by Sam Crescent
What kind of woman, who didn’t want any real commitment, would panic because her man was at risk?
Her man?
She shouldn’t be behaving this way, and yet, she had. She had panicked, and the thought of a cop knocking on her door early in the morning to tell her he hadn’t made it, well, she’d never had it done, but she had seen it. After working late one night on an edit for her boss, it had been close to one in the morning. She had been walking up to her apartment, and her neighbor had been sobbing in the arms of the police as they told her that her husband had died in a gunfight that he’d not been part of. He’d been an innocent bystander caught in the crossfire.
There was no way she would ever be able to handle that kind of pain.
Sinking to the floor before him, she began to unbutton his jeans.
“Casey, you don’t have to do this.” He touched her hand to stop her, to stall her.
“I want to do this.”
He held her hand for a few more seconds before finally letting her hand go.
She knew she didn’t have to do anything she didn’t want to do. Rusty would never force her. It was another part of his charm she adored.
Sliding the zipper down, she pulled the jeans until they hit his knees. Rusty didn’t like to wear underwear of any kind. The moment his jeans weren’t around his waist, his dick fell out, and he was already hard.
She loved how he was always ready for her.
Wrapping her fingers around the thick length, she ran her hand up and down, getting him even harder. His skin was so soft and hard to the touch. The tip was already slick with his pre-cum, and she flicked the head with her tongue, tasting him.
He released a growl, and she did the same again.
This time he groaned.
“You like that?” she asked.
“You know I do.”
She smiled before taking the entire tip of his cock into her mouth and sucking it in. He let out a curse, and she glanced up at him, letting him see his dick in her mouth.
“Now that is a really pretty sight,” he said. He reached down, running his fingers through her hair, wrapping the length around his fist as he held her in control.
She felt an answering pool of heat between her thighs as he began to thrust his hard cock into her mouth. When he hit the back of her throat and he was almost too deep, he pulled out so only the head was in her mouth.
He was the one who took charge, and letting go of his dick, she let him take her mouth. She relished the feeling of him dominating her, fucking her mouth. She knew the moment he was done, Rusty would be between her thighs. He wasn’t a selfish lover, and he liked to see her come. He’d told her many times how much he loved the taste of her pussy and how badly he wanted her to orgasm.
Pushing aside all thoughts and fears of losing him, she thought about the now, of how good he felt in her mouth, and how she loved being around him.
Everything else didn’t matter.
This was about living in the moment, and right now, just as she was about to come, she didn’t want to spoil it by putting another label on what they were.
They were together, and for now, that was enough.
When he came, she swallowed every single drop, watching him as she did, and loving every single second as he fucked her. This was what she wanted, what she craved, what she needed more than anything else, just Rusty.
****
Rusty didn’t mention the night with old woman Lou again. He had a feeling there was a lot more to the incident than Casey would tell him. He also didn’t want to risk chasing her off with his thoughts.
Casey was falling for him.
He knew it to be true, even if she didn’t see it yet.
She spent every available second with him, and when she wasn’t writing, taking a break, she was there, helping him out in the garage. She couldn’t do much but pass him the necessary tools, but she was there, talking with him, and he saw the interest she had in him and what he was doing.
“I’m nervous,” she said, coming downstairs in a brand-new dress he’d not seen. Her hair was also done, and she wore earrings.
“I thought we were going to your parents’ place,” he said.
“We are.”
“Do I need to change? I didn’t get a memo or anything that I needed to look a certain way.”
“Ugh, no, this isn’t about you. I don’t want my parents to think I’m not in a good place, and so, this is the best way to show them.”
“By wearing a dress?”
“By making an effort.”
“You feel you have to make an effort to show them that you’re happy?”
“No, of course not. It’s not like that.”
“Then what is it like?” he asked.
“I don’t know. I just … this is a little confusing to me. Sorry.”
“I don’t get it,” he said.
She walked up to him, and he glanced down to see a pair of heels, and he knew for a fact he’d not seen them before. Damn, they were sexy as well.
“I’ve never, ever taken a guy to dinner.”
“Your dad invited me. We’re not showing up out of the blue, unannounced.”
“I know. I know. Erm … okay, my parents … they’re going to want to put some kind of term or label on us.”
He folded his arms, and she ran hers down his.
“Label?”
“You know, boyfriend. Partner. Friend? I don’t know.”
He saw she was panicking, which wasn’t a good thing for him, not even a little bit.
“I see where this is going.” He took her hands within his, kissing each one before finally looking at her.
“We’re going to see your parents, have dinner, and that is all.”
“But … they have the reputation of being the most cliché couple in the entire town.”
“And that scares you?”
“Wouldn’t it you? They’re my parents, and I don’t want to chase you off.”
“It’s going to take a lot more than your parents telling me what a good couple we are. Casey, I think you forget I’ve lived here my entire life. I’m not some visitor here. I’m me. I’m here. I know the kind of reputation your parents have. I understand it.”
“I know, but what if they try to push us together?”
“What if? Casey, look at me. We’re going to get through this. You’re going to stop panicking, and we’re going to have some fun. It’s your parents, not anyone else. Please, please, stop worrying.”
“I can’t.”
“You have to because it is not healthy for you.” He drew her close, holding her as she kissed her neck. “When this is done, I will bring you home, wash every single inch of your body, and then I will fuck you until you forget all of your worries. How does that sound?”
“That sounds like everything.”
He chuckled. “Good. Stop worrying about every single little detail, baby. You’ve got nothing to stress about. We both have a handle on this. I promise.” He kissed her again.
“You’re right.”
She was still playing with her hair.
He captured her hands, holding her. “We’ve got this.”
“We’ve got this.”
“You look beautiful and stop worrying. I’m here for you.”
“You’re right. I’m just being stupid and crazy.”
To help her relax a little more, he kissed her.
“Would you like to walk or me to drive?” There was no way he was letting her get behind the wheel of any car.
“You can drive. I don’t think I could stand for the town to watch us.”
The town would know if he drove or walked, but he wasn’t going to tell her that.
Grabbing his keys, he locked up his house, and walked her to the passenger side. Helping her in the car, he rounded to the driver’s side and climbed in.
Starting up his car, he thought about hers at the back of the shop. He’d ordered the parts, and they were going to take some time to arr
ive. He wasn’t in a rush to work on it. He had a little fear of his own. If he fixed her car, at any time, she could drive away from him without a backward glance, and he didn’t want that.
It was a short drive back to her parents’ place. A couple of the townsfolk gave them a wave, and he reached out to take her hand to help ground her.
He couldn’t recall Casey ever being this nervous.
Why had she suddenly become like this? Was it her feelings? Did she have an inkling she might love him?
Nah, that couldn’t be it.
Rusty didn’t believe for a second it would be that easy with her.
Once they were at her parents’ place, he quickly climbed out of the car and rushed to her side, opening the door.
“Thank you.”
“Anytime.” He held her hand again as they approached, and Abby was there, waiting.
“You both look like such a cute couple,” she said.
He winced and hoped it didn’t show. The last thing he wanted was for Casey to run now.
“Mom, stop,” Casey said.
She let go of him, hugging her mother.
“You’re not the one looking at you two.”
“Abby, darling, don’t scare the new couple,” Rome said. “I’m glad you two could make it.”
Walking into their home, Rusty smelled the chicken cooking, and wondered what Casey would have. For what he’d seen, she ate the same as he did, only minus the meat.
“No bottle of wine?” Rome asked.
“Shit! I forgot it,” Casey said.
“Language!” Abby let out the scold.
Rusty smiled. “I can go and get it.”
“Son, I’m having a joke. You think we’d really invite you and not have wine of our own? We know how to have a dinner party.”
“A party?” Casey asked. “Is there more than one person here?”
“Nope. Just because there are four people doesn’t mean it can’t be a party.” Rome smirked. “We’re eating out on the porch. Come on.”
Following close behind Casey, Rusty started to feel nervous. He’d not seen Casey like this ever. Sure, she’d been worried when he read her first chapter, and even her tenth, but she’d not been this skittish since he found her in the old make out lane. This didn’t bode well, and he didn’t want her parents to say something that would send her running as far away from him as possible.
If she went back to the city, he didn’t know if he’d chase her there.
Why not? You love her. You’d chase her wherever she wanted to go.
The table was already set, wine poured, and he helped pull out the chair for her to take a seat.
“So, we were wondering when the two of you would confirm you’ve moved in together?” Abby asked, taking a sip of her wine.
“What?” Casey asked.
“You’re always around his place, and you got a set of his keys cut. You were both seen shopping. Your father and I, we figured you had moved in together.”
Rusty gripped the glass of wine tightly.
Casey cleared her throat, laughed. “No, we haven’t moved in together.”
“Sweetheart, most of your clothes are gone.”
Again, Rusty didn’t say anything because he had noticed her clothes hanging up in his closet and he’d not wanted to point out the obvious.
“How about we move onto dinner?” he said. “Let me help you with that.”
Rome and Abby left the porch, heading into the kitchen, leaving him to glance at Casey. At first, she didn’t seem to be having a meltdown. She looked in control.
Only, he saw her chest moving up and down rather rapidly and the calmness was gone.
“Casey?”
“Have we moved in together? Is that why you’ve given me a key? I don’t come home. We drive home.” She slapped a hand across her mouth. “I see your place as home.”
He didn’t exactly have time to tell her it was her home.
“I need some air.”
“Casey.” She got up and rushed down the steps, heading into the garden.
“I’m sorry,” Abby said. “I don’t know why she’s so nervous about this.”
“I’ve told her that you love her,” Rome said.
“It’s fine.” He wasn’t going to admit that watching her run away broke his heart.
Chapter Nine
Casey gritted her teeth, feeling like a fucking bitch!
Why did she run away like that?
Why did commitment scare her so much?
She never had these reactions in the city, and she didn’t even know where they came from. There was no purpose to them, no reason. Her parents were considered one of the most romantic couples in the town, if not the world, and yet here she was, panicking about what may never be. None of it made any sense to her. She didn’t know what the future held, and yet, she ran away from the one good thing in her life. The one good guy.
“Stupid. So stupid.”
“You don’t have to call yourself that,” Rusty said.
She looked up to see him walking toward her. Staring at his face, she wondered if he was pissed off or angry, or just hurt. He didn’t give anything away.
“I figured my mom or dad would be here to, you know, make sure I’m okay.”
“They’re worried about you. It’s not every single day their only daughter runs away when it’s made obvious she’s slowly moving in with a guy.”
“Don’t.”
“It’s fine. Honestly. It’s kind of refreshing to have a woman run from me. I’m used to them throwing themselves at me all the time. It’s quite annoying.”
She chuckled, even though it was the last thing she wanted to do. “I’m a bitch, aren’t I?”
“I wouldn’t say you’re a bitch. I’d say you’ve got some serious issues, but I’m sure in time we can totally work on them. It’s not a big deal.” He took a seat beside her.
She didn’t know when her parents had put a bench at the bottom of the garden, but she was thankful for it. “I’m not usually like this.”
“What are you like then? I can’t imagine running away in the city is easy to do.”
“You’d be surprised.”
“You ran from dates then?”
“If I never told them where I lived it was really easy to do.”
“Wow, cold.”
“I just … I think you’re an amazing guy.”
“Wait, are you going to break up with me?”
“No.”
“Good, because I do have a great speech planned,” he said.
“You do.”
“Yep. I’m keeping it for if I see you trying to run away. You’ll be blown away, and it’ll make you fall in love with me.”
Her heart started to race.
Rusty laughed, but it didn’t even sound natural. “Don’t you worry about a thing right now, Casey. I’m not going to confess my undying love, or whatnot. Just know that I will do everything in my power to make you stay with me.”
“You’re too good for me,” she said. “I don’t want to leave. I like things the way we are.”
“Where you pretend there’s not a space in my closet for you, or that you don’t spend as much time as humanly possible with me.”
She felt tears spring to her eyes. “I’m sorry.”
“Babe, you’ve got nothing to be sorry over. Nothing at all.” He reached out, pushing a stray curl off her face.
“I wasn’t running from you.”
“I know what you were running from. You’re one of the strongest women I know, and you’re afraid of the future, of us. I get it, to a point.”
“It doesn’t freak you out even a little bit?”
“No. I know what I want, and I guess, we’ve got to work on what it is you want. Only when you know what it is, can we really move on and be happy.” He took her hand and pressed a kiss to her knuckles. “So long as you don’t run away when I’m having to do a job or something. Never run away. Always come to me. Promise me that.”
; “I promise.” She threw her arms around him, holding him close. “I will never walk away from you.”
“Good.” He ran his hands down her back. “Your parents are waiting for us. Do you want me to lie to them and say you’re not feeling well?”
“Nah, I can face them. It’s not hard.” She pulled away and wiped the stray tears from her face. “You’re amazing, you know that?”
“Yeah, keep reminding yourself of that when I do something fucking stupid.”
She laughed. The only time Rusty cussed was when they were having sex. It always sounded dirty, but in the bedroom, just right.
“You could never do anything stupid.” She took his hand, and together they walked back to her parents, who both looked nervous.
“Can I use the bathroom?” Rusty asked as they approached.
“Sure.” Abby told him where to find it, and Casey sat down in her spot.
Glancing over at her parents, she saw they looked worried.
“I’m sorry,” she said. “I don’t know what came over me.”
“You do know that boy is in love with you,” Rome said.
“Rome!”
“No, these two kids are dancing around each other, and I don’t like it. One of us needs to take a stand, and well, Rusty has his reasons. I know my daughter is a lot stronger than she thinks she is, and she needs to know that he’s in love with her, and will do whatever it takes to make her happy. That kind of man is hard to come by. Believe me, I know. I’m one of them, and I’ve hung out with a whole load of men and they always fall short. Everyone falls short, but I’m not going to let that happen to you. Rusty is an amazing guy. I can see the happiness he creates with you just by being with you. Not many people can say that. You’re a shining light to him. Don’t blow it out because you’re afraid. Have that backbone I thought I instilled in you at a young age.”
“Your father doesn’t know any tact,” Abby said.
“It’s fine,” she said. In a weird way, having her father confirm Rusty’s feelings didn’t exactly terrify her.
She knew Rusty felt a great deal for her. She just didn’t realize how strong it was, but now that she knew, it kind of made everything feel a little better.
****
“I expected you and Casey to be walking down the aisle already,” Buster said.