“You want to take on Conan the Barbarian? Really?” I tease.
“I think it would be a fair fight,” he flexes his biceps, showing off.
I stick my face into the pillow laughing. When I come up for air I assure him, “Don’t worry Chase you’re my number one man. Is your ego better now?”
The corner of his lip twitches and I ache to kiss it. His eyes darken as he takes me in staring at his lips.
“Chase,” I rasp.
“Yes, baby.”
“Kiss me.”
He does, and it’s perfect.
******
I wake up in the middle of the night, to find the bed empty. I check my phone and it says two am, I walk into the kitchen, where I can hear someone ravaging through the food cupboards. It’s Chase, only wearing a pair of superman boxer shorts.
“Miserable f**king bastards..” he’s muttering to himself.
He bangs closed one cupboard and opens another.
“Chase? What are you doing?” I ask softly.
He turns around and gives me a lopsided smile when he sees me.
“Sorry baby, did I wake you?” he asks in a tender voice.
“I woke up and you weren’t in bed.”
“Sorry, I had a craving. Except I can’t find them! And I’m going to kill one of my brothers, I’m guessing Kade!” he growls.
“What exactly are you looking for?”
He looks sheepish. “My stash of Twix bars.”
I blink. “You’re looking for Twix chocolate bars at two in the morning?”
He huffs, “Yeah well, everyone has their vices.”
I snorted a laugh. “Honey, come to bed. I’ll buy you a shit load tomorrow.”
“It’s the principle! They know not to touch my stash!”
Okay this is getting ridiculous.
“Chase! Bed now,” I hiss.
“Fine.” He sulks.
“I know it’s not a Twix, but I do have a Snickers bar in my handbag, if you are interested.”
He perks up. “Really?”
I giggle. “Come on.” I open my giant handbag and search for the chocolate bar. Chase is watching me eagerly, drumming his fingers impatiently. I purposely take my time finding it, laughing to myself as I finally pull it out from the bottom and hand it to him. He almost snatches it off me, and gives me a huge smile.
“You are the f**king best, Layla! I knew I loved that huge handbag filled with crap.”
He eats the chocolate bar with relish, brushes his teeth then comes back to bed.
“Night baby.” He kisses my neck.
“Night Chase,” I mumble back.
******
The next morning I text Nikki, I haven’t heard much from her since she was last here. We’ve texted a few times, but she has been too busy with school to drop by. Today was no different. Kade comes in and takes a seat beside me.
“What’s up princess?” He asks, as he sips on his coffee.
“I’m having Nikki withdrawals,” I grumble, “She hasn’t been coming over and I miss her.”
When I mention Nikki, I notice Kade still.
“Has she mentioned why she can’t come over?” His voice low.
“No, just says she’s busy with classes and stuff,” I sulk.
He seems lost in thought, then gets up and says he is going out for a bit.
Chapter Eleven
Two weeks later
It’s my day off and I’ve decided to do some volunteer work at the animal shelter. I’m a huge animal lover, and want to help out in any way I can. I’m about to leave the house when all three guys come out of the kitchen and ask me where I’m going.
“Going to the animal shelter to volunteer for a bit.” I say. All three guys stare, surprised.
“You’re so cute Laylay,” Kade says smirking.
“Hey, you’re breaking the rules using that name!” I say, annoyed. I really hate that stupid nickname.
“It was a slip! My bad,” Kade says, completely unapologetic.
“It’s your day off and you are going to the shelter? I thought we could go out for a movie or something,” Chase sulks.
I laugh, “You’re going to work, and I’m going to help.” I smile up at him; he sighs, leaning over and giving me a kiss.
******
I walk in and meet the man at reception, whose name is Gage. He’s about thirty five, with warm brown eyes and blonde hair. The shelter is in a large warehouse looking building.
“Okay, so are you up for walking some of the dogs?” he asks me after giving me a tour. I nod. I could no doubt use the exercise too.
“How many should I take at a time?” I ask nervously.
Gage grins. “Depends how difficult the dog is.”
“Perhaps I’ll start small,” I mutter, walking past the huge greyhound and towards a poodle mix.
After two hours of walking, I’m finished for the day. “I’ll see you next week, if you can make it,” Gage says.
“I’ll be here,” I tell him.
I go straight home and have a long hot shower. Chase comes home about an hour later, hot and sweaty after a long run.
“If it isn’t my favorite girl,” he drawls.
“I better be your only girl,” I tease.
“You’re a handful, Layla, I don’t think I could handle anyone extra,” he says cheekily.
I throw a pillow at him.
He ducks.
“See! I can barely handle you,” he smirks.