Chapter 25: Yes and No

**Lena**

A soft breeze dances along my face as I come to consciousness, becoming more aware of Chase’s arms wrapped around me. I can feel the rise and fall of his chest against my back, his soft and steady breath against my ear, the comforting rhythm of his heart lulling me to sink deeper into his embrace. The softness of the pristine, white sheets wraps around us as I stretch and turn towards him, a smile spreading across my lips as I absorb his beautiful sleeping face. The world outside is dim, and it must be early on how the sun is creepily cascading through the windows. I close my eyes, savoring the serenity and the way his arms pull me closer even when he is lucid. I trace his jawline as I recall last night: Jordan returned to her room, Katie and Corey slipped away together, so Chase and I decided to stay in his suite and order room service. We feasted on blackened shrimp tacos, rich desserts, and margaritas on the balcony as the stars twinkled against the velvet sky above us. We talked for hours about our childhoods, about our college years, about our interests. He shared pictures of his artwork with me, and I told him about my love for all things psychology and astrology. As he flipped through the images on his phone, each piece revealed a different facet of his soul and he listened intently as I went on a tangent about difficult students I’ve helped direct towards a more promising future. Each story shared, each secret whispered, drew us even closer to one another- confirming yet again how much I desire to know more about him, how much I don’t want our time to end, how I long to be a part of wherever he is headed.

“Ah, you’re awake,” he murmurs, his voice low and raspy as he extends his arms into a stretch before enveloping me tightly again. He leans in closer, his warm breath brushing against my skin as he places a kiss on my forehead. I watch as he keeps his eyes closed, a subtle smirk playing on his full lips as he runs his fingers through my curls. There’s something incredibly magical about this tranquil intimacy, as if the world has paused just for us. “Did you sleep well?” I reply, planting light kisses on his adam’s apple. “Mmmmm,” he hums as I move to his jawline and cheeks, “never better.” I wrap my arms around his shoulders and pull him closer to me, my hands unconsciously gripping his relaxed but strong muscles. He mounts me leisurely, his broad chest against mine as he nestles comfortably between my legs, sinking his face into my collarbone. “I like sleeping with you,” he whispers through a yawn, nuzzling me like a lost kitten seeking affection. Through a giggle I ask, “which sleep are you referring too?” He places soft kisses along my neck as his hands explore my body softly, goosebumps appearing quickly all over my skin. “Hmmm,” he hums as he makes his way down to my breasts, “both little dove.” He helps me slip off my makeshift pajamas with ease, and I shudder when his fingers glide effortlessly past my bathing suit to circle my clit. “I’m hungry Lena,” he mumbles while tenderly sucking my nipples, causing my skin to flush and swelter. A quiet moan escapes me as he moves underneath the plush blankets, stopping once his face is between my thighs.

He adjusts my bikini bottoms to the side and licks my pussy, his warm tongue trickling up and down my folds. “If only I could wake up to this every morning,” he whispers as he teases me, blowing reposeful puffs on my clit in between light kisses and slurps. I weave my hands through his dark hair, clutching his locks as he slides one finger, then two deep inside of me, pressing until he finds my keen gspot. His thick fingers push upwards as his tongue quickens and massages my clit, building the pressure within me like boiling water- except, I don’t want to reduce the heat, I want to crank it on high and bubble right over into him. “I want you to come for me baby,” he purrs and as if he is in total control of my body, a loud wail escaping my lips as I shiver and orgasm all over his mouth. He spreads my legs into an almost split before removing my bikini bottoms and trailing kisses up my belly to my lips. Normally, morning breath would be a turn off but, it’s different with him. The heat of his body on top of mine, his sleepy scent, the way his hair falls messily across his forehead- everything about Chase is enlivening. “That’s my good girl,” he coos in my ear before rising to his knees. A tantalizing smirk spreads across his face as I help him untie his gray sweatpants, latching onto his throbbing cock. I grip and stroke him before guiding his dick to my entrance, admiring the pure elation on his face as he shuts his eyes. His body weight engrosses me again as he leans in, and I gasp when he clutches my thighs, pushing them parallel to my torso. My eyes flutter as his cock stretches my lips apart, plunging every inch inside of me slowly, filling my insides fathomlessly. I wrap my arms around his shoulders and he crashes in and out of me, my whole body tingling as we melt together as one.

Chase’s brawny hand reaches for my neck as he kisses me, his grumbly moans oozing into my mouth like honey; our sounds harmonizing with the faint ebb and flow of the waves outside the open balcony. “Fuck, I feel you Lena,” he whimpers against my lips, his smoldering gaze piercing straight into me, both healing and shattering my heart as he claims my body and soul. Every kiss, every glance, and every touch feels like a promise, wrapping me in an all consuming sense of belonging I never realized I craved. I want to surrender to the passion, to the vulnerability, to this moment and the possibility of a new love that feels as boundless as the ocean outside. I squeeze him as we kiss ardorly and our orgasms explode synchronously, his cum permeating and electrifying me down to the bones. I shake as he releases my legs and wraps his arms around me, his thrusts slowing to a peaceful rock as we pant. He cups my chin gently, his brilliant green eyes searching mine, revealing a whirlwind of emotions that look as if they mirror my own. Chase lets out a heavy sigh before laying his head on my chest and shutting his eyes. I caress his hair for a few minutes before my own eyes begin to shut, drifting to sleep as his heartbeat syncs with mine.

***

After getting dressed in my sandy clothes from yesterday, I scan the room for my purse. After a moment, I spot it half hidden under the bed, the glimmer of my favorite keychain catching my eye despite the unruly sheets draping off the side. I bend down to retrieve it, and I’m relieved to find nothing has been misplaced. Almost immediately, my phone buzzes like it’s about to explode. Jordan’s name flashes on the screen, and I answer immediately, excited to hear how everyone’s night went. “Hello? Lena? Are you still with Chase?” She sounds frantic, shakey like she’s just sprinted a marathon. “Yeah, we were just about to grab breakfast. Is everything okay?” I respond as I take a seat on the disheveled mattress. “Well, yes and no… Jasper is looking for you!” She says, her voice urgent and serious for the first time since our trip began. “What do you mean?” I reply, my heart pounding as the uncertainty stirs. “He’s been blowing Katie and I up all morning, neither of us have answered! We didn’t want to say anything until we spoke to you first.” I scramble to gather my thoughts as I try to process what she’s saying. “Hang on,” I yelp as I scroll through my missed calls… 15! Holy shit, how did I miss all these calls?!

“Shit! Don’t worry about it,” I reply, trying to sound more confident than I feel. “I’ll go back to my room and take care of it. I… I’m going to tell him today.” I can hear Katie’s concerned tone in the background before she hops on the call, Jordan must have me on speaker. “Do you want us to come with you? I’ve never seen him act like this before... It might not be the best idea to jump into it when he’s freaking out.” I pause, weighing Katie’s words. “I don’t want to reassure him that everything is fine when isn’t. Trust me, I will call you guys back in a bit.” As I hang up the phone, a shirtless Chase emerges from the balcony, curiosity and concern entangled in his exression. “Everything alright?” he asks, his voice low but sincere. “I’m not sure,” I reply, the weight of anxiety briskly replacing the butterflies I’ve been feeling all morning. “But I have to go. I’ll text you later, okay?” He steps closer, wrapping me in comforting hug that anchors me admist the sudden chaos. “You better,” he murmurs before pulling back to meet my gaze, resting his palms on my cheeks. I want to reassure him that everything is fine, but I can’t shake the gut wrenching panic brewing as I prepare to face Jasper.