Chapter 28 #2
“Nope. Compressed air.”
“Oh.”
“Our gear has to be clean. Smoke burns, so if we’re involved in a heavy blaze, it needs to be washed down. That’s not as often as people think, but in the big city, it was a regular thing. We have two sets, which is great. Some stations only issue one.”
“Do you shower every time?”
“No. Depends on the situation. Heavy smoke, yes. Soot, yes. Medical help? No. Barbecue on fire? No. If I showered every time, some days I’d have no skin left.”
She laughed. “Can’t have that.”
“Nope.”
After dinner, we went for a walk, the main street mostly deserted this time of night. She peeked in windows and made plans to come back and check out various stores in the daytime when they were open.
We held hands all the way back to the truck, and for fun, I lifted her into the passenger seat, making her laugh.
I dropped a kiss to her mouth, pressing her into the leather of the seat as I deepened the kiss.
She whimpered, threading her fingers through my hair and holding me close.
I broke away, my breathing deep. Her cheeks were flushed, her lips wet.
“God, you are beautiful,” I murmured.
“No need for compliments. I’m a sure thing.”
I shook my head and kissed her again. “Only speaking the truth,” I said, loosely using one of her own phrases on her.
She smiled. “Take me home.”
“Done.”
CASEY
I glanced in the mirror, hesitant. Every date Jesse had taken me on, I had worn one of Lou’s outfits. It was as if everything she had kept was perfect for what he had planned.
I had worn the blue polka-dot dress to dinner, which he had loved.
The following week he told me was ultra casual.
I wore a pair of her overalls I’d found in another tote with a pretty lace blouse.
He took me to a double feature drive-in movie.
We had popcorn and licorice. Icy-cold pop that tickled my nose.
He filled the truck bed with pillows and blankets, reversing the truck into the spot in the back row so we could snuggle under the stars and watch the movies.
We held hands and made out like teenagers the entire second movie.
I gave him a hand job, then fell asleep with my head on his shoulder.
I woke up as he was carrying me to the passenger side to slide me in.
The next week, he took me roller-skating after recalling I had told him Lou taught me when I was young.
I wore the pedal pushers with a vintage T-shirt tied tight under my breasts.
I put my hair up in a high ponytail, and he went wild when he saw me.
The entire night at the rink, his hands were all over me, kissing me every chance he got.
I was rusty at first, but Jesse was a pro, and a short while later, we were zooming around the rink like kids.
I fell more than once, and the gentleman he was, Jesse rubbed my ass cheeks to “ensure they were okay.”
He planned the best dates.
And he was rewarded handsomely for them.
This morning, he had presented me with tickets to a show in Toronto called Come from Away , which I was excited to see. We had late dinner plans and wouldn’t be home until well after midnight.
This dress was different from the others.
It was ultra girly. All lace, deep blue, and strapless, it clung to my torso then flared into a wide skirt.
The little overlay for my shoulders was the same lace and tied with a bow.
It came past my knees and was fancy enough I’d had to buy shoes.
Luckily, I found a pair of simple flats, although the salesperson tried to convince me to purchase heels.
Once she saw me attempt to walk in them, she changed her mind.
Lori came with me and decided not only did I need shoes, but I should also have makeup.
I informed her I had never worn it, but she kept it easy, and I was wearing some mascara and lip stain.
I had to admit the mascara made my eyes pop, and the lip stain seemed to do exactly what it promised—stay in place.
I was nervous about Jesse seeing me and his reaction.
I heard the knock on the front door and smiled. He insisted on that every week. And bringing me flowers. I had to admit I loved it. I grabbed my little purse and headed downstairs. Taking a deep breath, I opened the front door and waited as he turned around.
He wore his suit, a new blue tie around his neck, almost matching the color of my dress. He looked good enough to eat. His eyes widened as he took me in, shaking his head.
“Holy shit, Pix. You are a fucking siren.”
I burst out laughing and took the flowers he offered me.
He came in, cupping my face. “I can’t kiss you. I’ll ruin your lipstick.”
I shook my head. “No, it’s stain. It’s supposed to be un-smearable.”
“Ah. A challenge.”
His mouth descended on mine, and he kissed me deeply, his tongue delving and exploring.
The man knew how to kiss. He held my face, directing me how he wanted.
Then he slipped a hand to my waist and pulled me close, still kissing me.
Finally, he stepped back, his breathing heavy.
I knew I was flushed, and my chest rose and fell rapidly.
“The lipstick won,” he murmured. “I’ll have to keep trying.”
I had no objections to his plan.
“Your eyes are incredible,” he told me. “You are sensational, Casey. You take my breath away.”
“Thank you.”
“If we didn’t have tickets and a dinner reservation, I’d take you upstairs…” He blew out a breath. “Never mind. We do have tickets and a reservation after.”
“Rain check,” I offered.
He leaned down and kissed me. “Dessert.”
I was good with that.