Page 59 of Beneath the Blue Moon

***Casey***

This night has certainly had its twists and turns. And now

this. Now he’s staring at me like the glass slipper fits. He said he’s been

waiting for me. Not someone like me—me. How do I respond to that?

He places his forehead on mine, and I close my eyes against the emotions

bubbling inside me. I could easily fall in love with him. Hell, the sex alone

has me halfway there. If he keeps talking like this, he’s bound to push me over

the edge. He’s seriously got me coloring outside the lines—way outside

the lines. There is no way I could make a clean break from him.

“Walk with me,” he says.

We leave the ballroom behind, and he leads me through a side

door into the courtyard. He veers to the left, heading in the direction of a

beautiful water fountain.

“I love these things. I’m gonna have one at my house one day.”

I like this one. There are no bells and whistles—just a

circular fountain with a water jet in the center, surrounded by six smaller

ones. Lights on the bottom illuminate the water, and it sits under a

Greek-themed gazebo, supported by four ionic columns.

“I’ll build one for you,” he offers.

“That’s sweet, but I don’t exactly have the space right now.”

He opens his mouth to say something but changes his mind.

Instead, he sits on the concrete enclosure of the fountain and pulls me onto

his lap with a heavy sigh.

“What’s wrong?”

“I want nothing more than to take you home and make love to

you… all… night.”

Best thing I’ve heard tonight. I curl my arms around his

neck and nuzzle his cheek.

“Why don’t you?”

“I have to make a speech.”

A speech? I realize I have no idea what tonight is about.

The man has had me distracted all night.

“What is all this for?”

“Burton is raising money for his re-election campaign.”

“You’re a donor?”

“I supported his last campaign. It helps to have the mayor in

your corner when you run for sheriff.”

I stare down at him, utterly mesmerized by his beauty. It

makes me curious.

“How many of those women have you slept with?”

“What women?”

“Back there. All the women who’ve been giving me the evil

eye all night.”

His brow furrows in concern, and he clenches his jaw. “Who’s

been doing that?”

“Answer the question.”

“Zero.”

“Why?” I ask.

“Why haven’t I slept with them?”

“Mm-hmm.”

“I didn’t want to.”

Simple enough—he didn’t want to. But why? Some of those

women are gorgeous. I should just leave it alone. He’s with me.

“Let me hear your speech.”

“I didn’t write one.”

“So you’re just gonna get up there and speak off the top of

your head?”

“Absolutely. But first, I need some inspiration.”

He stands, lifting me with him, and walks to the column in

the far corner. This one is shrouded in darkness, facing the woods. He sets me

on my feet, my back against the column.

“What are you doing?”

“Paying my debt.”

He brushes his lips against mine, and all logical thoughts

leave my mind. My clutch falls from my fingers, and I slide my palms under his

jacket and up his chest. His hand slips beneath my dress, four fingers massaging

my clit. As his tongue passes my lips, his free hand cups my breast.

“How do I get this thing off?” he asks in impatience.

“Here.”

The moment I free my breasts, his tongue is on my nipple. He

pulls it into his mouth, sucking and nipping. I moan as he moves to the other,

swirling his tongue around it. Vaguely, I hear the sound of his belt and then

his zipper being undone. Lifting me off the ground, he gently slides inside me.

“How is it that you feel better every time?”

I don’t know. How is it that my body bows to your every

desire? I wrap my legs around his hips and grab his shoulders. He cups my

ass, controlling my movements. I throw my head back, mouth open, gasping for

breath. The stars in the sky seem to multiply before my eyes.

“This has to be quick, honey,” he says.

“I’m almost there.”

He pulls me down hard, and I feel like a couple of my organs

shifted. I almost cry out… almost. He circles his hips and does it again… and

again… and again. My body surrenders and I claw at his shoulders as I come. His

fingers press into my cheeks, pulling me to him, and I can feel him pulsating

inside me.

“Casey….”

I gaze into his eyes, shivering breaths racking my body.

Something blazes within the chocolatey depths, and he closes them. I rest my

forehead on his, wrapping my arms around his neck.

“You’re mine,” he whispers.

“Yes, I am.”

The words are out before I can even think. Am I? I mean,

there’s no denying our physical bond but beyond that… what’s going on? He

groans as he pulls out of me and places me back on my feet. I watch him as he

rights his disheveled clothes while I try to fix my own.

“Come here.”

One step takes me into his arms. He removes his pocket square,

and I gasp as he slips his hand beneath my dress, gently wiping my wetness

away.

“Thank you.”

“You’re most welcome.”

He tucks the square into his pants pocket, picks up my

clutch, and we move back to the fountain.

“Now you come here. You have lipstick all over your

lips.”

He watches me with a lazy smile as I swipe my thumb across

his lips.

“Thank you.”

“You’re most welcome,” I mock him.

“By the way… that’s three.”

“It was a pleasure doing business with you, Sheriff.”

After checking my reflection and re-applying my lipstick, we

head back to the ballroom, hand in hand. He’s accosted by the mayor as soon as

we walk through the door.

“Sheriff! I was afraid you’d left.”

“That’s my fault,” I explain. “Sorry. He knows how much I

love water fountains, so he took me to see the one in the courtyard.”

He gives us a knowing smile and slaps Ethan’s shoulder. I

highly doubt he believes me.

“Nice move. Come on, it’s time for your speech.”

He leads me back to our table and then walks up to the

podium. The crowd goes quiet, and everyone gives him their full attention. He really

does have a commanding presence.

“Mind if I join you?” Edna asks as she approaches our table.

Yes, I do. Go away. Oh, hell. She’s the mayor’s wife, be

nice.

“Of course not, Edna. Please.”

As she sits, I turn my attention back to Ethan.

“Quite handsome, isn’t he?”

“Yes, quite,” I reply.

“Are you two serious?”

Mind your own business… Damnit, be nice, Casey. “Yes,

we are.” We are?

“He seems… capricious. How’d you do it?”

Looking for pointers? “I didn’t do anything. We just clicked.”

“I wouldn’t put much stock into a relationship with a man

like that. He doesn’t seem like the settling-down type.”

Okay, mayor’s wife or not, you’re annoying the fuck out

of me, and I can’t listen to Ethan’s speech. “Settling man or not, he won’t

be settling in your bed, Edna.”

Her mouth gapes open, and her eyes widen in shock. “You

mistake—”

“I haven’t mistaken anything. I may be young, but I’m not

blind or stupid. Tonight is about your husband, so I suggest you

go back to your table and play the role of doting wife instead of ogling my

boyfriend.”

She blinks so many times, I wonder if her lids won’t fall

off. Huh. My reaction surprises me, too. Why am I suddenly so possessive of

him? She quietly pushes the chair back, stands and walks proudly back to her

table. I turn back to Ethan only to hear him say “thank you,” followed by the

applause of the crowd.

“What did Edna want?” he asks.

I turn to him with a pout as he takes his seat. “I didn’t

even get to hear your speech because of the damn meddling woman.”

“What did she say?”

“She just wanted to advise me of how capricious—her word—you

are.”

He clenches his jaw in anger, throwing a glare in her

direction.

“The nerve—”

“Don’t worry. I don’t think we’ll be having any more heart-to-hearts.

And she won’t be bothering you again, either.”

He turns to me, and his expression changes to one of

amusement.

“What did you do?”

“I merely suggested that she pay more attention to her

husband.”

A waiter shows up, placing two dishes on the table. The

scent hits me, and I suddenly realize I’m starving. Chicken Cordon Bleu with

vegetables and wild rice. Yum!

“It seems to be working,” Ethan observes.

I briefly glance over at her and dismiss her. “I don’t want

to talk about her anymore.”

“Then we won’t. Hungry?”

“Starving. I seem to have worked up quite an appetite.”

He smiles and leans in close. “I wonder how that happened.”

I return his smile, biting my bottom lip. “I have no idea.”