Chapter 7 Casey #2
I skip my way next to his side and grab his hand, like I’ve done all day.
He’s got a nice hand and I like the way mine feels in his.
I’ve never had that before. Kendra is the only person that’s truly made me feel safe to be me.
But Dallas is coming up as a close second.
Maybe I’m slowly losing my damn mind. Who the hell latches on to someone after lots of fucking and a bit of an adventure? I know better for crying out loud!
“Everything okay over there?” Dallas asks from the other side of my car. I must have zoned out on our little walk.
“Yeah, just need a nap.” I fake another yawn and we climb into my car. “Ate too much and I’m paying for it. So sweepy.” The next yawn isn’t fake.
“I’ll sleep on the couch.”
“Nah, we have a guest room, but you’re welcome in mine anytime you wanna fuck.” I wink and we’re on the road again. He just snorts and shakes his head. I’m not really feeling music, so I turn the radio down. “What do you do for fun? Aside from the gym stuff.”
“I like to paint.” Dallas’s cheeks are pink when I glance over at him for a few seconds.
“That’s cute. I like working on my costumes. I buy most all of my mer gear like the tails and crown and other silicone accessories, but the jewelry I make. Ken styles our wigs and sparkle-fies them.”
“That’s not a word.”
“It is in the dictionary of Kay.”
“Oh, you have a dictionary now. You could have said so sooner.”
I roll my eyes. “You assumed I didn’t, so now you know. What kind of painting do you do?”
“I like to experiment, but I usually stick to water color landscapes.”
“Ever paint fish?”
“No, but that could be fun. Underwater scapes. I never even thought about that. The possibilities are endless, though. Land, sea, sky. I’m not overly creative.” He snorts, and it feels self deprecating.
“It’s okay. Paint me a waterscape and that’ll be payment for finding your stalker. But I’m serious, you don’t have to do anything. I’m happy to help.”
Dallas shakes his head. “No, this is good. I hate the idea of you doing it for free. I’ll paint you something.”
“That sounds lovely. Thank you.” I swear my heart feels warm and fuzzy. I scratch my chest as if I can feel the sweetness inside.
We fall silent for the rest of the ride, and I don’t hate it. Usually, I want sound at all times unless I’m trying to sleep. Silence means too much time to think. I like thinking, but not too much thinking. Not thinking about the past. Not thinking about Dorian.
“Uh, Kay?” Dallas shakes my arm and I face him at the stoplight.
“Yeah?”
“You okay? You got all quiet and keep making faces. What’s going on?”
“Nothing. Everything is fine. Nothing to worry about. Just need a nap.”
Right on cue he yawns again.
“And we’re home sweet, my home.” I park and we stagger out from the car.
I feel like there’s been so much driving today.
Just go, go, go. But it’s not time to stop.
No, I have a flower shop to infiltrate and need to grab my phone before they notice it.
I’m sure it slid out from where I stashed it.
Not like they can get into it unless they’re good hackers, too.
I don’t even try anything in the elevator, and Dallas eyes me the entire time. I just give him a sweet, innocent look. He walks behind me and yawns.
He grabs my arm before we get to my door. Before I know it, he has me pinned against my door. His mouth is on mine and I want to melt into him. Want to beg him to fuck me right here. But I have a job to do and he needs to be out like a light.
“Cameras,” I croak out and point to the one in the corner. “You don’t like having an audience.”
He snorts against my lips, but lets me go. I lick my lips to savor the taste of him. I unlock the door. Kendra’s at the couch, furiously typing away. Her brows scrunch and I rush over to her.
“Everything okay? Got any leads on—” I ask and peek at the screen. “Oh.” I chuckle and shake my head. “Working on your next Loki and Captain America story.”
“Loki and Captain America?” Dallas asks.
“Yeah, that’s Ken’s ship. I don’t get it either.
I kinda hate Cap if I’m being completely honest, but to be fair, I also haven’t seen past…
” I tip my head from side to side trying to remember how many of these damn movies I’ve seen.
“I don’t know Civil War? I don’t keep up with any of it.
But she’s a bit feral for Loki and likes to pair him with anyone and everyone. ”
“He’s a fan favorite, from what I’ve seen.”
“Will you two shut the fuck up! I’m right at the point where Cap is about to kiss Loki.”
“Please proceed.” I flourish my hand and lead Dallas to the kitchen. “Want something to drink?” Please say yes.
“Just some water would be great.”
I grab a cup and drop a tiny, tiny roofie in it before filling it with ice and water from the fridge.
We keep a stash of roofies for our own protection.
If someone gets too frisky in a way we don’t enjoy, we offer a drink and they pass out for a bit.
Then we either let them sleep it off here or we dump them at their place and they wake up confused but unharmed.
I don’t need Dallas asking questions about why I’m heading back out after claiming I need a nap. I just need him to sleep.
He takes my offer and drinks deeply. Thank fuck.
“Let me show you to the guest bedroom.” Not that he’ll spend much time in there, I’m sure.
“Thanks.”
“And you know where the bathroom is.” I wave towards the door. “Here’s your room until we find your creepy stalker.” I wave to the door for him.
“Is it decorated with fish too?” He asks.
“Sadly, no. Ken said I could decorate my room, and the shared living spaces, but we weren’t subjecting guests to being stared at by fish all night.”
Dallas’s laugh gets interrupted by a yawn.
“Come on, you need a nap.” I tug on his hand and pull him into the room.
“Landscapes.”
“Watercolor landscapes,” I say. They’re so peaceful. It’s probably the most peaceful room in the apartment.
Dallas face plants into the bed without taking his shoes off. “I didn’t realize how damn tired I was. I can’t even keep my eyes open.”
I work on tugging his shoes off and putting them by the door. “Just relax. It’s been a long, long day. You’re safe here. We have a boatload of security measures.” None of which he’ll ever know. “Plus, Ken’s here, and she’s a badass.”
“You’re a badass,” he mumbles.
“I’m glad you realize that.” But I hope he never has to see me in full badass activated mode.
“Stay with me?” He holds out his hand and reaches for me.
“You sure?” I need to at least wait until he’s passed out before I can go. Maybe I can stay just a tiny bit. Watch him sleep. He asked for it so it wouldn’t be creepy, right?
I let him tug me in next to him and I fit perfectly. He’s all warm. Cozy. Still smells like the burger joint, like I’m sure I do, too.
“Just a few minutes,” I mumble and snuggle in under his chin. His arm goes around me and he’s out.