Southern Comfort (Southern 2)

“No.” I shake my head. “It’s too warm out.”

“But …” He picks up his hand, and his finger traces along the top of my dress. “Your skin is all out.” His voice is going lower by the time he’s done. His blue eyes are now a deep blue and in two seconds his hand is in my hair and his lips are on mine. Unlike his kisses in the past that have been soft and delicate, this kiss, it’s hungry, it’s all tongue and hands, and it’s all Casey. His smell, his touch, everything about him. I don’t care if he’s wearing a three-piece suit or if he’s wearing his Levi’s, he’s still the man who has crept into my heart.

“Casey,” I whisper his name when he finally lets my lips go.

“I’ve never seen anyone so stunning in all my life,” he says in a whisper as he leans down and kisses my shoulder. “Stunning.” I put my hand on his cheek, the smile on my face so big my cheeks hurt.

“You clean up good, cowboy,” I say, and he grabs my hand and brings it to his lips. “Now let’s go before I do what I really want to do.”

“What is that?” he asks, and for the first time, I jump without thinking.

“I want to save the horse,” I say, leaning in. “And ride the cowboy.” I kiss him under his chin, and I walk out, grabbing my St-Laurent light pink purse. I stop at the doorway and look over my shoulder. “You coming, cowboy?” I ask, and he shakes his head.

“I just need a minute,” he says and I roll my lips.

“If it helps you at all.” I look at him. “I’m not wearing panties,” I whisper and walk out of the room, and I hear him groan louder.

“Olivia.” He calls my name once, twice, and three times.

“Let’s go, cowboy!” I shout down the hall, and he comes storming down.

“Olivia.” He stands there, and you can clearly see he’s aroused and it looks like it’s going to break out. “You are not stepping foot out of that door unless you put something on.”

“Really.” I fold my arms over my chest. “Is that so?”

“What if you fall and your dress tears?” he asks. “Or what happens if there is an accident and they have to cut your dress off?” He stares at me and his eyes look like the deep end of the ocean. “What happens?”

I walk to him and stand in front of him. “What happens if I get so hot and bothered that I need you right then and there?” I ask him, knowing I’m testing him. I also know that I’ve never been this direct when it comes to sex. I was always shy and reserved, but something about Casey and I’m ready to say exactly what I want. “What if you have the sudden urge to push me against the wall?”

“Darlin’,” he says in his Southern accent, and my knees go weak as his voice goes even lower. “If I want you that bad,” he kisses right behind my ear, “I’ll just rip them off.” I shiver now.

“My panties are from France and they cost two hundred dollars each,” I say, my chest heaving.

“I think I’m good for it.” He winks at me now. “Now are we leaving or are you going to put on your two hundred dollar panties?”

“Relax, cowboy,” I say, putting my hands on his chest and feeling his own heart beating as fast as mine. It’s good to know that I’m not the only one struggling with this. “I’m perfectly covered.”

“That’s my girl,” he says, and my stomach flutters again like a crashing wave. “Now the car is waiting.”

“Lead the way.” He grabs my hand, and the two of us walk out, my heels clicking on the marble floor. We walk through the lobby, and I can see the eyes turning to look at us. For the first time in my life, I don’t know if they are looking at me or at him. I see the girls do a double take, and it makes me want to turn him around and claim him in front of them. Almost like “this is my man,” but in reality, he’s my man for the time being. We walk out, and the driver is standing next to the black Mercedes truck. He spots us and opens the door.

“Mr. and Mrs. Barnes,” he says, and for the second time today, I don’t correct them. I also don’t think much of it. I get in, and the door closes behind me while Casey walks around the truck and gets in. He sits down and fixes his cuffs, and for the first time, I see that he’s wearing black and gold cuff links.

He looks over at me, and I see his hair is falling a bit onto his forehead and my hand reaches out and pushes it away from his face. He reaches out and pulls me into his side, putting one arm around me. The driver gets into the car, and the whole ride there, I sit here next to him living in the moment. Not knowing that somewhere not too far away, someone just decided that the stakes have just been upped, and they will stop at nothing to get what they want from me.