His passion over the pregnancy created a foreign trickle of warmth in her belly. But turmoil quickly overwhelmed her again. “No one can know about this, and I have to stay on this job.” She put up a hand. “And before you argue, consider the ramifications of me walking away from this movie. We’re talking mutual assured destruction here. This film is the biggest break either of us have had in our careers. If the producers knew about this, they’d shut down the whole franchise. And in the current atmosphere you’ve created with Lila, I wouldn’t just lose the film. My career would be over.”
“This is our baby we’re talking about,” he yelled.
“Didn’t you hear anything Dr. Cardinally said over the last hour? Why’d you ask a million questions five different ways if you weren’t going to listen to his answers? He’s one of the best OBs in Canada. Do you seriously think you know better?”
Her cell rang. She looked at the screen and sighed. “It’s Jax. I have to take this.”
Chase grudgingly tabled the argument and stared out the windshield, his jaw clenching and releasing.
“Hey, there,” she answered.
“Hey, how are you feeling?” His warm, calm voice pulled emotions out of the shadows.
“I’m okay. Sore, you know? But totally okay.”
Chase gripped the steering wheel and flexed and clenched his hand over the leather.
“What happened?” Jax asked.
Zahara closed her eyes. “It was stupid. I feel like such an amateur. I forgot to tether us together and—”
“The bounce pried your grip apart.”
“Yeah.”
“Hey, we’ve all been there. I’m just glad you’re
okay.”
Tears stung the bridge of her nose, and Zahara bit the inside of her lip to control the emotions. “Thanks. It won’t happen again.”
“Is there anything you need? I can call Andy and get him to rework your scenes—”
“No, no. I think the best thing for everyone,” she gave Chase a deliberate look, “is to stay on schedule like nothing happened. You know how this kind of thing can put a crew on edge.”
“Okay. You know yourself best. But if anything changes, if you hurt more tomorrow or the next day—”
“I promise to call.”
“All right. Z, take it easy tonight and triple-check all your safeties from here on out.”
“Will do. Thanks for calling.”
When she disconnected, Chase said, “Who’s left? You must have gotten a dozen calls already.”
“What can I say?” She sighed, shooting for dramatic but sounding more melancholy. “I’m loved.”
Her team was so awesome. Not one of them had hammered her about the mistake.
Chase leaned across the console and slid his hand around the back of her neck. The move startled her, and she leaned away, but he kept his hold firm and met her eyes. “You are loved, Z.” He kissed her, deliberate and swift. “You and this baby are loved.”
This time, his kiss was gentle, his lips enticing. Zahara was still off-balance from his statement. Then Chase tilted his head and kissed her deeper. With her heart already fluttering, that was all it took for Zahara’s fight to fade. She pressed a hand against his face and hummed into his mouth. The kiss turned hungry. Passionate. Breathless.
Chase was the first to pull away. “We have a lot to talk about.” He stroked her cheek. “Stay in my room tonight so I can watch you, make sure you’re okay. They gave me a suite, so there’s plenty of room.”
The sweetness of his offer tugged at a very deep, very neglected part of her. But her walls still pushed back. “Chase—”
“You don’t have to sleep with me. I’ll take the couch if you want. After everything, it would just make me feel better to have you close until you’re sure you’re okay.”