Page 54 of InfraRed

I nod, swallowing my last bite of food. “I want you to take her wherever she needs to go today.”

“And who’s going to watch you?”

I roll my eyes, scoffing. “Please, we both know I don’t need a bodyguard. I just hate driving because people are stupid andmake me homicidal.”

“If you called Henry, I’m sure he’s already got some guys watching her.” When I don’t budge, he snorts and walks across the room toward the door. “I’ll get Henry to send someone for you.”

I don’t have time to argue when the door slams behind him.

After cleaning any crumbs and tossing my paper towel in the trash can, I grab my clothes and head to the room that was Lily’s. The room couldn’t be more different from Casey’s if it tried. Casey’s room is dark, with charcoal walls and bedding, but it doesn’t feel it. The massive burst of sunflowers attached to the wall above the headboard and the deep yellow bench at the foot of her bed bring the entire room to life.

She’s been obsessed with sunflowers for as long as I’ve known her. After seeing her wear them, draw them, beg for them so often, it became her nickname from me.

Lily’s room is shades of purple, pink, and black with no obvious rhyme or reason creatively yet purposefully splattered like graffiti. I toss my clothes on the abstract patterned comforter and go to the en suite.

In the bathroom almost identical to Casey’s minus the jetted tub, I toss my toiletries bag on the vanity. Steam billows almost immediately after I turn the knobs, and I quickly step in and clean myself, finishing in less than five minutes. After toweling off with a fluffy white towel, I run my electric razor over my face, throw some product in my hair, and go to the bedroom and get dressed.

I’m not surprised when I walk out of Lily’s room to see Casey stumbling around in the kitchen, but I am disappointed because I wanted to wake her myself. Preferably with my tongue.

My shoulder rests against the door frame, and I finish adjustingmy cuff and watch her, dressed in a T-shirt and tiny shorts, stand with her forehead propped against the cabinet. Even with her long locks resembling a bird’s nest more than hair and less-than-graceful movements, she’s gorgeous.

Soft muttering flows through the room, making me chuckle to myself as I push off the frame and walk toward her with quiet steps. “Stupid, stupid, Casey. You let your stupid little girl dreams creep in, and now your heart hurts. You knew it was just sex for him. What else could it be?”

“It was definitely more than sex,” I say against her neck as I grip her hips.

She spins in my arms with a tiny gasp, a bright flush coloring her cheeks. “You’re still here!”

My hands leave her hips, resting on either side of her against the counter as I cage her in. “You thought I wouldn’t be?” I brush my nose against her jaw, breathing her in. “Did you not listen to a word I said last night?”

“I-I just woke up, and you weren’t there so I thought…” Her lips tuck between her teeth as her eyes drop.

With a finger hooked under her chin, I lift her eyes back to mine. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily, Sunflower. I told you, you’re mine.”

“And what if I’m never okay with…” Her shoulder hitches as if she’s lost the words. From the look in her eyes, she has, but I know what she means.

“Not an option. I’m giving you time to believe this isn’t a game for me. To understand that though I don’t know the future, this isn’t something I’ve entered lightly. But people will find out because I’m a possessive jackass, Case. You know this about me.”

“No, I don’t.”

My brows pinch as I lean back from her, searching her face to see if she’s serious. It takes a breath to see she is. “Casey, you know me better than anyone.”

Blond tendrils sweep around her face, but her denial makes my stomach twist. If anyone knows me, it’s Casey. How can she not… “I know what you allowed a child to see, Graham. I know you’re ambitious and driven, but the entire world knows that. I know you’re protective of your little brother and sister.” When I growl, she cups a hand over my mouth and continues. “I know nothing of your likes or dislikes. What you do for fun. Your favorite food or sports team.”

My lips seal over her palm before I peel it away from my mouth. “Bullshit.” Confusion and shock spread across her face as her mouth opens to say something. A quick jerk of my head shuts her pretty lips. “Steak or chicken. Which do I choose?”

“Steak, medium rare, a side of fried potatoes.” She looks surprised by her answer, but her expression slips to annoyance when I grin. “That just proves you’re like a million other men.”

“I’m offered tickets to the Knicks or the Giants. Which do I choose?”

“Neither, you like hockey.” Her lips tuck between her teeth before she grins. “Okay, maybe I know you alittle,but we both know there’s a lot I don’t. Just like there’s a lot about me, you don’t know.”

“Mmm, you keep thinking that, Sunflower.” I press her deeper against the countertop as my tongue traces her soft skin. “I’m not sure how long I’ll be able to pretend you’re not mine whenever I see you.” The thought burns like acid bubbling in my veins. Regret I even suggested it already eats at my vanity, but I know she needs this. Forher, I’ll suck it up and go against my nature.

“Graham,” she pushes at my chest, lifting her eyes to mine. Concern shadows her features as a heaviness settles in her eyes. “This will not work. You want to shout from the rooftops for reasons I don’t understand, and I’m never going to be ready to alienate our family, especially our dads and Jagger.”

My hand lifts, cupping her face as I plant my lips on her forehead. “It will work, Case. No, I’m not patient, but I know you need time. What you need to understand, however, is that while they may get upset at first, you won’t lose anyone.”

“You can’t know that,” she whispers.

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