Page 15 of Casey's Hero

Jacob gave her the number and followed her to the door. She waved the card in front of the reader, and the light turned green. She pushed the door inward, stepped inside and held it open for Jacob to carry Hawk inside.

He dropped the man onto the king-size bed and straightened. “Should we pump him full of coffee?”

Casey shook her head. “No. Let him sleep it off. The rehearsal isn’t until tomorrow afternoon.” She pulled off his shoes and tucked a pillow beneath his head. “He should have plenty of time to work off the hangover.” She walked toward the door. “I’d better get going.”

Jacob followed her out of the room and closed the door behind him, slipping the key into his front pocket. “Wait just a minute.”

Casey stopped with her finger poised over the elevator button. “Excuse me?”

He stalked toward her and stopped when he was standing toe to toe with her. “I wanted to say thank you for helping me with a man you barely know.” He leaned an arm against the wall behind her and touched the long strands of blond hair. “You really take your job seriously, don’t you?” His fingers curled around one long strand, and he twisted it up to brush the ends against her cheek.

“Everything I do, I do with purpose,” she said, her voice a little breathless.

“Including pretending you’re a stripper?” he asked.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she whispered, her eyes widening.

He tugged on the hair, and the wig slipped sideways.

She reached up too late to stop the wig from falling off. Instead, she patted her hair, which was held in place by little pins and clips.

Jacob chuckled. “Well, hello, Casey, the wedding planner.” He pulled one of the pins loose, and a lock of dark brown hair fell to her shoulders. “I like you better as a brunette.”

She stared up into his eyes. “You don’t have to like me at all.”

He cocked an eyebrow. “And what if I do, anyway?”

“I…uh…” She shook her head and licked her lips.

The motion of her tongue sweeping across her bottom lip blew his self-control.

He leaned down and brushed his mouth across hers, tasting her. When she put up no resistance, Jacob leaned into her, pressed the length of his body against hers and deepened the kiss.

Her body stiffened, her palms rising to lay flat against his chest.

Jacob continued the kiss, prepared to withdraw if she pushed against him.

Her hands curled into his shirt, her fingernails digging lightly into his skin. Then she raised her hands to encircle his neck and tug him closer.

That was all the encouragement Jacob needed. He swept past her teeth to caress her tongue with his. He bent to run his hands over her buttocks and down to the backs of her thighs, lifting her to wrap her legs around his waist.

Her crotch rested on the ridge beneath his jeans, making him swell even more.

“Do you know what you’re doing to me?” he said, his mouth hovering over hers.

“I kind of have an idea,” she murmured and shifted against his arousal. Her tongue shot out and connected with his, bringing him back into her. What had started as a way to “out” her had moved into more than just a reveal.

He spun, carried her across the hallway to his door and leaned her against the panel. Lifting his head, he stared down into her eyes. “Where are we going with this?”

She held out her hand. “Where’s your key?”

He fished beneath her leg for the wallet in his back pocket and flipped it open. She removed the hotel room key and a foil packet, a smile sliding across her face. “Do you always come prepared?”

“Always,” he said.

She felt for the card reader and ran the key card over it, never once losing eye contact with him.

Jacob saw the light blink green and pushed the door handle down, releasing the latch. “Last chance to change your mind.” He hesitated in the open doorway, holding his breath.

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