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But he needed to shower first Although he loved the lingering scent of vanilla--of Maddie--the last thing he needed to be doing was running around s like he’d just had sex with Mitch’s little sister

Last night had been a And it was more than sex It was that connection, that whatever-it-was that went beyond an orgas more--special Once in a lifetime kind of shit None of the women he’d been with had felt like that, and in that moment, he knew none of the Oprah reruns

But…but it had tothe need to find out what that "so what he really wanted--had wanted for far too long Maddie was irl who’d shadowed hi to him And he was more than his father’s son, too, because he knew deep down he could never hurt Maddie Not after last night

And noas just realizing that?

He’d s yesterday with that God-awful offer, but last night…

It had to be a new beginning

He took the fastest shower of his life and then headed back to the lodge There was a tiny florist shop in the back, and he picked up a dozen roses Tucking therabbed a slice of cheesecake fro his way back to the Love Shack

Chase was hoping Maddie was still asleep He had a real good idea of hoake her, with his hands, fingers, and then his tongue Maybe so her, she’d probably knock hiot between Maddie and the sweets

He cliaze went straight to the bed--the empty bed

"Maddie?"

The cabin was unnaturally quiet No shoas running Nothing Putting the roses and slice of cheesecake down on the end table, his gaze danced around the rooe suitcase Peering into the bathroo iron were gone, as if she’d never been there

Cursing under his breath again, he spun around and stalked to the front door He was going to find her, drag her back here… With his hand on the door, he stopped

Two probleone far, but she could be in any nu like holy hell on every door, he needed a better game plan And two, he didn’t knohy she’d left After last night, it seemed pretty obvious what he wanted, so he couldn’t even fathootten another cabin for them, one not outfitted with a heart-shaped bed and velveteen blankets

Though, he was going to kind of miss that bed

Chase drew back froa after Maddie? Shit How the tables had turned

He spun around, his gaze falling to the rumpled sheets on that da the palms of his hands down his face, he then snatched the flowers up and left the cheesecake behind The first place he went by was her parents’ cabin They were sitting on the deck, enjoying tea while thuazine Chase shook his head as he fought a grin The two of thee of retire broadly "Hey, Chase, what are you up to?"

"Nothing"Hello, Mrs Daniels"

She s her head "Honey, it’s about tian And those flowers! Aren’t they lovely?" Her eyes glimmered "May I ask who they’re for?"

"A lovely person," he replied

"Is that so…"

Mr Daniels was on his feet, bringing theby You can help end a debate between me and the wifey here"

A picture of anext to a heard of coas shoved in his face before he could respond "Organic beef," Maddie’s father announced "I’an here that even if an apocalypse happens, most people will still want some meat on their plates"

So accustoood stride "I’m sure people will still want a steak"

"Exactly!" Mr Daniels agreed "So I said we should ‘sponsor’ a herd of cattle and put them up for sale The lovely wife over there thinks it’s a waste of ti in her seat to face the twoabout during nuclear fallout is a medium-rare steak"

Chase smiled "Or a zombie apocalypse"

Mrs Daniels threw up her hands "That’s what I’ve been saying"

Her husband huffed "When the sun doesn’t shine for three years and you’ve run out of mint leaves to eat, you’ll want a steak"

She rolled her eyes "That would be the last of our worries"

"Wait" Chase stepped in "Hoould you be keeping the cows alive if the sun isn’t shining?"

Mr Daniels straightened "Underground bunkers large enough to hold organically grown fields There are bunkers all over the world, bigger than five or so football field lengths Like Noah’s Ark--"