Page 27

A PLAYFUL SMILE danced across his lips as their lips locked, an undeniable spark igniting between them like a jolt of electricity that surged through his body, radiating straight to his groin. He could feel the heat rising, the chemistry palpable and intoxicating. He realized he had to reign in the moment, slow the whirlwind of desire coursing through him, or risk turning a memorable encounter into a hasty, reckless coupling.

Breaking the kiss, Casper’s gaze lingered on her as he examined her slender, athletic form. She maintained a petite and remarkably toned physique despite the long hours she clocked in at work—nearly seventy each week. He couldn’t help but marvel at her dedication, though the thought of asking her how she achieved it slipped away, unspoken, into the air around them. What consumed him was an undeniable yearning, an intensity he had never felt for any other woman. It bewildered him and sent a current of electricity through his thoughts, leaving him both exhilarated and apprehensive.

“I’ve wanted you since the moment I discovered you on that dusty road, full of attitude and fire,” he confessed, low and breathlessly as his fingers gently intertwined with a lock of her hair, feeling its softness beneath his touch.

Nettie let out a soft groan, a mix of embarrassment and amusement washing over her. “Please don’t remind me of that night. It still makes my cheeks burn,” she replied, a playful pout forming on her lips.

He let out a soft chuckle, the sound warm and inviting. “You were quite the prosecutor, wobbly and determined as you navigated the scene.” He recalled how she had stood her ground, fiercely unyielding even in her unsteady state.

Nettie playfully swatted his chest, a spark of mischief in her eyes. “Oh, come on. Are we going to reminisce, or are we going to make love right now?”

That was the unspoken invitation he had been yearning for, igniting a fire that prompted him to draw closer. “I’m going to love every inch of your body. Starting here—” He leaned closer, his lips brushing softly against the delicate curve behind her earlobe, where her warm skin met the air. The intoxicating aroma of her perfume enveloped him, a heady mix that drew him in, igniting a fire of desire. Each gentle kiss was a whispered promise, mingling with the sweet, lingering scent that seemed to wrap around them like a silken veil.

As his lips journeyed slowly down the delicate curve of her neck, he could feel the electric stir of gooseflesh prickling her skin beneath his touch. It was a palpable sign that she, too, was caught in the same wave of heat and longing that surged through him, an unspoken connection that intensified with every gentle caress.

When his mouth closed over her taut, rosy nipple, her back arched off the soft bed. A low moan filled the air, overtaking the sharp, ragged breaths that had echoed moments before.

“I love your scent…your taste…and—” He abruptly silenced himself, the words fading on his lips. He had nearly let slip the word “you,” but he knew deep down that it wasn’t accurate, so why did it cling to the tip of his tongue at such an inopportune moment? He had never voiced such feelings to another woman, except Marie, when he’d been a teenager, so what was it about her that ignited this intense urge to confess? It was as if a magnetic pull compelled him to express sentiments he had always guarded, leaving him perplexed and vulnerable in her presence.

“Mmm,” she murmured as her fingers gently wove through his hair.

A tumultuous conflict brewed within him as he was caught between the desire to savor each moment and the urge to forge ahead hastily. Ultimately, he decided to tread a middle path, embarking on an intimate journey that led him down her curves. With each soft kiss he planted along her stomach, he left a trail of warmth and tenderness, cherishing their intimate connection.

Nettie’s bright and cheerful laughter bubbled up like music as he softly navigated his way down to her belly button. A spark of delight danced in her eyes as she playfully tried to shift his head away. “That tickles,” she exclaimed, light and teasing. The warmth of the moment enveloped them.

Casper flashed a playful grin, his eyes sparkling with mischief. “Is that so?” he replied, amusement dancing on his lips. He took a mental note of her reaction, intrigued by the spark of interest it revealed. But for the moment, he pushed those thoughts aside. He had a mission to focus on as he continued his journey southward, the landscape unfolding before him with every step.

When he finally reached her core, he paused, captivated by the rich, heady, and utterly intoxicating fragrance that enveloped him. It seemed to wrap around him like a warm embrace, a perfect blend of sweetness and warmth that stirred something deep within. When they eventually parted, he knew that the aroma would linger in his memory, an indelible mark etched into his senses forever.

The thought of their impending separation cast a shadow over his spirits, a weight dimmed the warmth in his heart. Yet, he quickly found a way to shake off the gloom, focusing instead on the intoxicating allure of her body. Every curve and contour drew him in, igniting a fire within him that urged him to cherish every moment they had together.

The initial lick was so intoxicating that it nearly shattered his fragile grip on composure, sending sensations electrifying through his body. But, the sight of her arching her back and leaning her head back, moaning in pleasure, kept him tasting her—licking and sucking on her clit—until she cried for him to stop. Disregarding her pleas, he felt her delicate hands gripping his shoulders, desperately trying to draw him closer. Yet, with a determined resolve, he continued and inserted one finger into her wetness. A groan reverberated through his taut body, releasing some of the tension coiling at the base of his spine.

She was ready for him, her heat a welcoming feeling against his finger and tongue. Only, he needed to ensure she came before he entered her because—like an untried schoolboy—he wasn’t sure he could control himself once inside her delicate heat.

“Casper,” she moaned with longing as she pulled at his shoulders, trying to draw him closer into her embrace. Again, her fingers grasped him, a mix of desperation and desire playing across her features as she struggled to close the distance between them.

“Call me by my name,” he commanded softly. His gaze traced the contours of her body, basking in the warmth of her allure. Each curve seemed to beckon him closer, feeding the flame of yearning within.

She paused, confusion flickering in her eyes as she searched his face for understanding.

“Call me Ash,” he urged. The need for his actual name to escape her lips filled the air with a charged intensity that wrapped around them like a shroud.

With a playful smile dancing on her lips and her eyes sparkling with mischief, she gently murmured, “Ash. Ash McNabb, come here this instant and kiss me.”

“How could he possibly resist such an overwhelming demand?” He slowly inched up her body, his lips almost brushing against hers, while his body arched gracefully over her, creating an electric tension that filled the air between them.

As Nettie reached down, her delicate fingers stretching out to make contact with him, he gently grasped her small hand, halting her movement. A wave of uncertainty washed over him. He doubted his ability to withstand the warmth of her touch in that fleeting moment. “No,” he replied gently, as he observed the subtle furrow of her brow, a hint of concern clouding her features. “I’m already on the edge.”

As she slowly retracted her hand, a playful smile danced on her lips, the warmth of her touch lingering between them. “Good,” she murmured, her eyes sparkling seductively. “Because I’m right there with you.”

With his forehead against hers, Casper slowly entered her, each inch pulling at the threads of his slowly fleeting control. “You feel so good,” he said before taking her mouth in a deep, forceful kiss while he thrust into her fully.

Nettie gasped in his mouth, and he rejoiced within because he could tell that it was a gasp of pleasure not pain. He couldn’t believe he was inside the little nymph that had captured his attention from the moment he met her drunk ass.

Moving slowly, he broke the kiss, capturing her gaze as the burning need within him grew to an oncoming crescendo. He knew he had to act fast, or he’d leave her wanting, and that had never happened before, and he wouldn’t allow Nettie to be left in that state. So, he reached between them and massaged her clit, rubbing circles.

She closed her eyes and moaned, the sound traveling straight to the base of his spine, radiating heat to his balls. “Come for me, baby,” he said, watching the exquisite pleasure wash across her lovely face.

Before she responded, he felt her tighten around his cock and grab his shoulders in a death grip. He took her mouth and thrust his tongue inside, swallowing her moans of pleasure before he allowed himself to lose control and thrust into her until he came, spent inside her without a condom.

Casper froze, his ecstasy fleeting. No condom. He’d never been so reckless before. He knew he was clean, and he suspected she was also, but pregnancy could always happen. That wasn’t something he wanted to handle now since he supposedly had a sixteen-year-old to deal with.

As a whirlwind of thoughts swirled in his mind, he gently rolled away from Nettie. A sense of calm washed over him as she nestled close, her body curling against his like a contented feline that had just awoken from the most blissful of naps. Her arms stretched luxuriously, the soft curve of her back arching gracefully, embodying the serene ease of a cat basking in the sun’s warmth.

“That was....” She didn’t finish her sentence but trailed off, kissing his collarbone.

He couldn’t believe his cock twitched at her touch so fast after making love to her. And they had made love. Yeah, he’d like to fuck her fast and hard, but making love to her was something he’d remember for a lifetime, and he wouldn’t allow negative thoughts and reality to slip in and ruin the moment.

“Just give me a minute,” he said with a mischievous grin, his eyes glinting with playful energy. “We’ll go again soon enough.”

She chuckled and playfully smacked his chest with her delicate hand, the warmth of her touch lingering. “I might need a nap first,” she replied, pretending to yawn as she leaned back, a teasing smile dancing on her lips.

Before Casper could push her on her back and cover her body with his, a knock sounded on the door. He groaned, and she froze as if suddenly remembering they weren’t alone in the house.

“Casper. You left your phone out, and your brother is on the line. I told him you were occupied, but he was insistent in wanting to know—”

Casper didn’t move a muscle, refusing to budge from Nettie’s arms for the likes of his brother. A simmering determination coursed through him. He would confront his brother later, but his immediate priority was to keep Nettie safe. As long as she was by his side, a fierce sense of protection enveloped her, making her safer than she had ever known. He felt a primal urge to shield her from any threat, vowing silently that nothing would harm her while he was there.

“What?” Casper shouted.

“Uh,” Doc replied, hesitantly. “You might want to come to the door, man.”

A surge of anger bubbled within Casper, hot and fierce. It was infuriating that the men could deduce what he was up to. The mere fact that they were aware of his presence in her room spoke volumes about the intimate sounds he and Nettie had made. It felt like every whispered secret and stifled moan had traveled through the walls, revealing more than he ever intended.

“Just spit it out,” he urged. Though she had wrapped herself in layers of fabric, concealing every inch of her body from prying eyes, he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was amiss. He lingered beside her, unwilling to break the fragile bond that tethered them together. As he studied her, he felt a swirl of uncertainty. Was she nervous about the possibility of someone stumbling upon them, or was there an undercurrent of regret in her demeanor? He clung to the hope that her fear was rooted in the moment rather than the decisions that had brought them here.

“Just come to the door,” Doc insisted.

With a frustrated curse, Casper bolted upright from the bed, the sudden rush of adrenaline propelling him into action. He hastily shoved his legs into his pants, the zipper dangling open, exposing a glimpse of his hurried state as he approached the door. Peering through the tiny crack he created, he demanded, “What?”

“Your brother wants to know if you’ve got—and I quote—‘that bitch attorney’ to change her mind.”

The sharp intake of breath from the bed echoed in the tense silence, and his heart plummeted as he caught sight of Nettie’s face, glistening with unshed tears. The painful realization struck him. She likely interpreted Doc’s brutal words as a cruel tactic to sway her loyalties. He couldn’t allow that. He wouldn’t let her think this was about manipulating her feelings.

With a swift motion, he yanked the phone from Doc’s grip and slammed the door shut behind him, blocking the outside world. “Where are you?” he barked.

“Home,” came the curt reply.

“Stay the fuck there. I’m on my way.” He ended the call abruptly, pivoting to face Nettie, whose tear-filled eyes mirrored a mix of confusion and hurt. The weight of the moment settled heavily in the air between them.

“Nettie—” he began.

“Get out!” she shouted. Her harsh words slicing through the room’s silence. She pointed firmly toward the door, her eyes blazing with anger and hurt. “Just get out of here!”

“Nettie, I swear—” he pleaded, hoping to bridge the chasm that had suddenly opened between them.

Without hesitation, she hurled a soft pillow at him, the fabric flying, a physical manifestation of her frustration. “Get out!”

Realization washed over him like a cold wave. He understood he had lost the chance for more than fleeting moments together. With a heavy heart, he snatched up his clothes scattered around the room, each piece a reminder of their shared intimacy. He paused at the door, stealing one last glance at Nettie, her silhouette framed by the fading light, knowing that life as he knew it would never be the same without her by his side.