Chapter 16
Chapter Sixteen
JESSE
S he rephrased what she’d said, but it was fine. I was already planning on keeping her this evening. Getting my fill of her.
By tomorrow, she’d be out of my system, and we could just use each other on occasion. I was certain of it.
But right now, my itch hadn’t been scratched.
“You all right with that?” I asked, finishing off my last slice of pizza.
She met my eyes, her blue gaze clear and focused. “Yes.”
“Great.” I sat back in my chair, crossing my ankle over my knee. “Any requests?”
She sputtered into her water. I noticed she only sipped her wine and wondered if she was still remembering last night.
“Um, requests?” she asked.
“For dessert. I have ice cream or some stale cupcakes.”
She narrowed her eyes, and I grinned. “What did you think I meant?”
She huffed. “You know exactly what—” Her statement ended in a yelp as I leaned forward and hauled her to my lap, laughing.
She pushed on my chest. “Asshole.”
The word was uttered without rancor, making me grin. Something about this woman kept making me grin.
“If you have other requests, Casey, I’m happy to oblige.” I bent and kissed her neck, swirling my tongue along her skin to the sensitive spot behind her ear.
She looped her arms around my shoulders. “Anything you want, big boy,” she whispered.
“Anything?”
“As long as you give me time to digest.”
I smoothed the hair from her face. “I can do that.”
“Could we have a fire?”
“Sure. It’s a great night for one.”
She squealed. “I have marshmallows. I can cut down some twigs.”
“I have roasting prongs.”
“Perfect.”
I nudged her off my knee. “I need to go chop some firewood before it gets too dark. You get the marshmallows.”
“Nuh-uh. You want a request? Take off the shirt and let me watch you chop wood.”
I let my head fall back in laughter. “I feel objectified.”
“I’ll let you objectify me later.”
I stood. “Deal.”
The fire was bright, shooting off sparks into the dark.
I brought some thick pieces of foam, tossing them on the ground.
Casey sat close to the flames, legs crossed under her, roasting her marshmallows, cackling in delight.
It gave me time to study her without her noticing.
The way her hair caught the lights of the fire, glowing almost gold and red in the thick strands.
How the firelight played on her skin. She was always pretty, but by the fire, carefree and laughing, she was beautiful.
I felt a draw to her I had never expected, and I gave up, tossing another piece of foam behind her and pulling her back to my chest.
“Give me one,” I demanded.
She laughed and toasted one for me, offering it over her shoulder. I pulled it off the metal skewer and popped it into my mouth, the hot, melting goodness oozing and delicious.
“More,” I growled. “I want a double.”
She snickered. “That’s what she said.”
I dropped my head to her neck and spoke into her ear. “I’ll give you that in a bit, Pix.”
She shivered, making me laugh. She was so responsive to my voice. My touch.
I liked it.
Darkness covered the sky, the temperature dropping.
I reached behind me, grabbing a blanket and wrapping it around us.
It was quiet, the only sound the snapping of the wood and the steady whisper of the flames.
Most people didn’t hear the fire, but I did.
I knew the sound of an angry fire, one out of control, compared to the lazy flames that licked the wood, providing warmth and enjoyment.
Both could be equally dangerous if not respected.
Casey nestled closer, and I wrapped my arms around her, unable to resist, I kissed the nape of her neck. She hummed in pleasure as I kissed and licked my way to her ear, then pulled her face to the side, kissing her mouth.
She tasted of marshmallows. Sweetness. Casey.
It was an intoxicating combination.
She whimpered, her hand cupping my head as we kissed, swimming deeper and deeper into the caresses, our tongues sliding and dancing in an endless song.
I pulled on her, twisting her around so she was facing me, her legs draped over mine, our chests pressed together and my cock surging against her.
Her torso was warm from the fire, and I wanted to feel her skin.
She didn’t object as I slid my hand under her shirt and played with her lush breasts.
I lifted her to my thighs and kissed her more. She ground against me, making me groan.
“I have a condom,” I breathed against her lips.
She smiled against mine. “Me too.”
Together, we tugged and pulled until we were both bare, and she rolled the condom on me, our gazes never wavering. Then she slid down my length, moaning in delight as she did so. I wrapped her tight in my arms, and we rocked together. There was no rush or frenzied movements.
It was slow, sexy, and incredible. We shared oxygen, neither of us wanting to part. We moved like a wave, feeling every nuance of the other. The hard and soft, the smooth and rough.
My backyard was private with a long line of trees that led down to a ravine on one side, a wooded area at the back.
The yard was fenced, and I had added a privacy screen to make it even more secure.
The fire pit was at the very back, the ground sloping down providing a nice niche to sit in at night.
Even if anyone saw us, it looked as if we were hugging.
One hell of a long, passionate hug.
Casey began to whimper, the sound soft in her throat.
She tightened her hold on my neck, fisting the material of my shirt.
I gripped her hips as she orgasmed, the feeling of her tightening around me bringing me to an orgasm as well.
I held her close, moaning my release into her neck, then capturing her mouth one more time.
I knew I would never sit here again and not think of this moment in time.
Of her.
“That was, um, wow,” she murmured.
I pressed a kiss to her crown.
“Wait until the encore.”
Early the next morning, I left her in my bed, still sleeping, breaking my own rule of no sleepovers. I had to admit, I liked sleeping beside her. Waking up to her little body tucked next to mine, her soft breathing on my arm.
I really liked being able to have her anytime I woke up and was hard.
Which, lying beside her, seemed to be every time I woke up.
I was tired, but I had something to take care of. Something important.
I was waiting at the loading dock of the furniture store when a mustard-colored Chevy pulled in. The driver parked, heading toward the building. He saw me and stopped. “We open in half an hour if you’re here to pick up something.”
“Nope. I’m here to see you.”
He frowned. “Me?”
“You’re Chris, right? Cal’s friend?”
“Maybe. You are?”
I grabbed his T-shirt and spun him around so his back hit the wall. “Your worst nightmare.”
“What do you want?”
“To teach you a lesson.”
“About?”
“How to treat a lady. You’re lucky I’m feeling generous today, relaxed. So I’m going to give you a warning. Stay away from Casey Lawson.”
He rolled his eyes. “Fuck, you too? Cal’s been all over me. Christ, just because I took her for spaghetti? Bitch could just appreciate?—”
His breath rushed out as I punched him in the stomach. He doubled over, but I yanked him upright.
“That word never leaves your mouth in regard to her. Ever. And never mind your cheap-ass dating skills. But what really has me pissed off? You left bruises on her. You never fucking touch a woman, do I make myself clear? Especially that woman. I hear you so much as looked her way, and I’ll be back. And you won’t like me angry.”
“What is she to you?”
“None of your goddamn business. But she is under my protection. So I suggest you listen.” I stepped back. “And learn how to act like a gentleman.”
“Anything else?” he asked, far too stupid for his own good.
I spun him, cranking his arm behind his back and twisting. He cried out like a little girl. “I will break this if I hear you’ve disrespected another woman in this town. If you’ve touched any of them in anger or thinking you have the right. You don’t—you understand?”
“Yes,” he said, pleading. “Let go.”
I stepped back with a shake of my head. I’d barely touched him.
“Remember this.”
He didn’t say anything until I got in my truck. He stood by the door of the warehouse and flipped me the finger.
“Fuck you, asshole!” he yelled and slammed the door behind him.
I chuckled, deciding I might pay another visit to the furniture store in the near future. Chat with Linda. Ask to see Chris.
I wondered if he would turn and run when he saw me.
I did love a chase.
The thought of it made me laugh all the way home.
CASEY
I had just finished my shower and was having coffee when Jesse walked into the kitchen. He headed to the counter, poured himself a cup of coffee, and sat across from me. I looked behind me, then at him.
“Walk on in and make yourself at home, Thorne.”
He smirked into his coffee. “I own the place,” he reminded me.
“When are you putting the locks on the door?”
“I decided not to put one on your side.”
“I see. So, I can’t come there anytime, but you can waltz in here whenever you want?”
“Pretty much. You never know when the need might strike.” He kept his expression serious as he uttered those words.
I started to laugh. “You are absurd.”
He joined me, his eyes crinkling in humor. I liked it when he smiled and laughed. He was like a different person.
“I’ll grab them today when we’re out. Besides, I knew you were here. You weren’t waiting for me in bed.”
I took a sip of coffee, not speaking. When I had woken up, he was gone.
I was clutching his pillow, on his side of the bed, as if seeking him in my sleep.
The temptation to lie there and wait for him was strong, but I wasn’t sure how he would feel about that, so I got up and came to my part of the house.
“I didn’t want to hold you up when you got back. Where did you go anyway?”
“An early errand,” he said, revealing nothing. “You almost ready?”
“I just need to get my shoes on.” I looked down. “Unless you think I should change?”
“Nope. Don’t change a single thing.”
His offhand remark made my chest warm.
He listened to country music as we drove to Swindon, the windows rolled down, the breeze nice on my face. He didn’t talk at all, and I stayed quiet. At the grocery store, he grabbed a cart, shaking his head when I reached for one.
“I’m not getting much,” he said. “You use the bottom part. I can use the little top section.”
“Okay,” I agreed easily.
In the store, he let me lead the way, looking in interest as I perused the meat section, adding a couple of roasts to the cart, along with some chicken and a few other cuts of meat. In the vegetable section, I added extra onions to my haul.
Jesse disappeared, and I finished my list as he joined me. He put a few things in the cart, and I frowned. “Is that what you buy?”
He chuckled. “I’m only home for short spans, so I keep it simple. And frankly, I hate cooking for one, so I keep it even simpler. I take my turn cooking at the firehouse.”
He loaded up the belt at the cashier and paused. “Damn, I forgot a box of Cheerios. Could you grab it for me?”
I hurried over to the cereal aisle and got a box of the honey nut flavor. He hadn’t specified, and I liked that kind. I returned, handing it to him, and he shook his head. “Honey nut? I like the plain.”
“Eat it, Thorne. A little sugar might sweeten you up.”
“I’m plenty sweet.”
I snickered. “Look me in the eye and say that.”
He turned to me, opening his legs and sliding them apart until we were indeed eye-to-eye. His stance made me grin.
“I am a delight.”
I bit my lip then gave in and laughed. Loud peals of amusement. Thorne was being entertaining—a rare occurrence.
“Whatever keeps you warm at night,” I said, still laughing as I patted him on the shoulder.
“How do you even breathe down here?” he muttered, looking around. “Everything is so high!”
I couldn’t believe how silly he was being. I liked this side of him.
He straightened up with a grin, throwing a wink to the cashier, who was watching us and laughing too. She blushed and turned away, meeting my gaze, hers saying, “ Wow. ”
I replied by lifting my eyebrows in silence. “ Girl, you have no clue ,” they said.
Jesse grabbed the bags. “My order is done. I’ll owe you for the cereal,” he said. Leaning close, he dropped his voice to a whisper. “You can take it out in trade if you want.”
I snorted, running my debit card through the scanner, not really paying much attention.
He brushed past me, his hand lingering on my hip, and loaded all the groceries into the cart.
We headed to the pet store, and I bought food and a new toy for Barney and added one for Miller.
It only seemed fair. Thorne loaded up a huge bag of food for his dog, plus a new lead.
“He tore the other one clean off when he saw a rabbit. Damn dog wanted to play.”
I chuckled, and I walked to the passenger side, stopping as he rushed by, opening the door.
“I am perfectly capable,” I admonished him.
“I realize. But I like to think of myself as a gentleman.”
“Dream on, Thorne.”
He went around to his side, climbing in. “Coffee?”
“Oh yes.”
We went through the drive-through, and I inhaled the fragrant brew, blowing on it. We drove for a few minutes in silence. My phone beeped, and I glanced at the screen with a frown.
“Problem?” he asked.
“I get alerts for my charges. I wasn’t paying attention to the total in the store, but this can’t be the right amount.” I dug into my pocket, pulling out the receipt. “We need to go back!”
“Why?” Thorne asked, not sounding concerned.
“She didn’t charge me for the roasts. Or the chicken.” I scanned a little more. “Or the ground beef. Dammit,” I swore. “Did she miss them? Are they not in the bags?”
“They are.”
“Well, I wasn’t charged. I can’t not pay for them.”
“I paid for them.”
I gaped at him. “Why would you do that?”
He turned his head, giving me a full megawatt Jesse Thorne smile. “Because I plan on eating part of those roasts, probably the chicken, and you mentioned meatloaf. I love meatloaf, so I’ll eat that too. I’m paying my share.”
That explained his distraction at the register. Sending me for cereal. Teasing me about it.
I refused to let him see how his words affected me. The way my heart thumped faster, knowing he wanted to spend more time with me. How much he liked my cooking.
“So, the sex includes food, does it? Another rule, Thorne?”
He shrugged. “On occasion. Appetizer or dessert. Whichever you prefer.”
“What if I want both?” I asked, holding my breath.
He reached over, curling his hand around my thigh.
“Not a problem, Pixie. Not a problem.”