Waiting For Her, page 7
“Speaking of Eve… How was last night? More of the same?”
Casey inhaled a shaky breath. “Not exactly. No. I uh… Well, it might have turned out that way, but no. I just had two glasses of wine back at hers and left.”
“Really? What happened?”
Casey filled her in on the sketchbook and the shock of seeing the warehouse and how suddenly they were in direct competition.
“But she didn’t care?” Laura asked.
“No. She knows that Jeff and Leo are going to outbid them, and it’s been happening for years, so she’s kind of accepted that they can’t compete with them. Not financially. But we are going to go out for dinner tonight. If that’s okay with you. I know we didn’t really make plans.”
“Of course. So… Are you two, you know, done? Romantically?”
Casey sighed. “Well, we never really got started. There was always going to be the distance. But uh…” She cleared her throat as a memory popped into her head from last night, when Eve had backed her up against the door, just a few minutes before Casey left. They were definitely not done. “You know, I don’t think either of us are ruling out another night together.”
“I hope you don’t get hurt, Casey. She is exactly your type. In the same business too. And fucking gorgeous, I might add.”
“Yeah…” Casey’s voice trailed off. She had no arguments to any of that. Because she probably would get hurt. She could still feel that emptiness in the pit of her stomach, that restlessness that had come over her the next morning in Miami when she’d woken up alone, wishing Eve was still there.
Casey knew it would happen again if she went back to Eve’s tonight. Getting on a flight Wednesday night or Thursday morning would be tough. Tougher than it already would be. Because even just those few hours with Eve last night had her daydreaming about spending more time in New York, about being as hands on with this project in Brooklyn as she could be rather than work remotely.
But Casey wasn’t about to admit that to Laura who was always so logical and sensible.
Casey knew none of this made sense. She just had to figure out how to enjoy whatever time she had with Eve, and somehow, not get carried away.
15
Eve cradled her mug of coffee, waiting for Wynn to say something. They were tucked away in the corner of their usual coffee shop just two blocks away from their apartments. A Sunday morning coffee was normal. Eve confessing that she had serious feelings for someone was not.
Wynn sat back in her chair, her blond curly hair falling across her shoulders. “Is this because of what I said last night? About us? Because, while I was serious, I also don’t need you jumping on the first available woman who isn’t me. I can take no for an answer, Eve. You don’t have to explain why it wouldn’t work between us, you know, as anything more than what we’ve been all these years.”
Eve sucked in a breath. “No. This isn’t about that.” She didn’t need to offend her best friend. She had enough problems in her life right now, but Wynn had to understand where she was coming from. “I know it’s ridiculous.”
“So, after two nights you’re in love with her? Eve, have you lost your mind? And she’s so young. You can’t possibly have anything in common with her.”
Eve sighed. “It was one night, technically. And first of all, no one said anything about love. I just said I had feelings for her. And she’s not that young. Thirty. That’s not a big deal. Fifteen years. And we have real estate and design in common.”
“One night? You’re not counting Miami now?”
“No. Last night we just talked, shared a bottle of wine. It was nice, actually.”
“You didn’t sleep with her?” Wynn’s eyes were wider than normal.
“No. I’m not going to get into it, but she thought there might have been a conflict of interest, and we just ended up talking. I am having dinner with her tonight though, and I hate feeling like this.” Eve exhaled as she leaned forward, resting her arms on the table between them. “I know it’s not going to go anywhere, but I really like her.”
Eve left out the part about their chemistry, about the way Casey kissed her so thoroughly last night before she went back to her hotel. She didn’t tell Wynn how long it took her to fall asleep, thinking about the fact that Casey would be going back to California in just a few days.
Wynn sipped her coffee. “Look, you know I just want you to be happy. But honestly? I would be very surprised if this was the woman who you finally got serious with after all these years. It’s not even realistic, right? She lives three-thousand miles away.”
“No. I know.” Eve bit the inside of her cheek as she looked away, her gaze moving to the windows and the people streaming by, her eyes lingering a little too long on a woman with long blond hair. “Anyway…” She couldn’t talk about this any longer. “What’s going on with you?”
“Ugh. I think I’m going to have to go out to Jersey. I need to sell the golf course.”
“Really?” Eve couldn’t remember the details, but Wynn had inherited a golf course probably more than a year ago now.
Wynn brought her mug to her lips before she sat back again. “It’s turning into a headache. I know I inherited it, and I should be grateful and all that, but it’s not working out. I’m just going to go out there and see what it looks like. See how much I can get for it.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
“Maybe.” Wynn pursed her lips. “I’ll let you know when I’m going, and if you’re free, yeah. I’d love to have the company.”
“Great.” Eve smiled at her friend. Hopefully, Wynn would be going in the next two or three weeks, because Eve knew she could use the distraction. Plus, it was good to get out of the city every once in a while.
16
Warmth spread across Casey’s chest as Eve’s hand found her own, interlacing their fingers as they turned down a quieter, tree-lined street. The sun had dipped behind the buildings when they’d left the Italian restaurant Eve had suggested almost an hour ago.
They’d taken their time walking to Eve’s apartment, talking about everything from their favorite things to do when they weren’t working to Eve’s actual work. They’d stopped in front of a brick residential building, and Eve had explained how they’d completely renovated it, turning it into separate apartments instead of leaving it as a six-bedroom house.
There was a chill in the air now, but Casey didn’t feel it. She only had a light gray leather jacket on, but a pleasant hum warmed her blood when she felt Eve’s thumb graze the back of her hand as they strolled along under the glow of the streetlights.
Everything about this evening had been like a dream.
Casey had given herself a pep-talk on the way to the restaurant, not to get too invested in this, to just enjoy the night, whatever came of it.
But the hours had flown by, and Casey had been completely swept up in Eve.
It wasn’t just that she was absolutely fucking gorgeous. Casey still couldn’t believe that this woman, the one who had held her attention from across the room in Miami each year, seemed to want Casey just as much as she wanted her.
Their conversations flowed. The food had been amazing, and Casey was pretty sure that Eve had asked for the best table in the place, giving them that extra bit of privacy away from the busiest part of the restaurant.
“Is this your street?” Casey asked as Eve’s walked slowed.
“Yeah.” Eve’s hand slid out of hers as she fished her keys out of her bag, and they nodded to the doorman who held the glass door to the building open.
Casey had barely taken the brick exterior and the doorman in the other night. She’d been thinking ahead to how the night would unfold, to falling into bed with Eve again.
“I have to say I wasn’t paying much attention last night,” Casey admitted as they went inside and waited for the elevator. “All I could think about in the back of the car was… How am I here? How am I getting more time with you? I honestly never thought I’d bump into you this weekend. I didn’t have the courage to call and make it happen so… I didn’t think it would.”
Eve gave her a lop-sided grin. “I was so sorry that I didn’t get your number after Miami. I guess, I had a little too much confidence that you’d call, but I shouldn’t have left it to chance like that. I didn’t even know your last name to look you up. So, I’m really glad that we bumped into each other last night.”
“Me too.” Casey returned her smile, her heart thumping in her chest as the doors to the elevator slid open, and they both stepped in.
Eve hit the button for the top floor, and it was only when she was this close, in a space this small that Casey caught the familiar scent of Eve’s perfume. It was subtle, sweet, and it brought Casey right back to that night in Miami.
The elevator pinged and the doors opened before Casey could even think about kissing Eve, because that was the only thing on her mind right now. Picking up where they left off last night.
It genuinely hadn’t been on her mind all day until this point. Being back here, after such a nice evening, with all those lingering looks, with the last few minutes spent with Eve’s hand in hers.
It just made Casey want her even more.
“Will I open a bottle of wine?” Eve asked as she flicked on some lights, leaving her bag on the kitchen counter.
Casey left her sling bag beside Eve’s, her hands on the back of the bar chair, her fingers lightly drumming against the black leather. “I’m okay.”
“You sure?” Eve asked, standing just inches away. “I have a bottle of red that I’ve been saving for a while now. A client gifted it to me a few years ago.”
Casey swallowed as Eve made a move to go around the counter, brushing past her, but Casey’s hand caught Eve’s waist, their eyes locking.
Eve mirrored her, her hand resting on Casey’s hip, just above her jeans. “Maybe the wine can wait…” Her gaze fell to Casey’s lips, and when Eve leaned in, Casey met her halfway, their lips meeting in a slow kiss.
A low moan escaped Casey’s lips when Eve’s tongue teased her own, a wave of heat washing over her. She had to break the kiss to shrug out of her jacket, Eve’s hands on the sleeves, helping, tossing it over the back of the chair beside her.
And then Eve’s hand was gliding over her shoulder and neck, up into her hair as their lips met in a hungry kiss, both of them moaning as they gave into the desire that had been building all evening, spilling over from last night.
Casey wanted Eve. She couldn’t remember ever being this consumed with want. She’d thought that in Miami, but that was nothing in comparison to what she felt right now.
Casey’s hands moved underneath Eve’s top, overcome with an urge to touch her skin, to move her hands over her smooth stomach, her lower back.
Casey smiled into the kiss when she felt Eve’s muscles jump underneath her touch, and Eve pulled away with a smile on her lips.
“I had every intention of taking things slow tonight,” Eve said with a wry shake of her head, her glossy hair falling across her eye.
“We never did things slow though,” Casey countered, her left hand resting along Eve’s neck, her thumb grazing her jawline as Casey dipped her head to kiss the sensitive skin beneath Eve’s ear, moving downwards. “Did we?” she murmured, and Eve answered her with a tiny groan as Casey’s lips brushed over her clavicle.
“No,” Eve said, bringing their lips back together. “We didn’t,” she murmured between kisses.
Casey swayed into her, losing herself in yet another smoldering kiss. “Then you should show me your bedroom,” Casey suggested, pulling away just enough to meet her eyes.
“I was thinking the same thing.” Eve’s eyes flickered down to her lips. “I’ve only spent the last month thinking about what I’d do to you if I got another chance,” Eve said in a silky voice.
Casey’s heart thumped erratically.
How had she gotten this lucky?
17
Eve should have been concerned with the ache that had settled in her chest, but she’d have to deal with the emotional consequences of this later. Because right now, she just wanted Casey back in her bed, their legs tangled, their bodies pressed together.
Their clothes came off in a hurry, Eve pulling her own blouse over her head while Casey stepped out of her jeans, both of them only in their lingerie now, and Eve couldn’t stay away from Casey any longer.
The warm glow of a lamp illuminated her bedroom, the gray sheets darker in the dim light, and Eve’s hands found their way to Casey’s hips, her thumbs brushing over the incredibly soft skin as she tilted her head, leaning in to capture her lips once again.
Casey moaned into the kiss, her own hands roaming across Eve’s back, pausing to unhook her bra, sliding the straps down her arms, and Eve shrugged out of it, letting the thin fabric fall to the floor.
Eve groaned when Casey’s hand covered her breast, the other reaching behind her to grope her ass, their lips colliding again, and Eve felt the ground shift beneath her when Casey deepened the kiss, her tongue dancing with her own.
How had this happened? How had Eve let herself get so caught up in someone that she could never truly be with?
Any doubts were flung aside as Casey’s hand slipped inside Eve’s underwear, easily finding her wetness, both of them moaning at the sensation, and then Casey’s fingers were gone, switching their positions, pushing Eve down onto the bed.
Casey stood beside the bed, reaching behind her to open her bra, letting it fall to the ground before pushing her panties down her thighs, her long hair covering her breasts.
Eve inhaled a shaky breath. Casey had the sexist body.
Casey’s hands gripped Eve’s underwear, the last bit of clothing left between them, guiding the lacy fabric down her legs and tossing it to the side as she climbed on top of Eve.
“Come here,” Eve murmured, hooking her hand behind Casey’s neck, bringing their lips together in a crushing kiss, their legs tangled, their bare breasts pressed together.
Casey planted a hand beside Eve’s shoulder, the other traced a path down Eve’s body, between her breasts, over her stomach, up along the inside of her thighs, finally skimming over sex, barely parting her lips.
Casey’s hand palmed her sex, their kiss slow, their tongues exploring. Casey’s fingers parted her folds, circling her clit just a few times before she lowered her touch, easily entering her with two if not three fingers, and Eve gasped into the kiss.
“Oh fuck,” Eve moaned, her eyes slamming shut as she threw her head back, and Casey found her rhythm, building slowly, her lips moving down Eve’s exposed neck to her chest, her tongue circling and teasing her nipple while she thrust her fingers in and out.
Stars burst against the back of Eve’s eyelids, her orgasm coming out of nowhere, rocking through her body, her hips moving of their own accord, a satisfied sigh leaving her lips, as Casey’s body covered hers, her hard nipples grazing her skin as she dipped her head to kiss Eve.
The warmth of Casey’s body against her was dizzying, and Eve lost herself in the kiss, her pulse still thudding in her ears.
When Eve had recovered, she rolled them over, pinning Casey to the bed, and Eve’s heart stalled as Casey smiled up at her. The sight evoked far more emotion from her than she would like to admit, and Eve swallowed it down, her eyes fluttering closed as she kissed her way down Casey’s body, palming Casey’s breast as her lips trailed over her stomach and her mound, using her free hand to ease Casey’s legs a little further apart, taking her time before finally teasing Casey’s clit with the tip of her tongue.
Casey groaned with Eve took it into her mouth, flicking her tongue over the bundle of nerves, and Eve shivered at the sensation of Casey’s nails raking over her scalp, holding her there, urging her on as another moan left those gorgeous lips.
Eve glanced up a few moments later when Casey’s body trembled beneath her, the grip on Eve’s hair tighter, and then a low groan escaped Casey’s lips, her hips lifting to meet Eve’s mouth.
Eve pushed herself up, slipping one leg between Casey’s, her fingers splayed across the sheets beside Casey’s shoulder as she lowered her head to find Casey’s lips, kissing her slowly, thoroughly, and Casey sighed against her lips.
Eve eased two fingers inside Casey, and the sigh became a delicious moan as Eve added another finger, moving them faster until Casey was clinging to her, her hips rocking back against her hand, her fingers digging into Eve’s hip as she kept her close, riding out her orgasm until Casey’s hands fell away, her body limp, her arms and legs sprawled out, a light layer of sweating glistening off her skin.
Eve moved to get comfortable on the bed beside her, but Casey’s hand flew up to catch her by the waist, her hand just above her hip.
“Don’t go anywhere,” Casey murmured, her cheeks flushed, and then she was sliding further down the bed, maneuvering herself underneath Eve’s legs, her hand on the inside of Eve’s thigh, pushing her legs a little further apart.
“Oh fuck,” Eve groaned when she realized what Casey was doing. Eve was straddling her face now, and when Casey’s tongue flickered across Eve’s clit, she felt it everywhere.
Eve fell forward, barely able to grab the headboard while staying upright while Casey’s tongue circled and teased Eve.
Casey’s hands moved from the back of her thighs up to her ass while she continued to bring Eve even closer to another orgasm, her tongue moving faster now, and Eve was struggling to breathe. Her eyes fluttered closed, her body shaking now.
“Right there,” Eve groaned, her hips pushing back against Casey’s tongue until the pressure that had been growing in her belly erupted in an intense orgasm, her breath catching in her throat as she came. “Oh fuck. Yeah,” she panted, and she didn’t know how she ended up on her back with Casey’s fingers tracing a pattern across her stomach.
Eve’s vision was still hazy, her breath finally coming back. She turned to look at Casey, her blond hair a sexy mess. Stunning. That was the thought that took over Eve’s mind in that moment.
