“I’m sorry, babe.” Chad helped her out of her seat. “I should have known you were tired.” He smiled in a way that told her he was not at all tired, or at least not interested in going straight to sleep. “Goodnight, everyone.”
“We’re going to sleep, too,” Cheri announced, David’s face displaying an identical grin to Chad’s. “It was nice meeting you, Beth.”
“Yeah,” Roger added sourly, “even if you did beat our ass.”
Michelle swatted him. “Don’t be a sore loser. You’re incorrigible, ya know that?”
Beth almost cringed when Chad opened the door to head to the other bus, but there was no one around except for Pete and Dante, who were smoking cigarettes. “Goodnight, Chad. Goodnight, Beth,” they called out.
The couple walked in silence a few paces.
“Do you want my coat?” he offered. A stiff breeze had picked up.
“No, that’s okay. All you’ve got is a t-shirt.”
“Yeah”—he took it off—“but I’m hot anyway. Come on, the air will do me some good. Besides, we don’t have far to go.” He nodded in the direction of the second bus.
Beth pulled the jacket over her shoulders. It smelled good, like Chad. She glanced over her shoulder and could make out the glow of Pete’s cigarette as he stood watching them until they were safely in the bus.
Once inside, she handed him the jacket. “Thanks.”
“No problem. Are you hungry or anything? Need a drink?”
She shook her head. She glanced in the direction of Keith’s end of the bus. Light poured out from under his bedroom door.
Chad put his hands on her shoulders. “He’ll be up for hours. He’s kind of obsessed with this computer game. Some kind of battle thing. I forget what it’s called…but he’ll be sure to tell you all about it tomorrow.” He turned her, studying her. “Are you having second thoughts about staying here?” They decided over the phone she would stay with him on the bus. “Would you rather have me get you a hotel room for the night?” he asked tentatively.
“No. I want to be here with you.”
Her answer seemed to convince him. He smiled. “Well then, are you ready to go to bed, or do you want to stay up and talk, or do something else?”
“I guess I’m ready for bed,” she responded, still feeling as distracted as she had all night.
“Okay.” He led the way into his bedroom, holding on to her hand behind him.
When they entered the room, she stood staring at the bed, which he had made for a change, anticipating her being there. How many women have been in here with him? She told herself it didn’t matter, but she knew it was a lie.
Chad sat down on the end of the bed and peered up at her. “Beth, what’s wrong?”
She turned away from his soft eyes, irritated with herself. Pacing back and forth in agitation, she tried to find words to describe her feelings.
“It’s just, that girl...”
“Oh, come on, Beth. You have to know it didn’t mean anything. She practically jumped me!”
“Yes, I’m aware of that,” she retorted a little sharply. “I’m well aware of that. I was right there. Not that that seemed to deter her.”
“Beth, they’re crazy. You saw the girl who went after Roger. And he’s married! Listen—” He tried to pull her between his legs; she relented for a minute. “I would never let anyone hurt you.”
She moved away from him again. “It’s not that.”
“Then what is it, Beth?”
“Ugh. Chad!” she shouted, exasperated, not wanting to reveal her insecurities to him. “It’s just…you could have any one of those girls tonight. Any one of them! Screaming out your name, all those beautiful, young girls who would do anything to be where I am right now.”
“Maybe, but I didn’t want them. I wanted you.”
“Well, then,” she returned with a touch of bitterness, “you’re an idiot!”
“I’ve never tried to hide that fact from you,” he stated simply.
Beth stopped in her tracks and stared at him. He smiled. He just had a way of erasing everything for her.
After a pause, a broad smile broke over her face. “I’m going to jump your bones now like you’ve never been jumped before.”
Chad opened his arms wide with a grin. “Bring it on, woman.”
She ran the few feet between them and leaped on the rocker. He caught her hips like a professional dancer doing a lift and rolled back with her, kissing as if on fire for her. After a minute, he rolled her over onto the bed, and pulled away. “Wait, wait!” he muttered, panting.
“What?”
“I want you to know…” He slowed his breathing, regaining control. He pushed a stray hair out of her eyes. “I want you to know, I’m not doing this casually. Nothing about this is casual for me.” He hesitated. “I’ve never felt, for any woman, the way I feel about you.” As he verbalized it, his face changed, a look of wonder brightening his features as if sensing for the first time how true the words were. He bent down to kiss her, taking her heart up with each breath. Then, he made love to her unhurriedly, purposefully, each movement telling her she was the only woman on his mind.
CHAPTER FIFTEEN
Sunlight filtered into the bedroom and fell across the burgundy comforter Beth had pulled up to her shoulders. The sheets felt good against bare skin as she took in a deep breath and stretched like a lazy cat.
“Good morning.”
To hear his beautiful, deep voice so close to her first thing in the morning was a huge turn on. She felt his hand that was under the covers touch her bare hip. “M-mmm. Good morning!” She opened her eyes to see him on his side, leaning on his elbow. He bent down to kiss her with tenderness.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Fantastic. But what about you? You shouldn’t be up this early. Roger said you’re never up before noon.”
“I want to take advantage of every moment we have together.” Chad pulled the covers off and swung his legs over the side of the bed. She took in his butt, waist, and broad shoulders as he pulled on his clothes, suddenly wanting him to come back to bed. Before she could suggest it, he asked, “How about a little road trip?”
“A road trip? Where?”
“Somewhere close,” he came back with an air of mystery. “Did you bring any hiking shoes? If not, tennis shoes should be fine. Or we could go get you some hiking boots if you’d like.”
“I’m sure tennis shoes will work.” He moved to the end of the bed and pulled on a fresh t-shirt. She sat up and brought her knees into her chest, wrapping her arms around her legs.
Chad turned and crawled back up the bed, putting one hand behind her neck and drawing her in for several quick kisses, which, nonetheless, left her feeling weak. He was such an incredible kisser. “How about you take a shower and I’ll make us some breakfast.”
“You can cook?”
He hesitated. “Define ‘cook.’”
She climbed out of bed, taking the sheet with her. “Kiss me again like that and I’ll eat anything you put in front of me.”
He didn’t need a second invitation. After he drew back, she kept her eyes shut, savoring the moment. He took the opportunity to reach back and give her a slap on the behind. “Now, get in the shower!”
“Ouch! Okay, okay.”
She took a nice steamy shower. As she was getting dressed, she could hear Chad whistling in the kitchen. She smiled and hurried to join him.
“Good timing.” He set a plate of bacon, eggs, and toast down on each side of the table next to two small bowls of fresh strawberries, cantaloupe, and pineapple.
“Holy cow. This looks like a meal fit for a king.”
“Too much?”
“Not at all. I’m starving.” She sat down and began to devour her food ravenously. “Oh gosh!” She lowered her voice. “I hope I didn’t wake Keith. I almost forgot he was here.”
“Don’t worry. These buses are pretty well soundproofed, so he couldn’t hear you…now, or last night
,” he added with a wicked grin.
“Well, I guess we’ll just have to try harder tonight,” she retorted, leaning forward to kiss him.
He laughed. “You’re naughty. I like that about you.” He cleared their plates and set them in the sink. “I’ll just take a quick shower and be right out,” he stated, pulling his shirt off as he strolled out of the kitchen. She admired his muscular shoulders and arms.
She sighed. I am so lucky!
When Chad finished his shower and ambled into the bedroom, Beth was applying makeup in the mirror behind the bar. He thought she didn’t need makeup, but had to admit, she looked pretty hot when she was finished.
Chad never felt so happy before. The closest he came was in his first days with Julie. But this was even sweeter, because now he knew this relationship wouldn’t turn sour. He knew from experience what signs to recognize, and none of them were there with Beth.
The day was record-setting warm. It was supposed to get close to sixty-seven degrees and it was still February. He was pleased when he heard the forecast. It made what he was planning that much better. Pete waved goodbye as they crossed the parking lot to climb into the rental car. It felt oddly spring-like, and before they even hit the highway, Beth opened the sunroof to let in some air. Chad was thumbing through the playlist on her MP3 player as she was navigating traffic out of town. They were headed east, toward St. Louis, for a destination only he was aware of.
“So, Mystery Man, just where are we going?”
“Oh, just you wait and see.”
“You’re not going to tell me yet?”
“Just keep going east until I tell you to do something else.”
“Hmmm.” She bit her lip and glanced at him, as if trying to read the destination in his features somehow.
He acted oblivious as he scanned the listings on the screen. “Neil Diamond?” He raised an eyebrow.
“Yeah.” Seeming to feel an explanation was in order, she expounded, “When I was little, my parents got divorced and I had to kind of grow up fast to help raise my little sisters.”
He nodded. He knew the feeling.
“So, I listened more to their music, you know? I guess I was the only kid into Neil Diamond and Elton John at that age. Most of my friends were more into Rush and Led Zeppelin.”
He put a hand on her knee. “I was just teasing. I actually like a wide range of music, too.” Noting she relaxed, he began going over her choices again. “You do have every album we’ve ever made.”
“I think I’m making up for lost time. Going through my second adolescence.”
He grunted. “Wonder what my excuse is then.” He scrolled down. “Oh my gosh! Have you seen how much you’ve played these?”
“You can do that?” she said, trying to get a glimpse at the screen.
“Holy shit! I think you’ve played these more than I’ve sung them. Except for ‘Night in Barbados.’ What’s wrong with ‘Night in Barbados’?” he questioned with mock severity.
“It…just…reminds me too much…of things...” She checked her side-view mirror, avoiding eye contact, but he could still read the pain in her eyes.
She must have really loved him for the pain to be this fresh after so many years. He busily read through the songs, searching for one he would feel confident wouldn’t make her sad. He pushed his selection, praying this song wouldn’t have some secret significance, too. The first few notes of The Police’s “Roxanne” filled the car.
“Ahh…good choice.” She smiled, and he was rewarded for his efforts. They began to belt out the lyrics, but after a few verses she dropped out.
When Chad noticed, he stopped, too. “Hey, you quit on me.”
“I just wanted to listen to your voice. You sound great on that song.”
“I used to sing it when we were a cover band.”
They continued to bask in the sunshine as the temperature rose, and enjoyed the light air blowing their hair back as the car sped forward. They listened to most of the rest of the album, singing loudly and putting many miles behind them. Then, he scrolled up to Jimmy Buffet. After a rousing version of “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” “Slow Boat to China” came on and he skipped it.
“Oh no! Go back. I love that song. I love how he set it on a cruise ship and you can hear the people talking in the background.”
He complied and listened to Beth as she sang the lyrics in her soulful voice. “That is pretty cool,” he admitted.
“It makes me wish I knew how to soft shoe.”
“It makes me wish I could get you on a slow boat to China,” he teased.
As he took in her profile, he had a sudden urge. He leaned over and began to kiss her neck.
She moaned. “Chad. Are you trying to wreck us?”
“I’m sorry.” He sighed. “I’ll be good. So what do you want to listen to now?”
“Umm…U-2, ‘Sunday, Bloody Sunday.’ They were my favorite band before I heard Trapped Under Ice.”
“Ahh.” He squinted at her sideways. “I suppose you had a thing for Bono, too?”
She nodded and giggled.
“You’re kidding. He’s like, sixty or something.”
“Yeah, but he’s still got it.”
“Nah, you just dig his Irish accent. Admit it!”
“Well, there is that.”
“I’ve got you so figured out.”
“No, no, wait. There’s more to it than that. He’s a humanitarian.”
He snorted incredulously. “I knew you were going there.”
“No, really. I think there’s something special about a person who believes in the ability of one person to change the world.”
“I do, too,” he added seriously. “I’m a huge fan.” He sat up straighter. “Hey, get off at the next exit.”
She squinted at the sign. “Sweet Springs. Just what’s in Sweet Springs?”
“Nothing. I just thought I could drive for a while, if that’s all right?”
“Sure.”
They pulled into a gas station and Chad got out, leaving the car door open and strolling around to her side of the car. Beth stretched muscles tight from driving. He came over and grabbed her hips. He kissed her, and soon their kisses became increasingly urgent and out of control. He walked her back until she was against the car, pressing his body to hers.
We should stop this, she thought. People could be watching us. But the gas station was deserted. Chad searched for the skin at her waistline. The touch of his hands and the strength and desire with which he pulled her to him nearly drove her wild.
She couldn’t be sure who it was that pulled away first. They just sat for several minutes with foreheads together, eyes closed, gathering themselves.
“My God. I could take you right now. Right now, in the middle of this dusty parking lot. Why didn’t I just stay home with you and make love to you all day long?”
Beth didn’t respond. She couldn’t respond. The sound of his voice so close made her melt.
“I guess we better go,” he finally said.
“Uhm-hum,” she agreed, though reluctant.
He watched her all the way around to the other side of the car. Then, he put one foot on the running board and crossed his hands on the roof of the car with a goofy smile. She mirrored his posture for a minute, and without saying anything, they slid into their seats.
She giggled as he started the engine. “I hope we don’t have to stop for gas down the road, or we may never make it to your secret destination.”
He grinned and swung the car around, speeding out of the parking lot. “Whoo! This baby’s got some zip.”
She grabbed his hand. “May I say I’m absolutely loving this?”
“You may.” He returned with a grin, obviously pleased with himself.
Farther down the road, she let a huge yawn escape.
“Beth, why don’t you close your eyes for a while?”
“Oh no. I couldn’t do that. You’re the one who should be tired. You need someone to keep you awake.�
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“No, really. I’m fine. Just shut your eyes for a few minutes. You could cover up with the coat in the back.”
Beth glanced at the down jacket on the rear seat. She reached over and pulled it up to the front, drawing it around her body and tucking it behind her shoulders. “Maybe for a minute.”
With the sun warming her and the drone of the road, she dozed peacefully for several miles. It felt good to be taken care of. It was so terrifying after Paul died to be suddenly forced to make decisions on her own, and care for herself and Cassie. She felt comfortable letting him make the majority of the financial decisions in their marriage. But over time, she became more used to deciding things on her own, with input from her friends on most occasions. But, even the act of letting someone else drive was freeing.
She found her mind returning to the scene at the gas station. Her body luxuriated in the sensory memories washing over her—the first thrill when his searching hands left cloth behind and touched skin, the warmth and softness of his mouth, the feeling as if nothing else in the world mattered at that precise moment than that precise moment. It was a feeling Beth knew in the past.
She remembered a weekend in college they had spent in her dorm room. Paul came over, knowing her roommate went home for the weekend. They pulled both twin mattresses onto the floor to make a sort of nest for their lovemaking. And being young, foolish, and in love, they spent the entire weekend held up in the room. Beth checked the halls whenever Paul needed to use the bathroom, as it was an all-girls’ dorm. It was not unheard of for a boy to be present, but sneaking was half the fun. They slept in past the hours for breakfast in the cafeteria, and fooled around through the hours for lunch. On weekends, the cafeteria closed for dinner and students had to find their meal elsewhere. So at three o’clock, famished, they ventured out of the room, hiking across campus to the McDonald’s. They pooled what little money they had together for a meal, then returned to the dorm to find Beth’s roommate had returned from home earlier than they expected.
That wonderful, heady feeling of being in your own private bubble together, of making love while the world went on without you, this was what Chad gave her for a second time, and she knew just how precious it was.
TRAPPED UNDER ICE (ROCKING ROMANCE COLLECTION) Page 13