready to kick back and celebrate with my friends. Pretty much my entire sorority showed up for the event. That had to be a record for a number of sorority girls at a local music showcase.
“We have one more guest.” Kyle’s words had my hands hesitating on the headphones.
I glanced up. “Chase?” In no condition to speak, I watched him standing there in a nearly identical outfit to the one he was wearing when I met him. Mr. Blazer was back.
Jade, realizing I wasn’t going to say anything on air, jumped in. “Wow, do we have a treat for you guys tonight. Chase, lead singer of Chance of a Lifetime, is here in the flesh.”
Kyle quickly reached over to hand Chase a set of headphones. “Nice to have you here, man.”
Chase smiled and sat down on a stool next to me.
Kyle sat in for me on the interview, probably noticing I was too surprised to say much of anything. “In case you’ve been living under a rock and hadn’t heard, Chance of a Lifetime has been making headlines by signing with Interline Records, and climbing the charts with the hit song Sex on the Beach. Congratulations, man.”
“Thanks. It’s been a crazy ride.” Chase gave me a light and almost hesitant smile.
“Can you tell us anything about the inspiration behind the song? You’re known for writing lyrics pulled straight from your experiences. Is this one like that?”
Chase took my hand before continuing. “Yes, Sex on the Beach is inspired by a real experience. It’s about meeting your dream girl, having the best sex of your life and watching her slip away without so much as giving you her last name.”
My chest tightened. I couldn’t imagine my life without Chase anymore.
“Wow, that would be rough. Did you ever find that girl?” Kyle grinned at me. He was definitely enjoying himself.
“Yes, and she’s even better than I could have imagined.”
“Any chance you could play us that song?” Jade asked.
He shook his head. “No.”
“Oh, that’s too bad. Since you guys didn’t perform tonight, I’m sure your fans would have loved an acoustic take on that song.”
“Would you mind if I played something new? Something I’ve never performed before?”
Shock crossed Jade’s face, but she composed herself. “Of course. We’d love that.”
Kyle smiled. “All right guys, it looks like you’re in for a treat. You’ve got it here, the premiere of a new Chance of a Lifetime song.”
Chase dropped my hand and picked up his guitar. “This one is about my sex on the beach girl, but it’s not about what might have been, it’s about what’s real—what’s really here.”
Chase played a few chords before treating all of us to his gravely, sexy voice.
Blonde hair does it right, curled up just where you’re supposed to be.
Afraid of your own shadow you try to hide, but every time I’ll find you.
Twisted up in the blankets or not, I know you’re there. Behind a screen, or the voice on the other end, I’ll find you and bring you back to me.
Nothing’s perfect. Nothing’s scratched into the laws of fate—but baby, you’re more than my lake house. You’re my everything.
My everything—my life, my dark—my love—my hate—my everything.
His eyes were wide and fixed on mine as he sang, and even though I knew the song was being broadcast to thousands of people, it still felt like it was just us in that booth.
It should scare you. It scares me, leaves me grasping for a door I never really want to find.
Maybe you’re lost, searching for a you left behind ages ago
, but every time I’ll find you.
Leaves me begging for release, for a future without the distance, without the ache, but maybe I don’t mind the ache. Maybe it’s the kind of ache you embrace. I’m going to find you and bring you back to me.
Nothing’s perfect. Nothing’s scratched into the laws of fate—but baby, you’re more than my lake house. You’re my everything.
My everything—my life, my dark—my love—my hate—my everything.
I didn’t fight the tears. It would have been traitorous to do so. I’d asked for a song with emotion, and I’d gotten it. And the best part was it wasn’t about the sad—it was about the happy.
I need you. Plain as day I see that now.
You need me too, but not the same way and that’s just fine with me.
Just give me that smile, that ray of hope and I’ll keep strumming, keep sending thoughts your way.
No matter what mask you wear, the name on your shirt, I’ll search for you and I’ll find you and bring you back to me.
Nothing’s perfect. Nothing’s scratched into the laws of fate—but baby, you’re more than my lake house. You’re my everything.
My everything—my life, my dark—my love—my hate—my everything.
My everything.
I didn’t even think. I tossed my headphones, pushed off his and jumped into his lap. He set aside his guitar just in time.
His lips met mine with record speed, and I didn’t even remember we weren’t alone. The taste of his lips, the feel of his tongue tangled with mine—I needed it. I needed those sensations as I eagerly explored his mouth. Straddling his lap, I let my hand slip beneath his white t-shirt, wanting to feel his skin again.
He started to do the same to me when Jade cleared her throat. I turned to give her a sheepish smile, still perched on Chase’s lap.
“If you don’t have a view of the booth yourself, I’ll just fill you in. Your very own Sleeping with the Band host Cara, is well, sleeping with the band. That song you just heard was most definitely dedicated to her.”
Normally that would have embarrassed me. It would have had me diving off Chase’s lap, but I didn’t. I didn’t mind that my sex life had just been broadcast, because it was also my love life—and I was very proud of that.
Chase looked over me at Jade and Kyle. “Mind if I borrow Cara for a while? There’s something I need to show her.”
“She’s all yours.” Jade grinned again.
I hopped off Chase’s lap and hugged her. In the course of a few months, Jade and I had grown incredibly close. I couldn’t imagine how awful my semester would have been without her.
“Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do.” Kyle raised an eyebrow.
“We’ll be back to hang out later.” Chase took my hand, and we walked down from the booth.
As we entered the crowds, Chase dropped my hand and instead put his arm around my waist. I leaned into his side, eager for any contact I could get.
“Oh my god, that was the sweetest thing I’ve ever heard!” Mallory put her arms around both of us in an awkward attempt at a hug.
Chase smiled. “I thought it was time to come clean.”
Juliet grinned. “You’re a lucky man, Chase Denton.”
“And I know it.”
I was ready to cry again. It’s as though my tear ducts were on overdrive.
“Not to ruin any goodwill I just earned with you girls, but I need to show Cara something.”
“Show her something? Is that code for something else?” Juliet nudged me.
Chase ran his hand up my arm. “Not this time.”
I said goodbye to my friends, and we made our way out.
“I’m parked over there.” Chase pointed to a lot across the street.
“Whose car did you borrow?” I laced my fingers in his as we crossed the street.
“Mine.”
“Wait. You drove down here?”
“Yeah. Does that surprise you?”
“You must have been driving all night.”
“Yeah, I must have been.” He kissed me on the forehead.
“Are you ready to tell me where we’re going?” I buckled my seat belt, checking out the inside of his Altima. You can tell a lot about someone by their car. It was funny finally seeing Chase’s only after we’d gotten to know each other so well.
“You’ll see very soon.”
We drove through downtown before Chase got on Folly Road and headed out toward Folly Beach. What did he need to show me out there?
We drove until he pulled into a driveway. “Here we are.”
“You wanted to show me a house?”
He smiled. “Trust me, you’ll want to see this.”
I got out of the car and let Chase lead me up the front steps of the small two story home.
“Wait? Is this your place?”
“I decided there was no reason to keep my home base in New York when the only place I want to be is with you.”
There went the tears again. I launched myself into his arms. “I can’t believe it. So you’ll be here when you’re not touring?”
“Yes. I’ve got enough room that I can set up a recording space if I want, and the band can fly down if they need to. I do most of my writing alone anyway.”
“This is unreal. Unreal.”
“Come look at this too.” He took my hand and led me up the stairs. He walked into a large bedroom that by the looks of it had to be the master. It was completely empty, like the rest of the house.
I knew he wasn’t talking about the room though. He pushed open a set of French doors that opened onto a small deck that overlooked the water. I followed him out onto the deck. The waves were calm, gently lapping against the shore.
“See, this way we can have sex on the beach every night.”
I laughed. “And it won’t even involve getting sandy.”
“I wouldn’t mind getting sandy with you again.” His lips grazed my earlobe.
“Can we start now?”
“Start having sex on the beach?” He slid the thin strap of my tank off my shoulder and ran his lips over my skin. I shivered.
“Yes.”
“I was kind of going to insist on it.”
“I guess we’re using the floor?” I eyed the thick carpet back inside.
“Wait. I had this all planned.” He darted away and pulled out a light brown comforter from the closet. “I actually found one in a color called sand.”
I laughed and watched him from inside. “You’re being weird sexy again.”
“Aren’t I always?” He laid the blanket down on the wooden decking before returning to the closet. This time, he brought out one of those scented candles. “It’s called Ocean Breeze. We’re near the ocean, but I thought we could use a little more atmosphere.”
He lit the candle while I stood there in awe of what my crazy, yet amazing, boyfriend was doing. Luckily, his deck was separated from the nearest neighbor by a thick grouping of palm trees.
With the candle lit, he walked back over to me. He placed his hands on both of my arms and looked straight in my eyes. “I love you, Cara. Meeting you was the single best thing that’s happened to me, and if my song didn’t make this clear already, I’m never giving up on you—on us. I’ll always find you, and bring you back to me.”
“I love you.” I kissed him, wanting the physical connection to go along with the emotional.
His lips immediately responded to mine as he slipped first one, and then the second strap down on my tank top. My tank had a built-in-bra, so when he tugged it down, he’d already exposed my breasts.
He kept one hand around me, while his other fondled my breast. He had such expert hands, the kind of hands that could play a guitar like no one else, and could make me feel like I didn’t think possible.
He broke the kiss, bringing his lips down to my neck, where he let his teeth graze my skin. He continued his descent down until his mouth found my breast.
I moaned, using my free hands to finish pushing down
my tank to get it out of the way. Satisfied he had all the access he needed, I moved on to getting my access. I pushed his blazer off his shoulders, and interrupted him long enough to pull off his t-shirt. As soon as his lips returned to my breast, I made quick work of unbuckling his belt, and sliding off his pants.
I slipped a hand inside his boxer briefs, grabbing him, feeling him swell beneath my touch. He released my waist to push down my tank and skirt. Then he led me outside onto the deck and in one swift motion, he had me lying down on the new brown comforter while he slid off my panties. He’d somehow discarded his own underwear already.
“This time you’re not running off on me.” He lay down next to me, letting his fingers run the length of my body. Each time he neared my thighs, he stopped and moved back up.
I groaned in protest. “No fair.”
“Promise me something first.” His fingers moved to my inner thigh, making circles as he went.
“Anything.”
“Anything? That’s a dangerous answer.”
“I’m in a dangerous mood.”
“Promise me you’d find me anywhere I went.”
“That’s an easy promise to keep.”
He gently separated my thighs with his hand. “Good, although I don’t plan on you having to find me.”
“Good.” I closed my eyes and rested my head back.
“Your body is so responsive to my touch.” He used his free hand to tease my nipple.
“Of course it is.” My breathing picked up. I reached out for him, wanting him to feel the same way.
“Of course?”
“My body’s made for your touch. Don’t you feel that way?”
He moved above me. “Yes, but I like to think of it as our bodies being made for each other.”
“I like that idea.”
“Good, but in case you need a refresher, I’ll remind you of how perfect they work.” He thrust into me. I gasped, taking in the sensation as he moved inside me, first with just the tip, then with more and more until he eased in the entire length of him.
“You’re always so ready for me. Always.” His words came out in a rush.
“And I plan to stay that way.” I pulled on him, needing him closer to me, wanting his body connected in every way with mine.
The Hazards of Sex on the Beach Page 20
