Waiting For Her, page 9
A headache started above her eyebrow. That was why Casey wasn’t answering. She thought that Eve had been lying to her this whole time.
22
Casey got up from her chair, happily giving her seat up in the crowded departure gate to a mother with a toddler. Laura was already standing beside the large windows, looking out at their plane, the sky a beautiful blue.
Casey stood beside her. She’d hardly slept last night, her thoughts alternating between feeling sorry for herself to wondering how she could have been so naive.
“I’m glad we came,” Laura said without looking away from the window. “There will be other opportunities. I know this one might take a while to get over, but I’m confident that something even better will come along.”
Casey sighed. She knew Laura was talking about business, but Casey couldn’t help thinking about Eve.
Was she glad they came?
She didn’t know. Maybe part of her was. But she never could have predicted this was the way she’d leave New York.
Could she call it closure? Instead of going home wondering how or when she’d see Eve again, Casey could jump straight to trying to forget about her instead of coming to that conclusion a few months from now.
Casey felt her phone vibrating in the pocket of her gray slacks. She slid it out, her breath catching when she saw Eve’s name. She’d called three times yesterday, and Casey had ignored all of them.
For a second, Casey thought about answering, of actually getting closure, but a woman’s voice came over the speaker announcing that they were ready to board, and Casey powered off her phone, falling in behind Laura as they waited their turn, more than ready to get back home and put all of this behind her.
23
11 MONTHS LATER
“Another glass?” Laura asked as she caught the bartender’s attention.
“Sure.” Casey finished what was left of her wine, the crisp citrus flavors hitting her tongue.
They’d had a long day, flying into Miami early this morning and spending the day going from talk to talk, catching up with people that Casey had met other years and introducing Laura to them.
Casey was so glad that Laura had come with her. They’d had a productive day, and they’d even caught up with Jeff, having dinner with him, the disappointment from last year long gone. It really hadn’t been his fault, and he even commented on how unusual it was that Fosatti Ford Development had been able to sneak in there and get a hold of the buyer ahead of the auction.
Now, Casey was sipping on her third glass of wine, both of them sitting at the bar.
“Hey,” Laura said as she turned to face her. “I meant to ask you, have you seen Eve?”
Casey bit the inside of her cheek. As much as she’d tried to forget about Eve, she’d inevitably popped into her head quite regularly over the last year, often at the worst times, like when she was in the middle of a date, and she was supposed to be giving the woman she was with her undivided attention. The comparisons were impossible to ignore, and no one had even come close to making Casey feel the way she had in those few days she’d spent with Eve.
So, of course, Casey had found her eyes searching the crowded rooms this weekend, half hoping, half dreading that she’d see Eve.
“No,” Casey said before she took a sip of wine. “I haven’t actually.”
“Hm. And she was here every other year?”
Casey shrugged. “Yeah.”
“And how would you feel if you did see her?”
Casey exhaled slowly. “Hypothetically?” She didn’t know how she’d feel. She didn’t know what she’d say.
“No.” Laura pursed her lips, her eyes moving past her for a second. “She just came into the bar.”
Casey whirled around, her breath coming in a stuttered gasp as her eyes landed on Eve.
God, she was gorgeous.
Tonight, she was dressed in black slacks, a tailored black blazer covering a white blouse, the top two buttons opened. The sleeves of the blazer were rolled up, the white cuffs showing, and her dark hair tumbled in waves over her shoulders.
When their eyes caught, Casey felt like her chest might burst. Some strange combination of relief, attraction, and dread.
The more time that had passed, the more Casey regretted not answering Eve’s calls. In those early weeks, Casey struggled to get over everything about that trip. The business opportunity lost, along with the questionable way that it had happened.
Did Eve hate her? Had she moved on?
Casey couldn’t blame her if she had. She’d even tried to move on herself, and just because she’d failed miserably, doesn’t mean that Eve had too.
Eve’s gaze darted away from hers, and she turned to leave the bar.
What was that? Eve hadn’t acknowledged seeing her, but she definitely had.
“Are you going to go talk to her?” Laura asked.
Casey turned back around, gulping her wine. “Yes.” That thought hadn’t exactly crossed her mind, but she should go clear the air. “Yeah. You don’t mind?” she asked, sliding off the bar stool.
“Not all. Go ahead.”
Casey swallowed as she ran her hands over her skinny black jeans, the dress she’d had on during the day hanging up in her hotel room. She left Laura at the bar and looked in the direction of the lobby, the huge space dotted with people, some lounging on the couches, others at the reception desk, but there was Eve, waiting at the elevator bank, her back to Casey.
In the two seconds she took to gather herself, the elevator doors slid open, and four men filed out. Casey crossed the lobby without thinking, getting there with just enough time to stick her arm out and keep the doors from shutting.
Eve’s lips parted, her eyes wide as the doors closed behind Casey, and it was just the two of them.
Casey knew she should say something, but in that moment, standing across from Eve, her mind went blank, and Casey felt her legs moving before she even knew what she was doing, closing what little space was between them.
Casey’s hands slipped underneath Eve’s hair, her thumbs crazing Eve’s jawline as Casey kissed her with everything she had.
There was nothing gentle about the kiss, their lips hard and searching, with Eve matching her intensity, her fingers sliding through Casey’s hair, the sensation of Eve’s short nails against her scalp sending a delicious shiver through her entire body.
Just as Casey’s tongue skimmed along Eve’s, the ping of the elevator coming to a stop on Eve’s floor along with the doors falling open had Casey taking a step back.
Casey’s cheeks were hot, and she had no idea if it was from the potential embarrassment she might feel now that they were here, and Eve could very easily ask her what the hell was wrong with her, or if it was purely from that breathtaking kiss.
Eve brushed past her on her way out, and Casey pressed her lips together, ready to admit that she’d made the wrong move, that she would be riding the elevator back down to the lobby on her own, but warm Eve’s hand found hers, leading Casey down the hall, silently unlocking her room, and tugging her inside.
24
When Eve had stepped into the bar just a few minutes ago, she’d been completely drained. Up since five o’clock that morning, she was more than ready to call it a night, but for some reason, she decided to see if there was anything interesting going on in the bar.
She knew Drew was having dinner with a friend who had recently moved to Miami, so she wasn’t looking for him. Maybe, now that she was leading Casey into her hotel room, Eve could admit that Casey was the reason she ended up in the bar.
Eve had spotted her earlier in the day, but Casey hadn’t seen her, and Eve had quickly taken her seat in the crowded room, her heart slamming against her ribs, unsure of what to do.
Should she talk to her?
Did Casey hate her?
Would whatever connection they once had be long gone?
And then Eve had seen her again, sitting at the bar with a woman she worked with, and Eve had panicked. She’d turned on her heel, letting exhaustion take over, already dreaming of falling into bed as she punched the button for her floor, but a hand had appeared out of nowhere, keeping the doors from closing.
Before Eve knew what was happening, Casey was crossing the tiny space with a fire in her eyes, her lips parted, her long blond hair falling across her shoulders, kissing her with such emotion, such intensity.
They’d yet to say anything, even now that they were back in Eve’s suite. She’d tossed her keycard onto the nearest surface and backed Casey up against the wall, one hand on her hip, the other on her neck, their lips crashing together, their tongues searching.
Eve moaned when Casey’s hands slid down her back and grabbed her ass through her pants as they continued to kiss.
After several seconds, Eve broke the kiss, her mind taking over, knowing that things had to be said before they could go any further.
“Casey,” Eve breathed, her eyes searching Casey’s as she took a step back. “We need to talk. About what happened with Brooklyn.”
Casey shook her head, grabbing a fistful of Eve’s blouse, tugging her close, their lips back together again, and when Eve attempted to pull away again, Casey reversed their positions, pushing her back against the wall.
“Casey, I need to explain,” Eve said as Casey’s lips trailed down her neck, nipping at her skin. “I didn’t know.” The words came out strangled, and as Casey’s lips moved further down, she pushed Eve’s blazer over her shoulders, her hands on the buttons of Eve’s blouse once the blazer had hit the floor.
“Casey…” Eve stifled a moan when Casey’s hand slipped inside her open blouse, cupping her breast through her bra, her fingertips finding her nipple through the fabric, pinching it, and Eve’s breathing was coming in pants now. “Casey, I didn’t know about the warehouse.”
“I don’t care.” Casey’s lips were back on hers again, and Eve couldn’t stop herself from giving in, from kissing her back with just as much intensity as Casey was giving her.
“It was all Drew,” Eve murmured, losing her conviction as Casey’s searing lips silenced her, and Eve slumped against the wall, giving in, losing herself in the kiss.
When Casey pulled away, she took a step back, her eyes blazing with desire, and Eve had no idea how potentially unattractive she looked right now, her blouse hanging open, her hair surely a mess.
Casey shook her head. “I always appreciated the dresses, but this…” She gestured up and down with her fingertips, a sly grin on her lips. “This is something else.”
Eve searched Casey’s eyes, unable to fully appreciate the compliment, and Eve had to hold out her hands when Casey came towards her again, grabbing a hold of her shoulders.
“Casey,” Eve said, her jaw tight, forcing herself to get this out before they were kissing again. “Casey, promise me that we’ll talk. After. Please.”
Casey simply nodded, her eyes already falling closed as she dipped her head to brush her lips over Eve’s, her hands pushing Eve’s blouse over her shoulders, tugging the sleeves away, her warm hands all over Eve’s stomach and ribs, sliding over her skin as she hungrily kissed Eve.
25
Casey smiled up at Eve, her breathing heavy as they switched positions for the fourth or fifth time. She was losing track. Not that she was complaining.
When Casey had left the bar in search of Eve, this was not how she pictured her evening unfolding. She’d gotten so caught up in the moment once Eve had kissed her back that she was like a woman possessed, and once she’d agreed to talk at some point, Eve was right there with her.
This was aggressive. Passionate. All-consuming.
Was it the eleven months that had passed? Was that all that was driving this insane passion?
“Oh fuck,” Casey groaned when Eve entered her with a long, smooth thrust.
If Casey thought they’d had chemistry last year… It was like no time had passed, but at the same time, they knew each other so much better than they had that first night.
Eve had Casey’s hips rocking, pushing back against her palm, and as she came, Casey ran her fingers through Eve’s slick arousal, easily pushing two fingers inside, a surprised moan escaping Eve’s lips.
This was how the entire night had gone. It was a constant power struggle, one rolling the other over, hands pressed into the sheets, fingers wrapped around wrists.
Although, at this point, they might have reached some kind of a limit.
Eve collapsed beside her, tremors still running through her body as Casey carefully withdrew her fingers, kissing her softly, their tongues meeting in a lazy kiss, both of them covered in sweat, their hair splayed across the sheets.
Casey wrapped her arm around Eve who rested her head on Casey’s chest, both of them catching their breath.
“Is this all we’ll ever have?” Casey murmured after a few moments. “These nights in Miami?” She hadn’t actually meant to say that out loud, but it was out there now, and she couldn’t stop her heart from beating faster, her stomach from twisting, because it was a rhetorical question. She’d known the answer from the start.
“I won’t be here next year.”
“What do you mean?”
Eve pushed herself up to meet her eyes. “I’m ready for something new. My partnership with Drew has run its course.” She tousled her hair as she sat up fully, pulling back the sheets to slip underneath them, and Casey did the same. “He keeps going rogue, and even though it’s worked out for us so far, one day it won’t. And anyway, it’s already changed our relationship.”
“You mean what happened in Brooklyn?” Casey asked softly.
“Yeah.” Eve drew a deep breath. “I swear, I had no idea.” She looked away for a second, and when their eyes met again, Casey thought Eve was blinking back tears. “Casey, I felt so sick about the whole thing. Did you think that I’d played you? Because whatever happens between us, I need you to know that I had no clue. It was all Drew.”
“I did.” Casey turned to fluff up the pillows behind her. “I didn’t know why. I didn’t want to believe it, but for a while, yeah, I thought you’d lied to me the whole time.”
Eve shook her head. “I wish I could have caught you before you left. Explained then.”
Casey bit her lip. “It wouldn’t have changed anything though. Not really.”
“Well, it might have kept you from hating me for the last year.”
Casey sighed. “True, but it wouldn’t have changed anything about us, about our lives.”
Eve ran a hand through her hair. “No, it probably wouldn’t have.”
Casey pressed her lips together. She shouldn’t let those unrealistic hopes of any chance of a future together ruin this weekend, so she did her best to change the subject, to lighten the mood.
“I’d just like to say, for the record,” Casey said with a hint of a smile on her lips. “That whole power struggle kind of dynamic that we seem to have? That’s new to me. I’ve never been like that with anyone else before.”
Eve’s eyebrows lifted. “I haven’t either.”
“What do you think that means?”
Eve exhaled. “Honestly? I’m a little too scared to go there.”
“What do you mean?”
Eve’s hand found Casey’s under the sheets, interlacing their fingers. “For me, it means that I’m trying to get the most out of this, that I’m trying to take control, to make it last, to be the one to decide how much I’m willing to feel in any particular moment…”
“And what have you felt?” Casey asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“Far too much.” A tear slid down Eve’s cheek this time, and Casey’s heart skipped a beat. Eve quickly wiped it away. “It was always supposed to be just one night, and I shouldn’t have even allowed that to happen. Before a single thing had happened, I should have known that you were trouble.”
“Me?” Casey feigned surprise.
“Yes, you,” Eve said with a laugh, giving her a playful shove. “All those lingering looks across the room years ago should have been innocent enough, but… They never really were.”
“No. I know.” Casey swallowed. “It was the same for me. I always wanted more. Even if it wasn’t an option.”
Eve’s thumb brushed across the back of her hand. “What if it was?”
Casey cleared her throat. “What do you mean?”
“We’re dissolving Fosatti Ford Development. I have no reason to stay in New York anymore.”
“You don’t?” Casey’s mind couldn’t keep up. “But…”
“I’ve worked more in the last twenty-five years than I ever should have. I missed out on all kinds of things, and I’m not missing this.”
Casey felt a warm glow wash over her as she exhaled a sigh of contentment. “Eve… Are you saying that you’d leave New York?”
Eve’s eyes glistened. “Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
Eve shook her head. “No, I’m not sure. Look, all I know is that right now, as far as I can see, that’s what’s stopping us from having more than this, more than these nights in Miami. It’s the distance.” There was an eagerness in her eyes. “What if there wasn’t any?”
Casey shook her head, no words coming to her mouth. She cupped Eve’s cheek instead, bringing their lips together. It was only supposed to be a chaste kiss, one that would convey all the emotions running through her right now, but Eve slid her hand into her hair, parting her lips, kissing her with a newfound confidence.
They might just have a chance after all.
26
In all the years that Eve had been coming to this conference, this was the first time she’d skipped out on the talks. But this was a much better way to spend the day.
When they’d woken up together this morning, they’d planned on exploring Miami together, but they were still in Eve’s suite at four o’clock, moving from having breakfast on the balcony to having a very long shower together. After that, Casey was supposed to go back to her room and get changed, but they’d ended up in bed again.
