Chasing forever, p.1
Chasing Forever, page 1
Chasing Forever
Piper Rayne
This book is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents either are products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events or locales or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.
© 2025 by Piper Rayne®
Piper Rayne® registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office.
All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.
Cover Design: Whiskey Ginger Goods
1st Line Editor: Joy Editing
2nd Line Editor: My Brother’s Editor
Proofreader: My Brother’s Editor
2nd Proofreader: Olivia Winston
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* * *
About Chasing Forever
It was a fun Vegas getaway—until I woke up married to my ex-fiancé’s brother.
* * *
After Watson brother #1 ditched me at the altar, I stopped believing in happily-ever-afters. So I have no clue how I ended up saying “I do” to Brooks—Watson brother #2—somewhere between tequila shots and bad decisions.
* * *
Okay, that may not be true.
* * *
Sheriff Watson has been a charming thorn in my side ever since his brother left our small ranch town in his rearview mirror. He’s a little too steady, a little too sweet, and way too intuitive because he sees through my facade. But no matter how tempting he is, he’s still a Watson.
* * *
I demand an annulment. He refuses, bargaining four real dates before he signs.
* * *
Fine. I’ll sabotage each one and keep my heart safely locked away. It’s easier this way because he has no idea the secret I’m keeping.
* * *
Of course, Brooks doesn’t go down easy—he has enough faith for both of us. He tackles my fears at every turn, making me wonder what would happen if I went all in.
* * *
But trusting the wrong man once nearly ruined me—doing it again might finish the job.
Plain Daisy Ranch Family
The Noughtons Family
Parents
Bruce and Daisy (deceased) Noughton
Children
Ben Noughton – Gillian Adams
(The One I Left Behind)
Jude Noughton – Sadie Wilkins
(The One I Stood Beside)
Emmett Noughton – Briar Adams
(The One I Didn’t See Coming)
The Owens Family
Parents
Brad and Darla Owens
Children
Lottie Owens – Brooks Watson
(Chasing Forever)
Bennett Owens
(Chasing Love)
Romy Owens
(Chasing Home)
* * *
The Ellis Family
Parents
Wade and Bette Ellis
Children
Poppy Ellis
Jensen Ellis
Scarlett Ellis
To see more of the Plain Daisy Ranch
family tree visit our website:
https://piperrayne.com/noughton-family-tree
Contents
Content Warning
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Chapter 48
Chapter 49
Chapter 50
Epilogue
Also by Piper Rayne
Cockamamie Unicorn Ramblings
Trigger Warnings
About Piper & Rayne
Content Warning
To view a list of sensitive subject matter included in Chasing Forever, click below.
* * *
CLICK HERE FOR TRIGGER WARNINGS
Chapter One
Lottie
A protective arm drapes over my back, anchoring me to the plush bed as my legs slide effortlessly along the soft sheets. Heat radiates from the body beside me, luring me into its warmth. I turn and burrow into him without hesitation. As if he answers my unspoken need, his arms welcome me, and I melt into his side. Our legs tangle together, perfectly woven, as though we’ve done this a thousand times.
This isn’t my reality, but damn if I’m going to try to wake myself up from such a beautiful, intoxicating dream.
His thigh shifts—strong, deliberate—pressing between the apex of my legs just enough to send a jolt of pleasure straight through me. I don’t resist the urge to move, shamelessly grinding against him, taking what I need. A shiver of exhilaration coils in my core as his lips find my forehead, their touch featherlight.
It’s been so long. Too long since I’ve let myself feel this—wanted, cherished, adored. Dare I say, loved. That elusive, unattainable feeling I’ve abandoned the hope of ever finding. And yet, here, wrapped in his arms, the dream feels so real.
Our bodies move in silent agreement, a slow exploration of touch. My fingers trace the hard lines of his chest, mapping every inch of him, while his fingertips ghost along my spine, sending delicious shudders through me. No words are spoken, but the heat between us is a language all our own.
He nudges me onto my back, hovering above me, his solid frame grinding me into the mattress. His strong thighs part mine effortlessly, positioning himself between them, claiming the space as if he belongs there. As if he always has.
It’s been so long. But god, it’s never felt like this. No one has ever felt this right.
My hands roam across his broad shoulders, desperate to pull him closer. His lips brush mine, too fleeting, too teasing.
“Show me those beautiful brown eyes,” he murmurs, his voice a hushed whisper, his breath mingling with mine.
That voice, there’s a familiarity to it I can’t place.
He chuckles, and his mouth captures mine again, but vanishes too soon. “Wakey, wakey.”
That drawl. That unmistakable Nebraskan drawl.
My eyes snap open.
Panic jolts me upright, and my head slams into his. I press a hand to my forehead, wincing as splintering pain ricochets through my skull.
“Fuck!” he groans.
My heart pounds as I scan my surroundings, but nothing—nothing—about this space is familiar.
“What the hell are you doing?” My voice is hoarse and raw.
I scramble back against the headboard, pulling my knees to my chest, one hand still gripping my head as if that might piece some thoughts together as to why Brooks Watson was just lying on top of me.
Brooks flies off the bed, completely naked—and damn.
I blink.
Don’t look. Don’t look.
I look. Then I look a second time.
That’s the body that’s been hiding under his sheriff’s uniform all these years? Sure, I’ve noticed the way his biceps stretched his sleeves, how his arms—tattooed and solid—commanded attention. But this? The sharp V-cut of his waist, the valley of abs, the corded muscles?
Brooks Watson is hot as hell.
For a second—just a second—or maybe two—I stare, unable to stop myself from admiring the view. Until reality slaps me in the face.
You’re ogling Brooks Watson.
“What the hell happened last night?” I stretch my legs out in front of me, gaze darting around the room, looking for something, anything familiar. My attention lands on a sofa—then a coffee table. My stomach drops, and my pulse stutters. “Wait. My room doesn’t have a sofa. Or a coffee table.”
Brooks exhales sharply, tilting his head back, squeezing his eyes shut from the pain of my forehead hitting him. He’s not listening to a word I say.
“You have a suite?” My voice rises, the pieces still not fitting together as to how I got here.
His head drops forward, jaw twitching. “That’s your concern?”
“Excuse me? I have no idea where I am.”
Brooks runs a hand over his face, then groans. “I think you broke my damn nose.”
I blink at him. He’s standing completely unbothered—naked—while I can barely string a thought together.
How is he so calm?
I squeeze my eyes shut, forcing myself to think, to retrace my steps, but only fragments of last night return. Nothing that would lead to the reason why I’m in this hotel room with him. Why he’s naked.
“Brooks?”
He tilts his head in my direction with annoyance etched on his face, but still says nothing. The man is so irritating.
“Explain!” I gesture with my hand in the air as if to say, Look at your naked body.
He mimics my motion, running his hand back my way. I glance down to see that I’m naked as well. With a yelp, I grab the sheet, tugging it up and over me.
“You think I didn’t already see you?”
I grip the sheet tighter and move to slide out of bed. “You did not.”
I’m not sure why I’m arguing. It’s obvious I’m naked under this sheet, but maybe if I pretend we didn’t most likely sleep together last night, we’ll both come down with amnesia.
“Lottie, can you please lower your voice?” He sits on the edge of the bed, still hanging out for everyone and anyone to see.
I search for my clothes, my knuckles white and aching from fisting the sheet so tight every time I bend down. “So, we got drunk and slept together.” I shrug. “No big deal. No one has to know.”
His eyebrows raise. “You think no one saw us leave together?”
He grabs his boxer briefs from the floor, finally covering himself. A small, very tiny part of myself is disappointed I don’t remember last night because Brooks is working with some impressive machinery down there.
“Well, since you seem to remember, want to enlighten me?”
He stares at me long and hard. “I wish I could.” I shake my head, and his eyes flare wider, staring at my hand. “Look at your left hand.”
I blow out a breath and lift my hand.
A silver band sits snug around my left ring finger.
My gaze flies to his left hand, but he already has it raised, eyes narrowed. Sure enough, there’s a matching band on his.
“You forced me to marry you?” A cold breeze flows over my body.
Brook’s face holds no reaction, and I realize he’s not looking at my face. His attention is on my breasts.
I glance down at the puddled sheet on the floor. “Seriously?” Bending, I grasp it and pull it back up.
“You can’t blame me. You have an amazing body.” When my mouth is too slack-jawed to respond, he continues, “Although I’m sure I didn’t marry you because of it.” He chuckles.
I don’t.
“And FYI, I didn’t force you to marry me. Thanks for letting me know exactly what you think of me. Who’s to say you didn’t ask me? Beg me?”
I balk and spot my panties hanging off the corner of the couch. I shuffle over and snatch them. “Doubtful.”
“Want to see the video?”
His idea of a joke. So… him. I try to step into my panties while still covering myself with the sheet. Brooks is back on the edge of the bed, shirtless, and unapologetically watching me, that damn smirk prominent on his delicious lips.
“Did I lose a bet?” I ask.
“Do you think you’d wager a bet with me as the prize? Aww… that’s sweet. I’m touched.”
I scoff, then abandon the whole idea of trying to get dressed discreetly and opt for faster, dropping the sheet and stepping into my underwear.
“Why would being married to me be so bad anyway?”
I search the room and head to the side of the bed where my bra hangs from a lampshade. “Oh, I don’t know, how about the fact that your brother is my ex-fiancé? Do I need another reason?”
He blows out a breath but says nothing.
I snap my bra in place, but in order to get to my dress, I have to cross past his almost naked body to reach the other side of the room. “It’s probably not even a real marriage. I mean, where did we go, some sketchy chapel open twenty-four hours?”
“According to this, it’s real,” he murmurs, reaching over to the nightstand and holding up a piece of paper. “Congratulations, Mrs. Brooks Watson.”
I step into my dress and slide my arms into the sleeves. “Easy fix. We’ll just get an annulment back in Willowbrook.”
He drops the paper on the mattress and stretches back on his hands, watching me struggle with the zipper. “Want my help?”
I tug again, but the zipper refuses to budge. “No.”
“I’m probably the one who unzipped it…”
I stop and glare. “Don’t remind me.” I point at his nearly naked body. “And put on some pants.” I circle my finger in the air at his sizable bulge.
“I bet that’s not what you were saying last night.” He grins.
I clench my jaw, reminding myself everyone makes mistakes. Although there’s something about the Watson brothers that just short-circuits my brain. It’s as if my talent for bad decisions levels up around them.
“Think about it. Me prying you up off your knees, you begging me to let you suck me off.” His damn smirk widens. “I wonder if I gave up my opportunity for head in the hopes of sinking inside you and hearing you moan my name like you needed me more than air.”
Our eyes meet, and I attempt to keep a cool demeanor as if I’m not racking my brain to remember that moment. To feel him fill me.
Thankfully, the zipper finally loosens, and I secure my dress. Searching the room one more time, I beeline it over to my purse on the chair and slip into my shoes. “You say one word about this, Brooks, and you’re dead.” I put my hand on the doorknob, ready to leave this room.
“You can’t run from this.”
A knock sounds from the other side, and I jolt back.
Brooks laughs, and I inch up on my tiptoes, seeing my brother through the peephole. “It’s Bennett,” I whisper.
“Interesting.” He raises those too-perfect eyebrows. “So, what’s your next move, Lottie?”
I look around the room and decide my best bet is the closet. “Get rid of him and take off that ring.”
I rush into the closet, hoping whatever Bennett wants is quick, so I can get the hell out of here and remember how and why I married Sheriff Brooks Watson.
Chapter Two
Brooks
Bennett knocks a second time, and Lottie sticks her head out of the closet, pointing from me to the door.
“I’m not your dog,” I mutter, making my way over.
I love this family. Always have. Hell, Lottie’s cousin Ben is my best friend. But there are times—like this—when the interruptions that come with a big family wear thin.
With a sigh, I slide the ring off my finger and tuck it into the pocket of my slacks from last night. Then I unlock the door and crack it open.
Bennett’s standing in the hotel hallway, already showered and dressed, looking as if he just stepped out of a damn GQ shoot—perfect dark hair, fresh clothes, and a to-go coffee cup in his hand.
“Shouldn’t you be enjoying sleeping in and maybe ordering room service with some hot woman you picked up last night since you’re not on daddy duty?” I ask.
He groans and strolls in, plopping down on the couch as though he’s got nowhere better to be. “I tried and gave up, finally got showered and ready. The breakfast buffet is pretty good if you’re interested.”
