“Sure.”
Casey turned to watch him walk to the fridge and flushed when he looked over his shoulder at her, catching her in the act.
“How much do I owe you for that box of condoms?”
Jason snorted. “Nothing.”
“They’re not cheap.”
“I had them laying around. It’s not a big deal.” Jason smiled. “You look surprised.”
“No. I―”
He leaned in close, so close she thought he was going to kiss her, but instead, he brushed his lips over her ear. “I’m not a virgin.”
She giggled. Which was happening way, way too much in his presence. “Really?”
“Really. I hope you still want to marry me.”
“Well, you can’t wear white.”
“Fuck.”
They laughed again. It didn’t escape Casey that Jason came to sit a lot closer to her this time.
“Tell me about your work. You’re an accountant?”
“Yeah. Mostly tax stuff for large firms in the city. It probably sounds stupid, but I love my job.”
“That’s not stupid. It’s rare. Most people hate what they do. Become a slave to it.”
Casey nodded. “Do you love your job?”
“Tattooing? Hell, yeah.”
“Will you, um, can I see yours?”
“I have a lot.”
“How many?”
“Close to thirty.”
“Wow.”
He reached for the hem of his shirt, and she watched in stunned silence as he peeled it off, revealing his abs first and then his built chest. “We’ll start with the ones north of the equator, okay?”
She nodded but didn’t speak. Her tongue was tied, and her eyes were busy caressing the planes of his body, covered in the most artful ink. She reached out to touch the black and grey angel on his shoulder but caught herself before she made skin to skin contact.
“You can touch them, Case. I don’t mind.”
“How much did this hurt?” she asked. The heat from Jason’s skin absorbed into her cool fingertips as she traced the lines.
“Not going to lie, it hurts, but you get addicted to it. It becomes the good kind of pain.”
“The good kind?”
He chuckled. “Never been inked?”
“No.”
His gaze dropped to her thumb, which had taken on a life of its own and was circling the tribal swirls on his left pec. When she reached his nipple, he jumped.
“Sorry.”
“For turning me on?”
She laughed. “We just met. I don’t really know you. I shouldn’t be―”
“My middle name is Anthony. I lost both parents and a sister to a car crash ten years ago. Five-year plan is to open another shop across town. Believe it or not, I would love to have a couple kids one day. And Casey, my god, I am beyond attracted to you.”
Casey bit her lip. Had no idea what to say. That was a lot of information to throw at a girl in thirty seconds. “Um, wow.”
“Now you know me. May I kiss you?”
She nodded, and before she could speak, his mouth was crushed against hers.
Chapter Eleven
Jason
This girl had him in knots more complicated than the Celtic twist on his back. She had boldness in spades and shocked the hell out of him when she touched his ink.
Her moan as his tongue pressed between her lips was the catalyst for him. She tasted of beer and chocolate and perfection. He was sure he was groaning right back.
When the burning in his lungs made him pull back, he opened his eyes to find her watching him.
She giggled and reached up to touch her lips. “Hi.”
“Sorry. I had intentions to behave myself, tonight, Casey.”
“My fault. I touched your nipple.”
Jason laughed. “It’s all right. I should have known you were a bad girl. The vibrator and all.”
“I was wondering how long it would take for you to bring that up.” She shoved his chest.
He caught her hand and brought it back to his lips. “I like to see you blush.”
“I don’t think I’ve stopped.”
“No. You haven’t.” He tugged her hand and pulled her closer. “Come here. You can see the tats on my shoulders a little better from here.”
“You want me to sit on your lap?” She was still breathless; the rise and fall of her breasts was hypnotizing.
“I would love it.”
She set her hands on his shoulders and straddled his thighs. He was unable to keep his hands from her hips, her round ass.
“You okay?” He had to check.
“Mm.”
Jason leaned in and kissed below her ear. Took a minute to breathe in her perfume. Peaches.
“What does this one mean?” Her fingers traced a design on his right shoulder.
“The demon? I belong to The Rolling Devils. We’re a motorcycle club and…”
“No, this one.”
He was relieved she wasn’t scared of him. “It’s Maori.”
“Have you been to New Zealand?”
Jason nodded. “I did some training there.” His focus wasn’t on the past, though. It was on how soft her skin was under her t-shirt.
“Wow. That’s impressive.”
“Goddamn, your skin is soft.”
She laughed. “I thought you were showing me your tattoos?”
“I changed my mind.” He sat up straight to capture her mouth, once again. She was such a damn good kisser, and he let himself get caught up in the moment. He pulled her hips closer and then hissed as she rocked over his cock.
“Don’t stop,” he breathed, and his hands moved up her sides, brushing the sides of her breasts with his thumbs.
Her gasp told him she was sensitive. She was turned on as much as he was. The tilt of her hips made him wish she were naked.
There was something he could do about that. He tugged the bottom of her t-shirt and pulled it up to reveal a sexy as hell red lace bra. “Goddamn.”
She tugged her shirt off her arms and tossed it behind her. It hit an empty beer bottle, and Casey turned, as if to right it. She looked panicked, almost. Like he would give a damn.
“Hey. Leave it.”
“Sorry. I shouldn’t have…”
He took her chin in his hand and met her eyes. “I’m not worried about anything but you.”
She shook her head, as if to clear her mind of something. “Right. Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
He tried to kiss her again, but she was far from into it. Without warning, she stood up. “I should go.”
“Casey. Fuck. Now, I’m sorry. I pushed you.”
She shook her head, not even listening to his words. He had lost her; she had completely shut down. “Thank you for the cake. The beer.”
She grabbed his black t-shirt, likely because it was closer to her, and pulled it over her head, covering that sweet body. By the time she reached the door, she looked on the verge of tears. Like she couldn’t get out of the apartment fast enough.
“Casey, babe.”
“I have to get up early tomorrow. Bye.” And then she closed the door in his face.