That incident, combined with the desire to help Sebastian through his rehab, prompted me to move in to the guest cottage on Sebastian’s estate. There’s nowhere in Malibu or LA more secure or private.
But it’s the girls I date who get the worst treatment. Fans have harassed and threatened every woman I’ve been linked to. Olivia nearly died, and it’s my fault for not having the strength to keep away from her.
I try to remind myself she’s safe at the estate. But as my car makes its way down the long driveway to the mansion, any thoughts of safety fly out of my head.
“What the fuck?” I snap, turning to Duncan in the front seat. “Did you know about this? What the hell is happening?”
“It appears to be a party. And no one invited me,” he says lightly, but his expression I can see in the mirror is not pleased.
And neither am I. “You said you were on top of things. That they were secure. This is not fucking secure,” I bark.
“I gave the guards strict instructions. But obviously, one of your housemates overrode them.”
As we go through the gates, we pass cars lined up the driveway. I roll down the window to hear music blaring from the house and pool area.
The SUV slows to a stop, and I jump out, not worrying about my bags or Duncan, and stride up the wide staircase into the house. I don’t need to open the door because it’s already wide-open, which only pisses me off further.
Inside, I scan the room for Daisy or Olivia. I’m prepared for the worst, but rather than the raging party I fear, there are small groups of people scattered around, talking and drinking beer. I recognize all the faces, people we’ve known for years, and my heart rate slows, just a little.
A group of Ryder’s bandmates congregates by the pool table.
“Hey, man,” the guitar player, Kenji, says as I walk by. “You down to party? Ryder’s finally writing music again. The next album is coming.”
So that’s what this is about. On a normal night, I’d be amped for Ryder. But now is not the time. “I’m looking for two girls. One has long black hair, and the other is short, blond.”
“You mean Olivia and Daisy?”
I don’t like Kenji’s smile when he says their names. It seems far too appreciative. I decide maybe he’s not so cool after all.
“Yes,” I grate out.
“They’re in the pool.”
Feminine laughter and a squeal filter in through the row of French doors. I follow the sounds outside.
And there is Olivia, having climbed out of the water, standing backlit by the pool lights, water dripping from her gorgeous curves. Her pale skin is set off against a deep-blue bathing suit. It’s not as revealing as the bikinis flaunted around the pool, but somehow that just makes it sexier. She throws her head back and laughs at something Sebastian says. Jealousy, hot and primal, rushes through my body. Mine. The fierce longing echoes inside me. I want to make her laugh. Make her smile. Every damn day.
I stride toward her, watching intently, waiting for the moment she sees me. When she does, her mouth opens in surprise.
“Chase.” She gasps, pulling a fluffy white towel around her. I mourn the disappearance of all her creamy skin.
Is she breathless from laughing or from seeing me?
The proof that she’s safe is right here before me. All I want is to wrap my arms around her and never let go. Vow to never leave her again. Yell at her for how worried I’ve been. I’ve been imagining the scenarios of our reunion in my head the entire trip home.
But it’s not like any of that.
Now that I’m in front of her, all the adrenaline that had been carrying me, leaves. I’m awkward and unsure and shaky with relief.
“Olivia,” is all I say. I don’t complete my sentence. Olivia, I’m so fucking glad you’re here, you’re safe.
The last time I’d seen her, we’d spent the night in each other’s arms. I thought we’d said goodbye forever. Now what the hell am I going to do?
She takes a hesitant step toward me, and I mirror the move. We stand a few feet apart, just taking each other in.
“I’m so damn sorry about the fire.” My voice is hoarse with emotion.
“Stop. It isn’t your fault,” Olivia says softly.
“Are you sure you aren’t hurt?” I scan every part of her body I can see, assessing any damage.
“No, I was lucky. I’m fine,” she reassures me.
“When I think about what could have happened to you…”
“Chase!” Daisy runs over and throws herself into my arms, soaking body and all. She messes up my hair with wet hands.