The Chase

Chapter 9

I open my front door to head over to the Anderson's and find a bag of Kit Kats on my doorstep. I retrieve the bag, make my way over and start devising a plan to get at Char. Never have I ever been rejected and her returning that bag of chocolates was like game on. So you know what, challenge accepted.

I walk through the front door and she's in the lounge, black bag in hand picking up red solo cups from the ground, well from everywhere generally.

"Hey Char."

"Hi Chase," she greets me looking over her shoulder, no playful banter and yet that warmth still reaches my stomach again. I have no time to think about what that means as she turns away again and I want her attention back on me.

"How much time do we have?" I ask only to make conversation.

"About two hours but I've already finished the kitchen, you can start in the yard, Caleb's already out there."

"I'll help you in here then." I can see she wants to protest but decides to remain quiet. "I brought snacks, it was just lying around." I hold up the bag and throw it onto the couch. She doesn't reply so I walk over to her, touching her hip and letting my hand slide to the small of her back, "You have any extra black bags?"

She steps away from me and hands me a bag which she pulls from her pocket.

The rest of the morning passes by in similar fashion with myself stealing touches wherever I can and Char trying to avoid me.

When Mr Anderson gets home Caleb, Jewel and myself are in the lounge watching a movie and he asks one of us to let Char know he's home.

"I'll get her," I offer.

I open the door to the studio and watch as Char moves to the music, which just happens to be Let It Go by James Bay and I can't help but feel as if she's trying to dance away the current situation between us. She's breathless when the song ends.

"Your dad's home." Her head whips around at the sound of my voice and she bends down to pick up the tank top from the floor to cover the hickeys still visible. She makes her way to the door and stops when she reaches my arm which is resting against the frame. From my position, her having to look up at me only brings our faces closer together. I drop a kiss to her parted lips lingering for a second too long then drop my arm for her to pass which she hastily does, eager to get away from me I presume.

"Did you kids behave while I was gone?" Mr Anderson questions when I step back into the house.

"Really?" Char asks. "Of course not. We had a house party with tons of alcohol and half-dressed teens. Just ask The Benjamin's next door." She smiles at her father sweetly.

"Sure you did Princess," he laughs and kisses her forehead while Caleb and I stare at each other wide eyed.

Char turns around and winks at her brother smiling, "can't say I never told him," she mouths to him behind her dad's back.

The rest of Sunday and Monday passes by slowly with everyone talking about the party but the only thing on my mind is Char and how none of the other girls really compare to her, not even the hot new Senior the guys want to place bets on. Walking past Char in the hallway today I let my hand brush against hers which wouldn't even have been noticeable except for the slight squeeze I gave hers. I turn to make sure she felt it and of course her eyes are following me, her mouth open in shock.

I get home to find Char sitting on the steps of my house. I walk past her to open the door and she follows me inside.

"What are you doing?"

"Nothing seeing as I just got home, but I can think of something we can do," I smirk at her.

"Seriously?" she scoffs. "You know what I'm talking about Chase. The kissing, touching, glances in my direction and then today the hand thing. What are you doing?"

"You know how you dropped off those Kit Kats on my doorstep, well that was sort of like a challenge. And well, I'm not one to back off from a challenge."

"You're kidding right. You're pursuing me, in secret might I add, because I dropped a bag of Kit Kats on your doorstep. Do you realise how delusional you sound? Why can't you just go back to being the one fuck wonder?"

I know I should be offended but I can't help but laugh at her description of me.

"Honestly though, I haven't managed to get you out of my system. Why in secret, two reasons. One, your brother will most likely kill me. Two, my reputation isn't exactly stellar, and that's not something I want you associated with. So... hair of the dog as they say."

"This just keeps getting better, you want to see me secretly, then you compare me to a dog."

"Sometimes I wonder how I manage to hold a conversation with you, you literally only hear what you want to."

"If I'm that insufferable why do you even want to see..."

I cut her off by crashing my lips to hers.Charisse is lying in my arms on my bed tracing patterns on my chest with her fingers.

"I can't do it." Char says, her voice sounding sad.

"Can't do what?" I ask, running my fingers through her hair.

"Be the girl you sleep with whenever you're bored. Your dirty little secret. I think I deserve more."

"It's not like..."

"Please just listen," she cuts me off and sits up. I'm distracted by her nakedness before she pulls my sheet up to cover herself. "I know I led you on when I gave you my virginity, but I wanted it to be you. I've always wanted it to be you. I might even have wanted a relationship with you, but I realised that you are who you are and I'll never get that with you. So please don't tempt me into settling for what you have to offer because we both know I deserve more."

I tuck her hair behind her ear and kiss her forehead.

"You deserve only the best."