“You’re forgiven. Although you caused quite a stir at the office, Johnny Anaconda.”
He was unable to hold back a snort. “God. Sorry. I was just trying to make you laugh. Your boss didn’t fire you over dating a porn star, huh?”
“Okay, whoa. Dating?”
“You’re missing the point.”
Casey laughed with him. “My co-worker wants your autograph.”
“Really? Is she cute?”
She swatted his arm. Touching was a good sign.
“His name is Russ, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he showed up at your place of business to have the signature tattooed on his very tiny buttocks.”
“Well, if it’s going to bring me work, I’ll have to sign something for him, huh?”
“Maybe.” Casey stepped into the elevator and leaned her back against the wall, closing her eyes. He followed her in and wasn’t ashamed to stare at her face. Her delicate features. That cute turned-up nose, soft lips, and a dimple in her chin he hadn’t noticed until now.
“Hard day at the office?”
“Just long.”
He let that easy joke slip.
“But Russ bought me lunch.”
“Nice.”
Her eyes opened, slow and lazy, and the look she gave him was so damn sexy, his breath caught. It was how he imagined she would look waking up beside him.
“Listen, I will come over for cake. I just need to get out of these work clothes.”
“You look hot.”
“Oh, a romantic.”
The elevator door pinged, and Jason followed her out, trailed her to her door. “I’m trying, Casey.”
“I know. Give me an hour?”
Jason quirked a brow. “I could have you undressed way the hell faster than that.” And then he dropped his head. “Fuck. I’m sorry. Pretend I didn’t say that. I’m trying hard to behave. I’ll see you in an hour?”
Casey bit her lip in what had to be a failed attempt to hide a smile. “I’ll try for forty-five minutes.”
Chapter Ten
Casey
“Knock, knock.”
Her hands were shaking. Her whole body was wracked with nerves.
She had no idea what tonight was going to bring, but she was excited. Casey had done the smart thing and sent a text to Jessa, letting her know where she would be tonight. In case.
But with Jason, despite his bad boy looks and his relentless flirting, Casey wasn’t afraid. There was a gentleman buried under all those tats and leather.
She had showered and changed into her favorite worn jeans and a plain white tee. Her hair and makeup took up the rest of the hour. And a half. Shoot. She wanted to look nice, but not like she was trying too hard. There was no way he would believe that now.
“I thought you were standing me up,” Jason said after he opened the door. He stepped aside and let her into his place.
“No.”
She went to look around, as he had done at her place the day before, but he caught her hand in his before she could get too far.
“Casey?”
“Yes?”
“Please don’t be nervous.”
“Who said I was nervous?”
“You are visibly shaking.”
When she didn’t answer, he took her hand, pulled her toward his black leather couch, and sat down. She took the seat beside him, kicked off her shoes, and tucked her feet under her.
“Condoms?”
Jason laughed when she pointed out the box on the coffee table. “I signed them for Russ.”
“No way? Really? Let me see.”
He passed it to her, watched her face as she looked at the box of magnum condoms. She could feel his eyes on her.
“Russ. Your support rubs me the right way. Yours, Johnny Anaconda.” Casey laughed. “This is gold. I love you for this.”
His eyebrows shot up. “I’m glad you like it. Think he’ll buy you lunch again? You know, considering you’re dating his favorite porn star.”
“He’s already got me covered for this week, but I might get some fancy coffee out of this. Maybe a muffin.”
“Glad I could help feed you.”
She laughed, blushed when she realized she was holding a box of condoms, and then set it back on the glass table. “Thanks.”
“I just hope he doesn’t want to meet me,” Jason said.
“I think for your sake, it would be best if he didn’t.”
“Could he take me?”
“Beat you up? No. Of course not. He’s half your size. I was thinking he would really be into you.”
“Are you into me?” His voice was low and deep.
“Can’t you tell?”
“No.”
Casey met his eyes. The urge to kiss him took her breath away.
“You hungry?”
She nodded. “Cake, right? What kind did you make?”
“Chocolate with a hazelnut buttercream frosting.”
“Really? Wow. That sounds amazing. Must have taken you all day.”
“Damn right.”
She turned on the sofa to watch Jason walk over to the counter. She bit back a giggle when she saw the famous mauve box from the bakery around the corner. There was no way she would call him out on it, though. A man’s pride was delicate.
“It’s good stuff,” he agreed, carrying over two plates and setting them down. “You want a beer? Rum, whiskey? I think I have wine somewhere. I have no idea why I would have wine, but I believe it’s red.”
Casey laughed. “Which do you think goes better with chocolate?”
“I think beer goes with everything.”
“Beer it is.”
“My kind of girl.” He grabbed two bottles from the fridge. She watched him twist off the caps and then toss them on the coffee table. He sat beside her before clinking the neck of his bottle to hers. “Cheers.”
“Cheers.”
His eyes were locked on her lips as she took a sip. Then he chuckled as she hummed around a bite of cake.
“What?” Now she was feeling self-conscious.
“You’re killing me.”
“How’s that?”
He laughed. “Never mind.”
“That’s unfair.”
“I know.” He rolled his neck, revealed another tattoo leading to his shoulder. “Okay. I’m going to confess something.”
“What’s that?”
“I bought the cake.”
She gasped and then laughed with him.
“You knew, huh?” he asked.
“It’s really good. Has that bakery touch.”
“Yeah. Well, I’m glad you like it, anyway. I’m not good with desserts. Sorry.”
“If it makes you feel any better, Jason, the only cooking I do is in the microwave.”
Eyes on hers, Jason set down his plate and took her left hand in both of his. “Marry me.”
His acute attention on her, his lighthearted humor, and the beer made her relax. “What would you do if I said yes? That’s a legally binding contract, isn’t it?”
“Road trip to Vegas?”
Casey laughed. “You’re crazy.”
“Not the first time I’ve heard that.” He brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it. “Another beer?”