They cuddled together, with Casey between his legs, her head on his chest. “Russ was thrilled.”
“Good.” Jason laughed. “I’m actually surprised you gave him the condoms.”
Casey threaded their fingers together but frowned when she noticed his bruised knuckles. “Are you all right? What happened?”
“It’s nothing.”
“Jason.”
“I might have had a conversation with Greg this morning.”
In protest she sat up, but Jason tightened his arms around her. She opened her mouth to argue with him, but nothing came out. Just as no one had ever needed her so much they couldn’t wait for a bed, no one had ever defended her honor. It was romantic in a barbaric kind of way.
“Don’t be upset, okay? I told you I can’t handle assholes like him.”
Casey reached up and cradled his face with her palm. “I’m not upset. I’m kind of turned on.”
His smile took her breath; the kiss on her palm stole her heart. “Thank you. I was worried all day.”
“Aw.”
He bit at her fingertips and growled. “Don’t tease me.”
“Talk to me.”
Jason dropped his head back and held her tighter, as if he needed her close. “My sister, Maggie, was the best.” Jason moved his hand lazily up and down her bare hip, over the felt tip tattoo. “She was upstate looking at potential colleges with our parents when a semi took out the family car. It killed all three of them instantly.”
“Oh, Jason. I can’t imagine how you must have felt.” Casey thought of her own family, back in Kansas, so far away, but still there, still full of life.
“I was overseas working on my training at the time. New Zealand. I came back to plan their funerals. I was only eighteen.”
“I’m sorry.” Casey turned in his arms and pressed a kiss to his lips.
“My sister dated an asshole like your former roommate. Abusive. I did my best to protect her, and just when she started to be happy again, she was taken from me.”
Casey straddled his hips and sat back on his thighs. “Then I’m happy you had some words with Greg. Your sister would be proud of you and the man you are today.” Casey ran her fingers through his long hair. “I’m smitten with you, Jason.”
“Smitten? God, only you could pull that off.”
She leaned in to kiss his neck but then caught sight of the most beautiful drawing she had ever seen. Blood red roses, snow white lilies. “Is that…”
Jason looked over his shoulder at his desk. “Your first tattoo? Damn right. I worked on it this morning between clients.”
Untangling their bodies, Casey hopped down from the chair and walked over to the desk. This was the piece she had waited for her entire life. She reached out to trace the lines with her fingers.
It was bright and happy and warm. Exactly how she felt when she was with Jason.
“You like it?” Jason’s arms closed around her waist. “I can change anything you don’t like. Colors, design. You name it, it’s yours.”
“I love it just like this.” Casey giggled as he pinched her sides. “Why did you choose these flowers?”
“Lilies are your favorite flower and roses…well, red roses represent love. And you are so damn loveable.”
“You think so, huh?”
“I know it. Because call me crazy, I’m falling in love with you, Casey.”
“You’re crazy.”
His laughter filled the small room. “That may be, but it’s true.”
She turned to meet his eyes and saw love there. “I’m falling for you too.”
He leaned in to take her mouth in a hot kiss, all tongue, no teasing. “Will you move in with me, then?”
“No.”
His eyes widened. “Are you messing with me?”
Casey shook her head, ran her hands over his shoulders. “I want you to move in with me.”
“Done. Although I pity the next guy who ends up in my old bedroom. He’s never going to sleep with the live porno playing out in our bedroom.”
“Our bedroom.”
Jason smiled. “I like the sound of that too.”
About the Author
Mandy Michelle lives, writes, reads, and walks her Welsh Terrier in her hometown in Southern Alberta, Canada. She holds a Masters degree in Ancient History, studied romance writing with Winghill Writing School, and is an enthusiastic National Novel Writing Month participant. She is also an active member of her local writing group and a great, ladies-only book club. Her first contemporary romance novel, Ready to Burn, was published in January 2020.
You can find her on social media at
Facebook:
www.facebook.com/mandymichellewriting
Goodreads:
www.goodreads.com/author/show/19760675.Mandy_Michelle
Amazon:
www.amazon.com/author/mandymichelle
Instagram:
www.instagram.com/wordycupcake
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