Page 21 of The Sweetmate
“Then sprinkle candied bacon on top!”
Casey makes eye contact with me and I give him another thumbs-up. Why do I keep giving thumbs ups? I never do this! He looks to the two contestants who thank him profusely and gives them a thumbs up while saying, “You’ve got this!”
While they take a break before judging, I busy myself capturing photos of Casey in the moment. Him laughing. Him studying an apple—my archnemesis. He must finally feel my eyes on him, because he turns my way.
“Don’t worry. I’m not plotting your demise, cupcake.” He tosses the apple into the air and then captures it.
“I think I liked it better when you called me Snow White,” I grumble.
“You’re more of a scrumptious cupcake. Besides, Snow White was a young girl. Not my taste.”
“Ew. Good to know you have some morals.” I roll my eyes. “Also, you know your fairytale trivia.”
“Absolutely. Hansel and Gretel is probably my favorite. Mostly for the edible cottage.”
I bark out a laugh. “Including the whole cannibalistic nature of the story? It was a trap to lure children to their fiery death.”
Casey places his hands on his hips and bends slightly to whisper in my ear. “The use-of-desserts-to-tempt-and-lure-someone aspect appeals to me.” He stands up straighter, and those pearly whites sink into his lower lip. “I bet with the right sweets I’d be able to lure you so I could eat you up.”
It’s no longer just warmth that spreads throughout my body. I feel like I’ve been thrown into an inferno. His eyes light up with excitement and I can’t look away. I need to escape, but I feel my body leaning toward him. He’s not wrong. After the few dishes I’ve sampled, I know I’d eat every last bite he put in front of me. Even if he offered me that damn apple. I’d consume all of it. But he wouldn’t need to use sweets to lure me. This man is temptation enough. A male voice calls out to Casey, and thank goodness the trance is broken.
I’ve got to be stronger around him. We were talking about cannibalism, childhood fairy tales, and him performing oral sex. That’s what got my defenses to almost crumble. I’m pathetic. Or desperate. It could also be that I’m not that experienced.
***
“And that’s all for today,” a voice booms out around the set. “That’s a wrap!”
I’m relieved to hear the day is finally over. Casey has people coming from all directions, but he brushes everyone off to come straight to me. “Are you ready to eat?”
Our earlier conversation slams into me. “I need you to be more specific considering our previous conversation.”
“I could go for either, but I was talking about eating in the sense of consuming nutrients. The sustenance of life.” He snaps both fingers and points to me. “Not to say I couldn’t survive off—”
Quickly, I place my hand over his lips. “Don’t finish that sentence. I’m hangry and not in the mood.” A warm wetness slides over my palm and I pull it off his face. He licked me!
“Delicious. Salty, with a hint of mint.” He winks and I’m forced to press my lips together to avoid smiling at the dork.
“Must be from my sanitizer.”
“Least I know they were clean before I slobbered all over.” He takes my hand before I can completely pull it away. “In all seriousness, let me treat you to one of my favorite meals as a thank you for inspiring me today and making this the most fun I’ve had on this tour. I know it’smyfavorite meal, but I’d like to share this piece of me with you. A part of me that only those who truly know me have seen.”
“Sounds interesting.”
“It’s life-changing.”
I didn’t expect life-changing to be the Dairy Queen drive-thru. Casey orders four cheeseburgers, two orders of onion rings, two orders of fries, and two milkshakes—vanilla, with coffee added, caramel syrup drizzle, and whipped cream on top.
“When you mentioned life-changing, were you referring to my health?” There’s no hiding the skepticism in my voice.
Casey’s response? A slow nod and a shit-eating grin. One would think that’d be the end of our meal, but no. On the way to the hotel, he stops at the first grocery store he sees and asks me to wait in the car. In five minutes flat, he’s returned with a single bag.
“Now it’s about to be life-changing.”
Chapter 7
Casey
Once in our suite, I kick off my shoes and place the to-go bag and grocery store bag on the counter. I guide Lisa into the living area. “Wait,” I instruct. A general swell of excitement fills me. I take the blanket from the couch, where I had so uncomfortably slept, and place it on the floor.
