Shaking his head in amusement, Chase put thetruck in gear. "Ok, you're the navigator."
They made pleasantly idle chit-chat as theydrove across the city. Chase told Maddy some of the crazier storiesabout working on the oil rigs, some of the characters he'd workedwith. Maddy shared a few stories about some of the more humorousarrests she'd made. He was not surprised to discover she had goodinstincts and a level head.
The sun was shining, weather a pleasant 80degrees, the heat tempered by the gentle breeze. Perfect day to beat the park. As expected, the it was crowded. Chase eyed a familyloading up their car right next to the beach. He neatly made hisway over and backed into the spot as they pulled out.
Chase hopped out of the truck and dashedaround to open Maddy's door, meeting her there just before shecould open it herself. She eyed him suspiciously at first. Crap,that was a pretty date-like move, again.
"Thanks," Maddy smiled shyly as she slid outof the truck. He stood closely enough their bodies almost touched.Yep, it was a great date move. Chase couldn't help himself but tookher hand in his as they walked to the food trucks.
Maddy ordered the quesadilla she'd conjuredup with her mind earlier and had them top it with a mountain ofavocado, tomatillo salsa, and sour cream. Chase ordered streettacos, as well as waters for them both. Maddy eyed the park. Not apicnic table or square of available grass in sight. "Looks likewe're eating standing up today. This place is ridiculouslycrowded."
"Come on, I have a plan." She followed Chaseacross the crowded park back to the truck, dodging a stray frisbee,an out of control kite, and a large Labrador with its tonguelolling out the side of its mouth. Chase opened the tailgate andthrew a blanket across for a makeshift picnic spot in the back ofthe truck. The fresh herbs, inches away, smelled amazing in thewarm sun. They sat side by side, feet dangling off the tailgate asthey devoured the food.
After they'd finished and watched the waves,Maddy broke the silence. "So, how are things going in the fisheriesbusiness? Life in the office agreeing with you so far?"
Chase ran a hand through his alreadynaturally mussed hair. "Not bad actually. Frank lets me get out onvarious boats now and again. It's nice to get the fresh air, not tomention get to know the crews."
"Dad always did that too. He felt like itkept him connected."
"I agree. I think I'll actually enjoy theoffice work, though. I actually like the pace of the office. I justhope I can keep it so positive. There are so many fishingregulations that are constantly being updated to maintain theoceans, changing fish stocks. It's a lot." Chase was worried hewouldn't be able to sustain the business as Frank had. Tourism wasprobably the main industry these days, but fisheries was still theheart of the community.
"You'll make it work. Dad has complete faithin you, and he knows this business better than anyone." Maddybrought her leg under her and turned to face him. He was touchedshe seemed to genuinely believe in him. She had always been easy totalk to, and Chase found it even easier now.
"I'm thinking of adding some tour boat lines,like charter fishing, maybe a coastline tour at some point." Hepaused, looking out at the ocean. "As long as we're not edged out.Fucking Dylan. Wants to buy out our docks to move in the cruiseline stop and take over the local tourist market with cruise-runshops."
Chase was seething and almost missed Maddy’sreaction. He looked back to Maddy and realized she'd gone pale. Shewas looking down at her hands. She almost looked like her eyes werewatering. "Hey, Maddy, you ok? I'm sorry. I shouldn't have broughtit up. I'd like to hear what happened between you, so maybe I canunderstand better."
Maddy took a deep, steadying breath. Shestill was avoiding making eye contact but moved her gaze to a rowdyvolleyball game on the beach. "It's ok. I usually do fine and don’teven think about it, but since he moved back, it's brought backsome memories I'd rather forget. His plan to tear Seaview apartmakes his presence so much worse." Chase took her hand gently andsat silently, leaving her to talk more, if she was ready.
"Not many people know what happened. I wantto tell you, but not today. Today's been too pleasant." Maddy shookoff the sadness and forced a smile. "Thanks for the beautifulpicnic and shopping day. Let's head home."
***
Dusk had settled over the neighborhood asChase pulled in to Maddy's driveway. They'd been quiet sincearriving in town. Chase was not surprised at the easy conversationthey had shared all day. He and Aiden had been best friends sinceChase moved into town in the third grade.
Most of the time Maddy had been there too.She had never been a third wheel; she was the soul of their littlegang. Even on the occasions Aiden hadn't been around, Chase andMaddy had enjoyed hanging out together back then. It was almostcomforting to see they shared that easy comradery now, maybe morethan they ever had.
Chase put the truck into park. With tiredeyes he looked across the truck at Maddy. "I'm beat. Mind if I headhome and bring the dishwasher over tomorrow? I'll park in my garagetonight in case it rains. I can stick around when I deliver ittomorrow and lend a hand if you’d like."
Maddy turned to him and they locked eyes, herice blue to his stormy. Seemingly realizing he expected herresponse, Maddy sighed as she finally managed to nod in theaffirmative, "Ok."
Before he knew what had happened, Chase hadpulled Maddy across and onto his lap, her legs straddling him.Without breaking eye contact he slid his hand behind her neck andgently pulled her toward him. He closed his eyes as their lips met,softly at first, tasting, teasing. Heat coursed through him. Herlips parted and she sighed.
Recognizing his moment, Chase kissed her moredeeply, tongues met in a wild, hot tangle. He felt his controlrapidly diminishing. She did taste familiar, thinking back to thatspin the bottle kiss all those years ago. She wasn't hesitant now,she kissed him with equal veracity.
He'd completely forgotten his vow to keep hishands off of her and was quickly forgetting where they were.
Mouths still locked together, Chase's handsslid down her shoulders and he teased down her tank top straps.Chase pulled away so he could admire her very bare breasts. "I knewit," Chase savored that his all-day fantasy was correct, that herbreasts were indeed without a bra, just waiting for his touch.
Chase forced himself to take it slow. Histhumbs graced along her pink nubs in a light tease. Maddy's backarched as she subconsciously pushed her breasts further into hisgrasp. She was so damn hot; he couldn't hold back. He grasped herbreasts in his hands, Maddy arched further, she cried out his name.Chase leaned and aggressively took her breast in his mouth, suckinghard. Completely caught up in her, he switched to the other breastand laved with his tongue, teasing the firm, pink bud, pulling itgently with his teeth.
***
Maddy about screamed in pleasure as Chaseteased and devoured her breasts. Her hips rocked on his as shenearly orgasmed.
Abruptly, like a cold wave washing over herin surprise, Chase pulled away and looked up at her with a look ofboth shock and, she feared, regret. Before he could say anything,Maddy took his face in her hands and pulled him in for a deepkiss.
Slowly pulling away, she shook her head athim. She placed a finger over his mouth to silence him. Shecouldn't bear to think what he might say right now. Fearingrejection.
