“I want you.”

He groaned into my neck and nipped my collarbone, “I don't have any condoms here Princess.”

“I don't care.”

“Don't say stuff like that,” He huffed a laugh, “I'm only so strong.”

I reached for the button on his pants and struggled to get it undone, “Please Chase, I don't want to wait any longer.” I whimpered when he stopped my hands. “I want you to be my first.”

He sat back and searched my face, “I can't.”

“You don't want me?” My eyes widened and my heart sunk. I hadn't been expecting this.

“Of course I do!”

“I don't – I don't understand.”

His face was completely unreadable as he just stared at me.

“It's because I'm a virgin.” It was a statement, of course he didn't want to be with me, he'd always made fun of me for it.

“Not in the way you're thinking. Trust me, I want to make you mine.”

I cupped his face in my hands, “Then please.” I whispered

“Princess,” his voice sounded pained, “you can’t want it to be me. With what I’ve done…I don’t deserve to be given something like that.”

“It’s yours. I’m tired of ignoring what I feel for you and denying myself of what I want.”

I watched as his chest rose and fell again and again, when I looked back up into his eyes minutes later, he finally spoke, “You’re sure Harper?”

“I want you. All of you.”

The sense of urgency was now gone, and we took our time getting to know each other intimately. Each kiss and touch was filled with so much passion, I didn't know how anything could ever be better than this moment in bed with him. When our bodies finally joined, I cried out in pleasured pain as Chase continued to slowly, and lovingly, make me his. I now understood why I'd never been ready with Brandon, I was always meant to do this with Chase. After we were done, we fell asleep wrapped up in each other’s arms.

I woke up with my head tucked into his neck and was already smiling widely, Chase loves me. Brandon's face flashed through my mind and I quickly pushed it back, I knew I would have to deal with this mess I've made, but I didn't want to think about it right now. I planted a light kiss to his throat and wiggled back some so I could look at his body and trace the tattoos I've wanted to inspect since the first night I met him. I was surprised that on his chest and the one arm I could see, he didn't have a ton of them. He had a half sleeve on the arm I was admiring, his other was now a full, but each tattoo was large enough that I could only count six separate ones. I bit back a laugh as I thought about the one that was just above where the top of his jeans sat. It said 'I'm Ron Burgundy?' Apparently he'd lost a bet while watching the movie, and that was the result. I was tracing more tattoos on his shoulder when his husky voice caught me.

“Feels good.” His voice was still thick with sleep.

I grinned at him and resumed my tracing, “I've wanted to do this since that first night in your bed.”

“Why didn't you?”

“Well you were a little intimidating, and plus you not so subtly let me know I wasn't the kind of girl you would ever be with.”

He jerked back to look at my face, “What did I say?”

“I don't remember exactly, you were just freaking out because you thought you'd let a girl stay over, and proceeded to tell me you didn't let girls you would screw stay with you.” I bit my lip and met his stare, “Speaking of...is it okay that I'm here?”

His face melted into a warm smile and those ocean blue eyes sparkled, “I've never been happier than when I just woke up with you in my arms.” He slowly kissed my forehead, nose, both cheeks and finally my lips. “You’re the only girl I’ve ever fallen asleep with, and I want to keep it that way. You're not just some girl. I'm in love with you Harper, I wouldn't want you anywhere else.”

I reached up to kiss him back, and tried to show him just how much I loved him too. I moved my mouth against his aggressively and pushed his shoulder back to the bed so I could climb on top of him, the delicious achiness in my body was fueling my desire to have him again. He gripped my hips and pressed his naked body against mine while alternating between bites and kisses down my neck. I arched my body into him and the mother of all stomach growls ripped through the quiet bedroom, I burst into laughter and sagged onto his chest.

“Is there any way you didn't hear that?”

His body was still shaking from laughter, “Not a chance.” He kissed me soundly once and moved me off him. “I'll go make breakfast, I'll be right back.”

“Okay, I'll come help.” I started to sit up but he pushed me back into the pillows.

“Let me do this for you Princess.” He rained light kisses on my jaw and sat back. “Stay here,” He added severely, “I want to see you just like this when I get back.”

I mock saluted him and curled into the comforter, my breath caught when he climbed out of bed.

“What's wrong?”

“Chase...you're beautiful.”

His smile was breathtaking as he climbed back over me, “Beautiful, huh? Trying to take away my masculinity baby?” I knew he was teasing, but I played along trying to get a couple of words in between kisses.

“So sorry. I meant. Rugged. And handsome. And so. So sexy.”