One More Time

“I can say the same about you, Casey,” he said.

Malcolm gently helped me down from the desk, steadying me on my feet. He kissed my forehead one last time before stepping away and pulling up his pants.

I smoothed down my skirt, and suddenly, it all came back to me. Where we were, why I was there, and the fact that we needed to keep things low-key, and about the task at hand. At least sex could be written off as helping move things along, but my feeling for Malcolm grew more and more complicated every time we were together.

“Sorry for the distraction,” Malcolm said, putting his belt back on.

“It's okay, I'm certainly not complaining,” I laughed.

Malcolm's smile went all the way to his eyes, the dimple in his left cheek standing out more than usual.

“That's good to hear, because I certainly enjoyed myself too,” he said.

I averted my gaze, feeling like I might explode with happiness because of the way he looked at me. Every time he smiled, something inside of me melted. Butterflies in the stomach, a racing pulse – all that cliche love crap I never believed in before was suddenly very real to me.

I was walking on thin ice with Malcolm, and I knew it.

“Well, I better get going,” I said, moving toward the door.

Malcolm stopped me by grabbing my arm and pulling me into him. He held me close, my head resting on his chest. Neither one of us said anything for several long moments. I closed my eyes and melted into him, relishing the way his arms held me close. A girl could get used to that, I thought. The moment the thought crossed my mind though, I silently chastised myself and stepped back from his embrace.

“Malcolm, we shouldn't be spending so much time together,” I said.

My hands were still on his chest, and I ran my fingers down his shirt, playing with the buttons. It was a distraction to keep me from looking into his eyes though. I didn't trust myself to look at him.

“I know, technically we're only supposed to be trying for a baby, but I can't help it. I enjoy spending time with you,” he said.

“I enjoy it too,” I admitted. “I enjoy it too much. That's why it's probably not a good idea.”

He lifted my chin up and kissed the tip of my nose.

“I care about you more than I should, Casey,” he said.

A lump formed in my throat, making it hard to speak or swallow. I wanted to tell him I felt the same way, but I froze. I just stared at him and couldn't speak for the longest time.

“I'm sorry for complicating your life,” he sighed. “That was never my intention. I'll try to be more professional from now on.”

I'd remembered what Terrance had said to me, about how Malcolm didn't know what was good for him. I cared about him, more than I should have, but I knew things would end badly for both of us if I didn't have his family's support. God knew they wouldn't want their son with someone like

me. Terrance was probably more than right about that.

Still, I couldn't deny my feelings any longer. “I care about you too, Malcolm.”

His smile returned, brighter than ever. “You do? Cynical, grumpy, Casey actually likes me?”

It was hard not to laugh as I playfully punched him in the shoulder. “Shocking, I know,” I said. “I'm as surprised as you are.”

“That makes me really happy, Casey. You have no idea,” he said.

He ran a finger down the side of my face, ticking my flesh. I leaned into his touch and closed my eyes.

“You make me happy, Malcolm,” I said.

There was a knock at the door, which caused me to jump back. I stumbled, nearly falling over the chair in the process. Malcolm caught my hand just in time and helped keep me on my feet.

“Yes?” he said.

Alyssa poked her head into the room, a smile on her face. She looked from me to Malcolm, blushing slightly as if she knew she'd interrupted something.