Lindsey

I step inside the apartment and hear the lock click. I sense Chase coming up behind me. The energy in the room is electrifying. The fact that we have the space to ourselves only amplifies everything tenfold.

Everything that has been growing between us is bubbling to the surface. It's like a volcano about to erupt. I am giddy with anticipation for what is about to happen with Chase as I feel his chest connect with my back.

His fingertips blaze a scorching trail up my arms as he slowly drags his hands from my wrists up to my shoulders. My breathing hitches, and I feel his chest behind me rise and fall rapidly. My eyes slowly close as my head falls back onto his shoulder. He lets his hands continue their exploration of my arms slowly sensually, and I feel like a spring that's wound far too tight, about to snap at any moment.

His fingers reach my shoulder again, and instead of continuing back down toward my wrist, they move across my chest, slowly tracing my exposed collar bone. An airy whimper escapes my lips, and I press myself further into him, daring him to snap first as he continues his sultry assault on my skin.

Just when I reach my limit, where I feel my resolve about to snap, he grabs my shoulders and quickly spins me around to face him. I can barely register what is happening as his lips collide with mine, desperate and needy. My arms wind around his neck, forcing our bodies even closer together, pulling his face closer to my own, deepening the kiss. As our tongues wrestle for dominance, one of his hands winds into my hair, pulling slightly and eliciting a loud moan from my mouth.

His responding growl causes my knees to go weak and sends a wave of heat coursing between my legs. My breath shudders as I feel him push my back roughly against the wall. The hand that was wound in my hair starts traveling down my body, grazing my hardened nipple as it slowly traverses lower, lower, lower until he reaches the band of my pants. He teases one finger just inside the top of my jeans and slowly slides his hand around my waist until he reaches my back.

Suddenly, both hands are gripping behind my thighs through my jeans, moving upward until firmly grasping my ass and lifting me up, forcing my legs to wrap around his waist. I nip his lip and continue exploring his mouth with my tongue, groaning as he presses himself further against me. I can feel his length between my legs, long and rock hard.

He rolls his hips, and I drag my nails down his chest then his abs, slowly working their way around to his back. He moans his approval into my mouth as I rock my hips further into his. My hands slide further around his body, nails digging deeper into his skin over the top of his shirt. We're so lost in each other that we don't even stop to breathe.

All of a sudden, he lets out a strangled cry of pain as my hands find the large area of his torso that was slammed into the boards earlier tonight, nails releasing from where they had just been digging into his skin. And just like that, the spell is broken.

Our lips break apart, both of us panting, trying to catch our breath. Chase sets his forehead against mine, eyes still closed, reeling from our heavy make-out session. His hot breath blankets my lips as he whispers, "Fuck."

I lick my lips and steady my hands on his shoulders, careful to stay away from his injured side. "Are you okay?"

His eyes shoot open to meet my own. "I'm good. So good."

"But, your side. Doesn't it hurt?"

"I'll live. Now, where were we?" He moves closer, trying to pick up where we left off seconds ago.

I pull away, denying him my lips as I slowly release myself from his hold and slide my feet back to the floor. "Let me see."

He whines in protest, placing both hands against the wall behind me, trapping me between the wall and his hard body. "Lins, I'm fine, really. You just surprised me, is all."

I narrow my eyes at him and duck underneath one arm freeing myself from his cage. I grab his hand and pull him with me to the couch. "Let me check. Shirt off, mister."

He smirks at me after I issue my command. "Yes, ma'am."

He slowly works the buttons on his dress shirt, popping them open one by one while holding my eyes captive in his own. The dare is obvious. He's trying to tempt me back to his embrace with his seduction. It nearly works. I feel the growing need for him between my thighs, and I try to stamp it down by pushing my legs tightly together.

He must have noticed the motion because his smirk grows, and he licks his lips, tempting me further. I won't let him win this time, not when he could really be hurt. I shake myself out of his intense trance and look away, trying to compose myself.

After an agonizing length of time, he finally has the final button undone, and he pulls his shirt off, draping it across the back of the couch. I chance a peek in his direction, thinking I have my hormones under control now. He meets my eyes again as he slowly tugs the hem of his undershirt up and over his body, placing it with the other shirt at the back of the couch. I swallow hard as I look at his now bare torso and the chiseled hills and valleys of muscle that decorates it.

My traitorous body lets loose a soft whimper, and I suck my bottom lip between my teeth. He leans in, thinking he's won trying to pull me in for another sensuous kiss. I nearly cave when I catch a glimpse of the growing blotches of purple and black covering his side. I gasp and shoot my hands to his chest, pushing him away so I can take a better look at his injury.

He grunts in disapproval as I increase the space between us. "It's nothing, really. I'm fine."

I shoot him a stern look. "This doesn't look like nothing!" I point to the large bruise.

He shrugs like it's no big deal. "I've had worse. And I got it checked after the game; nothing is broken."

I let out an exasperated breath and move my hands to gently touch his skin. The bruise looks nasty and covers his entire left side from his shoulder blade down to his hip, threatening to move further across his back. He winces as my hand makes contact and gives me a sheepish grin. "See, I barely even feel it."

I roll my eyes, stand from the couch, and make my way to the kitchen to get some ice. Chase is still grumbling to himself when I make my way back with a large bag of ice wrapped in a dishtowel.

I sit down next to him and lift the bag against his exposed skin. He flinches away from me, griping about how cold the ice is. I grab ahold of his arm and try negotiating with him. "If you let me ice this for you for a while, I'll kiss it all better when I'm done."

He moves closer, tilting his head toward mine. "I'm all about the kissing it better part." His lips part as he captures me in another heated kiss.

He had nearly distracted me from my mission when the cold ice pack hits my leg, reminding me what I was trying to do before he stole all of my attention with his magical tongue. I pull back and resituate the ice pack against his side. His eyes widen, and he grimaces at the feeling.

"Ice first, kisses after," I tell him sternly.

He finally relents and allows me to ice the different areas of his injured side for about thirty minutes before insisting on his promised kisses. Now satisfied that he let me ice the injury, at least for a little while, I give in and let him have what he asks for. Careful not to touch his left side, I settle my legs on either side of his and lower myself into his lap.

He captivates me again with his signature smile as he brings our mouths together, resuming where we left off a while ago. His hands crawl up my back, and he fists my hair trapping my lips against his as his tongue dances with mine, hot and wet. We are lost in our heated exchange for several minutes until we are rudely interrupted by a buzzing from both of our phones.

"Ignore it," Chase says, trying to pull me back to him.

I nearly listen, but something tells me to check the messages. I give him another quick peck on the lips as I grab my phone and slide my thumb up, unlocking the screen.

I sigh as I read through the messages:

20 minutes ago.

We're about to leave the bar

5 minutes ago.

This is not a drill. You have 15 minutes tops!

Shit!

1 minute ago.

Seriously, we're going to be home in less than 10 minutes! I hope you two are dressed.

Now.

Liam will definitely notice if you guys are naked on the couch.

I don't think I'll be able to hold him back if he sees that.

"Fuck!" Chase is reading the messages on his own phone.

I look over and give him a sad smile. At least we had a little time alone. "I guess we should say goodnight."

"But, I don't want to." He pouts.

I chuckle lightly. "It's either that or face the wrath of my brother."

He sighs, knowing neither of us is ready for that yet. "Yeah, you're right."

We get up and head in the direction of Liam's room. I turn when I reach the door. Chase sets a warm hand on my cheek and gently strokes my face before leaning down to give me one last kiss for the night.

"I had an incredible time tonight, Lindsey. Sleep tight, beautiful."

"Goodnight, Chase. I'll see you in the morning."

He squeezes my hand before turning to the living room. I watch as he grabs his clothes off the back of the couch and makes it across the room to his door. He turns and meets my eye once more, giving me a longing look before going inside.

I lay down on the bed and heave a happy sigh recalling the amazing night I just had with Chase. Minutes later, I hear the front door open, and two sets of footsteps enter the apartment.

I hear Liam first, clearly tipsy and using a less than quiet voice. "That was such a good time!"

"Shhhh, Liam! Lins and Chase are sleeping."

"Oops, my bad, Tay!"

"It's okay. Do you need help getting to your bed, or are you good?"

"No, I'm good, Tay. Sweet dreams!"

"Night, Liam."

I hear the click of both of their doors shutting, and the apartment grows quiet. The only sound I hear is the strong beat of my heart as I start to drift into dreamland. My smile grows stronger as I think of the man who is slowly but surely capturing every part of my heart. And the best part...

I think I might just let him have it.