Ask Me

by M. Malone

  “You look like a princess.”

  Casey blushes prettily. “I feel like one, too. So I guess that makes you my Prince Charming. I can’t wait to wear this Saturday!”

  The next day seems to drag but finally it’s Saturday night and we arrive at the symphony. I enjoy watching her reactions to everything. Her eyes are alight with discovery at the lush interior of the Kennedy Center and the swirl of gowns and tuxedos.

  “This is so exciting. I feel like I’m in a movie,” she whispers as we take our seats.

  She falls asleep ten minutes into the performance.

  And I fall in love with her just as fast.

  We spend the rest of the night watching television on the couch and eating ice cream straight from the carton. I carry her to bed and make love to her like we have forever. Then I watch her as she sleeps and wonder if the incredible luck I’ve had in my life will continue long enough for me to make her mine.

  The next day, Casey asks if she can plan a date. We’re eating pancakes she made from scratch. She looks adorable with mussed hair and pancake batter on her cheek. It’s a view that I hope I’ll be seeing every Sunday from now on.

  “You’re doing the whole gentlemanly, let-me-treat-you-right thing, and I love it. But I’m dying to take you somewhere in particular so please say yes.”

  As if I could deny her anything. “Okay. Where are we going?”

  I’m ready to pretend to enjoy a chick flick when she says, “It’s a surprise. Actually, did you finish sewing that sample pair of your activewear trousers?” At my nod, she wiggles with delight. “Good. Wear those.”

  “Now I’m really curious.”

  She keeps me in suspense the entire time as we ride the metro. Then proceeds to take me to a laser tag place and kick my ass at the game.

  I’ve never had so much fun.

  But when I arrive home from work on Monday evening, I have to admit my favorite part has been this. The quiet evenings spent together. With her laptop, she can do work from home and I’ve quickly become accustomed to the sound of her typing away in the background as I sketch or review financial reports.

  Spending time with her doing nothing is the greatest joy. Well, not nothing. This is us, after all.

  I take off my suit jacket as I approach the couch. Casey is curled up on the sofa watching television. I lean over and nuzzle her neck. My phone dings in my pocket. I ignore it. I nip her shoulder just as the chirping sound starts again.

  “You should probably answer that.” Casey’s husky laugh flows over me, the sexy sound making me hard instantly.

  “It can wait.”

  “It’s okay. If it’s business you should take care of it. I really should be studying anyway. I have a statistics quiz in two days.” But she doesn’t move away as I continue sampling the soft skin on her neck.

  Then my phone rings. Again.

  I groan. Apparently whoever it is won’t give up until I answer.

  She rises gracefully and stretches, the hem of her shirt rising to show the curve of her back. I lean over and grab for her, intent on pulling her back into my arms.

  “No way, mister. I have schoolwork to do.” She picks up her laptop from the sofa next to her and walks toward the bedroom.

  “Damn, you make it hard for me to think about work.” I pull out my phone, already annoyed at whoever it is.

  There are two calls from my mother. Those can definitely wait. There’s one call from my brother. I hit the button to return the call. He answers on the first ring.

  “Please call Mamma. You know how she gets when you ignore her,” Philippe pleads.

  “You just don’t want to deal with her.” I laugh at the exasperated snort that comes through the line.

  “I’ve been dealing with her. Who do you think she complains to about you spending so much time with an Americano? Next thing I know, she’ll turn all that attention on me. I hope this rebellion of yours has been worth it. I’m pretty sure she’s planning a full-scale attack to marry you off as soon as you come back.”

  I walk into the bedroom. The light is on in the bathroom and I can hear the shower. My mind helpfully supplies an image of Casey standing under the streaming water, her profusion of dark curls hanging in ropy, wet tendrils down her bare back. My desire for her is almost frightening in its intensity. I’ve been with beautiful women before, probably more than my share, but I’ve never craved a woman this way.

  “It’s been more than worth it. There’s a chance I may not come back, little brother.” My statement is met with stunned silence.

  Finally Philippe says, “I won’t pretend I understand but I’m happy for you. She must be quite a woman.” He sounds bewildered by the idea of settling down but at least I have his support.

  I wouldn’t have thought I needed or wanted anyone’s approval but knowing my brother is on my side makes me feel a lot better. Especially since I’m sure my mother is going to make my life hell before she accepts my decision to move to the States and live with an unknown American woman.

  “She’s amazing. The kind of woman I didn’t even know existed. Do me a favor though and don’t mention what I said about moving, per favore? The last thing I need is Mamma to find out and start her scheming. You know how she is. They already met once and I’m sure it wasn’t pleasant. I won’t subject Casey to her sharp tongue if I can help it.”

  I wish I could somehow exempt myself from Mamma’s criticism too but at least I’ve had a lifetime of experience in ignoring it. Someone as softhearted as Casey would be in tears in minutes.

  “She had Marcella over for dinner the other night. You know what that means. She’s still upset that you broke the engagement. But I’ll do what I can to distract her. I don’t want to see her ruin this for you.”

  “No worries, little brother. I’m never getting back with Marcella or any of the other women she’s thrown at me. That was five years ago and Mamma is going to have to learn to accept it. I’m a grown man. There’s nothing she can do to ruin this for me. ”

  A few minutes later when Casey emerges from the bathroom, I’m still thinking about my conversation with Philippe. I told him that I’m in this for the long haul and there’s nothing that can ruin this. But there is something. Our tendency to dance around issues instead of facing them head on. So I decide to ask about something that’s been bothering me.

  “Why haven’t I seen your apartment?”

  Casey pauses in the act of putting her underwear on. Then she slowly starts inching it up her legs, finally pulling it into place with a little snap.

  “Stop trying to distract me.”

  “I’m not. I just didn’t think you’d want to see my little apartment when you live in this palace.”

  “I want to know everything about you.”

  She smiles at that. “My roommate is a little strange. Mya described her to me as kooky when we first met and I have to say, I have’t found a better word to describe her yet.”

  “I’m used to creative types. I’m sure your kooky friend isn’t anything I can’t handle. The depravity in the world of the megarich isn’t an exaggeration, unfortunately. It would be pretty hard to shock me.”

  Casey looks skeptical but then shrugs as if she’s resigned to whatever happens. “Well, if you’re sure. Let’s sleep there tonight then.”

  That wasn’t what I meant but I’m not taking it back. If this is my only opportunity to see Casey’s world, then I’m there. Even if it means sleeping on a smaller bed with a roommate one wall away.

  Casey warns me there’s very little street parking, so we take a cab to her place. I’ve brought a small bag with a change of clothes and a toothbrush. But once we’re walking up the stairs, Casey’s steps get slower and slower.

  “What’s wrong? Did you forget something?”

  She whirls around. “Ariana is really pretty. Am I stupid for introducing you to my gorgeous, crazy, fun roommate?”

  “You’re not stupid. But it’s cute that you think I’ll actually notice anyo
ne else but you. Remind me to tell you about all the times I went back to the bar where we met. I’m pretty sure the bartender thought I was a stalker. They probably have my picture up in the back.”

  She takes a deep breath. “That’s really sweet. But also kinda creepy.”

  We continue up the stairs to the third floor and Casey pulls her keys out. She unlocks a door in the middle of the hall but the door won’t open more than a few feet.

  “Hold on. Ariana left the chain on the door. She probably assumed I wasn’t coming back for the night.” She knocks and a few minutes later, we hear the sound of the door being unlatched.

  The young woman who opens the door of the apartment is beautiful. Casey wasn’t exaggerating about that. But she’s obviously very suspicious since she only pokes her head out.

  When she notices Casey, she grins. “Oh, its just you.”

  Then she opens the door all the way and I see that she’s wearing a baby carrier. Which is odd because Casey didn’t mention her roommate having a baby. Then I jump back.

  “Merda! What the hell is that?”

  The baby in her carrier is a gnarled, grizzly-looking thing. Like a cross between a werewolf and a teddy bear.

  Ariana looks down. “Oh, that’s just Edward. Come on in.”

  I glance back at Casey who just shrugs and follows her roommate inside. I walk in, inching around the crazy girl with the demon wolf baby around her neck. The apartment is small but cozy. Even though it’s my first time here, I can definitely see Casey’s influence. There’s a stack of books on the table next to the couch.

  Now that Casey spends so much time at the penthouse, I find books everywhere. In the living room. In the kitchen. I even found a book in the pantry once. I can only guess that she was reading it while getting a snack and accidentally set it down in there.

  “Ariana. This is Andre.” Casey’s eyes drop to the baby carrier. “And we’re not even going to ask about that.”

  “No. We’re asking about that,” I interrupt.

  Ariana hefts the “baby” up higher, adjusting it in the carrier. “This is my metro buddy. Whenever I have the night shift, I carry Edward with me. It keeps people from talking to me or sitting too close on the metro. You’d be surprised how much personal space weirdness buys you.”

  Casey sighs. “That shouldn’t make that much sense. But this is one of the least weird things I’ve seen you do since I moved here so … yeah. Good night!”

  Ariana waves as she leaves.

  Once the door shuts behind her, we both burst into laughter.

  “So that’s your roommate.”

  Casey grabs me by the hand and leads me down a hallway. “She’s one of the strangest people I’ve ever met but also one of the nicest. And as a bonus, I feel really safe living with her. I’m not sure too many people would willingly tangle with her.”

  We enter the room on the left and I look around curiously. The room is plain but feminine with a towering stack of pillows on the bed. There’s another pile of books next to the bed. While I’m putting my bag down I notice Casey slipping one of the books into the nightstand drawer.

  “Whoa. What was that?”

  She blushes. “Just a dirty book that I don’t want you to see, okay?”

  I love that she’s so shy about that kind of thing. You’d think after everything we’ve done together that it wouldn’t even bother her.

  “This is where you were sleeping all those nights we were apart. Do you know how many times I imagined you out there in the world somewhere? Wondered if you were safe, loved and if you knew how much our short time together meant to me? And all the while you were here, sharing an apartment with a woman who has a demon babydoll.”

  Tears are in her eyes as she hugs me around the waist. “I’m here now. We’re here now. Together. And that’s how it’s going to stay.”

  20

  * * *

  “We need some help with the design boards for the Anderson Project.” Mya ticks off points on the fingers of her left hand on Friday morning while I halfheartedly scribble notes on a yellow legal pad. “Also, we have an internal staff meeting scheduled for this afternoon.”

  I nod and cover my yawn with the back of my hand. I’m having trouble keeping my eyes open. Andre had to fly back to Italy unexpectedly because his mother became ill. Even though she wasn’t very nice to me, I don’t blame him for wanting to spend time with her and make sure she’s feeling better. He’s already lost one parent which is a pain that I wouldn’t wish on anyone.

  Which is why I felt even worse turning him down when he asked me to come with him. He said he understood but that was in the middle of packing a bag in a rush.

  We’ve been texting every night but it’s not the same. This isn’t the kind of thing I feel comfortable talking about on a transatlantic phone call. But the tension between us and getting used to being back in my own bed has led to four days of sleepless nights.

  “I’ll be conducting a follow-up session with Indigo Jewelers in about thirty minutes that I could use your assistance with. Then after that we could go dance naked on 18th Street.”

  I nod again before the words sink in. “Wait, what?”

  Mya laughs. “You’ve barely heard a word I’ve said. Where is your mind this morning? Or should I even ask?”

  “I’m sorry. I haven’t been sleeping too well. I’ve never been so happy to see the weekend arrive.”

  I follow Mya out into the hall. Milo is outside talking to Wallace, one of the junior associates. We’ve been working all morning and I’m more than ready to break for lunch. The couch that Mya just got for her office was calling out to me.

  “I have a meeting with Milo right now so I’ll see you after lunch, Casey.” Mya stops suddenly. “Mr. Lavin! We weren’t expecting you today.”

  My head snaps up. Andre is standing right in front of the reception desk.

  “There was a change of plans,” he responds softly.

  Everything inside me wants to run over and jump into his arms. But I can’t do that with all these people around. So even though I’m mentally screaming, I just say, “Hey.”

  “Hey to you, too.” His eyes shift briefly to the side and I know he’s struggling not to say anything that could get me in trouble.

  Mya gives me a wink. “I’ll let Mr. Lawson know you want a meeting. Casey, why don’t you show Mr. Lavin to whatever conference room is available.”

  I nod, grateful for the direction. My mind isn’t exactly working properly right now. All I can see is that my man is back in town and I really want to jump him. “Please follow me, Mr. Lavin.”

  The first conference room we pass is empty so I take him there. Even if someone else is scheduled to use the room, I’ll juggle the schedule around. Anything is better than standing in the hallway with my lover who I’m pretending is just a client.

  As soon as we clear the doorframe, Andre pulls me into his arms. “What have I told you about that Mr. Lavin thing?”

  I inhale, taking in his scent. “You know why I’m doing that. We have to be professional while we’re in the office.”

  His hand tightens on my back. “It is pretty sexy, especially when you’re wearing that skirt. You know I like that one. Maybe I should have you call me Mr. Lavin at home, sometimes.”

  “Mr. Lavin. How unexpected!”

  At the sound of James’s voice, we spring apart. I take the opportunity to duck out, ignoring Andre’s scowl.

  I march down the hallway at a fast clip until I reach the ladies’ restroom. At least he can’t follow me in here.

  “That’s what you think. Do you know that you talk to yourself when you’re nervous?” His face appears in the mirror over my shoulder.

  “What are you doing? This is the ladies’ room.”

  He kisses the side of my neck and just like that my panties are flooded. I fight back the desire already curling through my veins. With him, the slightest touch can send me over the edge. Just a look and I’m dripping wet and ready for h
im. If it didn’t feel so good, it would be painful.

  “I came straight here from the airport.” Andre closes his eyes as he speaks and I can feel what his heart is saying. I missed you.

  “My bed is too hard. I haven’t gotten any sleep since you left.” I missed you, too.

  Our eyes communicate what we’re feeling. We look like an advertisement ourselves, his dark European good looks against the staunch conservatism of my proper high-necked blouse and pencil skirt. He follows my gaze down to where my bottom is pressed against his groin. His cock hardens and I hum in delight and push back against it.

  “I could take you just like this.” His head lifts and our eyes meet again in the mirror. What he sees there must please him because he smiles craftily and walks over to the door, flipping the top latch with a loud click.

  I shake my head rapidly, knowing already that protesting it is pointless. He hasn’t even been gone that long but already I feel like an addict in need of a fix. I could deny it all day but we both want this. Need this.

  “Put your hands on the sink.” He folds me over the cool surface of the counter. Already I can barely breathe, taking quick, uneven breaths as his hands trail over my back. He lifts my skirt.

  “Dio, your scent drives me crazy.” He pulls my panties down my legs, supporting me as I step out of them. Then he brings the cotton to his nose and inhales. “If I could bottle this I would make a fortune.”

  He tucks my panties in the interior pocket of his suit jacket and I already know I won’t be getting them back. Forcing me to work the rest of the day bare-assed is the kind of thing that would amuse him. He’ll no doubt find it a fitting punishment for not going with him and forcing us both through the torment of being apart.

  “Spread your legs.” He steps closer, bracing my legs wider. It’s so quiet I can hear the sound of his zipper going down and then the crinkle of foil as he unwraps a condom.

  I start to tremble. Oh my god, are we really doing this here?