by Shana Gray
“Oh good. I didn’t want to do that. But trust me, my main reason for staying at your house is purely selfish.” She tipped her face up to him.
He brushed a soft kiss over her lips but it quickly shifted. The kiss was different this time. It ignited a fire, an intensity, an urgency that he had to hold back from bursting out of him. This new, raw emotion that played through them when their mouths met, tongues touched and the sigh that came from her nearly brought him to his knees. She clung to him and he cradled her in his arms, almost unable to breathe. When he thought he would explode, he gently stepped back, held her, his breathing rough. She was the same.
“Let’s go.” He grabbed his tackle box and reached for her hand with his free one. Entwining their fingers, he led her back to his truck and swung his tackle box into the bed.
They stood for a moment beside the truck.
He didn’t imagine that she leaned a little closer to him. Nor did he imagine the desire in her eyes. And he most certainly didn’t imagine the way her tongue swept around her lips in a tantalizing tease.
In a perfect world Chase would kiss her, lay her on the soft grass and make love to her here, surrounded by the nature he loved, but a chill was creeping through the forest and he noticed goose-bumps on her arms as he ran his palms down them. “You are a siren, Boots. And Lord help me but your song is hypnotizing.” He held the truck door open for her and then helped her in.
“How far to your house?” She settled her skirt over her knees and put on her seatbelt as he slammed the door shut and walked to his side. Climbing in, he told her, pointing, “Just down that track there.” She peered in that direction, narrowing her eyes.
“But that’s not a road. That’s practically a game trail.” She leaned forward in her seat and then looked at him. “Are you sure you know where you’re going?”
He chuckled and started the truck, punching the seat warmer for her. “Trust me, yes. You are full of surprises. How would a city girl know about game trails?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “Wildlife television shows. Plus, my daddy made sure I had a well-rounded education.” Her voice held a teasing lilt to it again and he realized, once again, that this woman ran deep. He was going to enjoy diving through those depths to find out who she was beneath all the layers.
The growl of the truck’s engine broke the serene silence of the forest. The headlights pierced the night gloom and he drove carefully down the two lines of tire tracks. It was a tight fit under a canopy of trees that created a tunnel through the foliage, and the branches almost brushed the sides of his truck. “Keep your eyes peeled. You never know what animal might decide to give us a showing.”
“Really? It’s been a while since I’ve seen a whitetail.” She trained her eyes out the front window.
“They live around here, but I can’t guarantee any’ll make an appearance.”
After about fifteen minutes through the trees they emerged at the beginning of the driveway up to his house.
Chase felt nerves kick in. Which was ridiculous. But suddenly he wanted to impress Ava. He wanted to her love his house and feel comfortable in it. It was really too early to tell, but he was starting to think that one night wouldn’t be enough.
Ava was looking out the passenger window, fiddling with her bag, as the moonlight spilled across her hair and skin. It gave her a mystical glow, like a magical forest fairy had danced her way into his truck. One who could fish with the best of them and laughed off getting muddy. Now he wanted to see if she could be more than that. Chase had started falling under her spell the moment he laid eyes on her in the Wildhorse but he knew now, with each passing minute, there was no turning back.
…
It was like a fairy tale. The small paved road wound through some lovely rolling meadows with miles of white fences that glowed in the moonshine. It was ethereal and she saw darker shapes of horses in the fields, which she’d like to imagine were unicorns.
When they rounded the last stand of trees, a house on the far side of an oval loop appeared between the trees. Ava drew in a sharp breath.
“Is this your house?” she asked in awe.
“Yup. It’s mine.” She heard the pride in his voice.
“It’s stunning. And all those fields we just passed…” She hitched her thumb behind them.
“Those are mine, too.” He pulled up to the grand portico, its columns a combination of stone and wood. Strategic lighting on the house, in the gardens and in the trees beyond made it all seem so surreal.
“Wow.” It was the only thing she could say. Never in million years would she have expected him to have such a house. She would’ve expected a rustic bachelor pad, not this gorgeous mansion, and the beautiful gardens were just that…beautiful. It just didn’t seem to match up with his burly cowboy persona.
She wasn’t one to be starry-eyed over someone’s wealth or possessions—people were just people at the root of it—but this was beyond anything she’d ever encountered. Ava wondered where it had all come from. Sure, she could just google him again, but it would mean more when he chose to share. Something told her there was a bigger story to Chase.
Physical attraction was important but she wanted to learn more. To find out more about just who this man was. And, boy, she was eager to do that. Not because of all these trappings but because he had an aura to him that hinted at something so much deeper and she wanted to know the man. Him.
He came around and helped her down from the truck. She inhaled the scent of the night.
“It’s beautiful. Peaceful and serene. Do you live here all alone?”
“This is my haven. I much prefer to be here, working on my ranch and doing business in my home office. Of course, I have a foreman to oversee the day-to-day, but I like to keep my hand in. I also built a home recording studio. It’s not much, but it lets me get music down when the inspiration strikes.”
He led her up the wide stairs to a door that looked like it was made out of a tree. Beautiful leaded windows framing either side let her peek inside to the foyer.
Chase pushed the door open. “Welcome to my home.”
She glanced up at him and the look on his face touched her heart. It wouldn’t matter if he was leading her into a double wide. She was with him. And that’s what counted.
He reached out his hand. “Shall we go inside?”
Ava stared up at him as she took his hand. She was here, with this man who did all kinds of wonderful things to her with just a look.
Now it was time to find out what kind of things he could do to her with his body. It seemed like days ago when Fredi had asked her to picture her dream man. She didn’t think she would have ever pictured Chase, and yet he seemed to be everything she’d ever dreamed of. He gave her a slow wink.
Oh my god.
The moment felt heavy; as if, when she crossed his threshold, everything in her life would change. Squeezing his hand, she stepped forward.
Chapter Fourteen
Her boots clicked on the hardwood floor as she entered the house, Chase a step behind her. Their fingers remained lightly hooked together and she smiled, looking at them. How she loved seeing their connection like that. So light, so fragile and yet so powerful. She couldn’t believe she was here right now. The path she’d stepped on at the start of her vacation certainly had sent her to a very unexpected destination.
Chase dropped his keys into a bowl next to the door then tugged her forward. She let her gaze roam over his wide shoulders, his powerful back and down to the trim hips encased in nicely molded jeans that hugged his rather tantalizing ass and showcased the strength of his thighs. His cowboy boots might be well broken in, but they were lovingly cared for. She could tell by the soft buttery luster of the leather.
Ava knew it. She was in trouble. Her romantic nature was definitely finding perfection in him. He was the full package. Sweet. Sexy. Mysterious. A gentleman. And an amazing kisser.
Ava’s attention was so focused on Chase she barely noticed the room
he’d led her into. The cool silence of his home cocooned her as she noticed they were in a great room. A floor-to-ceiling fieldstone fireplace was positioned on a full double-story wall with stacked windows that looked over a portion of a stunning pool area. There were more fireflies twinkling on the night air in the branches of trees that appeared to ring the pool and patio, contrasting with the dark of the country night.
“This is quite a house. I feel like I just walked into a magazine editorial.”
“Thank you. It’s my place to escape.” He leaned a hip against what looked like a tree trunk that was stained and highly polished. It rose up to the roof and supported the cathedral ceiling, which was complete with skylights that would bathe the room in sunlight during the day.
“And a wonderful haven it is.” The decor was spectacular as well. Ava loved the combination of country and mountain and how it blended effortlessly together with an element of modern. It was a warm, welcoming place that she could easily imagine as a family home full of love, laughter, meals, and kids, and… Ava stopped. What the heck was she doing to herself?
She knew she’d have to be very cautious and not let her romantic nature carry her away. Which she was wont to do.
But that was exactly who she was. Ava wasn’t fooling herself. She knew she saw love and romance and happily ever afters around almost every corner. She sighed. I could find something romantic about a tree stump. She wore her heart on her sleeve.
Ava had so many questions. She wondered if he had designed it or had had help. Why did he live way out here alone? And why such a massive home? What were his likes, dislikes? How did he spend his days when he wasn’t working? How did he take his coffee? Did he even drink coffee? Did he sleep on his back, or his belly, or—
She had to stop her rambling thoughts.
“Would you like anything before we…go upstairs?” Chase asked her, and his hesitancy was sweet, one more thing to make her swoon.
“Oh, uhm, maybe just some water, thank you.”
He went into the kitchen, which was just off the great room. It was all open-concept and flowed wonderfully together.
“Have you been living here long?” Ava watched him take two heavy tumblers from a glass-fronted cabinet and place them on a counter that also looked like it was made from a slab of a tree. She twisted her hands together and got another whiff of fish stink. She wrinkled her nose and went over to the sink. Pumping out a generous portion of cherry-scented soap from the bottle, she scrubbed her hands. Chase took a dish towel from a drawer and handed it to her so she could dry her hands.
“I’ve owned the property all my life.”
“All your life, huh? As a child as well? That’s odd—” Then it dawned on Ava. “The fishing hole…”
“Mine, too.” He took a jug of water from a monstrous-sized, very professional-looking fridge, filled the glasses and then slid one toward her over the counter. She sipped at the water as he explained.
“My grandfather transferred the title to me when I was born. He brainwashed me to love the land from as far back as I can remember. Care for the land and treasure it. He drilled into me ‘They don’t make any more land, son.’ I’ve never forgotten it.” Chase grinned at her and she could see how he felt about his grandfather and the land by the look in his eye. He took a long drink and placed his glass beside hers on the counter.
“Smart man. Real estate can be a sensible long-term investment, so long as you can afford the taxes and the upkeep,” Ava answered. Chase’s grandfather sounded like her kind of people. “Is he still alive?” As soon as she said the words she wished she could pull them back. “I’m sorry, that was indelicate.”
“No, it’s fine. He is alive, a ripe old ninety-five. He no longer rides but he does drive his Morgan horse around the trails.”
“That’s amazing. I bet he’s quite a character.” Ava picked up her purse from the counter as Chase came around the far end and placed his arm around her shoulder. Her heart did a little dance in her chest and a strong feeling of contentment washed over her.
“He is. One day I’ll tell you more about him. Gramps and me got into all kinds of scrapes. Drove my mom up the wall.” Chase led her back through the great room.
“I’d like that.” His words echoed in her ears. One day I’ll tell you more about him.
One day…oh, the possibilities those two little words opened up.
So far, the night had been full of surprises. No one had taken her fishing on a date since she was thirteen. Now, here she stood, in a fabulous house, smelling like fish and mud and easing into sex with a man who was lusted over by thousands of women. Chase’s fame was the last thing on her mind, though, she was so ready to be with him. She reached up to touch his hair. He hadn’t taken his hat off when they arrived.
She got up the nerve to gently lift it from his head. “May I?”
“Of course.” He nodded, and his mischievous grin made her smile.
She removed it and set it on a low table beside them. He had thick, wavy, wild hair. With an intake of a soft breath, Ava ran her fingers through it. It was just as sun-streaked as his beard and mustache. She dated a lot of businessmen, because that’s who she was surrounded by all the time. Chase was so different from those guys, hard where city life had made them soft.
“All good?” he asked her with a grin. “Did you think I was bald or something before I took my hat off?”
She shook her head, unable to respond. He was just too damn gorgeous to be legal.
“So, Boots, do I pass the no-hat test?” He placed his hands on her shoulders and Ava didn’t resist when he pulled her closer. It felt like the entire night had been foreplay and she was eager to continue their kisses.
She couldn’t deny that the closer they were to each other, the more powerful the fire of her attraction to him burned and the more her body craved him. Even though they barely touched, the air between them seemed energized. Ava knew what she wanted to do tonight, and it was to be with him. The butterflies in her belly told her it was the right decision.
“Mmhm, yes, I think you do past the test.” She reached up and fingered his long strands, tucking one around his ear, noticing that it was pierced. Well, well, wasn’t that intriguing?
“Now, about that shower?” He took her hand.
“Yes, about that shower.” Ava let him guide her.
He stopped at a wide set of incredible stone stairs that led to the second level. Ava glanced up at Chase and her belly did a little flutter. She was so ready for what was coming next.
His eyes searched hers, deep, brown and questioning. Instinctively, she knew the question and her decision hadn’t changed since the fishing hole. Reaching out, she took his hand and stepped up on to the first step, turning to face him. They were at eye level now. “The stairs are magnificent. They match the fireplace on the wall there.” She raised her finger to point and was unable to drag her gaze away from him.
She was happy to see the look in his eyes soften and the etchings of concern on his forehead relax. He was nervous. Ava’s heart swelled and she hoped he could see the eagerness and desire she felt reflected in her gaze.
“I built it myself,” he told her in a low voice. Chase slid his arm around her waist and stepped up beside her. Ava heard Chase’s deep breathing and then his words sank in.
“Y–you what?” She tried to process what he’d just said and looked up at him. “You built the stairs and that fireplace?” She was incredulous. The stonework looked very complex and she tried to picture him with a trowel or whatever, painstakingly putting everything together.
He looked at her and pride filled his features. “Yeah. As a kid, I used to imagine what I’d want my home to be like when I grew up. Back then, there was just a small log fishing shack on the property and a few hunting lean-tos. I’ve been working on the fields, barns, outbuildings for years. This house was more recent, and I finished it last year.” He looked around, his gaze far-off. “I had to go on tour a coupla times, but whenever I wa
s back in Nashville I was here, helping to build my house. You know, whenever possible, I reclaimed wood from the original structures on the property and used it in this building. See there, the mantle on the fireplace is one spot.”
Ava gasped and stared in wonder at the majestic fireplace, the high beamed ceilings, the beautiful log and stone that accented the room. The floors were a blend of wide board oak and what appeared to be slate as well as some very scarred wooden patches in front of the fireplace and various other places in the room. She bet those were from the original structure.
“Those spots on the floor are reclaimed?”
“Yes, from the floors of the old cabin.” She heard pride in his voice and couldn’t say she was surprised.
This wasn’t just a building, it was historical and held the essence of his ancestors. It would have been very easy for him to have someone else build the house, overseeing from a distance while he went on tour, making more money, until the house was completely done and he could move in. But that didn’t seem to be Chase’s style. He wanted to be part of building the home he had dreamed of for so long, a home that incorporated his family’s past. It gave her a whole new appreciation for the house, and for Chase.
“It’s like a living history and I’d love to know more. I’m just blown away by this. I can’t believe you were that involved in the construction. Didn’t your label worry about your hands?”
They slowly climbed the stairs as he replied, “Well, it wasn’t like I was out hang-gliding or racing motorcycles, but you gotta live life. I have some awesome back-up with a group of guys that I’ve been touring with for ages, so as long as I can sing, the fans will get their money’s worth.”
Ava was the one with him now and she leaned into him, slipping her arm around his waist. “I’m absolutely stunned. To know that you helped build this, that makes it even more special.”
“My hand touched pretty much everything in this house. I had help designing it, I’m not that creative.” He chuckled. “But I knew what I wanted. Brought Gramps out to see it, too, and he was almost moved to tears.”