Total pages in book: 104
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 101466 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 507(@200wpm)___ 406(@250wpm)___ 338(@300wpm)
“I know. I’m not even sure I finished the second one.”
I chuckled, brushing her hair over her shoulder. “I’ll remember that.”
She took another sip of water, then took a mint from a little box on the bedside table. She offered me one, and I took it, crunching it right away. I chuckled when I realized she did the same thing.
“Why was he an asshole, Casey?” I asked.
She sighed and told me the story of him asking her out, not calling as he promised, the odd text, and the change in his demeanor. What he said to her. I had to tamp down the urge to go find him and beat him up. I drew in a long breath, hating the uncertainty I saw on her face.
“First off, asshole doesn’t cover it. Second, you look lovely tonight. You don’t need to wear a dress to look like a girl, for fuck’s sake. You look sexy all the time. Jeans, leggings, even your painting clothes, you’re still sexy.”
She blinked. “Really?”
“Really.” I wrapped my hand around hers, giving it a squeeze. “And texting to confirm a date is for jerks. Taking you to the same bar he eats in every Monday is lazy. Ordering your meal without even asking is a sign of a real idiot. You treat a lady well. He deserved you walking out on him.” I grinned. “You should have dumped the spaghetti on his head.”
“I wanted to, but I figured the waitress would have to clean it up.”
“Probably,” I agreed. “Why did you agree to go on a date with him?” I asked.
She shrugged.
“Casey, look at me.” She met my eyes. “Why?” I asked again.
“He asked. He works with Cal, so I thought he must be okay—I mean, he seemed nice. I was feeling upset. You had barely spoken to me the last couple of days, and then you showed up at the bar. And I thought you were going to—well, you know what I thought, but you didn’t. He was there.” She shrugged. “I just sorta gave in.”
“I see. I have a confession to make.”
“What?” she asked.
“Saturday night, they forgot the sauce. I went back to get it. I saw you by your car, and I saw him kiss you. I didn’t like it.”
“That was you driving like a crazy man?”
“Yes.”
She sighed. “I didn’t like it either. I should have known then it wasn’t a good idea. He didn’t even ask.”
“Asshole,” I reminded her.
“Yes.”
I lifted her hand to kiss her palm when I saw it. A ring of darkened skin around her wrist. I pulled her hand closer, inspecting it. “Who did this?” I looked up. “Did he do this?”
“Oh, um, he grabbed me when I tried to leave.”
I was on my feet in a second. “He laid hands on you? He bruised you?”
“It’s fine, Jesse. I bruise easily.”
“Do not try to lessen this.” I paced the room. “You don’t hurt women. Ever. It’s a rule I would never break. Ever. And he does that the first time you’re with him? Fucker!” I roared.
“Jesse, please.”
I shut my eyes, drawing in a calming breath. I moved fast. So fast, I startled her. One minute, I was standing, and the next, I was beside her on the bed, cupping her face. “You want to know the truth, Casey?”
“Yes?” she whispered, unsure.
“I’m drawn to you. I keep fighting it, but I can’t anymore. I dropped in to get wings on Saturday, and I was mesmerized by you. I followed you to the bathroom and waited. I wanted to kiss you so badly, I ached with it. I can’t stop thinking of you. Dreaming about you. Tonight, I came home, and your car wasn’t here. I drove to Dusty’s. But on my way, I saw your car at the Watering Hole, and I pulled in, worried when I saw you behind the wheel asleep. Terrified something was wrong.”
“I was just having a nap. I was going to walk home.”
“You should have called me.”
“I didn’t know I could. And I forgot my phone.”
“You can always call me. Okay?”
She nodded. Then she turned her head and kissed my palm. It was sweet and touching.
And turned me the fuck on.
But I remembered her words from a few minutes earlier.
“Do you still want me to kiss you?”
“Yes,” she replied breathlessly.
I bent and captured her mouth, still holding her face. She whimpered as our lips touched, wrapping her arms around my neck. I kissed her—learning the shape and feel of her mouth, then sliding my tongue along the seam for her to open.
Nothing prepared me for the sensation of really kissing Casey. I explored her, our tongues sliding together, dancing, thrusting, retreating. Tracing shapes and dipping deep. I reached under her, pulling her to my lap, holding her close, losing myself with her.
Her mouth was hot, sweet, and wet. She tasted of mint, the sharpness of the spritzer she’d drunk earlier lingering. I was overwhelmed with her scent while being this close to her. I fisted her hair, the silken tresses thick and smooth under my fingers. I held the nape of her neck, cupping her head and going deeper. Needing closer. Wanting more.