by Jordan Marie
“I didn’t say you couldn’t. I’m telling you what I want. Until you came along I’ve never had these…”
“Caveman tendencies?”
“I can deal with that. Casey woman. Me man. Her man,” I grunt out and she rolls her eyes at me, but she laughs. “The point is, in case you missed it Casey Langley, is that you’re all I want.”
“Gavin, I appreciate what you’re saying, but you can’t deny our worlds are completely different.”
“I can and I will. The two of us together is our world. It doesn’t matter what we do outside of here. That’s not significant. What we are to each other, how we are with each other, that’s the important things baby. Relationships can fail for anyone.”
“Exactly maybe if you had someone who understood your world, who was part of it, then…”
“Quit trying to give me away, Casey. It’s pissing me off.”
“I’m not trying to give you away! I’m saying that if you had someone like Bella that she would—”
“Fuck. Is that what all this is about?” I all but growl. I move quickly flipping her over so that she’s on the bottom and I’m on the top. I pull her hands above her head and pin them against the mattress.
“Gavin!” she gasps, her eyes going round.
“I don’t want Bella. She’s a friend. We’ve remained friends, but we broke up in high school damn it and in case it has escaped your notice, I’ve been out of high school for a hell of a long time, Casey.”
“I know,” she whispers, not moving. Maybe she’s afraid she will add to my anger. That’s smart of her.
“I’m a grown, fucking man Casey and I know exactly what I want,” I declare after reaching over and turning on the bedside light. I stare into her eyes, wanting her to see me, needing her to see that what I’m telling her is the truth.
“What do you want?” she asks, after a moment of silence between us.
“You, Casey. I knew it from the first moment I saw you again. I was sure of it when I was a lucky enough bastard to see you a second time.”
“Ran into me again, really,” she corrects, but her face softens and there’s a smile playing with her lips.
“Quit being cute. I’m pissed,” I mutter. I keep one hand on her wrists, but reach down to pull her panties to the side, not even taking the time to remove them.
“What are you…oh fuck…” she pants, when I stop her words by pushing my hard cock deep inside of her. Thank God she’s wet, because I didn’t take the time to check, or worry about it. I need this connection with her. I need it more than anything else in the world at the moment. When I’m joined with her, connected in the most elemental way, that’s when I can be sure she’s mine. Right now, I need that assurance.
“You’re mine, Casey. You’re already wet for me. You need me as much as I need you. Admit it.”
“I need you,” she says, hooking her leg around me, which sinks my cock even deeper inside her tight channel.
“You’re mine,” I repeat, refusing to move until she gives me the words I need to hear.
“Gavin,” she protests, her body trying to thrust up into me, and yet somehow I still remain strong, not giving her what she wants. Her nails bite into my ass as she tries to spur me into moving.
“Give me the words, Casey.”
“Gavin, please,” she begs and I feel my cock jerk deep inside of her. I like her begging. I want her to beg me.
“Give me the fucking words,” I demand against her lips, unable to resist biting into her lower one and sucking on it. “Give them to me and I’ll make sure you get what you need, honey,” I tell her, my voice softer—though still full of hunger.
“I’m yours,” she whispers, and it sounds like a symphony in my ears—one I will never take for granted or get tired of hearing.
“Damn straight,” I respond, finally allowing my body to move and work us toward the end that we both want.
17
Casey
“You have the day off. You didn’t have to spend it driving me into work, you know,” I tell Gavin as he walks me toward the back door of the studio. I’m running late. I’m sure Gloria is having a shit-fit, since I was supposed to have her makeup done for the first scene, but I can’t make myself care. Last night and this morning have been the best in my life. Gavin cares about me. He’s made that clear. He’s pursued this relationship with me and I’m allowing old insecurities to get in the way.
“I wanted to take my girl to work and I’ll be here to pick you up too. I’ve got a surprise for you.”
“If it’s anything like the surprise you gave me this morning in the shower…” I giggle.
“Well, I do plan on giving that one to you again but this is different, dirty girl. I’ll see you when you get off work.”
“Can’t hardly wait,” I tell him, and it’s the truth. I’m reluctant to leave him. It’s crazy and way too soon, but I love Gavin O’Leary. I was in love with him in high school, but this is nothing like that. This feels…substantial. This is real. I know who he is now and I like it. Even when he is driving me crazy, it’s a million times better being with him than it is being without him. He opens the door and I start to go in, at the exact same time Aden comes out with another man that I’ve never seen before. Gavin grabs me pulling me away before Aden has a chance to bulldoze me over.
“Damn it, Aden! Watch where you’re going. You could have hurt Casey!” Gavin yells, his voice vibrating with annoyance and anger.
“Good one coming from you, dweeb,” I laugh looking up at him.
“Quit busting my ass, woman—before I spank yours,” he says and there’s a sparkle in his eyes that makes me want to squirm.
“Sorry, Casey! I should have been paying closer attention.”
“It’s okay, Aden,” I laugh.
“Michelle was in there looking for you.”
“Oh joy. I better get to work and see what she wants before Gloria has me fired for being late.”
“Have a good day sweetheart,” Gavin says bending down to kiss me.
For a minute I forget everything else, except the fact that Gavin is kissing me. Everything else disappears. Aden isn’t here with another man watching, the door to the studio isn’t standing wide open so that our relationship will be watercooler fodder, there’s nothing. Nothing, but Gavin and his kiss. Unfortunately, Aden doesn’t like being ignored.
“Look who’s here, man!” Aden says.
“Aden has really bad timing,” Gavin grins, pulling away from our kiss.
“He does,” I whisper and I’m still smiling. I can’t quit smiling.
“Well hell. White Lucas! What are you doing in California?”
“I brought Kayla to Tahoe for vacation and thought I’d come this way for the day and see what you two were up to. I was bored, Kayla is enjoying what she likes to call a spa day. How ya’ been Gav’?”
“Good. Better than good.”
“Looks like it, with that pretty little redhead kissing you,” the man says giving me a playful wink. Gavin gives me a squeeze.
“This is my girlfriend, Casey,” he laughs. “Casey, this asshole is White Lucas. He used to try and play football.”
“I could run circles around you,” White responds.
“Yeah, well you never got that thrill at least not where it counted,” Gavin laughs.
“Lucky break for you. I would have had to crush that ego you have,” White jokes back. “Good to meet you Casey,” he says reaching out his hand.
“Nice to meet you too.”
“Am I seeing this right? Has a woman finally caught the biggest player on the Western seaboard?”
“Caught, nothing. I had to chase her and beg her to give me the time of day.”
“Casey if you’re finished, you were supposed to be at work ten minutes ago,” Michelle says, standing at the door and interrupting us. Her face is a picture of thinly disguised hate. I know she has the hots for Gavin, I’ve heard all about that through gossip. Right now she’s looking at
me like she could kill me. I try to dim my smile, so I don’t gloat.
I don’t think I succeed.
“I better go,” I whisper, brushing a quick kiss across Gavin’s lips.
“Have a good day sweetheart,” he responds just as quietly.
“It was nice meeting you White,” I tell the man standing beside Aden. Then, I say goodbye to Aden, starting to head inside, when I hear Michelle talking.
“Gavin, I wonder if I could have a word with you?” she says and it takes all my willpower not to turn around, scratch her eyeballs out and tell her to suck it, that Gavin is mine.
I resist, but only because I know Gavin won’t give her the time of day.
It’s me he wants.
18
Gavin
“Earth to Gavin,” Michelle’s voice drones on. I ignore her. My eyes are on Casey in those jeans she’s wearing and the way they hug her curves and caress her ass when she walks.
Damn.
“Christ he’s got it bad,” White says in the background.
“I told you,” Aden agrees.
Finally, when Casey turns the corner I force myself to look back at the others.
“I got it bad,” I laugh, not bothering to deny it. Aden and White laugh as only close friends can do. White understands. He’s been with Kayla for a while now, but Aden has no clue. He’s closer to White’s age, older than me, but there’s been no one in his life of substance. I only hope he gets to experience this feeling.
“Just a minute, Michelle,” I add when it’s clear the woman won’t leave. “Where are you and White headed?” I ask Aden, putting off talking to the woman who I find as annoying as gum on the bottom of your shoe lately. I’ve always avoided her, but since she almost fired Casey I’m having a hard time holding my tongue around her.
“We were going to head out and grab some coffee. Want to go?”
“Sure, I’m free until it’s time to pick Casey up. Let’s go,” I agree, falling in step behind them.
“Gavin. We really need to talk,” Michelle says, reminding me she’s still around.
“Michelle, my buddy is in from Texas, I haven’t seen him in over a year. This will have to wait,” I answer. I don’t want this bitch ruining my day. It’s going too damn good. Again, I curse the fact that I ever slept with her. It was probably the stupidest thing I’ve ever done.
“I’m afraid this can’t wait. It’s about Casey,” she says condescendingly. I don’t like the way she says Casey’s name and I don’t like the look on her face. I’ve never been one to flex my muscle in this industry, but I’m thinking it’s more than time to put Michelle in her place.
“Gavin?” Aden asks, and I don’t have to turn and look at him to know what he’s thinking. We know each other that well. He knows I’m pissed. He knows I’m about to go in for the kill and he’s wondering if he needs to step in.
“I’ve got this man,” I tell him, my eyes still on Michelle. “Say what you need to say and get it out Michelle.”
“I…well…” Perhaps she’s smarter than I’ve given her credit for, because she’s looking uncertain.
“Spit it out, Michelle.”
“Well, I mean I realize…what’s going on concerning Casey, but she can’t show up late and hold up production. We’re on a tight schedule as you know,” she begins. I know she sees the anger that surges through me, the pure fury that flares and is directed completely at her.
“And what the hell do you think is going on?” I growl enunciating the words precisely. I feel Aden and White coming in closer behind me. Michelle’s face goes pale and she stumbles back a few steps.
“Well…and I mean, I kind of overheard…”
“Overheard?”
“The day you made that bet with Aden. I heard what was said and while I realize boys will be boys…” she answers.
“Motherfucker,” Aden growls.
“Bet? What bet?” White asks.
I hold my head down. How could I have been such an idiot? Not the bet, fuck I never meant anything with that in the first place. I was pursuing Casey regardless, but how did I get so stupid as to let Michelle overhear any of that shit. I pinch the bridge of my nose trying to figure out how to contain this shit before it blows up in my face.
“Casey didn’t want anything to do with Gavin and I bet him he couldn’t sleep with her,” Aden mumbles and he sounds as disgusted as I feel. I wince, hearing the words. It sounds much worse than it was.
“You did what?”
Casey’s still, soft voice drifts over me and her pain is so real it causes my heart to clench in pain mid-beat. I bring my head up to look at her. I need to try and figure out what the hell to say to her. How do I stop this disaster which is barreling towards me—like an out of control locomotive?
“Motherfucker,” Aden growls.
“Casey, honey. It’s not what it sounds like,” I plead, trying to figure out what I need to say to her. Everything is a fucking mess in my head, the only thing clear to me is the real fear and panic that I feel.
“Did you make a bet about sleeping with me, Gavin? Is that what this is all about?” she asks, standing so still, and somehow managing to look untouchable and shattered at the same time.
“No, not like that. Damn it, Casey.”
“Did he bet he could sleep with me?” she asks, but this time she directs her question to Aden.
“Casey,” Aden starts, but he stops, probably because Casey’s tears are flowing freely.
There’s a slight tremble running through her body. She swipes angrily at her tears, using the back of her hand. Her enraged gaze goes through all of us, until it finally lands back on me.
“Will someone answer me!?!?!” she screams and I know her control is gone. I cover the ten steps between us quickly, needing to be there when she falls. She will fall. She’s trembling so hard it hurts to watch.
“He bet he could sleep with you within two weeks. Apparently it didn’t even take that long.” This comes from Michelle. I want to turn on her, scream at her…choke her.
I do none of those things. Casey’s hand comes out and slaps me hard across the face. The blow packing enough of a punch it sends my face sideways with the blow. She doesn’t say anything to me. She walks away. My hand comes up to hold my jaw. My first instinct is to run after her, but I hesitate.
How can I make her listen to me?
“Why would you tell her that? What gave you the right? Why did you have to hurt her?” I scream at Michelle, but if I’m completely honest the anger and hate is all directed at myself. The questions are all questions that I’m asking myself.
“Because I could. Someone else should know how it feels to be used by the great Gavin O’Leary.”
“There was no point. She did nothing to you.”
“She had what once was mine. Women don’t like having that kind of thing rubbed in their faces, Gavin. You shouldn’t play a woman and expect us to roll over and take it. If you care for Casey at all, let her go. It’s better you hurt her now, rather than later. Trust me, I know. I could have loved you if you had let me,” Michelle says, and she walks away, following Casey’s steps.
Fuck.
“Jesus. Are you idiots still going through puberty? Who the hell makes bets like that these days?” White questions, disgustedly. I can’t even argue with him.
Until Casey came into my life, I was coasting along. Life was fun and games, with easy pussy. My perception was fucked up. I freely admit that. Despite Michelle’s shit-fit, I never fooled around with women who didn’t know the score. I would have never touched her if I hadn’t been drunk off my ass. Christ, as stupid as it sounds, if I could go back in time I would have held onto Casey that night on the old football bleachers and she would have been the only woman in my life from that point on.
“Shut up, White.” Aden growls in the background. “It wasn’t as bad as it sounds,” he tries to defend. It wasn’t, not really, but it was stupid. I should have never bet anything that had to do with a woma
n. Especially, if that woman is Casey. It was stupid. It was childish. It was fucking foolish and it might cause me to lose the only thing in my life that matters.
“I have to find Casey,” I announce, my voice hoarse and shit…even I can hear the fear in it.
“I don’t think she wants to talk to you right now, man. You drove her right? And she has work to do today. I’d let it go for a little bit and then approach her,” Aden answers.
“And this is why your ass is still single and messing around with bitches who would cut a man’s dick off if it meant they would get ahead,” White says.
“Take it from me, Gav’. A man finds a good woman you don’t dick around. I did and almost lost Kayla. It was the stupidest thing I ever did in my life. I wasted years I could have had with her. Go find her now and set it right before the pain she’s feeling has time to set in and fester.”
“Fester? Christ you’ve been spending too much time around that mother of yours.”
“Hey she’s a smart woman and she’d tell Gavin to quit being a pussy and go grab the bull by the horns,” White responds.
“She’d say shit a lot more colorful than that,” Aden says, and he’s not wrong. The few times I’ve met Ida Sue are moments that will forever be in my brain. I ignore my friends however, and walk in the direction Casey ran. White is definitely right. I have to fix this.
I pray Casey lets me.
19
Casey
I knew it. I did. I knew things happened too quickly, went too far, and way too soon. I’m stupid. I feel so stupid. I was Gavin O’Leary’s fool. I let down my guard and I knew better. I did! As soon as I turn the corner, I take off running.
I run because somewhere in the back of my head I’m disappointed that Gavin didn’t come after me—that he let me walk away. That’s further proof that he was playing a game. I know that logically, but I’d be lying if I said that it doesn’t hurt like crazy. I’m an idiot. An idiot who has no car and half her belongings at a lying, fucking, asshole’s house. I take out my cellphone and use my app to call Uber. Not original, but in times of crisis, it’s at the very least…effective.