The Nashville Bet

by Shana Gray

  His hands slid down her back and gripped her ass, lifting her as she wrapped her legs around him and tipped her hips so his erection slid teasingly between her legs. It would be very easy to shift just a little bit and they would be making love. His tongue found hers, and they locked together. She rocked her hips and tightened her hold around his neck. Her nipples rubbed against his chest hair and the sensations were electric.

  He lifted from the kiss and she was about to say something but the words vanished from her mind.

  “No talkin’. Just lovin’.” His breath was hot on her neck.

  “Y–yes, no talking.” She was on fire. “Hurry, you’re driving me crazy.” She let her legs drop and had to steady herself by leaning against the shower wall.

  “Yes, ma’am,” Chase said. He reached for the package, tore it open, and Ava watched him slide the condom over his cock. She couldn’t believe how erotic it was to watch him handle himself.

  “Quit calling me ma’am.” She clutched his shoulders when he lifted her and she guided him to her opening.

  “Whatever you say, darlin’,” he groaned, and found her mouth; at the same time, he thrust in deep, and slow.

  Chase knocked her world off its axis. She tumbled through the building tension and let out a cry of delight with each deep thrust. He filled her, and it was as if all the pieces of her that had been scattered suddenly clicked back into place. Ava wrapped her legs around him, locking her ankles to meet his powerful thrusts.

  He carried her to a place she’d never been before. A place she knew existed but feared she’d never find. When that place exploded into wondrous glory, she clung to him, shower water mingling with her tears of joy. She had promised herself that she’d stop looking and then encountered this amazing and wonderful man who seemed to be exactly what she’d been seeking so long.

  He roared out his release on the heels of hers. She felt him inside her. They were perfect together. Meant for each other. Slowly, her body calmed. He held her tightly as his body trembled. She unwrapped her legs, one at a time, and her toes touched the shower’s pebbled floor but she kept her arms around him, not wanting to break their embrace. If she did that, then this moment would be over. Ava couldn’t bear that thought and clung to him.

  “Aw, Boots, why are you crying?” He scooped her up, grabbed a couple of thick towels from the warming rack and took her back out to the bedroom.

  “I–I don’t know. Happy tears.” She started to shiver and he put a towel around her shoulders, rubbing her until she stopped shaking.

  He pulled back the covers. “Get in and warm up.” She wound her hair up and slipped between the sheets.

  “You, too.” Ava watched him walk around the foot of the bed. He climbed in beside her and she rolled over to snuggle against him. “This night.” She sighed and relished the heat from his body.

  “I know,” was all he said. But those simple few words made her wonder if he was just as moved as she was by everything that had happened so far.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Ava heard the chime coming from her bag and sat up, confused for a moment about where she was. Then she saw Chase beside her, on his back with his arms stretched out. He was fast asleep. Ava smiled and, careful not to wake him, slid out of bed to find her purse.

  It was on the window seat and she picked it up, taking out her phone.

  “What’s up, Boots?” His deep voice filled the darkened room and Ava nearly jumped out of her skin.

  “Holy, you scared me. I thought you were still asleep.” She walked back to the bed and crawled in beside him.

  “I was. Your friends?” he asked.

  “I’m surprised I hadn’t heard from them sooner.” Ava unlocked her phone and turned it, holding the face of her phone toward him. “See.”

  “And what do they have to say?” He stretched out on the bed, the sheet draped enticingly over his hips, his legs tangled in the blankets. He put his hands behind his head, which only accentuated the size of his chest and bulging muscles. Chase’s movements oozed sexuality that made Ava draw in a quick breath. She was hard pressed not to put the phone down and give him all her attention. Forcing herself to look away, she did her best to focus on her phone.

  Celia: So can you still walk?

  Ava saw that it was a group chat and waited for a barrage of texts to come in.

  Fredi: Did you propose yet?

  Ava laughed and glanced at Chase, who was looking at her. “What’s so funny?”

  She shook her head. No way would she tell him that. “They’re just being funny.”

  Ava: Stop being silly. But I will tell you this, I think he’s the Peter Kavinsky to my Lara Jean! <3 He’s such a gentleman, sooooo sexy, and he can cook! Over an open fire, no less!

  Bons: An open fire? Like a fireplace? Or a firepit? A bonfire? Where are you exactly?

  Celia: Ava’s in lurrrvvve #NoSurprise #WeddingBells Are you ready, Fredi? Dress time.

  Fredi: Oh Lord save me. Thank God we have the JD distillery tour tomorrow. Mama’s gonna need to stock up.

  Ava snorted and laughed, and she heard Chase chuckle beside her. Eyeing him suspiciously, she leaned a little more to the right to block his view. No boys allowed in this conversation.

  Ava: We’re at his place! It’s a huge ranch, and so so so gorg! There were fireflies!

  Fredi: Just what every girl dreams of. Glowing insects…

  Bons: I still wanna know more about him cooking over a fire. Didn’t we leave that behind in the Stone Age?

  Ava: Hello, BBQ!!! But it was a firepit. Seriously, though, it’s been a great night. How are you guys?

  Celia: Not so fast, deets, beeyotch! #tellus

  Ava: He took me fishing, at his favorite spot! He used to go there all the time as a kid! I caught one and almost fell into the creek! O_O

  Fredi: What kind of date is that? #notforme

  Ava: The best kind! But what about you?????

  Bons: Back at the hotel, having a drink in the bar. Fredi’s pre-gaming for the tour tomorrow.

  Fredi: Did you at least get some nookie to make up for the nature?

  “So, Ava, the distillery tour you’re going on tomorrow. You know how they always say that people who live in an area never do the touristy stuff that’s around? Like, say, going to the Jack Daniels distillery tour?” Chase said, clearly aiming for winsome. “I have a free day tomorrow. I’d love to tag along with you and your friends…”

  Ava was torn. On the one hand, yay, more time with Chase! On the other hand, Fredi took her JD pretty darn seriously. She said, pouting a bit, “I knew you were reading my texts! I’m not sure. We try to keep our vacation outings pretty testosterone-free, but I’ll ask.”

  He swept her hair to the side so he could nuzzle at her shoulder and Ava nearly fumbled the phone before she could send out the text.

  Ava: Chase wants to know if he can come tomorrow… Totes up to you guys, you can say no!

  Celia: Hmm, let’s think, going whiskey tasting with a famous country superstar. They will probably break out the GOOD stuff! Hell ya, he can come.

  Bons: Is he willing to be the DD?

  Fredi: And purchase carrier? There will be a loooootttttttt of purchases.

  She loved her friends. Twisting to drop her legs over Chase’s, she delivered the verdict. “You are permitted to come so long as you are willing to be the designated driver and carry stuff.”

  Running his hand down her leg, he replied, “I accept those terms.”

  Ava gave herself a mental shake, trying not to melt at his casual caresses, and looked at the screen on her phone, trying to process words. “This will work out well. Your truck would fit us all so much better than the red bug.”

  “Red bug?” he inquired, brushing a finger experimentally against the sole of her foot. Slightly ticklish, she kicked out and tried to pull her legs back, but he caught them before she could go far.

  “Fredi’s car. She drove up from Florida in her VW bug. It’s candy-apple red and
we call it the red bug. We’d have to squish in there between the four of us and all Fredi’s new alcohol.”

  “Yup, a lot more room in my truck. Tell ’em to be ready at 10 a.m. and I’ll have a car come around and bring them here.”

  He leaned back and linked his fingers behind his head, a very satisfied grin on his face. The move was simple enough but was also wonderfully dangerous to her libido. Arousal flowed through Ava in heavy, thick waves. Unable to pull her gaze from his chiseled features or keep herself from staring at this wide and muscled chest, she had to catch herself from almost letting her tongue loll out. He was just too distracting for words.

  He mouthed, “Text them.”

  Ava snapped herself out of her daydream and texted them back with instructions.

  Celia: I’m requesting a stretch, stocked with a hunky guitarist or 2.

  Bons: What would Landon say if he could see you now?

  Celia: There’s the hot babe I’m madly in love with? He would say that. #iyamwhoiyam

  Fredi: Am I the only one who realizes our darling lil Ava is spending the night with Chase the rock star?

  Ava stared at the words and realized the way this conversation had just gone. Spending the night with Chase. Truthfully, her thoughts had been pretty centered on getting down and dirty with Chase. She hadn’t thought much about what would happen after. But it made sense.

  Before she had time respond or check with Chase, more texts chimed on her phone.

  Celia: OMG! I AM SO PROUD! #saveahorse #rideacowboy

  Bons: I hope you have condoms. And that you use allll of them…

  Ava rolled her eyes and heard Chase chuckle again. She swatted him with her free hand. “Stop reading my texts!”

  “I can’t help it, they’re so entertaining. That Celia seems like quite the character.” Before she could blink, he flipped her legs around so that he could lift her between his legs, resting his chin on her shoulder. “There, now I have a better view.”

  Shaking her head and taking delight in hearing him sputter as her hair drifted across his face, Ava quickly texted back.

  Ava: No, I do not have any because I never thought anything like this would happen. But, trust me, he has some.

  Celia: yeeeeeaaaaaahhhhh babbbbyyyy! Deets deets deets!

  Fredi: Is that where the shower came in?

  Bons: Oh, we’re so gonna ditch him at some point tomorrow. It’s your turn to face the inquisition, hahaha!!!

  Ava: Okay, byeeeeee.

  She locked her phone and stretched to put it on the bedside table beside her. Chase had his arms wrapped around her and his hands felt so warm against her stomach.

  “You guys have a really special relationship.”

  Placing her hands over his, she leaned back a little. “Definitely. We met in college and there’s been no stopping us since. We all live in different parts of the country, but we’ve managed to stay really close.”

  He started pressing small kisses against her throat and she tilted her head to give him better access. “I got my boys here in town, but I don’t think it works the same for men. It’s more like I go out on tour, we exchange a few texts, then I come back and it’s like I never left.”

  Her voice was breathless as she tried to focus on the conversation. “That’s nice, too, though. Comforting. Like there’s a piece of home always waiting for you.”

  “How can it be possible that you are here in my bed? I’ve imagined you, sung about you…all these years and never figured I’d find you.” He spoke in a low voice as his arms tightened around her.

  …

  Chase gazed at her and knew his mother would fall in love with Ava. She’d been making noises for years that he should give up his music dreams and settle down and give her grandbabies. It wasn’t like he needed the money. But Chase was determined to prove himself. There’d never been a woman that meant more to him than his music but, with Ava, it felt like he could have the best of both worlds. She was open, honest and didn’t play games. She was exactly the slice of heaven she appeared to be.

  …

  Ava twisted in his arms so that she could straddle his legs. “If I’d known I’d find you here, I would’ve been here even sooner.”

  Chase reached up to cup her cheeks, brushing her lips with a tender kiss. Ava suddenly felt a wave of sentiment for all the awful first days, disappointing crushes and nights of loneliness she had experienced, because it had all brought her here.

  Bless that broken road.

  Chapter Seventeen

  They were in tune. Chase couldn’t have written a better song than the one that was playing between them. He slid his hand down her back, over the tightness of muscles, the rounded globes of her ass. There was still much more he wanted to discover about her. He pressed his palm into the curve of her side, wanting the imprint of her on him and to explore her further.

  This was so hot, so new and so surprising that Chase was still trying to process it all. He sensed something special was developing between them. Something that he needed to cultivate and treasure.

  She was full of soft sighs, moans, as she molded her body to his. This would be the third time they’d made love tonight and he already knew it would only quench the flame of desire, not satiate it.

  Ava grabbed his chin with her hand, holding him and, in the gloom of his bedroom, they moved against each other. The clutch she had on him was possessive and he felt a tremble in her touch. He wanted to believe that she was just as overcome as he and it was almost like she was holding on so he couldn’t leave. But he had no intention of going anywhere.

  Her eyes were luminous, deep and sucked him into their depths. He saw desire and something else in them. “Oh, Chase, I love the way you have with words. I really need to start listening to your music,” she murmured in a husky tone.

  “Just say the word and I’d be happy to give you a private concert.” He ran his thumb against her nipple, enjoying the way she gasped at the sensation.

  “I bet you say that to all the girls.” She pressed a kiss to his chest.

  “Only the sexy ones with sparkly boots,” he teased.

  “You’re a sweet-talker, superstar, but let’s stop talking for a while.” Ava pressed more kisses on his chest then reached between them. She opened a condom they’d put under the pillows earlier, slid it on to him and stroked his cock.

  Thunder rumbled over his house and lightning flashed out the window. In the explosion of light, he saw her as clearly as if it were day. He took her hand that was holding him and together they positioned him against her and she sank back down, his cock filling her, with a deep groan that matched his.

  More thunder crashed overhead and flashes of lightning gave him staccato images of this wild angel as she rode him, her hair in a beautiful, tumbled disarray, her breasts bouncing and nipples firm and hard like cherries. The curve of her waist bloomed into her hips, where he placed his hands and held her tight. He watched where they were joined, unable to look away.

  Gliding his hand up her side to cradle the back of her head, the thick strands of her hair tangled around his fingers, soft and sensuous. Chase pulled her down, touched his tongue to her lips and she fell on him. Their mouths sealed, her hips working him, and he met her with every beat.

  Then she cried out, the sound resonating into him, as she came. Her eyes opened and he felt like a hot poker had twisted his gut and trails of smoking desire had settled in his balls. Yes, Chase knew for sure now that she’d cast some kind of witchy spell over him. And he didn’t give a shit in the least.

  She gazed down at him, lifting her head slightly, and he swallowed heavily at the passion-clouded look in her golden eyes. There was a longing in them that pinched at his heart. Instinct told him to be gentle with her. While she was absolutely alive above him, there was a fragile edge to her that needed special care.

  He flipped her over, pressing her into the pillows and tumbled sheets. She wrapped herself around him. He pressed his mouth to the base of her neck, hi
s tongue followed the rapid beat of the vein in her neck and the smell of her skin enveloped him.

  “Come for me, Chase,” she whispered into his ear as he ground into her.

  Her words, her response to him and her kisses on his cheek were more than he could bear. Chase was lost as he was overtaken by his orgasm. It crashed inside him, he was mindless and lost his sense of space and time, the tight embrace of Ava’s arms the only thing anchoring him to reality. She tightened around his cock in sweet, pulsing waves and he knew she’d climaxed again, in time with him.

  Moments later, his body came down from the orgasmic high. He left his teenaged years behind a long, long time ago, but he felt like, with a ten-minute nap and a couple of glasses of water, he would be ready to go again. Chase gathered her to him like she was something delicate and touched his lips to hers. She responded as he knew she would. Then she rested her head on his shoulder and drew in a deep breath.

  She draped her arm over his hips and tucked her foot around his leg. The lost puzzle piece had just clicked into its place.

  Chase’s mind began to shut down. The last fleeting thought he had was, there wasn’t much he hadn’t experienced these days, but being here, with Ava, felt brand new.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Ava rolled on to her side, propping her head on her hand, and snuggled down into the cozy bed. Judging by the sunlight peeking through the window, it was morning, and she was starving. She wasn’t entirely comfortable going to raid Chase’s kitchen for breakfast but he looked so peaceful and beautiful sleeping that she didn’t want to wake him. Stopping herself from reaching out to brush the hair that fell over his forehead, she settled for simply watching this wonderful man who she’d spent the most amazing night with…sleep.

  She listened to his deep, even breathing. Their night of sweet love left her with a satiated and exquisite feeling she was unable to fully describe. All she knew was he’d made her feel unlike she could ever have imagined. It had never been explosive like that, a clash of energies demanding satisfaction. And every time she thought they were done, he would find a second, third, fourth wind and bring her to climax all over again.