Page 67 of Hiding from Hope

“Maybe you shouldn’t play your music so loud,” I say smoothly as I stalk in her direction. A cheeky smile pulls at her lips as she watches me with interest.

“Maybe you should announce yourself when you enter my apartment,” she teases back, and as I get into her space, she tilts her head back, and my heart bottoms out at the size of the smile she gives me.

“Maybe,” I whisper, my lips hovering above hers, and instead of closing the final distance, she just stays there, biting her lip before whispering.

“Hi.”

“Hi,” I reply.

“Well, are you going to kiss me?” she says, her eyes snatching to my lips. The taunt in her tone makes me chuckle, but I oblige her, sealing my lips gently with hers in a kiss. The kind of kiss that feels like finally.

Finally, I’m home from work.

Finally, Casey is in front of me.

Finally, I can touch her and see her ocean eyes.

I just really want it to also be, finally, Casey is mine.

She hums happily when I pull away, and I’m hit with that gorgeous smile again. I can’t even help myself; I grip her hips and lift her to the counter. When she gasps in surprise and holds my shoulders for balance, I steal her lips again, this time a demand. Showing her how badly I need her, even if I can’t tell her with my own words.

She tastes of honey and mustard and—

“What are you making?” I practically pant as I pull away from her delicious lips and look to the stove.

She releases a breathless chuckle as she responds, “Honey mustard chicken. Was tossing up between rice or pasta, I hadn’t decided.” I look back at her, and pure happiness radiates from her.

“Rice,” I respond. And she nods, her beaming smile growing even more.

“Okay,” she says as her eyes move to mine.

“How long has it got to go?” I question, nodding in the direction of the dinner cooking on the stove, my heart racing in my chest and my desire for Casey growing rapidly in this moment.

“Umm, maybe five minutes, plus however long the rice takes.” Her response is breathless as she senses my desire, matching it with hers.

Dammit. I want way more than five minutes. I smile mischievously and kiss her gently, lifting her down from the counter. She huffs and frowns in disappointment.

“Later, sunshine. I want to take my time,” I promise before kissing her again and stalking for the fridge.

“Fine,” she breathes, then turns back to the stove. “What was your day like?”

“Busy. Had to get stock lists and pictures for Noah. He’s building the online store, so I’ve been tied up doing that.” I pull out the vegetables from the fridge and turn to the counter next to the stove.

“You hear from that developer again?” she asks as she hands me a chopping board and knife. Taking it, I respond.

“Nope. I’m hoping I won’t.” I eye her side on and see her gentle smile as she stirs the sauce, preparing a pot of water for the rice. “How was your day?” I ask as we settle into this easy domestic pattern of the last few weeks. Either in her kitchen or mine.

“Busy.” Her shoulders tighten, and the smile I love disappears.

“And?” I push, because she should know better than to shut down on me.

“And nothing, it was just… a big day.” Won’t be having any of that. I drop the knife, the vegetable prep forgotten, and I crowd behind her, leaning my hands on the edge of the stove, pressing my front to her back and nuzzling her neck.

Trailing delicate kisses up her neck, I feel her relax back into me, and I say softly in her ear, “Talk to me, sunshine.”

She releases a big breath. I can feel the way her face is scrunched in pain, even if I can’t see her from where I continue to place kisses along the soft line of her neck, encouraging her to talk to me.

“Grace won’t answer my calls. I’ve moved the girls’ roster around a bit to give me a bit more time off. I’ve posted an ad for another trainer, but I really need Grace. I know she is going through a lot, but… this just isn’t fair; she was the one that pushed for the new studio. It just feels like she has bailed on me, and I don’t know how much longer I can be patient for.”

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