Sometimes Chase forgot that not everyone had the titanium self-assuredness he had been blessed with. Particularly when it came to their manhood. But he had BDE for a reason. Nothing fazed him. Case in point, this entire discussion.

“I don’t know.” I chewed my bottom lip. “I guess I thought it might make them feel threatened.”

“Baby, I can do all kinds of things to you that a little toy can’t.” He gave me a mischievous smile that, despite the situation, had its intended effect. Something inside me really, really wanted to find out what those things were.

“I bet,” I said, suddenly a little breathless.

“But in this case, it might help you get over the hump, so to speak. Especially alone.”

“Hump? That was the worst pun ever.” I groaned, flopping back onto the bed and staring up at the ceiling.

“I know, right?” Chase leaned on his elbow beside me. He traced a finger along my ribcage, down to my hip. “Look, it’s just a theory. But being more comfortable with your body alone might help you be more comfortable with your body with me. Does that track? You can tell me if you think I’m wrong.”

“No.” I sighed. “It does.”

“You still haven’t answered my other question.” He ducked his head, catching my eye. “Have you?”

I covered my face with my hands. “What do you think?”

“Oh, I think we should go shopping.” He grinned.

“Shopping?”

“Yeah,” he said. “You know, pick up a little something for you.”

“I don’t know.” I crinkled my nose. “The idea of a sex toy seems so freaky.”

“It’s okay to be a little freaky. You can be freaky with me.”

I pressed my lips into a line for a minute, considering. “Fine. I’ll be open-minded.”

“Good,” he said, holding eye contact. “And as far as you and I go, I’m in this for you. I want to make you feel good. Remember that, okay? You can trust me.”

“I know.” Somehow, I did.

24. candy store

CHAPTER 24

CANDY STORE

Chase

The week dragged on in a monotonous cycle of school, practice, and dryland until it was time for Bailey’s birthday dinner. Ever since our talk, we were closer than ever, but sometimes I could still sense her holding back. Even so, I’d win her trust or die trying.

After suffering through a morning of classes, doing my best to focus and failing, I bolted off campus and headed over to Ice Life to have James’s skates sharpened. Could have done it at the rink during practice, but I wanted the excuse to window shop for shit while I waited.