“Don’t over think it. Spontaneous and from the heart is always best, Chaser.”
“She’s special, though.”
He taps the top of the ring box. “It doesn’t get more special than asking her to spend forever with you.”
If that doesn’t put things into perspective, I don’t know what does.
I slip the ring box into my pocket, say goodnight, and step outside.
Tipping my head back, I stare at the darkening sky, considering his words.
Somehow, forever doesn’t seem long enough.
Chapter Seventeen
Mallory
Chaser didn’t come back high, but he’s in a weird mood all night and the next morning. Wired. Edgy almost. I try to chalk it up to adjusting to life now that the tour’s over and excitement about our trip.
After breakfast, he follows me upstairs while I pack a few essentials in the bag he gave me to fit on the bike.
“Don’t forget a sexy dress,” Chaser reminds me.
I wave a slinky burgundy minidress at him. “Does this meet with your approval, Mr. Adams?”
“I like the color.” He glances down at my feet. “Bring comfortable shoes, though. We might do a lot of walking.”
I hold up the only pair of sneakers I brought with me—mint green L.A. Gear high-tops. “These don’t go with the dress, Mr. Fashion.”
“Bring jeans. Save the dress for L.A.”
I set the dress on the bed and place my hand on my hip. “I do have a lot of wardrobe glitches when we’re out and about, don’t I?”
He grins and leans down to kiss my shoulder. “Yeah, but I love helping you fix ‘em.” He curls one arm around my waist. “I was kidding about the dress. You’re stunning no matter what you’re wearing. Although, I did have this recurring fantasy of you leaning over one of the railings at the falls, hiking up your dress and—”
“Getting arrested?”
“No.”
“Falling into the rapids?”
His laughter rumbles against my back. “No.”
“If I bring the dress, will you promise to give me a piggyback ride?”
More rumbling laughter out of him. I’m so in love with this carefree version of Chaser.
“I’ll give you any kind of ride you want, little dove.”
I stuff a pair of black flats, jeans, the dress, and a few other items into the bag and hand it to Chaser.
“Bring your jacket,” he reminds me on his way downstairs.
With the cooler fall weather, I’m grateful for the leather jacket one of the old ladies from the clubhouse sent over with Stump. My thickest pair of jeans and black leather boots also help.
It’s a shorter ride than I expected and soon we’re rolling up to the Canadian border. The guard glances at our licenses and gives Chaser’s bike a once-over before waving us through.
The bike thunders down the streets, turning heads. The doorman at the first hotel we stop at sniffs and informs us there are no open rooms. Chaser stares at him for a few beats before walking in anyway. We’re turned away at the front desk.
The next place we try is at least nicer but they also don’t have a room.
None of the hotels closest to the falls have rooms available.
“Shit, I’m so sorry.” Chaser runs his hand over his head and glances up and down the street. “I thought a spontaneous trip would be fun. I should’ve called—”
“I don’t care. I’m just excited to be here with you.” I take his hand and skip ahead, dragging him along. “Let’s try a little farther away from the falls.”
Sure enough, we find a small motel about a ten-minute walk away with a spare room.
“This isn’t what I had in mind,” Chaser grumbles, glancing around at the faded, nubby brown carpet and dark wood paneling.
“It’s fine.” I jump onto the bed, trying not wince at the bone-jarring rattling the frame makes as I kneel in the middle. “We’re not going to spend much time here anyway.”
His lips curl into a smirk. “You’re mistaken, little dove. I planned to have you in that bed a lot.”
I rock back and forth, testing the mattress. Both of us burst out laughing at the predictable squeaks the ancient bed makes. Even the smallest movement elicits a metallic creak.
“The entire city will hear us in this thing,” I mutter.
“Shower sex it is.” He points to the bathroom. “Let’s wash up, fuck, and I’ll take you to dinner.”
I can’t help laughing at his brash orders. Or teasing him. “We should probably fuck, then wash up, and go to dinner.”
“You’re right.” He lifts me off the bed and carries me into the bathroom, gently setting me