It Started with a Crush by Piper James

Chapter Fifteen

Sage

The movie theater was practically empty, with a group of four people sitting near the middle and an older couple down on the bottom left side. I had the popcorn while Chase carried the sodas, and he jerked his chin toward the top before letting me go up the steps first.

I picked a seat in the middle of the very top row, and Chase slid into the chair next to me. After handing me one of the sodas, he grabbed a fistful of popcorn from the bucket in my lap and settled back to munch on it. I silenced my phone before sliding it back into my purse and leaned back, propping my feet up on the empty seat in front of me.

The movie we chose was a comedy, and we laughed as several funny movie trailers played before the film started. I bumped elbows with Chase as we both tried to use the armrest between us. I jerked my arm back into my lap, but Chase had other ideas. Lifting the bar up, he put his arm around my shoulder, pulling me close against his side.

I leaned into him as the movie started, the scent of his cologne enveloping me. He smelled like citrus and mint, a combination I never would’ve guessed would be so divine. I caught myself nuzzling his chest and froze, but he didn’t seem to mind.

His arm tightened around me, his fingers trailing lightly over the bare skin of my shoulder. Goosebumps popped up in the wake of his touch, and I couldn’t prevent the shiver that wracked through me.

“Are you cold?” he whispered, dipping his head so his breath brushed against the hair at my temple.

I shook my head, not trusting my voice. I pulled my feet down from their perch and crossed my legs against the subtle ache building in my center. I tried to concentrate on the movie, but the blood whooshing through my ears made it impossible to hear the dialogue.

About thirty minutes in, Chase plucked the bucket of popcorn from my lap and set it in the chair on his other side. Then, bracing his fingers under my chin, he slowly lifted until we were face-to-face. He stared into my eyes, his hand slipping down to grip my throat lightly.

“Can I kiss you, Sage?”

My tongue darted out to wet my lips as I nodded, and his mouth lowered to meet mine. It was gentle at first, all soft lips and heavy breaths. My hand crept up to curl around the back of his neck, my fingers tangling in his hair as I ran my tongue over the seam of his lips.

He opened his mouth to give me access, and my tongue chased his in an erotic dance that made my nipples tingle with need. I wanted more, despite the fact that we were in a movie theater. For all intents and purposes, we were alone. It was dark, and no one was seated anywhere near us.

Reaching up with my free hand, I gripped his wrist. He released my throat instantly and tried to pull back as if he thought he’d somehow hurt me. But I was having none of that. Kissing him harder, I guided his hand down to my breast.

A quiet groan vibrated in his chest as his fingers curled around it, kneading gently as his palm rubbed over my nipple. The friction drove me a little crazy, making me want more, but Chase seemed to have more control over his impulses than I did.

Softening his lips, he nibbled at mine slowly before pulling away and tucking my head against his shoulder. His hand dropped from my breast to his lap, where he adjusted his package while shifting his weight uncomfortably. I smiled against his chest despite my own aroused discomfort.

I affected him the same way he did me, and eventually, when we were somewhere much more private, we would finish what we started. And while I wanted to throw caution to the wind and ask him to come back to my place—right now—I didn’t.

The anticipation was killing me, but there was a reason we were sneaking out of town to meet in Oakley. And I didn’t want to mess up and blow this thing to smithereens before it really got started. I knew we’d get there eventually.

And that it would definitely be worth the wait.

* * *

After the movie,which I paid very little attention to even after we finished making out like a couple of teenagers, Chase held my hand as we walked across the parking lot to where our cars were parked. I leaned into him as he hugged me, and his arms tightened around me. His nose brushed across the sensitive skin of my neck, inhaling deeply as a purr of satisfaction rumbled from somewhere deep inside him.

“You smell like the ocean,” he said before pressing his mouth to the curve where my neck met my shoulder.

I was suddenly glad I’d splurged on the expensive perfume, and vowed to wear it every time I knew I’d see Chase. I usually saved the stuff for special occasions, and Chase’s reaction to it definitely counted as something special.

He pulled back with a sigh and looked into my eyes. “I don’t want to let you go.”

“Then kiss me like you’ll miss me,” I whispered, lifting my chin slightly.

His mouth landed on mine, his kiss all-consuming as his hands smoothed over the curves of my ass to grab two big fistfuls. I kissed him back with wild abandon, sucking on his tongue as he groaned with pleasure. My hands slid up his chest to grasp his shoulders, and I wanted nothing more than to jump up and wrap my legs around his middle.

But I missed my chance. Chase softened the kiss, giving me several gentle pecks before releasing his tight grip on my ass and stepping back.

Rubbing a hand across the back of his neck, he peered at me through his thick eyelashes. He took a deep breath and let it out on a sigh, then shook out his limbs.

“Thanks for tonight. I had a really good time,” he said.

“I did, too,” I replied, keeping my unblinking gaze locked on his.

He smiled and shoved his hands into his pockets as he walked backwards toward his truck. I watched him go, digging my hand into my purse to find my keys. As my fingers finally closed around them, Chase paused in his retreat and tilted his head.

“Miss Barlow?” he called out, making me smile.

“Yes, Mr. Perry?”

“I’m pretty sure I have a crush on you.”

My smile widened, all teeth and joy as he returned it before turning to jog around the hood of his truck. I unlocked my car, climbed in behind the wheel, and fastened my seatbelt, unable to curb my grin. Chase waved, motioning for me to go first.

As I pulled out onto the road that led back to Red River, I sucked in a shuddering breath. Chase Perry was everything I’d ever wanted in a man, and more. I liked everything about him, from his crappy taste in movies to his sinful skill at kissing. I was definitely crushing on him, too.

And I couldn’t wait to see what would happen, next.