Caspian (Carolina Reapers 8)

She killed the torch and ripped off her welding helmet, setting it down on the crowded counter. Her cheeks were flush with heat, her hair barely contained in a low ponytail, and any makeup she might have worn had long-since melted away. She was stunning.

“You amaze me.”

She jumped as she spun to face me. “Caz.” Her hand slammed over her heart. “Just about scared me to death. You’re early.” She unbuckled her leathers and stepped out of the safety gear.

“I went for a run and ended up here.” I tilted my head, studying her as she pulled her hair up higher on her head. “Lately I always seem to be drawn to wherever you are.”

“Is that so?” She smiled and looped her arms around my neck.

“It is.” I cringed. “I’m all sweaty.”

“I noticed.” She leaned up and kissed me, her lips soft and full against mine. “Good thing I like you however you come. Sweaty. Dirty. Shirtless. I’ll take you.”

My chest tightened and I took her mouth in a deep kiss, melding the heat of our bodies into a blatantly carnal caress as I took her ass in my hands and lifted her off the ground. Was there an end to this need? A burnout to this lust? If there was, it wasn’t anywhere in sight. Everything with Ryleigh only got hotter, better.

“Oh!” Her mom startled from the door, whipping her face away from us.

I broke the kiss and set Ryleigh down, laughter lifting my lips.

“Mom?” she asked, brushing off her shirt like it wasn’t plastered in my sweat.

“I’m so sorry to…interrupt. I was just hoping you might run me home, Ryleigh?”

“Sure thing. You can turn around. We’re not naked or anything. At least I’m not, though Caz appears to be trying considering he showed up with no shirt.” Ryleigh eyed my torso.

“Really, I’m so—”

“Don’t be sorry, Mom.” Ryleigh shoved a key in my hand. “Why don’t you walk over to my place and clean up? I’ll be back as soon as I take Mom home.”

I nodded. “I might need to pick up a shirt on the way.”

“Don’t get dressed on my account.” She leaned up and kissed my cheek, then disappeared with her mom.

Ryleigh’s house was only two blocks away, and it only took a few minutes to pick up a new shirt. Thankfully Cherry Creek had discovered Apple Pay, so I could fork over the money with my phone.

I showered in Ryleigh’s bathroom, then started dinner with the supplies I’d grabbed at the same store as the shirt. Cherry Creek was nothing if convenient.

The salmon had just hit the pan when Ryleigh walked in the door. “Oh my God, that smells delicious. Do I have time to shower? I smell like the shop.”

“I love how you smell, but you’ve got ten minutes before this is done.”

“I’ll be quick.” She smacked a kiss on my cheek and raced for the shower. “Tell me you didn’t use all the hot water!” she called out from the bathroom.

I laughed in reply and kept cooking.

Normal. This was all so…normal. Just two people sharing their lives and a meal at the end of the day. The driving lust was still there, and I thought about letting dinner go to hell and climbing into the shower with her more than once, but it wasn’t just about the sex.

I liked her.

Liked seeing her smile. Liked feeding her. Liked seeing her chase her dreams. The sex was just a bonus. A hell of a great bonus, but just that, the cherry on top.

She appeared eleven minutes later, dressed in her pajamas, brushing her wet hair. She kissed me quickly as I plated dinner.

“What was that for?”

“Not taking all the hot water.”

We took our plates and settled in on the couch, eating on our laps as Jeopardy played in the background. No red carpets. No paparazzi. No galas or playoff games. Just…life.

“I found a course catalog on the counter,” I said once I’d polished off my salmon and started in on the veggies.

Ryleigh flinched. “I meant to throw it away. My mom is on me about going to MCAD in the fall.”

“You should. Your kind of talent doesn’t come along every day.” She deserved every chance to shine.

“Talent can wait. I can always reconsider after my brother graduates.” She licked her fork. “Seriously this is so good. When did you learn to cook?”

“Around the time I realized Maxim was never going to and I couldn’t sustain my body on hot pockets. Don’t change the subject. Is it just the store keeping you here? Is it money? Because you know I can pay your—”

Ryleigh’s hand covered my mouth.

“Don’t even think about it. I’m not taking your money.”

I licked her palm and stroked between her fingers with my tongue.

She moaned softly and pulled her hand away. “You’re not playing fair.”