Rush

I barely know Case. Why do I feel a knot of jealousy over the fact that he’s had more sex in the past twenty-four hours than I’ve had in a year?

“Hey, Emma. Where are you?” Case calls out.

I step out of the kitchen and round the corner toward the foyer. I catch him shoving his hand into the front pocket of his jeans to grab his phone.

I liked the suit he was wearing this morning, but I love him dressed more casually.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I’m mentally rating his outfits. I need to get a grip and get him out of my mind.

He looks up from his phone’s screen when I step closer to him. “We’re going out for dinner.”

That makes sense. I assume Maya and him worked up a substantial appetite this afternoon rolling in the hay with Rod and Pam. Can you safely roll with that many people on one bed, or will one tumble off the edge?

Would the other three people even notice if you did fall?

I have to stop with the wandering thoughts and focus.

“I hope you and Maya have a nice time.” I paste an exaggerated grin on my mouth. “Will you be coming back here after dinner? Not that it’s my business, but I know you’d like privacy. Or I assume you do, but maybe I’m wrong? What I’m trying to say is that I can hang out at Durie’s if you need me to.”

My eye twitches.

Please don’t let him mistake that for a wink.

He narrows his gaze as he studies my face. “I’m not taking Maya to dinner. I’m taking you to dinner.”

I close my eyes, not only to clear my mind because I’m sure I just mistakenly heard him say he’s taking me to dinner but to stop the unrelenting twitch that has now migrated to my other eye.

“Maya is meeting someone here this evening, and she wants the place unoccupied, so that means we both need to clear out before she gets here,” he clarifies.

I have a million questions related to that, but I just nod because where would I start?

“Aim to be ready at seven.” He looks toward the main bedroom. “I need to hit the shower.”

“I’ll do the same.”

“We’ll keep it casual tonight.” He glances at what I’m wearing. “Does sushi work for you?”

“Sure.” I shrug, not wanting to admit that I’ve never tried it.

“Good. I’ll see you in a couple of hours.”

He disappears down the hallway, shutting his bedroom door behind him. I wait a beat before I head to the guest room.

I drop my purse on the bed, kick off my boots, and grab a pair of yoga shorts and a long T-shirt from my suitcase. It’s enough to keep me covered when I cross the hall after my shower.

The moment I step into the main bathroom, I spot a gift bag on the counter. The logo for Matiz Cosmetics is printed on the side of the pale pink bag.

I’ve heard about their products. Almost everyone has, but I can’t afford them on my teacher’s salary.

I glance down at the simple white card next to the gift bag.

There are two words written in black ink.

Emma. Enjoy.

I pluck a few pieces of white tissue from the bag to find two bottles of bubble bath. One infused with lavender and the other a blend of citrus. Both bottles are square shaped and topped with silver lids. They look like they belong on a shelf on display.

I open one bottle and inhale the sweet fragrance. Closing my eyes, I savor the scent and the knowledge that Case got this just for me.

Chapter 17

Case

I tug a lightweight gray sweater over my head and take a step back. The full-length mirror Drake had installed in the walk-in closet is welcome. I don’t put that much effort into my appearance, but I know I look all right tonight.

Dark jeans and black wingtip shoes are going to have to fit the bill of casual attire since I packed lightly for this trip.

Swiping a hand over my chin, I realize that I still haven’t gotten around to cleaning it up. I make a mental note to take care of it tomorrow before my two-day-old scruff morphs into the beginnings of a beard.

I tuck my wallet into my back pocket and my keys in the front. With my phone in my hand, I head out into the main living area.

The instant I exit the bedroom, the fragrance of lavender envelops me.

Emma must have indulged in a bath after finding the gift bag I left her.

“Case.” Her soft voice breaks through the silence.

Looking to the right, toward the open door of the guestroom, I’m gifted with the sight of Emma wearing a pair of black jeans and a ruby red sheer sleeveless blouse.

Her lips are tinted the same shade as her shirt.