Chapter 25
DALLAS
I watch Casey sleep. It’s probably the most peaceful I’ve ever seen him. Before the whole stalker thing, he always pushed me out, and I didn’t care. It was just sex, after all. But now. Now it’s more.
“You know it’s creepy watching people sleep like that.” Casey doesn’t even open his eyes, he just wiggles closer.
“Don’t care.”
He smiles and wraps his arm around me again.
“I wanna take you on an official date. If you’re available tonight.”
Casey nods and slots his head onto my chest. He’s so touchy feely and I can’t get enough of his caresses. “You’re the only one besides Kendra that knows me.”
“But I don’t. You’re still hiding.”
He tenses up. “What do you want to know?” Finally, he looks up at me. Sleep crusted, eyes and all. He’s still beautiful. “You know I’m a killer and that won’t change. I’m not giving up Nightmare. He’s too important to me.”
“I’d never ask you to. Nightmare is important to a lot of people. I’d like to be a part of it. If you’ll allow me to. But I want to know about your past. What makes you tick?”
He chews on his lips. “I have to get Kendra’s permission to tell some of it, since it’s her story, too. And she has to approve if you get added to the team.”
I nod and press a kiss to his temple.
“And I want to know what makes you tick, too.”
“I’m a pretty basic guy. The most interesting thing about me was the stalker. And from what you told me, he was really after Hayden.”
“You’re interesting,” Casey says as his fingers wander across my happy trail. He doesn’t seek out my cock like I expect, just plays in the short hair.
“Sure. I guess now the most interesting thing about me is I’m dating Nightmare.”
Casey turns to me and looks me in my eyes.
“You’re not giving yourself enough credit.
You’re thoughtful. And sweet. Sincere. You’re a good friend.
” There’s that smirk on his lips and I know exactly what he’s going to say and start tickling him.
He squeals and tries to push me off. “Your dick is amazing,” he yells out in the middle of our tickle fight.
“There! You didn’t stop me from saying. Mercy!
” He thrashes and tries to get leverage to tickle me back, but fails.
“I’m the tickle master. Say it!”
“Oh, tickle master, please eat my ass.”
I lean down and kiss him, making him soft again. This is the first time he’s truly let his walls down around me.
“Where are you taking me on our date?” he asks.
“It’s a surprise.” I boop his nose and roll off him. “When should I sweep you off your feet?”
“After noon? I have to be ready for an interview at the news station soon. I’ll be all dolled up for the cameras so you can take me—”
I shake my head and cup his cheeks. “I want to take Casey on a date. Not Merrick.”
His face goes pink. “I like when you say my name.”
“How about I meet you back here around one? Wash off all your makeup. Then it’s me and you.”
“Okay.” He kisses me again. It’s the sweetest, okay, not the sweetest in flavor because we both have morning breath, but it’s the sweetest in passion. His fingers tangle softly in my hair. He’s not trying to rush this. He’s taking his time and I savor every soft moan.
Too soon, we’re moving apart.
“I have to get ready for the interview. Which color should I take?” He hops off the bed, then flings open a closet full of tails.
“Which one’s your favorite?”
“All of them.” He leaves the bedroom and when he returns, his makeup is in purple hues.
He flings on a purple wig and rushes from the room again.
He’s back and forth until he’s pulling on a pair of scaled leggings and a black crop top.
He grabs a purple fabric tail that’ll go perfect with his makeup. “Wish me luck.”
I flop back when he leaves. I already miss him. While he’s gone, I plan an epic date that I think he’ll love.
Hayden scrolls through his phone in the kitchen while I search for the epic date idea. Nothing’s coming up and I start to panic.
“If you were taking someone on a date, where would you take them?” I ask.
Hayden shrugs. “Good ol’ dinner date.”
“For Kay?” He hasn’t given me permission to tell Hayden his name.
“Ah, I’d probably take Kay to a cupcake factory. Or a cat cafe. Or laser tag. Something to run his energy down.”
“Okay, that gives me an idea.”
Before I can book tickets, Casey returns. I watched the interview, and it was a blast. He talked about the pod, which I hadn’t realized there were three other merfolk performers aside from him and Kendra, plus their safety diver, Dina. Hopefully, one day he’ll let me meet them all.
Casey rushes to his room and I let him get ready without bothering him. I don’t want him to think I’m clingy.
“Uh, you two are just so sweet. It makes my stomach hurt,” Hayden says.
“Maybe it’s all the coffee you drink. Maybe you gotta poop.”
He snorts into his next drink and scowls since he sniffed up some of his drink.
“Asshole.”
“Awe, but I’m your asshole.” I pat his arm and grab him a dishtowel to help clean up his mess.
Casey comes out fresh faced and wearing nice slacks and a plain hunter green shirt.
“Where’s your pizzaz?” Hayden lifts his hands and waves them.
Casey looks down, then at me. “I thought I’d tone it down?” He scrubs a hand through his short hair and looks away.
“You never have to tone yourself down, Kay.”
“Casey,” he says.
Hayden grins. “Oh, I like that. Kay, Casey. Makes sense.”
Casey nods and turns on his heel. “Be right back.”
When he returns, he’s in a pair of glittery gold boots, leggings, a mesh shirt with a hot pink crop top over it, and a bit of smokey shadow across his eyes.
“The colors clash with my hair, but—”
“You look amazing,” I say.
Hayden nods in agreement. “Damn good.” He lifts his mug and takes another drink.
“Okay, ready for our date?” Casey grabs my hand and leads me to the door.
“Enjoy,” Hayden says.
“I want to be the passenger princess today.” Casey bats his lashes and I open his door for him.
“Sounds perfect.”
As we kiss, Kendra pulls into her spot and whistles. “Get it!”
I round my truck to hop into the driver’s seat. “I think you’ll like what I have planned. We’re going to a trampoline park, then—”
“No. Absolutely not.”
I blink slowly and turn to him. “Why? I thought you’d enjoy something like that. You have so much energy to burn all the time.”
He shakes his head. “It would be fun, but we’re about to go to Influencer Con and I am not risking a broken limb.”
“I did not think about that.” I tap the wheel. “Okay, that’s all I got.”
He holds up a finger. “One sec.” He searches for something on his phone, then grins. “Okay, follow these directions.” He hands me his phone and I read the directions.
“Where are we going?” I don’t recognize the address.
“We’re gonna paint and drink. It’ll be fun.”
“You remembered I paint.”
“I did. And it’s much, much safer than bouncing around with kids. No offense, it’s a great plan, but not great timing. After mermaid season is ideal.” He settles into his seat and I get us started towards our new adventure.
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
The class is only two hours long and about forty-five minutes into it, Casey’s glaring at my painting. “You’re so good.”
“I do practice. A lot.” I boop a dollop of pink paint on his nose.
“Hey!” He wipes at it, but only smears the color around.
The teacher glides over with a wineglass. “Anything I can help with?”
“No,” Casey pouts and holds up his brush.
“If you change your mind, let me know.”
I can’t help but laugh. “Casey,” I whisper his name. “Come ‘ere. I’ll help you.” I sidle up behind him and help him hold his brush and make softer strokes. “Like this.”
“You get any closer and you’ll get me hard.”
“Maybe I want you hard and wanting in class,” I whisper in his ear.
“You play dirty in public when it’s something you’re good at.” He turns in my arms.
I lean in to kiss him, but he drags his entire paint brush across my face, leaving a streak of orange.
“Brat,” I say as I laugh.
“I’d rather paint you. Or you can paint me. Naked! Both of us naked, obviously.” He turns back to his painting. “I hate all the colors I picked.”
“They all work, though.”
He sighs. “Yeah, I guess.” He dips his brush into bright pink paint and goes off the prompt, making the painting his own with a pink sky and green mountains.
When the class winds down, the teacher only nods and drinks when Casey shows his painting. We’re laughing and dancing in the parking lot. Casey holds his painting up to the sky as if it’s an offering.
“I think this is the ugliest thing I’ve ever created,” he says. “And I don’t hate it.” He examines it for so long I wonder if he’s lost in thoughts of something else.
“Dinner isn’t a bad ending to the date, right?” I ask.
“Dinner sounds perfect.” Casey flings his arms out and spins a few more times before we head out for food.