When the music ended, he wasn’t ready to let her go. Another ballad began, a mellow tune that allowed him to hold her close again. He moved along with her, noticing the lightness in her steps, the softness surrounding her. Susie had always been a good kid, but now Casey thought of her as a woman, someone he couldn’t get off his mind.
After a while, Austin cut in, whisking Susanna away, and Casey danced with Elizabeth. But Casey couldn’t wait to get Susie back in his arms, which he did on the very next song. Four dances later, Susie waved her hand to fan her face. “Oh boy, I’m out of shape.”
“No, you’re not.” She was...kinda perfect.
“I’ve never danced so much in my life.”
“Are you having fun?”
“I am.” Her eyes sparkled.
“Good.” He glanced toward their table. “Looks like they’re serving dessert and coffee now. You’re saved.” He grabbed her hand and led her back to the table.
Elizabeth and Austin had been eyeing him like two matchmaking hawks all evening. No doubt, they were curious about his date. While Austin had cut in to dance with Susie, he’d danced with Elizabeth and she’d quizzed him with a few subtle questions about his relationship with Susie. Hell, Casey had no real answers for her.
After dessert, the Browns stood to leave and while Elizabeth said farewell to Susie, Austin took him aside discreetly. “I like her.” His expression held approval.
Casey blinked. “Don’t get the wrong idea. We’re just...friends.”
Austin shook his head. “Don’t go fooling yourself. You haven’t taken your eyes off her all night. You were ready to punch me when I cut in on your dance.”
Casey chuckled. “That’s only because you have two left feet. I’m surprised you didn’t break one of her toes.”
“Laugh all you want, Casey. I know what I saw.” His arms went around Casey’s shoulders in a manly hug. “I’m proud of you, boy,” he said, patting him on the back. “I’m glad we were here to see you honored.”
The gap in his heart filled a little bit. He’d gone most of his life without any kind of parental support and approval. Now, thanks to the Browns, he had a taste of what that was like. “I appreciate it. Means a lot to me to have you and Elizabeth here.”
Next, he turned to say goodbye to Elizabeth, giving her a hug and kiss. The Browns joined the many other guests exiting the ballroom as the party wound down.
Casey snatched up Susie’s wrap. “Time to go, Cinderella.”
Susie rose from her seat and snickered. “If I’m Cinderella that would make you the handsome prince.”
He had more than princely thoughts about her right now.
He laced their fingers. “If the shoe fits.”
The sound of Susie’s laughter stayed with him all the way to the limousine.
Eight
The air outside was heavy, though Susanna knew the air conditioner would be blowing briskly in the very private and contained backseat of the limousine. She got in, and Casey removed his jacket before joining her. As soon as the chauffer started the engine, Casey unfastened his tie, letting it hang loose around his neck, and unbuttoned the top three buttons on his shirt. She caught a moonlit glimpse of his chest again.
No wonder she couldn’t breathe.
She’d seen him naked from the waist up briefly when her sink had decided to spring a leak. But it was different then. Ally was in the next room and, well, water was threatening to drown them both. But now, Casey’s heat became her heat. And boy, was it stifling.
“Want a glass of champagne?” he asked, leaning forward to lift the bottle from the bucket of ice.
“Yes,” she said. She wouldn’t die happy if she didn’t agree to sip champagne with Casey in the back of a limo. “Thanks.”
He worked at the bottle and popped the cork, letting the bubbly spill over the rim. He captured most of it in a flute and continued pouring.
“You’re good at that.”
“One of my many talents.” He smiled and handed her a glass, then poured one for himself. He touched the rim of his glass to hers. “To good causes.”
“I like that.” She lifted the flute to her lips and took a sip. The bubbles tickled all the way down in a light airy way that cooled her soaring temperature. “Mmm, that’s good.”
Casey’s eyes gleamed as he watched her over his glass. She took a big swallow with trembling lips and gazed back at him. It was dark outside and only shallow light filtered into the limo. There wasn’t really anywhere else to look but at his rugged, handsome face.
The bubbly liquor was going to her head as she noticed his gaze drifting down her chest. Her nipples hardened instantly from the sharp, hungry glint in his eyes.
“We’ll be home in fifteen minutes,” he said, clearing his throat. “Unless you want to take a drive for a little while.”
She turned into a pumpkin at the stroke of midnight. It was before eleven and she also knew what going for a drive in this heated atmosphere meant. “A drive sounds nice.”
Casey used the intercom to tell the driver the new plans. “Let’s take a drive along the Truckee River.”
Susanna sipped champagne until her flute was drained.
“Want another glass?” he asked, ready to quench her thirst.
“Not right now.” There were enough dizzying thoughts making her head spin as it was.
Casey’s beautiful mouth twisted in an awkward way as he returned the bottle to the bucket. “Now, that’s too bad,” he said, running his fingers along his chin.
“Why?” Had she done something wrong? She wasn’t a saint, but she wasn’t as worldly as the Lana Robardses of the world.
Casey took the empty glass from her hand and set it down. He leaned closer and whispered, “Because now I have no reason not to kiss you.”
“Do you need a reason?” she blurted.
A devilish smile played across his lips. “Seems like lately, I’ve run out of reasons, doesn’t it?” He touched a finger to her cheek and moved it slowly down to her mouth. That one simple touch sent her hormones flying. Her breath caught and froze in her throat as she waited...hoped.
He used his index finger to outline her upper lip, his roughened fingertip caressing over her softest flesh. She closed her eyes and parted for him. He bent his head to capture her mouth, clutching her around the waist, drawing her up close. She gasped from the shock of his heat and hunger.
His kisses were jarring. The impact thrilled her. Nothing she’d experienced before could top being with Casey in such close quarters, riding along streets she couldn’t name, experiencing a lightness in her head and a heaviness that started in her breasts and dipped below her waist.
A groan sounded from deep inside his throat and he pulled her up onto his lap, taking advantage of the limousine’s roominess to stretch out his long legs. He held her in his arms and eased her lower. She was completely at his mercy, her body lying across him, her gown hiked up and there was nowhere else on earth she’d rather be.
She’d fooled herself into thinking she wasn’t in love with him. But now she knew how deep her feelings ran. The torch she’d carried for Casey all these years had only dimmed, but had never gone completely out. And now it was a bright fiery beacon, leading her to where she wanted to be all along. With him.
He smothered her with kisses and then moved his mouth down to the base of her throat, nibbling along her shoulder blade. Gently, he lifted the straps of her gown, shoving them down on her arms. The material gave way, and warm sultry air hit her chest. He kissed the soft swells of her breasts, his lips reverent and needy. She arched her back, aching for him to suckle, to claim her. And as he did, her nipples tightened to rounded beads that got harder with each moist stroke, each unbelievable lick of his tongue. Her body pulsed, jumping with electrifying pleasure.
; “Ohhh,” she breathed out.
She grew damp between the legs.
It was good, so good.
“You’re amazing,” he rasped between kisses.
His chest heaved up and down. All that power and heat being unleashed was a beautiful thing.
“I want you, sweetheart,” he whispered, fanning hot breath over her chest. Her nipples strained and tightened even more. The air was thick and intense around her.
“I want you too, Casey.”
He brought his mouth to hers and claimed her again and again. “Are you sure?”
“Yes,” she whispered quickly. She rose up a little and hastily unfastened the rest of the buttons on his shirt. With his help, she removed it, and her lips immediately went to his chest. She kissed him there, her tongue roving over the incredibly hard smooth surface above his ribs. Susanna couldn’t get enough of the taste of him mingled with the earthy subtleness of his cologne.
He roughly wove his fingers through her hair as growls of immense pleasure rose up from his throat. Then he slid his hands farther down to grasp the zipper of her dress. The metal teeth separated with a whisper and the material of her bodice fell away. He helped wiggle her out of the garment and it flowed onto the floor, draping partly over the champagne bucket.
Appreciation gleamed in his eyes as he gave her body a long look. “Beautiful, Susie.”
She blushed and he smiled. Then he positioned her over his lap again and she felt the full force of his arousal. She moaned and he kissed her, his hand coming around to unhook her bra. Free of her restraint, her breasts jiggled and Casey took one in his hand weighing the swell and lifted it to his mouth to suckle.
“Casey,” she moaned. Electrical jolts rippled through her body.
Casey slipped one hand down past her navel and stroked over her panties several times, making her bite her lip to keep from screaming out as the pressure began to build.
It was torture and pleasure rolled up into one. Being naked in the limo with Casey was by far the most erotic thing she’d ever done. His fingers probed beneath her panties and he caressed and explored her most sensitive spot. Too soon, she splintered from his touch, her body wracked with lightning-like pulses that seized up and then shattered. Soft cries blew from her lips, her exquisite release a sweet hum singing through her body.
“Oh man, Susie,” Casey was saying.
She gazed into his eyes and saw steam and raw sex there. “I want more,” she said on a breath.
“Don’t you worry, sweetheart. We’re not through yet.” Casey slid down and stretched his body out, taking up the entire length of the leather seat. He reached for her again, pulling her on top of him.
And within a minute, her panties were off, his zipper was down and he was sheathed in a condom that appeared just in the nick of time. He pulled her down to claim her lips in a deep, soul-rattling kiss. Then he lifted her up and adjusted her onto him. She uttered a low satisfied sigh as he buried himself in her.
Memories flashed of her first time with him. How she’d hidden the pain caused by his thrusts, how she’d pretended to know what she was doing. Not that she was an expert now—she’d had some experiences. But nothing compared to being joined with Casey tonight. Nothing.
She rode him, finding a special rhythm that satisfied them both. He plopped his Stetson on her head and grinned as they moved together. She only imagined how she looked, buck naked but for his hat and her three inch heels. And then the smiles were wiped off their faces, as his thrusts grew stronger, more forceful. She felt his body seize up. Hers did the same. It was rough and wild and amazing as they bucked and grunted together. “Susie,” he hissed between his teeth.
She quickly joined him in his forceful release. Every cell in her body rejoiced. There were no words to describe the wonder. She only felt, experienced, enjoyed...and loved.
She fell on him, beads of her sweat mingling with his. He wrapped his arms around her and held her close, her body flush against him. She could stay like this forever, but reality called. She had no idea of the time, but it had to be late. She rose up and fought to free herself from Casey’s strong arms. She hated to pull away from him, but she really did turn into a pumpkin when midnight struck. He rose to a sitting position next to her.
“Are you okay?”
She nodded, still too overcome to speak as she reached for her gown and covered herself with it.
He kissed her soundly on the lips and that righted her world. “We should probably get you home.”
She nodded again. “Yes.”
He gave instructions to the driver, and Susie knew despite the fully insulated privacy partition and tinted windows, she wouldn’t be able to look the chauffeur in the eyes when she stepped out of the limo.
Casey helped her struggle into her dress. It had come off much more easily. And he put himself back together as well, buttoning his shirt and running a hand through his hair. Reaching for her, he brought her into the circle of his arms as the limo rolled toward home. She laid her head on his chest and closed her eyes. He brushed a kiss to her forehead and his lips lingered there.
Her heart tripped over itself. She’d never been happier.
Too soon, her fairy-tale carriage came to a stop. “Home,” Casey said quietly.
He seemed reluctant to let her go, but as soon as the driver opened the door, Casey guided her outside and she made herself busy with her purse and wrap. Casey put his arm around her waist, thanked the driver and walked her to the door.
“Home before midnight,” he said, eyes twinkling. “It was an amazing night.”
She peered at him and nodded. “It was...” She squeezed her eyes closed briefly. “I don’t usually do...what I mean to say is... I don’t have—”
He put his finger to her lips. “Shh. Susie, I know.”
How could he possibly know she didn’t sleep around? Every time she’d really been alone with him, she’d let loose and they’d had sex. Well, okay...it had only happened twice, but in his eyes, he might look at her and see a different woman than the one she really was. “How do you know?”
“Because I know who you are.”
His faith warmed her heart. But then thoughts of him with other women ran rampant in her mind. Did he wine and dine them and then make love to them in the backseat of a limo? Was that who Casey was? Maybe in his groupie rodeo days? Or maybe not. Susanna had never discussed his love life with his sister. Audrey said Casey kept his relationships to himself while he was raising her. Knowing how Casey had babied and protected Audrey, it made perfect sense.
“I only seem to lose my head around you,” she confessed.
Casey planted a chaste kiss on her lips. “That makes me happy to hear.”
“It does?”
He nodded, furrowing his brows. “Sure. Why wouldn’t I want to hear that?”
“B-because the last time, you told me I was too young, we were neighbors and I was your sister’s best friend. You told me it was a mistake.”
“You mean ten years ago? When you were a teenager going off to college? Look, I know I could’ve handled it better back then, but all those things were true.”
“And now it’s different?”
He paused, his eyes flickering as if warring thoughts battled in his head. His expression worried her and assurances she hoped to hear didn’t come. Instead Casey looped his arms around her waist and tucked her head under his chin. The heat of his skin seeped through his shirt and radiated out to her, yet he kept silent.
“Casey?”
“I don’t have all the answers, Suse.”
Susanna pulled back, her eyes snapping to his, her heart hammering against her chest. “What are you saying?”
The muscles in his jaw tightened. He seemed hard-pressed to get any words out. After a few seconds, he said, “That you’re a
wonderful woman and I want to spend more time with you.”
Her shoulders relaxed. She didn’t need a second to think about it. “I’d like that too.” Casey Thomas was her ideal man. She wanted him like crazy.
She put her palms on his chest and eased them up to wrap her arms around his neck. Lacing her fingers, she gazed into his eyes. Sincerity reflected back at her and she knew he wasn’t giving her a line. He meant every word. She had to trust in that. There was too much at stake. Ally’s sweet face came to mind. She couldn’t fall into something that would set Ally back or devastate her.
She didn’t know when she’d be able to touch Casey like this again. She savored every inch of him and when his lips came down on her she returned his kiss with everything she had inside.
* * *
On Saturday afternoon, Susie was right on time delivering the order for Joanna Picorelli’s sweet sixteen chocolate party. With Ally as a helper, she set up her pastries on three separate tiered tables dressed with snowy white tablecloths and flower petals. It was a spread that would impress any connoisseur of fine chocolate, with her decadent devil’s food double chocolate cupcakes, homemade chocolate raspberry truffles and cheesecake brownies.
Too excited after her date with Casey, Susie had woken up extra early and spent that time making sure she had everything perfect for the party. As Ally slept, she’d baked happily and rehashed her wonderful date with Casey. She should have been exhausted, yet her spirits were buoyed. She was almost afraid to give in to her feelings of love, but it was too late to go back.
She did feel a little guilty about fibbing to Mindy. “Casey won an impressive award for his fundraising and charitable contributions and we danced a little. Nothing happened,” she’d said, with a shrug.
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