“I thought you were standing me up,” Jason said after he opened the door. He stepped aside and let her into his place.

“No.”

She went to look around, as he had done at her place the day before, but he caught her hand in his before she could get too far.

“Casey?”

“Yes?”

“Please don’t be nervous.”

“Who said I was nervous?”

“You are visibly shaking.”

When she didn’t answer, he took her hand, pulled her toward his black leather couch, and sat down. She took the seat beside him, kicked off her shoes, and tucked her feet under her.

“Condoms?”

Jason laughed when she pointed out the box on the coffee table. “I signed them for Russ.”

“No way? Really? Let me see.”

He passed it to her, watched her face as she looked at the box of magnum condoms. She could feel his eyes on her.

“Russ. Your support rubs me the right way. Yours, Johnny Anaconda.” Casey laughed. “This is gold. I love you for this.”

His eyebrows shot up. “I’m glad you like it. Think he’ll buy you lunch again? You know, considering you’re dating his favorite porn star.”

“He’s already got me covered for this week, but I might get some fancy coffee out of this. Maybe a muffin.”

“Glad I could help feed you.”

She laughed, blushed when she realized she was holding a box of condoms, and then set it back on the glass table. “Thanks.”

“I just hope he doesn’t want to meet me,” Jason said.

“I think for your sake, it would be best if he didn’t.”

“Could he take me?”

“Beat you up? No. Of course not. He’s half your size. I was thinking he would really be into you.”

“Are you into me?” His voice was low and deep.

“Can’t you tell?”

“No.”

Casey met his eyes. The urge to kiss him took her breath away.

“You hungry?”

She nodded. “Cake, right? What kind did you make?”

“Chocolate with a hazelnut buttercream frosting.”

“Really? Wow. That sounds amazing. Must have taken you all day.”