Hope Falls: Hearts Afire (Kindle Worlds Novella) (10 page)

He was just about to lower his head to kiss her when she stepped away from him.

“Did you lock the door before you came up?” she asked as she walked around the room, turning off the lights and closing all the blinds.

“Of course, I did. I wasn’t about to come up here and leave the door open. We’re out in the middle of nowhere. Hope Falls is safe as can be, but you can never be too sure. In fact, it literally stresses me out that you’re out here alone.”

“I’m not alone all the time. Shelby and Levi are in and out.”

“Not at night. They don’t live here.”

She shrugged him off as if it were no big deal. “They’re looking for a live-in caretaker. Who knows? I might take the job.”

“And live here permanently?” he asked. There was a time when if a woman had said something like that, he would have gotten the hell out of dodge. But Katie didn’t spook him with her revelation. In fact, it was just what he needed to hear after he had literally given himself a pep-talk the whole way home about her leaving Hope Falls.

When they first met, he was adamant about not getting close to her because she was going to leave him, just like everyone else had. But now, after getting to know her, after falling so hard for her he could barely see straight, if she wanted to go back home, he wouldn’t begrudge her that. He was pretty damn sure he’d follow her the whole four hundred and seventy-two miles back to southern California. Hell, he’d follow Kate anywhere.

“Yeah, why not?” She answered his question with one of her own. She stood in front of him, smiling up at him with a grin that wouldn’t quit. “Even though my book is just pages from being done, I’m not ready to leave, Casey.”

He tried hard to swallow the emotions that flowed through him. He couldn’t have been happier to hear the news that she wanted to stay.

“Cat got your tongue?” she teased him. “Stunned speechless again?”

He chuckled, thinking about their first encounter and just about every one after that. She always had him tongue-tied and twisted. “Who needs words, Kate?” He circled his arms around her, pulling her close to him. “All I need is you.”

She pressed her chest flush against his, letting her head fall back, blinking her eyes and then closing them. It was as if she was standing there, soaking in the moment. He took an instant to observe her, his gaze falling on her lips. He wanted so badly to scoop her up and climb into bed with her, devouring every part of her body with his mouth. But he wouldn’t do that. Not just yet. He had waited patiently for his chance to kiss her and he was going to take it slow, savoring every second that his mouth touched hers.

“I’d like to kiss you now, Kate.” He swallowed his lust, waiting for her to respond.

She smiled, her eyes fluttering open. “I’m not getting any younger.”

If he didn’t know her better, her goofy statement would have killed the mood. But he did know Katie, and it only made him love her even more. Yes, he loved her, he thought, as he lowered his lips to hers.

He touched his lips to hers softly, tentatively. He was purposeful, barely grazing his mouth against hers. With the slightest touch, sparks had ignited all over his body, firing off shots of electricity in all directions. Little by little, his lips pressed to hers, heavy with emotion and desire. Each time they touched, he craved the feeling even more. He couldn’t get enough, finally covering her full mouth with his, sucking on her top lip and then her bottom. She playfully scraped her teeth along his bottom lip and it was nearly his undoing.

He needed more and he needed it now.

She loved that Casey was taking his time with her, but she was literally about to self-combust. She ached for him. If she pressed her thighs together any tighter, she feared they’d never come apart.

Piece by piece, Casey removed her clothing, his tongue following the path as he exposed her skin. As his mouth found the flesh of her breast, she hissed. He took her nipple between his teeth and nibbled with the perfect amount of pressure.

She had tried more than once to rid him of his clothes, but he kept pushing her hands away.

“Be patient,” he told her, a knowing smile on his face. He knew she had all the patience of a two-year old. When she was finally naked, he held her hands and took a step back. “You. Are. Beautiful.” She watched as he swallowed, his Adam’s apple bobbing up and down. “I can’t believe this is happening.”

“It’s real, Casey.” She took his hand and placed it over her heart. “Somehow, someway, you’ve taken up residence right here. In my heart. It’s real.”

He lowered his head and pressed his lips to hers. As they kissed, he allowed her to strip him of his clothes. Their tongues slid past each other, tasting each other and dancing around as his pants dropped and then his boxer briefs. They had to break their kiss to get his shirt over his head, but when all was said and done, Katie could hardly breathe.

Casey Palmer was breathtakingly gorgeous. He was tall, muscular, and chiseled like a Greek God. Who knew he was packing all that underneath his gear. She was tempted to drop to the ground and bow to him, chanting, “I’m not worthy.”

Instead, she tilted her chin up to the ceiling, closed her eyes and said, “Are you there, God? It’s me, Katie. Thank you so much for the ridiculously hot naked man in my bedroom.”

When she opened her eyes, Casey was shaking his head. She could see that he wanted to laugh—so did she—but now was not the time. She needed badly to touch him.

With her palms flat against his chest, she raked her hands over the hair that dusted each one of his finely sculpted pecs. She didn’t know where to begin. She wanted to explore every inch of his body with her hands, her lips, her tongue.

She stepped back and soaked him in, just as Casey had done her.

“Casey.
You
. Are. Beautiful.”

He smiled, curved his hand around her neck and pulled her in for another kiss. Katie devoured him. She couldn’t get enough. Inch by inch, he backed her up until her legs hit the bed. Together, they lowered themselves onto it. Their bodies lined up perfectly. They took turns exploring each other. She closed her eyes and held her breath as his fingers dipped between her legs and worked magically to bring her pleasure that she had never experienced before. She had no idea what she was missing until now. Casey brought her to her peak and over with only his expert hands working her like she was an instrument and he was a masterful musician.

It took her a second to come down from her high, but when she did, it was her turn to explore him. He filled her hand and then some. She could only imagine what it was going to be like for him to be inside her. She pumped his shaft as she thought about him thrusting inside her. She grit her teeth and squeezed her thighs together as Casey took heaving breaths and pumped his hips into her hand.

He kissed her forehead and brushed her hair from her face. Then his gaze met hers. She would never tire of looking into his sparkling blue eyes.

“I want you, Kate.”

“I want you too, Casey.” She reached toward the side of the bed and grabbed a condom from her nightstand.

He chuckled. “I thought you had sworn off men.” He leaned back and put the thing on.

She fluttered her brows at him. “That was before I met you, stud.”

He laughed heartily as he lowered himself on top of her. “You’re too much.”

Katie smacked him in the ass. “You already have me drooling over your hot bod, Case. Don’t make me beg.”

Casey shook his head. “Slow down, Kate.” He kissed her lips. “This isn’t a race.” Her eyes fluttered closed as he kissed her forehead. “I’m not going to fuck you.” She felt his lips on her chin. “We’re not going to have sex either.” On her left cheek. “You mean too much to me for that.” Right cheek. “You’re going to be the first and last woman”—he placed a heavy kiss on her mouth this time, tongue and all—“I ever make love to.”

Mic drop.

He wasn’t even inside her yet and she was sure she was pregnant.

Casey was good. Too good.

As she felt the slow invasion of him filling her, she thought about what he had just said and believed every word. She’d had sex before and this wasn’t
just
sex. With every push, pull, rock, and thrust of their hips against each other, she could feel the difference. Emotion swelled inside of her, filling her heart with so much love for this man. It was overwhelming.

Casey was making love to her. And she was loving every moment of it.

Later that day, Katie woke up feeling tired and rested at the same time. Casey’s arm was curved around her waist and his face was nuzzled in the crook of her neck. She thought about the first night she had met Casey. So much for swearing off men. And firefighters.

But Casey wasn’t just any man. He had to be the kindest, most generous man she’d ever known besides her brother. Her heart was so full of love for him, she felt like she could burst into tears of happiness. She laughed inside at the thought that she’d scare the hell out of Casey. Then she really thought about it and decided that there was really nothing she could do to scare him away. He’d heard her whole sob story and he was still there, lying right beside her.

Neither one of them was going anywhere.

After some much-needed rest, Katie turned her head and kissed the sexy man lying next to her on the forehead. “Casey, wake up.”

What she really wanted to do was close her eyes and bask in the glory of falling asleep in his arms, but she was too riled up. She had slept with Casey. It wasn’t a dream. Well, it kind of was. It was a dream come true and she was dying to hear his voice. She needed to hear the reassurance in his tone, that this was real and she wasn’t imagining what was brewing between them.

“Casey’s not here right now, please leave a message.” He pulled her closer to him, throwing one of his legs across her body. “You’re so warm. It’s cold as balls.”

“I’d reach down and check, but you have my arms pinned,” she said, giggling.

He smiled at her, his eyes still closed. He looked adorable with that cheesy grin on his face.

“We slept in. It’s pretty late, Case. Do you need to get ready for work or something?”

He opened his eyes and looked happily into hers. It was as if she was seeing the sunshine for the first time. He lit up the room with emotion.

“I’m quitting. I’ve waited too long to wake up with you in my arms. I’m not ready to let you go yet. Thankfully, we get to do this again tonight.”

“Who knew you’d be such a big sap?” Katie turned toward him and patted him on the head. “You better be okay with morning breath, because I’m going to kiss you crazy. You’re just too irresistible when you say things like that.”

It was safe to say he was okay with morning breath, because he kissed her thoroughly before making love to her. Again.

After a short catnap, Casey woke up again with Katie in his arms. Her head rested on his shoulder, her long hair was sprayed out across his chest. He loved the warmth of her breath on his skin. These were the moments worth living for.

He closed his eyes and wished like hell that this was the first day of the rest of their lives together. He didn’t want to wake up without her close to him ever again. Casey needed her like he needed his next breath.

He was beyond relieved knowing Katie didn’t plan on leaving Hope Falls. His parents were right. She surprised him. She wanted to stay.

It was like a light bulb turned on in his head. He had a plan.

“Kate. Wake up, sleepyhead.” If he was going to make this happen, they needed to get a move on. It was probably well past dinner. His stomach growled fiercely. She had to be hungry, too. The woman could eat and pound beers like a man. “Wake up,” he said, nudging her softly. “I want to take you somewhere before it gets too late.”

He coaxed her awake with some strategically placed kisses. They both showered quickly—as quickly as they could together—and were on the road again.

“Are you ever going to tell me where we’re going? Are you kidnapping me? My mom would totally get the police to put out an Amber Alert.” Her eyes were so wide with wonder that he couldn’t stop looking at her. He had made fun of her driving skills before, but he was now questioning his own ability. He was less than confident about getting them to their destination safely since he couldn’t keep his eyes on the road.

“Patience, grasshopper.” He reached over and tugged the mess of hair piled on her head. He wasn’t sure how he did it, but it all cascaded down and fell to her shoulders. “Sorry.” He shrugged. Again, he stole another glance at her as she gathered her hair and started twisting it up again. “It doesn’t matter if your hair is up or down, a mess or curled. You’re gorgeous, Kate.”

A blush creeped up her neck and across her cheeks. He didn’t know how much more he could take. He was mesmerized by her. She had it all…the beauty and the brains.

“Casey, you got me already. You don’t have to keep saying stuff like that to get me into bed again. I’m a sure thing, sweetheart. I’m yours.” She lifted her hands in the air then waved them down her body as if she were on display on the Wheel of Fortune.

Casey pulled into his parents’ driveway, cut the engine, and turned to her. “Are you, Katie? Are you mine?” He fluttered his eyebrows at her, knowing he’d get a chuckle out of her.

She faced him and grasped the back of his neck, pulling him closer to her. “Let’s be honest, Case. I’ve been yours since the night we met. I wanted to punch you in the face, but I woke up the next morning with the image of your sexy eyes staring back at me.” She gave him a quick peck. “These baby blues are lethal.”

Casey felt like the luckiest son of a bitch in Hope Falls. In the world. “Since we’re being honest.” He gave her a peck right back. “Since the day I met you, my life has changed. For the better. I’ve never been happier.”

Katie wrapped her arms around Casey’s neck and they stayed like that for a long minute, hugging each other in the front seat of his truck.

“Okay, enough of the sappy talk. What are we doing?” she asked.

“Are you ready to meet my parents?” he murmured into her ear.

Suddenly, Katie’s body went rigid like a statue. She backed away from him slowly, her eyes as wide as can be. She looked at the house and then back to Casey. “Heck yeah,” she said, a huge smile plastered to her face. She pulled on the clip in hair and shook out her locks. “There. Now I’m ready.” She opened the truck door, and called back to him. “What are you waiting for? Let’s do this.”

Like the other night, Casey was showing up on his parents’ doorstep without warning. Only this time, he had brought a guest with him. He knew that they would welcome them both, but that didn’t stop the crazy butterflies from nose-diving in his stomach.

He had never brought a woman home to meet his family.

He had never considered leaving Hope Falls to follow a woman.

Most importantly, he had never been in love.

There was a first time for everything. As he held Katie’s hand and knocked on his parents’ front door, he looked over at her and knew that there was no one else he’d rather have by his side.

He loved Katie Marshall. And he couldn’t wait for her to be welcomed into his world.