Chapter Eleven
Casey
B rayden cleans up really well. I only thought he was cute wearing his plain T-shirts and jeans, but tonight, in a dress shirt and nice pair of jeans, he’s hot.
He smirks at me as he drives, one hand resting on top of the steering wheel and the other clasped with my hand. There’s a confident sexiness about him as he maneuvers the vehicle along Main Street downtown. I’m glad he’s just as infatuated with me as I am him.
When he pulls up to Smoke & Sugar, I tense up. Not because the last date I had here sucked. This place isn’t exactly cheap, and I know he only works part time with his dad. Maybe I’ll pick up the tab today.
And insult him?
He’s proud to take me on a date and I don’t want to hurt his feelings by implying he isn’t prepared to pay for a nice dinner. Honestly, I should know better. So far, in our wild, freefall of a relationship, he’s done incredible gestures for me, not all of them cheap.
Breathe.
Don’t be nervous.
It’s true, though. I am nervous. The home cooked meals, treats brought to work, sexy makeout sessions, and late-night picnic all felt surreal since I never left the comforts of my world.
We’re going to be on display for others to judge our unconventional relationship. It’s obvious he has youthful features whereas I’m older. Will they think I’m a cougar?
My gut twists as insecurities rear their ugly head. I hate that I can let myself get all twisted up over these things. Brayden has been good for me. To hell with what everyone else thinks.
Once we park, Brayden runs over to my side of the vehicle just as I’m opening the door. He offers his hand for me to take. Butterflies take flight in my stomach when he pulls me to him, stealing a quick, hot kiss.
“God, you’re beautiful.”
He says these things so easily and truly believes them. I’m starting to believe them too.
Hand in hand, we walk inside of Smoke & Sugar. Savvy, the adorable thing she is, squeals when she sees us, abandoning the hostess stand to hug us both.
“You two are the cutest ever,” she gushes, beaming. “I saved a table on the rooftop for you. Technically it’s reservation only, but it pays when your bestie is the hostess, right?”
Brayden grins at her. “Hell yeah. Thanks, Sav.”
She takes us through the restaurant to the rooftop area. A few couples enjoy a candlelit dinner while they overlook the quaint, lit up downtown area below. Once we’re seated, Brayden’s intense stare bores into me, making me feel slightly self-conscious.
“What?”
“Just like looking at you.”
Heart is melting.
“Back at you,” I say, tucking a loose strand of hair behind my ear.
A server appears to tell us about the specials. Brayden orders the smoked maple bacon bites. The caption says, “Thick-cut bacon glazed with maple, black pepper, and a hint of smoke.” Yum.
He orders a soft drink, and I try my hand at the Midnight Manhattan cocktail, a rye whiskey, vermouth, black cherry, & smoked oak essence concoction that sounds pretty good. Once she’s gone, Brayden’s attention is back on me.
“What do you want out of life?” I ask him, unable to hold back. “Like really, really want. I know you’ve mentioned buying another property to fix up and rent out with your dad. But what do you want for you?”
His gaze softens, as though the thought is there, and it touches his heart. Now, more than ever, I want to know.
“I see myself as a good husband and father. With my flexible schedule, I’m able to spend quality time with my kids like my dad did with me. That’s very important to me.”
Flashes of Brayden with a baby in his arms and a toddler tugging at his pant leg nearly brings tears to my eyes.
“She’ll be a lucky woman,” I say with a tinge of sadness in my voice. Just because we’re head over heels for one another, that doesn’t mean I’ll be the woman in that future he sees.
“Yes, she will,” he agrees, pinning me with a penetrating stare. “I’ll love her with everything I have. I’ll give her everything she wants. I’ll make sure she never doubts herself. Her tears will be a thing of the past, and if she does have them, I’ll dry each one of them with a kiss.”
My heart aches at his words. Who taught this guy to woo a woman? He’s an expert. If Reid taught him, I’m amazed that man doesn’t have a wife already, because this is a skill lacking in a lot of men.
“That’s sweet,” I murmur.
“It’s the damn truth.”
The server brings our appetizer, and it is to die for.
We both are distracted with talks of the future as we wolf down what’s presently in front of us.
Somewhere between our groans of appreciation, the server takes our order for our entrees.
Not long after we’ve polished off the appetizer, she brings each of us the ember-seared filet mignons we ordered cooked to perfection.
I got the charred brussels sprouts with crispy prosciutto and Brayden got the sweet corn & jalapeno pudding with the intention of us sharing with each other.
Everything is so delicious.
I try not to think about my diet, because there’s always tomorrow. Tonight is about letting loose and enjoying a good time with an even better man.
We move on from heavier topics to more mundane. Brayden loves reality TV but falls asleep during movies. He once saved a drowning dog from one of the ponds on the property and actually did CPR on the poor thing. His favorite color is green, and he wants to visit the beach one day.
I tell him all my quirks too. It’s fun, lighthearted, and an enjoyable time.
I’m happy to see we don’t just have a physical chemistry, but a personal one too. I like hearing about him and his life. His eyes light up whenever I talk about mine. To everyone else, we must look like dopey idiots in love.
“Hear me out,” Brayden says after polishing off his steak. “We share both the honeycomb ice cream flight and the molten chocolate whiskey cake. I know it’s a lot, but I really want to try them both.”
Truth is, so do I.
“I’m in,” I say with a grin.
Later, when we’re drowning in decadent dark chocolate lava cake with salted caramel whiskey sauce and smoked vanilla, dark chocolate, and salted honey caramel ice cream, I discover we’re holding hands across the table.
It’s such a natural thing to reach for him.
His thumb swipes over mine as he licks honey off his spoon. My core tightens. I have been fantasizing about his tongue somewhere else, licking off another type of honey. He must spy the heat in my gaze because his darkens and then drops to my lips. We just went from sweet to spicy in no time flat.
Check, please…
“Casey?”
I reluctantly tear my eyes from Brayden, seeking out the sound of the familiar voice. “Nick? What are you doing here?”
“Date night without the kids,” he says, smiling at me. “Apparently me and Dane weren’t the only two with that idea.” His eyes cut over to Brayden. “Hey, man.”
Awkward.
I tug my hand free and jerk out of my seat to hug both Nick and Dane. “This is my neighbor, Brayden,” I explain to them. “Brayden, this is Nick, Derek’s cousin, and Nick’s husband Dane.”
Brayden rises to his feet to shake their hands, but I can tell I’ve hurt his feelings. I know why, too. I didn’t introduce him as my boyfriend, even though that’s so obviously what he is to me.
“Good to meet you,” Nick says to him and then cuts his eyes back over to me. “I heard the news. Sorry, Casey. I really thought you guys were the real deal.”
I want to shrivel at that statement. What do I even say to that? Me too? That wouldn’t hurt Brayden’s feelings or anything…
“Yep,” I blurt out, voice shaking. “I’m sorry. I know you two want some time alone. It was good seeing you.”
Nick gives me another hug and then the two of them walk away.
Brayden sits stiffly, clearly stewing on the whole thing. I feel like an idiot and need to apologize. The server interrupts us to bring the check. Brayden hands over his card without looking at the ticket. Unfortunately, he doesn’t look at me either.
Silence stretches out between us and my eyes begin to sting. Tell him you’re sorry, Casey. It’s on the tip of my tongue. I’m ashamed that I just did that to him.
“You’re being quiet,” I murmur, not trusting my voice to say much more.
The server returns before he can answer.
He signs the receipt, collects his card, and then rises to his feet.
I want to run over to him and take his hand, but shame has me clutching my purse tightly instead.
He leads the way across the rooftop, down the elevator, and out the front door of the restaurant.
By the time we reach the car, and he opens my door for me, I’m about to lose it, tears welling.
“I’m sorry,” I choke out. “I froze up. Seeing Nick was a shock and a punch to the gut to be honest. Why are you giving me the silent treatment?”
His head snaps toward me and then he steps closer until our chests are touching. With the gentlest of touches, he swipes a rogue strand of hair out of my face. “I didn’t want to embarrass you again by saying something stupid.”
My bottom lip wobbles. That’s fair. “What did you want to say?”
He leans closer, resting his hands on the roof of the car behind me, nose brushing mine. “That you’re mine now. My girlfriend. Mine. ”
A flash of heat singes my skin. “Oh.”
“Embarrassing, right?”
“Yes and no.”
“I can bite my tongue for you, Casey. I’m learning how to be the man you deserve. Not going to lie. Hard as fuck sometimes.”
I cup his cheek and stroke my thumb over his pouty bottom lip. “I’m proud of you. Me? Not so much.”
His lips find mine for a soft but claiming kiss. We’re both breathing hard by the end of it. “You’re still here with me. That’s all that matters.”
We fuse our mouths together again, the kiss growing with intensity. His hands move from the car to my ass, stroking me over my skirt, and lifting it some to squeeze my ass cheeks. Anyone walking by could see if they looked our way.
This gives me an idea.
I grab his wrist and lower it between my thighs. His kiss deepens as he wastes no time slipping his hand beneath the material. As soon as his fingers brush over my panties, I shudder with anticipation.
“Want me to finger you right here with people walking by?” he demands, voice raspy with need. “When I make you come, you have to be quiet, babe.”
“I’ll be quiet,” I lie.
He grins against my mouth and slides his hand into my panties. I groan, not quiet at all, as he teases my clit. “No one touches you like I do,” he hisses. “Right, beautiful?”
“Yesss.”
His touch makes me crazy with the need for more. All he does is send me spiraling with lust. It only takes a few minutes to have me shattering from his touch. And, like before, he pushes a finger into me, as if he enjoys the feeling of my contracting muscles. I bet he’ll really like it on his cock.
“Let’s go home, babe. I’m not done with you yet.”
He eases his finger out of me, rights my panties, and makes sure my skirt is in place. Then, he stares at me with hooded eyes as he crudely licks the juices off his fingers.
“Home. Now,” I agree, body still trembling.
“Next time I get you off,” he rumbles, “it’ll be my tongue inside you.”
The neighbor’s son is killing me.
I’m loving every second of it.