Page 6 of Say Yes

4

PHILIP

The minuteI spotted Casey outside talking to Miles, I knew I was going to go through with her request, but on my terms. For me, this wasn’t just about sex, even if that’s what Casey thought she needed. Oh, I had no illusions that this whole thing was going to blow up in my face. But, if I could give her even a modicum of hope at having what she considered a “normal” life, then I would do my best to help her. Even at the risk of my own heart. Casey had her whole life ahead of her. Whereas I was on the downhill slide to forty.

I needed to remember that this was for Casey. As I mentally came up with a plan of action, Josie and Miles rose from the table. I quickly moved to help, but Josie waved me back.

“You guys just sit here. We’ll get everything.”

I lowered myself back into my seat, and they worked to clear off the table. Casey sat there looking beautiful in her pink tank top and white capri pants with her caramel-colored hair pulled back in a ponytail. She’d even painted her toenails a matching hot pink. Women’s toes had never done anything for me, but I suddenly found myself oddly fascinated with Casey’s. It had my mind wandering, again, to what the rest of her looked like.

“So, how did Josie convince you to come over?” Casey’s voice distracted me.

I laughed and leaned back to rub my full belly. “The only enticement I ever need is free food.”

Casey laughed, and I loved that I was able to make her smile. I glanced toward the house, but didn’t see any sign of Josie or Miles. I was pretty sure they were intentionally making themselves scarce. I nervously cleared my throat.

“So, I wanted to talk to you about what you asked me the other day.” My gaze kept darting between Casey and the house, praying the other couple stayed inside.

Excitement gleamed in Casey’s eyes. She scooted toward the edge of her chair, sub-consciously leaning a little closer to me. I could see the dark blue ring around her eyes and almost count all the little freckles on her nose. I blinked before I got lost in those same eyes.

“I’m listening.” She was trying hard not to sound overeager I could tell.

“I know that I’m going to regret this, but I’ll help you.”

Casey danced in her seat and started to say something, but I held up my finger. “Before you get too excited, I have conditions.”

Her adorable nose wrinkled at that. “What kind of conditions?”

“First, we’re going to take this slow. We’re not just going to jump into bed. If we’re going to do this, we do it my way. Second, if at any time, something doesn’t feel right, you have to tell me. I don’t care what we’re doing or in the middle of. If you’re overwhelmed or scared or nervous, we stop and re-evaluate. Finally, if either of us feels like this ‘thing’ is starting to ruin our friendship, we call it quits. Agreed?”

I sat back in my chair and watched all the emotions cross Casey’s face as she contemplated my rules of engagement. It was fascinating to see them. She would make a terrible poker player.

In a move that had me smirking, Casey reached across the table with her arm outstretched to shake my hand. “Deal.”

Slowly, I leaned forward and clasped her hand in mine and gave it a firm shake. When she went to pull back, I tightened my grip just enough that she didn’t escape, but not enough to hurt. She froze, and I let up slightly as my thumb began a slow caress. Casey’s pupils dilated, and her lips parted as she let out a breathy sound that had my cock hardening beneath the table. It was time to start getting her used to my touch, especially if I had any hopes of helping her overcome her fears.

I almost groaned when she licked her lips. It was the move of a seductress, but I knew Casey was nothing like that. She was the most innocent and naive woman I’d ever met, and any moves of seduction she might make were purely natural and without artifice. The door slammed, shattering the moment between us, and Casey quickly snatched her hand back, putting it in her lap. She rubbed it with her other hand, though, in a nervous gesture.

“Hey, are you guys coming inside or what?” Josie asked with a little too much enthusiasm.

“Actually,” I pushed back from the table, “I should get going. My sister needs me to watch the girls for a couple hours tonight while she and Larry have date night. Thanks for lunch.”

Casey stood as well, almost knocking the chair over in her haste. “I’ll walk you to your truck.”

Josie shot her a questioning look, but nodded. “Come on inside when you’re done.”

I walked with Casey through the side gate and out to my pick-up. I leaned against it as she shifted her weight side to side, chewing on her thumbnail, her nervousness evident. I wasn’t sure what she wanted to say, but I patiently waited.

“Don’t tell Josie,” she blurted out. She hastily added, “I’d told her I changed my mind. If she knows you agreed, it will get her hopes up. She means well, but if she thinks there’s even an iota of a chance that you and I might become a couple, she’ll be insufferable. I love my sister, but I don’t know if I can handle her constant questions. So, please don’t say anything.”

I held back a flinch at her words. As though us being a couple wasn’t even an option in her mind. Instead, I moved off the truck and stepped close to her. The wind shifted, and I caught the sweet smell of her coconut shampoo. I cupped her cheek and squatted down a little so we were eye level. “What happens, or doesn’t happen, between us is no one’s business but our own. So, no, I won’t say anything to her. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Almost against my will, I planted a light kiss on Casey’s forehead. It was the first time my lips had ever touched her skin, and I forced myself not to linger even though I wanted to. I jumped into my truck before I did something I would regret. Tomorrow would be soon enough to start Casey’s introduction to intimacy.

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