Chapter 14: Sooner or Later

**Lena**

Chase clutches my hair, cradling my head while he slowly fucks my mouth. I writhe slightly and gag as I relax my jaw to accommodate the girth of his cock deeper with every thrust. His faint moans stir my arousal and my core aches profoundly, as if he didn't just rail my brains out! I touch myself in time with his plunges, his commanding but reassuring eyes holding my gaze without ever wavering. He doesn’t have to care but he's patient, confirming my sense of solace with his savage tenderness. His dick beings to pulsate around my lips as he picks up his speed, and I brace myself. "Swallow it all little dove," he whispers and I listen, swilling down every drop as it coats my tounge and splurges into my throat. He pulls out slowly, cupping my chin as I gasp for a few moments. When I catch my breath, I glance up to find Chase before me, holding a water bottle. I take it and drink it down like I haven’t quenched my thirst in ages, both literally and metaphorically. He crosses his arms over his chest, and a knowing giggle escapes as I finish it off. “What?” I muster breathlessly, "what's so funny?” He flashes a broad, toothy grin, shaking his head in disbelief. “You’re... incredible Lena,” he says softly, handing me a napkin next. “You’re just saying that because you got what you wanted,” I retort, irritation rebuilding the walls I previously demolished. His eyes flicker at me quizzingly, a look of dejection washing over his face. He sighs, “not quite.”

Dressed and ready, I rummage for the handbag I misplaced on board. We’ve been docked for a while, and I hope my friends made it to their rooms safely. As I slip on my flip flops, Chase appears, handing me my purse. “Looking for this?” he asks. I grab it from his hand and check my phone first- no missed calls, but there's a reassuring text from Katie that confirms they made it back two hours ago. Hold up… Holy shit, it's three in the morning! As I pivot on my heels to leave, a hand quickly slams the door shut behind me. ”Lena…” his low voice rumbles, stopping me in my tracks. ”I can play nice for now but sooner or later, I will claim what’s mine,” he says while smoothing his hair away from his face. “And what exactly is that?” I mumble, refusing to meet the piercing eyes I know are closing in on me. He chuckles, effectively enclosing me between his arms as they press against the door. “You, Lena. You don’t expect me to forget about this? Are you... planning to forget?” he says, his eyes probing mine. I half laugh, delirious from the alcohol, the day in the sun, and the fucking marathon we just ran! “This is a hook up Chase. People do this kind of thing all the time,” I say boldly, trying to sound casual but he sneers in response. “I’ve had one night stands before, never like this. You’re... different,” he says quietly before brushing his nose against my chin.

“And every man I’ve ever met says the same thing... Can I go now, it's late?” I assert, my impatience growing as I tap my foot on the floor. He looks taken aback, his expression vulnerable.“Do you really think I'm that kind of man? Using women as some sort of conquest?” he asks, his voice small but intense. There’s a weight in his words, a sincerity that catches me off guard. He shoots me a sharp glare, his eyes narrow with aggrivation as I look anywhere else but him."Every man you've ever met, huh? Sounds like this is a regular occurence for you then?" I look up at him, my mouth agape with shock. "I told you I'm engaged, are you insane?" A challenging smirk spreads across his face as he leans in closer. “If insanity means doing the same thing over and over…” he pecks my neck in between words, “touching you... kissing you.... and fucking you over and over…” he trails off in a daze, stopping just before his lips connect to mine. “Insanity means doing the same thing over and over without producing different results,” I condescendingly whisper, annoyed with the reality of what we’ve done, how it's sinking deeper into my psyche with every minute that passes. Fuck, how am I supposed to look at Jasper after this? “I guess,” he sighs while taking a step backwards, tracing his finger deliberately against my puffy, chapped lips, “I will have to let madness consume me then.”

***

When I get back to the room, I notice Jasper hasn’t returned. Where is he at this hour? I pull my phone out from my clutch, feeling anxious with his absence. Is he out looking for me? Taking initiative, I quickly type a message letting him know I made it back safely. I also go back to the group chat and 'thumbs up' Katie’s text so she knows I'm back at the resort. After plugging in my phone and setting it on the nightstand, I head to the bathroom to get ready for bed. It’s almost 4 in the morning, but I need to wash the salt water, sweat, liquor, and other things... off my skin. While turning on the massive shower head, my fingers trace the lingering remains of Chase on my lips. I replay the day in my mind- all our little moments and the unexpected ways he made me feel alive. I step into the glass shower, allowing the steam to envelop me as each memory washes over me, desire and confusion mixing as I try to make sense of my actions. I’ve never cheated on Jasper, but as guilty as I feel, sex with Chase still doesn’t feel wrong. It felt... right, too... true. Jasper is affluent, handsome, and kind- when he wants to be at least. With that being said, so is Chase but he's more. And we’ve never connected in the way Chase and I did, undeniably as if we were meant to cross paths.

I step out of the shower onto the plush mat, droplets clinging to my skin as I wrap myself in a fluffy towel. I trudge across the cold, tiled floor, the chill jolting my exhausted bones further into reality with each step. I don’t bother putting on pajamas; instead, I fasten the resort robe snugly around my waist and plop heavily onto the bed. I welcome the lush pillows to carry me away from the bickering in my mind, and I sigh, relaxing as the tension begins to fade. I should be thinking about Jasper, about the life we’re building, planning more excursions with him, making memories… but all thoughts of him are instantaneously overshadowed by Chase. My damp, scraggly hair fans out around me, and I close my eyes in total surrender. I should feel secure, yet here I am, caught between a promise and what if... and imaginary thirst traps of Chase playing behind my eyelids like I’m scrolling social media reels.

“Are you really going to go through with your wedding after this?” His last words echo in my mind as I drift to sleep. His deep voice intertwining with my own thoughts, blurring the lines between dreams and reality. “There has to be something more you’re searching for Lena, something that goes beyond surface level bullshit. I can see it in your eyes, you want more than what’s laid out in front of you. I know because I feel it too, with you. I’m not telling you to rush or drop everything to change your life this instant. But sooner or later, you’ll crave something that ignites your soul. You'll come looking for me, and... I'll be waiting.” I think, I’m standing at a crossroads that will alter the course of my entire life.