Page 34 of The Sweetmate
“Do you always do this?”
“Yup. Everywhere I go that involves cocktails or alcoholic beverages.”
“You know that’s another lie. You down like five of these and people will assume you’re drunk or an alcoholic.”
“That sounds better than being the lame guy simping his apple juice.”
Unbelievable. Casey Riis is a brilliant, kind, and creative man. But he’s also an idiot. That’s his biggest flaw. “You’d rather be known as an alcoholic ladies’ manassholethan be yourself?”
“All I’m hearing is that you don’t think I’m an asshole.”
“I think you’re a dumbass! Stand up and be yourself.”
“You’re one to talk. Take your own advice and stop being a doormat at my uncle’s company.”
I jerk back and stare at him. Has Brox been talking about me? Is it a running joke that I’m a doormat there? “What do you know about who I am at the company?”
“I’m observant. Brox told me about the creep who was head of your department. You’ve been there five years and stillpromotion? Yet you’re extremely qualified and good at your job? Even adumbasslike me can put things together.”
There’s a lot to process there but I focus on the use of past tense. “You saidwas?”
“I told you, I take care of what’s mine.”
Casey turns his back on me and disappears into the crowd. I chase after him. Weaving and pushing between the elegant bodies on the dance floor. My fingers reach out and grab onto his muscular arm. He stops and I ease my body around to pull him into a dance. With my arms wrapped around his neck I hiss, “Doormat? Ha. I quit. Also, don’t you dare try to kiss me any tonight after you’ve been sipping that poison.”
“I’ll never drink another carton of apple juice for as long as I live.”
“That’s a bit extreme.”
He tightens his hold on me as our bodies sway. “I never want to not be able to kiss you. Like right now. In this moment. I’m so pissed at myself and feel helpless; I never want to feel this way again.”
I’m tempted to risk it. I have some medicine in my purse. Nope. I turn my face away and lean it against his broad chest. “Never is a long time, Casey.”
“I know. I stand by what I said. There’s not going to be a time when I don’t want to kiss you.”
I roll my eyes. Somebody get Romeo here his Oscar. “You don’t know me.”
“I don’t need to. I’m always down for lip locking.”
Laughter bubbles out of me. “Did you actually have my cousin’s husband fired?”
“That creep was related to you?”
“By marriage.”
“Yes. And if I ever meet the guy, I’ll make sure he never treats anyone that way again. I’m pissed at my uncle, too. Hesuspected the guy and did nothing. I don’t know which one is the bigger creep. I’m disgusted. I don’t want that loser representing me, cupcake.”
I raise my head up to study his face. Wrapped securely in his strong arms, beneath his towering presence, and looking into those kind blue eyes, a warmth spreads through me. Not wanting to break the spell between us, I raise up on my tippy toes and kiss his lips. He returns the kiss ever so lightly that it sends a round of shivers down my spine. My lips tingle with excitement… No. That’s not excitement. Kissing him I taste carbonation andapple.Both of us break apart. Cheering erupts from around us. Casey’s eyes are heavy hooded but then quickly become wide. The tingling sensation in my lips is stronger. I cover my hand over my mouth as I can feel the swelling.
“Let’s go!” Casey breathes out. “Here.” He takes me under his arm and whispers, “Pretend your shy and embarrassed we were caught making out in public. I’m just horny and trying to get you back to the room as quickly as possible.”
“Reawy,” I try to speak with my swollen tongue.
“Do I need to take you to a hospital?” Casey whispers in between nodding and smiling goodbye.
“Room. Pills. Shot.”
“Now that sounds like a party.Umph.” I punch him in the sides. What a in poor taste joke. I bet the jerk is even winking at people as we walk out of here while I swell up like a balloon.
