Chase

There is only one thing on my mind- how lucky I am to have this beauty in my arms lying next to me. She came into my life just when I needed her. Just when I thought I wouldn't find someone I could care for like this. Everything about her blows me away- the way she loves, her strength, her kindness, and so much more.

Lindsey is the most amazing woman I've ever met. How I ever got so lucky, I'll probably never know, but I am so happy I get to call her mine. As she looks up at me with those gorgeous green eyes through her thick lashes, I almost say it- the phrase I've been dying to say for a while now.

I love you.

This isn't the time or place. I want to do something big, something special for her when I tell her those three words. I want that moment to be perfect. As much as it kills me to keep quiet, I know I need to so I can make that memory special for her. So, instead, I pour all my love into a kiss that I plant softly on her plump lips. It's slow and sweet but full of passion. Our eyes close as we both get lost in the kiss.

We stay like that for what feels like hours, basking in the warmth of one another. Both unwilling to let go. I have to go back to the guest room before anyone wakes up. We know that, but it's so hard to leave her. It's too tempting to stay here and fall asleep with her in my arms.

I finally get a small amount of willpower to get out of her cozy bed. She gives me a sad smile and a knowing look. This is just as hard for her as it is for me. I search for my clothes in the dark room so I can make my way back down the hallway. I slide my boxer briefs and jeans on and toss my shirt over my shoulder.

Lindsey wraps a blanket around herself and comes to stand next to me at the door. I pull her into my chest and give her another searing kiss before telling her goodnight and how I wish I didn't have to leave her. It's only for a few hours, but I hate it.

I want to wake up with her snuggled against me. I want to see the morning sun splay across her face as she sleeps in my arms. Just having her near does something to me that I can't explain. It's like as long as I have her, nothing else matters. She makes my world feel full and warm even on the worst of days.

She is my everything.

I crack the door open just enough to peek into the hallway, making sure no one is around. Once I confirm the coast is clear, I ease out of the room and creep down the hallway. I make it quickly and quietly to the guest bedroom and shut myself inside. Before climbing into the cold bed, I toss my shirt on the floor and slip out of my jeans.

My arms curl around one of the pillows as I pull it to my chest, sighing. It's a poor substitute for my girl, but it's the only thing I've got in this lonely room to fill the void in my arms. It doesn't take long for me to fall asleep. And when I do, there's only one person who stars in my dreams.

~

There's a scent of something delicious wafting through the air when I wake up. I smell bacon, sausage, and something very sweet and fruity. I sit up, rubbing my eyes as I check the clock on the nightstand. It reads 9:21 AM. At least I got a few hours of sleep last night. It was just so hard to leave Lindsey.

I wonder if she's awake yet.

I pull on a tee shirt and a pair of jeans and decide to check. As I pass the stairs on my way to her room, I hear Liam talking with his parents. Outside Lindsey's door, I stop and knock lightly. A few seconds later, I hear the soft pad of footsteps approaching. My girl opens the door and greets me with a glowing smile. She looks tired.

"Good morning," she tells me as she covers a yawn behind her hand.

"Morning. I shouldn't have kept you up so late, babe. I'm sorry."

She shakes her head at me. "I could have kicked you out any time. I just wasn't ready for you to go. Plus, I was kind of the instigator."

I chuckle. She was the best kind of instigator. "Hey, you'll never hear me complain about that."

She giggles then places a hand on my chest and stretches up to plant a kiss on my lips. "You ready for breakfast? Smells like mom made a huge spread."

"Yeah, let's head down. Are you ready? Or do you need to change?" I look down at her pajamas- a loose tee-shirt paired with shorts that barely reach her mid-thigh.

"I'm ready." She smiles up at me and starts to head toward the stairs. I follow behind her.

Those shorts may be the death of me. I can't peel my eyes from her exposed legs. I know how soft and silky they are wrapped around me- not something I should be thinking about as we're preparing to tell her parents about our relationship. I try to push my deviant thoughts out of my head as we descend the stairs and head to breakfast.

As soon as we reach the landing, Lindsey's mom, Theresa, notices us. "Oh, good! You two are awake! Come in and grab a plate! I made a little of everything. I know how much you boys can eat!"

I thank her and start filling the plate she thrust into my hand after greeting Lindsey's dad and Liam. She really did go all out. There's bacon, sausage, blueberry pancakes, waffles, fruit, scrambled eggs, toast, and freshly-squeezed juice.

I grab a little of everything and grab a seat next to Liam. He nods at me as he takes a bite of his waffle. Lindsey brings her plate over and sits next to me. As soon as she's seated, her mom starts shooting off question after question about work and how things are going in the city. She asks if Lindsey's made lots of new friends and if she's met any nice guys at work.

Lins glances at me with that last question, and Liam's eyes dart between the two of us. She smiles at her mom and grabs my hand under the table. "I'm actually dating someone, now."

Theresa's eyes light up. "Really!? Oh, sweetheart! That's amazing. Tell me all about him!"

Lindsey smiles back at me. "Well, actually, Chase and I are dating."

It's hard to miss the huge smile that breaks out on Theresa's face, but I almost do because I see Phil, her dad, stop mid-bite and place his fork on his plate. Oh, shit! Is he mad?

"You're dating my little girl?" He narrows his eyes at me.

Liam tries to hide his amusement behind another bite as I swallow hard, trying to loosen the knot in my throat so I can reply. "Yes, sir. I am."

He looks at Liam, then back to me. "You okay with this?"

Liam swallows his food before answering. "Chase is a good guy. And Lins really likes him. I wouldn't have let this happen if I thought he'd hurt her. Plus, I already told him what would happen if he messed things up."

Phil nods then turns to look at his daughter. "You sure you wanna get involved with a pro athlete? You know what some of them are like."

She squeezes my hand and looks me right in the eye. "I'm sure." After a moment, she turns back to her dad. "And you were a pro athlete too. Look how happy you and mom are."

Phil turns to his wife and smiles. He grabs her hand and kisses her knuckles. Phil was a pro-hockey player too. He got drafted right out of high school and had a long and successful career. From what Liam's told me, his dad was quite the ladies' man up until he met Theresa. After that, she was his one and only. They fell in love, settled down, got married, and had a family.

Their relationship gives me hope that something like that is possible for guys like me. It's what I want. I could see myself having that with Lindsey.

When Phil turns back to me, I brace myself. "As long as you keep her happy, we won't have any problems. But if you ever hurt her, they won't ever find your body."

Lindsey and Theresa simultaneously reply, "Daddy!" and "Phil!"

He turns to the two women. "I'm just saying he hurts my baby girl; he has a price to pay. That's all. But that's not gonna happen, is it, Chase?"

"No, sir. I wouldn't dream of it."

"Good! Let's get back to breakfast then." He picks his fork back up and resumes eating his meal.

~

Once Lindsey and I announced that we were dating, it felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. Her dad took it better than expected- I mean, if I mess this up, I won't be seen ever again, but hey, I'm still currently alive. Besides, I don't plan on messing this up. I almost lost Lindsey once. I won't do it again.

The next few days, we caught up with Phil and Theresa. They told Liam and Lins all about the gossip going around town and updated them on old friends and neighbors. They gave me a tour around town and took us to eat at a few of their favorite restaurants.

It was nice getting to see where Lins and Liam grew up and hear stories about both of them when they were kids. I know it meant a lot to them to have this time with their family. It makes me miss my own, but they're both still crazy busy with work. Even if I had made the trip down to see them, I wouldn't have been able to spend much time with them due to work obligations. So, being here with my girlfriend and my best friend and their parents is the next best thing.

The weekend seems to fly by, and before we know it, it's time to head back to the city. We say our goodbyes to Phil and Theresa and load up the car. Theresa catches each of us in another crushing hug and tells us all to get back safely and come for another visit soon. Phil tells Liam and Lindsey bye and gives each of them a quick hug before turning to me. He gives me a nod and a firm handshake and reminds me to take good care of his little girl. I promise him I will. Then the three of us pile into the car.

As we pull out of the driveway, Lindsey waves at her parents until they fall out of view. Then she turns to Liam and me and pats us both on the shoulder. "Let's go home."

Hearing her say that makes my heart swell. She considers the city her home now. I get to take my girl back to the city- back to our home.