Читать книгу Exposing Casey - Deanna Lee - Страница 9

The fifth time I got up out of bed to check the doors, I realized I wasn’t going to get much sleep. The events of the last twenty-four hours were crowded in my mind and they pushed sleep far from my reach. I’d taken all of my work clothes to a dry cleaner and spent most of the evening washing the casual stuff.

I was pacing back and forth down the hallway when I heard a knock on the front door. It could only be Shawn because no one had buzzed to get in the building itself. I peeked through the peephole and then unlocked it quickly.

“Hey.”

He looked me over. “You’ve been pacing for an hour.”

I blushed. “Sorry, I forgot how thin the walls are.” I stepped back to let him in. “I just can’t sleep.”

“I figured.” He held up his pillow. “Thought I could sleep on your couch.”

I smiled. “You’re very sweet.”

Shawn laughed. “I’m very tired.”

Blushing, I tucked my hands behind my back. “Sorry. Your grandmother slept like an old log and was mostly deaf. I had a huge Halloween party last year and she slept through every gin-soaked second of it.” I hurriedly flipped the lock and put the chain in place.

Having him on my couch dressed in a pair of pajama pants did not seem like a good idea if I planned on sleeping any at all, but I dutifully got him a light blanket and then toddled off to my room to lie down.

I threw myself down on the bed and stared at the ceiling for five long silent minutes before he appeared in the doorway of my bedroom.

“Did you need something?”

He laughed. “Do you?”

“No.”

“Then why were you tapping your headboard?”

I sat up and blushed. “God, I’m sorry. I’m just antsy and nervous.”

Shawn came in and sat down on the edge of my bed. “You’ve had a stressful couple of days. You got an ex-boyfriend with issues, your apartment was broken into, and you were assaulted. It’s fine if you are all bent out of shape.”

“A new guy moved into my building and dashed my expansion plans.”

He laughed. “Really?”

“Yeah, I’d hoped to buy the apartment from your grandmother’s estate.” I sighed. “But I was trying to be respectful and not ask until an appropriate time had expired.”

“Thank you. We had twenty offers for the place the day the obituary went into the papers.”

“Gross.”

“The real estate market is tough, which is why in the end the family voted to give it to me.”

“It’s a good building and a decent neighborhood.”

“Yeah, and I got a fine-ass neighbor.”

I gasped. “Me?”

“No, Mrs. Drake across the street.”

Laughter spewed before I could suppress it. Gillian Drake was eighty years old going on two hundred. “I bet she was fine in her day.”

He laughed. “Probably right. But, yeah, you. I nearly swallowed my tongue when I saw you the other night. I’m surprised that Grant fellow isn’t crawling around behind you begging for you to take him back.”

“He’s British. They are sort of above that kind of pleading.” I grabbed a pillow and hugged it tight. “You’re the first man who’s ever even been on this bed.”

He raised an eyebrow. “Pardon me?”

“I always went to Connor. My place has always been sort of off limits to men.”

“Want me to go back into the living room?”

“No.”

That being said, I wasn’t sure what I wanted him to do. In the few days that I’d known him, I hadn’t allowed myself to really think about him sexually. He was finely put together and had a great face. I liked his voice and the gentle way he had guided me through all of the police stuff I’d done during the day.

“I’ve always slept alone.” I rubbed the blanket underneath us with one hand. “They took my bedspread. I’m glad; I doubt I could ever look at it again.”

“Have you thought about who could have hired him?”

“No. I mean, I don’t have anyone in my life that bothers me or who has tried to hurt me. Connor may be pissed about the breakup, but he isn’t the type to hire someone to do his dirty work. The last guy I dated before him was a doctor. Around month four, I decided that being his arm ornament for the better part of my life just didn’t seem all that interesting, so I dumped him.”

“You aren’t one of those women who’ll just stay with a man because she doesn’t want to be alone, are you?”

I laughed. “No. I decided a long time ago that I don’t need help being miserable and if I hate being with someone it would just be easier to be alone.”

“It’s a rational conclusion. But what about being lonely?”

“There are worse things than being lonely.”

“What about other men at work?”

“There are twenty men employed at the gallery.” The number came easily because I’d spent most of the evening thinking about each of them. “Not counting contracted artists. When I oversaw the sales floor, I supervised five of them. There is one male senior buyer in the administrative area and the rest are security guards.”

“Any of them with criminal records?”

“No, all members of staff are thoroughly vetted, interviewed, and tested for drugs. Everyone is also reviewed on a yearly basis for financial problems and/or legal problems.”

“What about hiring and firing?”

“Jane and Mercy do that.”

“An artist who wanted a show in the gallery?”

“There are hundreds of artists in the Boston area alone that would love a show in the gallery. The administrative staff spend every day going through proposals, viewing pieces, and making selections for the general gallery. An artist is invited to do a show with us, and I’ve never known of one to ask outright for one. Sometimes agents contact us and let us know that an artist is interested in working with us. If they fit with our schedule and needs, we strike a deal.”

“So you couldn’t have made any enemies that way?”

“I don’t see how.”

“Having a stranger moving around in your life like he belongs is a difficult thing to assimilate, much less deal with. You’re allowed to be upset or scared.”

“I’m more angry,” I admitted softly. “I mean, honestly, he couldn’t even do his own dirty work!”

“That he hired someone to do it is an indication that he might doubt his own ability to pull the situation off or he wants to be able to play your hero.” He reached out and tucked a strand of hair behind my ear. “I’m not saying this to scare you.”

“I know.”

“You just need to pay attention to the men who express interest in you. Evaluate their motives and tread carefully.”

“Like you?” I asked.

He chuckled. “You’re an attractive woman, Casey. I’d be an idiot not to be a little interested in you. But I’m also not the kind of man who uses a woman. You’ve got too many men like that in your life.”

“You’re a nice man, you know.”

“Most men consider that the kiss of death.”

I leaned over and kissed his cheek gently. “Don’t. I like nice men. A girl gets tired of jerks.”

“You’re playing with fire,” he whispered as I kissed his other cheek. “I have excellent intentions concerning you, but I’m still just a man.” He lifted his hand as if to touch me and then dropped it with a sigh.

His response was endearing and sexy. I brushed my lips across his before I could help myself. Shawn sucked in a breath and then slid both hands into my hair. He pulled me into his lap in one breathless second. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I opened my mouth to the soft press of his tongue and groaned softly. The man tasted as good as he looked. I was in so much trouble.

Shawn lifted his head and looked over my face. “You’ve had a rough time of it. It’s natural to seek another for comfort.”

“Do you think I’m seeking comfort?” I asked softly. I moved astride his thighs and slid closer.

“No.”

“If I wanted him, I could call. He would trot over and pick me up.” I moved my hands over the smooth muscles of his chest and curled closer to him. “That may sound arrogant or even cruel.”

“You made it clear that he wasn’t all that concerned with your emotional well-being.”

“True.”

His hands slid down my back and cupped my ass. I nearly sighed with relief. “I should put your fine ass down and go back to my apartment.”

“Sometimes you have to take a risk.”

“And sometimes risks hurt.” His lips moved across my jaw and then down my neck. “I could be just as bad as what you left behind.”

I laughed. “The fact that I’m not naked and under you tells me that couldn’t be true.”

“I’ve pretty much left women alone since I divorced.”

“Sensible. We are some pretty difficult creatures.” I ran my hands over his head. “Give me a good reason to send you back out into the living room.”

He stood suddenly and I wrapped my legs around his waist as he turned and laid me down on the bed. “If I were really all that sensible, I would have let you pace all night.”

I moved underneath the weight of him and sighed. “I’m not even going to pretend to be the voice of reason in this situation.” I spread my legs wide and gasped at the press of his hard cock against my pussy. “I’m pretty much done talking.”

Shawn laughed softly and sat up; he ran careful hands down my thighs to my waist to tug at my shorts. I lifted my hips and then pulled my legs forward. As I jerked my T-shirt off my head, he stood from the bed and disposed of his pants. His cock jutted impressively from his body, but it was his eyes that held my attention as he slid back onto the bed.

I gasped, amazed by the softness of his skin as he moved over me and settled between my legs. My nipples hardened against his chest and I arched under the weight of him. His mouth covered mine, and I shuddered when his tongue slid into my mouth.

Suddenly, it didn’t matter that he was a near stranger. His big hands slid down my legs and underneath me to cup my ass. I pulled my mouth from his and gasped softly as he rubbed his cock against my clit.

“Shawn!” I gasped softly and clutched at his shoulders.

“Shhh.” He brushed a soft kiss over my lips and then slid down my body with practiced ease.

He slid his tongue between my labia and pressed gently against my entrance and I curled my fingers into the blanket beneath us. Gasping for air, I lifted my hips slightly against his mouth and then collapsed on the bed in wonder. His tongue slid over my clit and I jerked hard against him.

His hands clamped on my hips and held me still. After several agonizing laps of his tongue, he sucked my clit between his lips and I shattered. My vision darkened and I went slack under his hands.

I covered my face with my hands and shook for several seconds. “Wow.”

Shawn placed a soft kiss on my inner thigh and slid upward slowly. Kisses that felt like whispers drifted over my stomach, breasts, and upward to my mouth. I moaned against the press of his lips and tongue.

“I’m rushing this,” he whispered softly. “I don’t mean to.”

“You can make it up to me later.” I slid my hands down his stomach and wrapped one around his cock. “Fuck me.”

He moved against my palm as I explored the length of him. “Condom.”

I stilled briefly. “Crap, I might have some in the bathroom.” I pointed toward the door.

Shawn chuckled softly and snagged both of my hands. “I can go back to my apartment if there isn’t one.”

“Fuck.” I watched disgruntled as he left the bed and disappeared into the bathroom across the hall from my bedroom. He came back a few minutes later with a small box.

“We’re in luck.” He tossed the box on the bed after pulling one free. “Not that I wasn’t game for a naked run across the hall.”

I laughed softly and reached out for him. “Come here.”

He rolled the condom on with a practiced ease and moved up between my legs. I spread my thighs farther apart and pressed my feet against the mattress.

I hissed softly as he pressed the head of his cock against me and then pushed inside. “Yes.”

Shawn pushed deep inside and ran his hand down the length of my thigh. He lifted me off the bed slightly as he thrust into me. I felt full and overwhelmed at the same time. My clit pulsed hard between my labia and each push of his cock sent a shaft of pleasure up my spine. Wrapping my legs around his hips, I pulled him as close as I could.

I raked my nails down his back and he arched in my arms. His body slapped hard against mine and orgasm started to build deep inside. Then he slowed down and rolled us over.

Arching back, I slid fully down onto his cock and stilled. I pushed my hair back and started to move slowly. His hands moved over my thighs and upward to my breasts. Fingers tugged at my nipples and pinched them just enough to hurt. Heat spread down my stomach and orgasm rushed so suddenly that I cried out.

I moved hard against him and gasped when he pulled me abruptly firm against his chest and forced me still. His hips thrust up against mine several times and then he relaxed slowly beneath me.

We laid there breathing hard and slick with sweat for a few minutes before I carefully slid off him and sprawled beside him on the bed.

“That was…” I waved my hand. “Fantastic.”

“Yeah, it sure was.” He rolled to his side and put his hand on my stomach. “This wasn’t what I planned when I came over here.”

“I know.” I smiled. “I won’t hold it against you if you promise to do it again.”

“Deal.” He leaned in and kissed my mouth softly. “Do you want me to go?”

At first, I said nothing, but then I realized that I’d made it clear earlier that my bed was a no-man’s-land of a sort. “No, I think I’d like it if you stayed.”

If he was surprised, it didn’t show. I wonder if I looked as surprised as I felt. I hadn’t slept beside a man in years. He left the bed and disappeared into the bathroom. The rush of water running filled the silence of the apartment. After a few minutes, I slid off the bed and walked naked to the bathroom. He was at the sink.

I pulled a couple of towels from the cabinet and put them on the counter. As I passed by him a second time, he reached out and grabbed me. “Hey.”

“You and those green eyes.” He touched my cheek and shook his head. “Very sexy.”

Shawn pulled me close and kissed my mouth softly. It had been a long time since I’d been treated so gently and carefully by a man. I moaned softly against his mouth and parted my lips to the press of his tongue. His hands slid down my back and I pressed closer.

He lifted his head and sighed. “Shower?”

“Yeah.” I smiled softly and slid my hand down his chest. “You should start wearing a full sweatsuit when you jog.”

“Why?”

“The women in the neighborhood aren’t used to the kind of stimulation that you provide.” I tucked my face against the side of his neck and kissed him. “I like that I have to look up to you.”

“We’re a good fit.”

Yeah, we were. I turned and went to the shower to turn it on. On a personal level, I was pretty sure I’d jumped out of the frying pan and into a fire. Shawn didn’t strike me as a man easy to put off or control. While it had never been my intention, I’d done most of the maneuvering and manipulating in my relationship with Connor. And maybe that was why it was so easy to let him go. It had become clear several months ago that he wasn’t going to let me push him into something more permanent or serious.

“You’re frowning.”

I glanced back at him as I slid into the shower and adjusted the temperature of the water. “Just thinking.”

He moved into the stall and pulled the door shut. “Well, no more thinking, if that is going to be the result.”

I rested against his chest when he pulled me to him. His cock hardened against my ass as we stood there under the water. Being with him was too easy and felt so natural that it was alien.

“I thought he was going to rape me.”

“I know.” Shawn pressed a soft kiss on my shoulder and held me tight. “I’m sorry.”

“It wasn’t your fault.”

“I was the one that had a bad feeling. I should have checked your door myself.”

“I’m not your responsibility.” I turned in his arms and met his gaze.

“I take your safety very seriously.” He rubbed my mouth with his thumb. “I’ll push at Martin; he’s in my unit. I’ll do all that I can to make sure your case doesn’t get pushed aside as long as there are leads to follow.”

“Thank you.”

“I’m sorry that I’ve kept you up half the night.” I slid beside him under the cool cotton sheet.

“Yeah, well, a man has to make sacrifices for the greater good.”

I laughed. “Fucking me was for the greater good?”

“No, that was for me.” He pulled me into his arms. “I figure making sure you get some rest is for everyone else.”

I shivered slightly as he ran a hand down my back. “I’m normally not so needy.”

“I can see that.”

“Under normal circumstances, I could wear you out in this bed.”

“I’ll be happy to let you try.”

Stupid mistakes. I’ve made them all of my life and I’d walked into this with my eyes wide open. It didn’t feel like a stupid mistake, so maybe I was just jumping to conclusions. In all honesty, I’d never felt so warm and safe in my whole life. I couldn’t help but indulge in that feeling.