The Nashville Bet Page 23
He chuckled. “That sense of loyalty is one of the many, many reasons I love you. And at the risk of sounding like a throwback caveman from the fifties, you don’t really have to worry about money. I’ve got plenty.”
Craning her head to look at him, she said primly, “I’m aware of that, thank you very much. I myself have a very healthy brokerage account that would tide me over while I set up a freelance consulting business. But I hate to leave money on the table. And David’s been really good to me. I don’t want to leave him in the lurch.”
Ava slid off his lap, her back and shoulders slightly chilled, since she wasn’t completely submerged. She floated lower so the water rose up to her chin. Chase didn’t seem bothered by the chilly air—the weather had taken a bit of a turn—and placed his arms along the back of the hot tub. It made his chest seem impossibly large and his tattoos glistened under a sheen of water. Her mouth went dry. She was a very lucky woman.
“Boots, I’d cancel the tour if I could, but that decision would affect more than just me: the fans, my crew, the promoters…” he told her, a very serious tone in his voice.
Ava shook her head and reached for his hand, taking it underneath the water. “I appreciate the offer, but I can’t ask you to do that. It’s not right. We’ll just have to work it out long distance. I’m not crazy about that, but there’s no other option.” Ava searched for something positive. She needed to spin it in a good light so she wouldn’t get depressed. Pulling herself through the water to him, she said, “You know what? We can do it. I know it. Just think of the anticipation. The sexual tension. Missing each other until our hearts grow so much fonder.”
The smile that broke out on Chase’s face made her heart swell with love for him. “I know we can. I was just waiting for you to say it.”
Ava giggled and looped her arms around his neck. “I’m a master scheduler, you know. I’ll have us all figured out once I know your touring dates. I’ll come and see you when you’re home. And how about when you’re on tour with a break—you’ll come and see me? After all, you have a private jet, right?”
He threw back his head and let out a booming laugh. “I never told you I had one. How did you know?”
She shrugged her shoulders. “Don’t all superstars have one to jet them around the world?” Ava moved closer to him, the tips of her breasts brushing nicely over his hard chest.
“To be honest, most celebrities don’t own a jet these days. Not cost effective. They just reserve one when they need it. But I split the cost of buying one with the family business. I still use my tour bus a lot but during album release week it’s a lot more convenient to have a jet on standby for all the promotional appearances.”
“Ha, Bonni and Celia have to share one—won’t they and Fredi be green with envy when I go flitting around the world with you! Speaking of which, there is one other thing we have to discuss. My role in your public life,” she said, pressing her mouth to his, liking the tickle of his mustache and beard against her.
He kissed her back, before saying, “Your role is to be mine. And to give me lots of sex. And laughter. And make obscure movie references.”
“Chase, seriously. I know being with you means dealing with the fame thing and I’m willing to accept that, but what exactly does that mean? A bodyguard? Wearing make-up to get gas? No more food babies?” Chase’s hand automatically dropped to her stomach when she said “babies” and she could tell that was a discussion they would also need to have in the near future.
“We’re going to be so normal and boring the paps will get disgusted with us and leave us alone eventually. It’ll be a little rocky in the beginning. You won’t need a bodyguard most of the time, maybe just at my shows or during release weeks. There will be a lot of promotional events you’ll have to be my date for—award shows, release parties, radio events, things like that—but anyone who meets you is going to love you like I do,” Chase said, sliding his hands around her sides and pulling her tighter so that she felt every inch of him.
Ava cupped his cheek and he leaned in to her touch. “And never, ever read the online comments, right?”
“Right,” he said. “That’s what publicists are for.”
Chase lifted his hips slightly and Ava was suddenly very conscious that they were both nude.
“I’m glad you told me that hot-tubbing naked is the only way to go.” She turned to lift the glass of wine off the ledge beside the tub and took a sip. “Delicious.”
“Naked is the only way, and that’s a fine French red, Châteauneuf du Pape.” His hands moved slightly on her belly and Ava gasped when one slid lower, the tips of his fingers teasing her sweetly. She was getting hot. And not just because of the water, but because of Chase.
She moaned, shifting slightly, and opened her thighs. “Oh, I’m very glad you educated me on the correct way to hot-tub.” She put the glass down and leaned back on him; her breasts bobbed in the water and the peaks skimmed just below the surface of the bubbles. Chase’s other hand slid up her ribcage and cradled one of them. She watched his thumb sweep across her stiffened nipple. “So does this mean we’re done talking?”
“It doesn’t hurt to play with you a little, does it? I’m sweetening the pot so you know how much better it will be for you to stay with me.” His voice was husky and sent a delightful thrill skittering along her veins. “After all, anytime you’re naked with me is the best time.”
As if to prove his point, his hand finally dipped down between her thighs and found her clitoris while the other one gave tender attention to her aching nipple.
Even though the water was a hot, a hundred and four degrees, Ava shivered under his skilled touch.
“I like how you tremble with desire when I stroke you.” Chase’s lips pressed against the back of her neck then seared a trail down to her shoulder. His cock was hard and insistent behind her, pushing so enticingly against her bottom. She wanted to turn around so she could fully enjoy him, but his hands were working magic on her and she held her breath, reluctant to move a muscle.
“So long as we acknowledge we’re not done making decisions yet,” she mumbled, having a difficult time sorting out her thoughts under his wildly arousing fingers.
“Would you rather talk or—” He stilled his hands and lifted away from her slightly.
“No! No, don’t stop. Please, we can talk…after.” And she groaned before falling silent, her eyelids fluttering closed.
His chuckle was deep and wrapped around her just as hotly as the steaming water. He had magic hands and knowing she would have him and his hands in her future thrilled Ava. She had found her man. Her soul mate. The love of her life.
His sweet stroking quickly brought her to the edge of delight and, when she came, his groan of arousal heightened her sensations. She quaked in his arms and he held her tight as the shudders of her orgasm lessened. Oh yes, he had magic hands. Ava turned her head and pressed her cheek into his chest, savoring the brush of his hair next to her skin. Slowly, she relaxed back into him and let out a satisfied sigh.
“Oh my gosh! The only way the pot would be sweeter is if chocolate was involved.” Her body hummed, all her nerves finely tuned and aching for more. “Mhmm,” she murmured.
“What’dya say we get out of the tub, take this inside, light a fire in the fireplace upstairs beside that big bed and continue our contractual negotiations?”
Ava lifted her head away from him and met his gaze. Humor, passion and, yes, love reflected back at her.
“Add in s’mores and I will follow you to the ends of the earth.”
He tipped an imaginary hat and said, “For you, Boots, you bet.”
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Acknowledgments
There are always so many people to acknowledge when writing a book. The usual suspects, Louise and Kristin (blows kisses) please know that without yo
u guys…well…the book(s) wouldn’t have been brought to life. Behind the scenes are so many others touch the pages, and each have an important role as well. I thank you. And thank you for these AWESOME covers!
I did a whole lot of marathoning Nashville, so I could capture the feel of the town. In the process, I fell in love with the show, and while Deacon is awesome…I was team Luke LOL.
For the musical bits, I was able to count on some friends from long ago that still rock the tunes after all these years.
I hope you love Ava and Chase’s story as much as I do.
See you in Monaco!
Shana xo
About the Author
Shana Gray is a hybrid author who was first published in 2010 with books in multiple languages. She writes contemporary romance for publishers including Entangled, Headline, Harlequin Blaze, Random House, and is also an indie author. Her stories range from scorching quickie length to longer full-length novels. She lives in Ontario, Canada with her family and loves to travel and she’s always ready to fly off at a moment’s notice to experience the beauty of the world around us.
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