Chapter 15
Chapter Fifteen
CASEY
I woke up, confused—and warm. Really warm. I was in my own bed, but I wasn’t alone. I looked down at the massive arm holding me tight.
Jesse.
Last night’s events hit me, and I felt a shiver of delight rush through me at the thoughts of what had happened.
The awful date. Jesse finding me. Once again rescuing me.
He was my own personal hero.
I wiggled a little, and his arm tightened. Warm breath drifted over my neck, and he murmured something low in his throat. It sounded like “Stay.”
I looked down at the way his hand rested on my waist. It was so enormous, it spanned my torso easily. I recalled how that hand had stroked me last night. Held me as I rode him. Cupped my face.
He was an incredible lover. Giving. Tender, while being in charge.
I hoped he wanted to have sex again. I wouldn’t object.
Except right now, I was starving. My stomach growled and clawed at me.
I hadn’t eaten since a piece of toast yesterday.
Slowly, carefully, I slipped out from under Jesse’s hold.
I gazed down at him in my bed. He looked peaceful, his face smoothed out, not frowning the way he usually did.
Even in repose, I could see the outline of his muscles, and I marveled at his sheer size.
I had a queen-size bed, but it looked small for him.
Even with his legs crooked, his feet hit the end of the mattress.
I imagined he had a king-size and wondered if he would prefer to use his bed next time. I wanted him comfortable.
Then I paused. Would there be a next time?
Jesse’s T-shirt was lying on the floor in a crumpled heap, and I shook it out, sliding it on. It came down my thighs and the sleeves hung almost to my elbows, but it smelled like him and I liked it.
I crept downstairs, used the bathroom, and peered in the refrigerator for something to eat.
I pulled out some cheeses, a bowl of grapes, and grabbed some crackers from the cupboard.
I had a small lamp on the table, and it added a cheery glow to the dark.
I sat at the table, munching on my snack, sipping water.
Miller lay on the floor next to my chair, and I gave him a piece of cheese, his tail thumping in thanks.
Barney ate some of his kibble, the crunch quiet in the kitchen.
I heard the sound of feet hitting the floor over my head and hurried footsteps. Jesse came down the steps, his sweats hanging low on his hips and his normally neat hair all over the place.
“Pixie?” he asked. “You okay?”
My heart beat a little faster every time he called me that.
“Hungry,” I replied, spreading some Boursin on a cracker and offering it to him.
He sat beside me, opening his mouth, and I slid it in. He closed his lips, capturing my finger and kissing the tip before letting go. He chewed and smiled. “Hey, that’s good.”
“Cranberry and black pepper. My favorite.”
“More.”
I gave him another one and nibbled on a grape.
“I woke up, and you weren’t there. I thought I’d chased you out of your bed.”
I shook my head. “My stomach was growling so loudly I’m surprised it didn’t wake you.”
He shook his head, slicing off some cheddar and popping it in his mouth. “I’m always exhausted at the end of the long shift. Plus, I had expended some extra energy. I was out.”
I bit my lip. “I liked your energy.”
He chuckled, lifting his arms in a long stretch. “I liked it too.”
He rested his elbows on the table, looking at me. I offered him another cracker and cheese, and he let me feed it to him.
I felt his intense stare, and I braced myself for what he was about to say.
“Casey…”
I held up my hand. “I’m a big girl, Jesse.”
He caught my hand, tugging it to his mouth. He kissed my fingers, frowning as he looked at the bruised skin. He sighed. “Let me finish.”
I nodded for him to continue.
“I don’t do relationships. We don’t mix.”
“Neither do I.”
“I like you,” he said. “I really like you. When you’re not causing me trouble anyway.” He winked. “I think you’re funny, sexy, and beautiful.”
“I think you’re sexy too. And really…massive.”
He laughed, crinkles appearing by his eyes, somehow making him even more handsome.
“I’m not boyfriend material, is what I’m saying.”
“What about friends with benefits? Or, in this case, landlord and tenant?”
He frowned. “I would like to think we’re friends. But is that fair to you? Sex with no strings?”
“If it’s what I want. What about you? Is it fair to you?”
“I have no objections,” he admitted. “But this is different. We live beside each other.”
“It’s more convenient,” I argued. “And we’re adults. I’m not asking for a commitment.”
He looked over my shoulder as if thinking. “And this—” he waved his finger between us “—I rarely stay the night.”
“Probably because most women don’t have king-sized beds,” I guessed.
“I like being alone.”
I lifted my chin, hiding the little flash of hurt. I had been expecting him to say it, but I was surprised how disappointed I was. “I’m fine with that. I don’t want a boyfriend. Someone clinging on to me. I like my independence.”
He was quiet for a moment. “So, we’re in agreement?”
“We’re in a non-relationship. Sex is okay, sleepovers optional, and we’re free to live our lives. No commitment.”
I swallowed, my throat suddenly feeling dry. It was how I lived my life. Nothing new or unusual. I never stayed in one place long enough to form attachments, so this was no different. Yet, I had no idea why my words hurt to say.
“And we keep it private,” he added. “We’re not advertising this to the world.”
I was fine with that. I had no desire for people to know my business.
“Nothing to know. It’s only between us and temporary,” I assured him.
He sat back. “You’re an unusual woman, Pixie.”
“Back at ya, big guy.”
I got up, putting away the snacks. I leaned against the counter, looking at him. He stared back, his gaze heated. I felt the hairs on the back of my neck lift and goose bumps erupt on my skin.
“So, no sleepovers…” I started.
He stood, stepping in front of me. “But I’m already here,” he finished.
“Right.”
He dropped his head to the crook of my neck, his lips warm on my skin. “Might as well take advantage.”
I gripped his shoulders as he bit down, sucking the skin between his lips. Marking me.
“Might as well.”
He lifted me to the counter, standing between my legs. He was hard. So very hard. I wrapped my legs around his hips, drawing him close and rubbing against him.
“Jesse,” I murmured, a plea in my voice.
“I’ve got you,” he growled. “I’ll take care of you.”
I gasped as he slid his hand to where I was desperate.
He teased my clit, stroking me, then slipped one thick, long finger inside.
I whimpered at the sensation, moaning into his mouth as he kissed me.
He added another finger, using his thumb to apply pressure to my clit.
I ground against his hand, letting him work me into a frenzy.
He whispered dirty words into my ear. Kissed my neck and cupped my breast, squeezing my nipple. Praised me.
“ Come on my hand.”
“Let go, Pix. Give it to me.”
“You’re going to come now, then I’m taking you back up to your bed, and I’m going to fuck you until you scream.”
I was incapable of words. The world was a kaleidoscope of color. Everything swirled and centered on his touch between my legs. The way he commanded my body. Ravished my mouth. Breathed my name.
My orgasm hit me, and I dropped my head back, my body convulsing in pleasure as I rode his hand. He hummed low in his chest, a man proud of his work. Then he pulled his hand out and locked his gaze on mine as he licked his fingers.
My God, the man was sexy.
He swept me into his arms, heading for the stairs. “My turn,” he growled. “And I want to hear you, Casey. Every groan, every whimper is mine. You understand? Loud. I need you loud.”
I had a feeling that wasn’t going to be a problem.
I woke up late the next morning alone. I wasn’t surprised, yet disappointment lingered.
He’d carried me upstairs and done exactly what he’d promised, making me scream his name as he fucked me long and hard, then again later, soft and slow, drawing out my orgasm until I was almost weeping with the intensity of the final explosion.
Then we fell asleep, him wrapped around me again.
I sat up, touching my forehead. I swore I’d felt his lips press there before he left, while darkness was just giving way to daylight. His warm breath had washed over my skin, and he’d whispered something I didn’t understand, sifting his hand through my hair, then quietly walking away.
Had I imagined that?
I rose from the bed and had a shower. I was sore in places I hadn’t been sore in a long time. But I looked rested and relaxed.
Multiple orgasms would do that for a girl.
I made coffee downstairs, filling Barney’s bowls with fresh food and water, being sure to add lots of ice. He always loved to lick the ice and enjoyed his water cold. I peered in the hall, the door between our places shut. Why I had hoped it would be open in a silent invitation, I didn’t know.
I took my coffee, sitting outside on the deck. I looked around at the yard and wondered if I needed Thorne’s permission to work in the garden. I wasn’t sure of those boundaries and decided I would ask him.
I could hear him next door in his kitchen.
Smell the scent of coffee and bacon as he made himself a late breakfast. Idly, I wondered if he’d gone home and back to bed, finally able to stretch his legs and sleep properly, or if he’d been busy since he left.
Part of me wanted to stroll over with some bread and offer to add toast and hope he’d invite me in, but then I recalled our agreement and decided it was too pushy.
I’d let him come to me.
Unless he didn’t.
I finished my coffee, threw in some laundry, and sat down at the computer, determined to work for a few hours. It was already past lunch, and I’d accomplished nothing. I slid on my headphones and got to work, concentrating on the lines of code that needed to be written.
Ignoring the thoughts of Jesse that kept popping into my head became the hardest part to handle, but I did the best I could.
Knowing he probably wasn’t thinking about me helped.
At least a little.
I stood and stretched, not surprised how many hours had flown by.
The website I was working on for my new client was going well, but it was complex with everything they wanted in it.
I was also working on upgrading software for another company and updating some security for someone else. Business was great, and I was happy.
In the kitchen, I peered into the refrigerator, frowning when I realized I hadn’t taken anything out to cook and my choices were slim.
I needed to go to the grocery store. But it was already close to six, and the local stores closed early.
I didn’t want to go to the little convenience store, so I would wait and go shopping in the morning.
I sat at the table, adding a list to my phone, when I heard a knock.
I headed to the front door, peering out, but no one was there.
I shook my head, deciding I must have been hearing things, when the door in the hallway cracked open and Jesse’s head appeared.
“Wrong door, Pixie.”
I laughed. “Sorry, not used to the new one.”
“You eaten yet?”
“No, I was just looking at my options. Or lack of.”
“I just brought home a pizza. Wanna share?”
“Oh God, yes!”
Chuckling, he held open the door. “It’s hot. Let’s go.”
I followed him, stopping when I saw Miller and Barney on the sofa, curled up and happy.
“It didn’t take them long to figure out the pet door,” I mused.
“Nope,” he agreed. “It is handy.”
In the kitchen, he had the pizza on the table and two plates. He’d poured us each a glass of wine, and he’d set out bottles of water as well. He handed me one and slid a piece of pizza onto my plate. “Have you been working all day?”
I nodded around a mouthful of hot cheese and meat. “Building a website.”
“How long does that take?”
“Depends on the client. A few weeks or months. This one will be about eight to ten weeks, I think. It’s going well. And I’m working on a couple other things that are fairly simple.”
He grunted in reply as he chewed a bite. He swallowed and wiped his mouth. “For you.”
I grinned. “I suppose. What did you do today?”
“Some yard work and errands. I plan on relaxing the next couple of days.”
“I have to go to the grocery store tomorrow. I was thinking of heading to Swindon.”
“To the Supercenter?”
“Yes. Bigger selection. And I have to go to the pet store.”
“I was going too. We can drive together.”
At my look, he shrugged. “Save gas. As friends. We are friends too, Pixie. Even if we weren’t…” He shrugged. “I’d offer anyway.”
“Sounds good. What time?”
“Uh, I have to be somewhere at eight, so we could leave around nine?”
“Sure.”
We ate in silence for a while. On occasion, I’d look up to see him watching me. Other times, I’d stare at his profile. Strong, stubborn, a dusting of hair along his jawline highlighting his masculine features.
I felt the stirrings of desire, unsure if I should suggest anything. Was the next night too clingy to ask for another round of sex?
“What?” he asked. “What did you just say?”
I felt my eyes widen and my cheeks flush. I had just said that out loud.
Clearing my throat, I spoke. “I, ah, was just wondering what you were doing tonight.”
“Oh,” he replied, biting off a chunk of pizza and chewing it slowly. He swallowed and took a drink, then met my gaze, his eyes dark and intense.
“You.”