“Yes, I can. I can do what I want, Lil, that’s one of the perks of being Chief of the department.” Well hello, Dr. Cocky.

The corners of my mouth lifted slightly and I hesitantly questioned, “What about your cases on Friday?”

“What about them? I will reschedule them. Fuck, I’ll do them on Sunday if I have to.” Okay. Looks like traveling to Wrangel alone was out of the question. “I’m coming with you, end of discussion. You’re not going to a courthouse full of fucked up people by yourself, for any reason.” Dr. Possessive was adamant.

Shockingly, my shoulders and stomach relaxed slightly. I wasn’t doing this alone. Maybe having Chase with me would make it easier. Or was I just trying to convince myself? It didn’t matter, because right at this moment, I no longer felt alone.

“Thank you.”

He pulled me into a tight embrace and kissed my forehead. “Anything for you, baby. Anything.”

I let my body melt into his chest, breathing in his scent that I was beginning to crave more than air itself.

We boarded the plane late Thursday evening after a non-stop day of calling and rescheduling Chase’s Friday cases. The fact that his last minute “conference” randomly coincided with my last minute trip home may have been lost on the boys, but definitely not on Leanne. The girl had a sex sixth sense. She even felt the need to point out that our not-so-silent kiss outside the on call room was a great distraction during Kate’s breakdown. Oh, and she definitely didn’t miss the Blue slip up. Fortunately, there was no time for her to share her revelations with the rest of the team since Chase occupied them with operating all day.

After our short (probably a good thing) hour and a half flight (five more minutes and we would have joined the mile high club) into Erie International Airport, we rented a car for the second leg of the trip. To say the least, Chase entertained me the entire flight, keeping a close personal eye to never let my champagne glass waver from three quarters full. So when a first class passenger asked if we were on our honeymoon and Chase casually responded with “nothing more romantic than northern Pennsylvania,” I choked on my bubbly and burst into laughter. I definitely made up for Chase’s lack of drinking, no surprise he chose seltzer. He was a stickler for no drinking and driving.

He must have sensed I needed the stress outlet, assuming I was anxious about testifying in court, which of course was a little nerve-racking. But the true reason was staying deep beneath my beautiful. Fortunately for me, he was really good at keeping my mind from traveling down that inevitable road.

“Is this where we’re staying?” Chase pulled into the quaint, two-story motel just on the outskirts of town. When I booked the room, the thought of actually sleeping in the center of town accentuated my nausea. And since my dad knew I wouldn’t be staying at his house, he insisted we stay here. Thankfully, I had reached a level of alcohol intoxication where everything was blissfully fuzzy. I didn’t really care where I slept, as long as it was with Chase.

“What, not fancy enough for you?” I teased. “Scared of the bedbugs?”

“No, just making sure this was the right place, and until you brought it up, bedbugs hadn’t crossed my mind. Thanks for that.” He raised his chiseled brow and cocked his head to the side. Damn, he was cute.

“Don’t worry, my dad’s wife’s family owns the place, it’s super clean. Plus, Dad made sure to reserve us a non-bedbug room. It doesn’t get much fancier in Wrangel. We max out at three stars.” I smiled. “You okay with an early breakfast with him before I have to meet the attorney at 8:30?”

“Baby, I’m fine. I’m up at four every morning. It’s you I’m worried about.” Chase missing his beauty rest was not the issue; my very overprotective father was my concern. “I have some serious pipe to lay and I’m not promising you’re going to bed anytime soon.” He leaned over the console and kissed my cheek.

I glanced at the dashboard clock—11:02 PM—and giggled again. Five minutes from the center of Wrangel and I was giggling. Crazy how my life had changed in this last month!

Chase hopped out of the car, circling to my side to help me out. Always the gentleman. “Let’s get checked in. Leave the bags, I’ll run back and get them.”

We headed through the deserted parking lot toward the only light that illuminated the whole motel. I forgot how dark it was in the middle of nowhere.

“Is that you, darling?” Not even two steps through the door, my dad’s sister-in-law stepped around the counter and crushed me with a giant hug. Sharon’s family had adopted me as their own immediately after they were married.

“Sure is. So great to see you, Dana. Feels like forever since I’ve been here.”

She pushed me back at arms’ length to give me a good once over.

“It has been, sugar. You thinner? Your dad is always telling us what a runner you’ve become.” I glanced at Chase who was quietly leering, no doubt reminiscing about our NYC run where I practically keeled over from exhaustion. “He’s been missin’ your smiling face, Lili. All he talks about is how proud he is of you. What a life you have made for yourself in Philly.”

“I miss him too, can’t wait to see him. I wish it was under better circumstances.” Chase’s hand curled around mine, sending a familiar shiver down my spine; I loved how responsive he was to me. “We’re having an early breakfast at the diner tomorrow.” I snuggled him into my side. “Dana, this is my boyfriend, Chase Colton. Chase, this is my stepmom’s sister, Dana.”

“Well well well, what do we have here?”

Chase extended his hand.

“Oh no, sugar, I need a hug.” She tried to wrap her arms around his broad shoulders and I swear he blushed. Dana was petite, very pretty and a blonde who curved in all the right places. I grinned as he stiffened under her charm. “Lili, he’s a gem, you found yourself a good egg.”

Her kind sentiment reminded me of something my dad would say.

Dana handed me a key. “So we set you up in the suite at the end. More windows, better light, has a small couch and dining set. I know it’s not Philly quality, but I hope it will do.”

“Oh Dana, that sounds perfect.”

Chase stepped forward to place his Amex on the counter.

“Absolutely not, you are family. Put that card away.” She shooed the card back toward Chase. “Now you two must be exhausted, go. Besides I’m wiped and off to bed too, not expectin’ anyone else. Make sure to stop and say bye in the morning.”

“Thank you very much, Dana, pleasure meeting you.” He put the credit card back in his wallet. Dr. Money-Bags was uncomfortable about not paying.

Welcome to my world.

I gave Dana another quick hug. “We’ll see you in the morning. Thanks again, goodnight.”

She smiled and walked through a closed door that I only assumed was a bedroom. Chase and I headed toward the stairs leading to our room on the second and top floor.

“Baby, I’ll grab the bags and meet you up there.” He gave me a quick peck and jogged back toward the car.

“Careful with my new clothes.”

He shook his head mid-stride and I laughed, loving that he got my humor. I climbed the outdoor stairs, admiring the hundreds and hundreds of twinkling stars. I filled my lungs with the fresh country air while our planetarium evening flashed through my mind. And at the forefront were the unforgettably beautiful lyrics that I had been reciting ever since. Would I let Chase see beneath my beautiful?

“You’re not in the room yet?” Chase dropped the bags and snaked his arms around my waist, pulling my back against his chest. He made smelling my hair a seductive act. “Mmm. Whatcha looking at?”

“Just the stars.” I snuggled in closer and pushed that looming question aside. “Come, let’s go. I want you naked.”

“Now that’s the “c” word I like to hear.”

Chase cuddled into my sated body, kissing and sucking my neck right below my ear.

“Mmm, what a way to wake up. No traffic report today, huh?” I chuckled.

“Not my fault. I’m more than available to satisfy your needs anytime prior to four AM.” His tongue continued to explore my highly erogenous earlobe and neck. I wiggled my ass against his arousal.

“See what you’re missing? Let’s compromise,” I proposed. “Stay in bed a little bit longer.”

He flipped me around, pulling me tightly against his hard chest. His cock now found a very comfortable home between my legs.

“How about you get up a little bit earlier and I won’t be missing anything.” Meet Dr. Stubborn.

He knew he was so going to get his way, but right now I was getting mine. I inched my fingers between our bodies and slid my hand down his sexy chest and abs, finding my prize. I stroked him from base to tip and Chase groaned into my neck. He cradled my breast and his warm mouth bathed my nipple. My back arched instantaneously, giving him better access.

“Mmm.” I sat up a little and licked and nipped my way down to his unbelievably arousing V-cuts. I worshipped his nipples and chiseled abs, tracing the symbols of his tattoo with my tongue. I had dreamt of doing that. I pondered its true meaning and relished in the moment that he was allowing me to pleasure him. He relaxed and conceded to me ravishing his body with my mouth. I arranged my body between his thighs and continued to gently stroke him. My mouth savored his taste. He entwined his fingers through my hair and released deep sounds of pleasure.

“Oh Lili, baby, that feels so good.”

I smiled with my mouth wrapped around his thick erection and sucked a little harder. When he talked to me like that I felt sexy and in control. I dragged my teeth slowly up his length.