Single and Searching (21 page)

"Assistance needed for clean up in aisle three." Her loud voice boomed over the speaker and several people turned to stare.

Casey grabbed a box of condoms, Henry S., and ran toward the checkout counter as fast as she could. Maybe she could get out of the store before anyone recognized her.

* * *

Hoping to distract herself from Gabe by focusing on work, Casey and Henry S. spent the afternoon gluing and painting different kinds of pasta into designs and shapes for the letter "p".

She was still grimacing at the condom and toupee disaster. Thank goodness, Hank had laughed the matter off, although his slick bald head had turned a brilliant shade of red. Henry S.' attempts to place the shock of fake hair back on Hank's head had caused Casey to bite her lip in order to stifle the laughter. Could she help it if her son thought the toupee looked better covering one of Hank's ears?

Gabe had quickly steered her outside, and once again Casey's insecurities had surfaced. She'd had the uneasy feeling he hadn't wanted his boss to see her. But why?

Get over it, Casey, The man told you his mind was on his work. Accept it, he's a nice man, and you deserve some happiness. He didn't even get angry with Henry S.

At four o'clock, the doorbell rang. Casey greeted a delivery man and signed for a package.

She tore open the packaging, touched by the kaleidoscope Gabe had enclosed for Henry S. The tin of candy M & M's would last a month, that is, if she hid them from Henry S. Maybe she would make M & M mountains with him for the letter "m" in her activity book.

Peeking under the tissue paper, she discovered a surprise for her. A lovely green halter dress. Underneath the dress, she found a small jewelry box. Her hands shook as she opened it, her breath catching.

A small emerald centered on a delicate gold chain glistened back. A lacy note card held a message from Gabe:
Here's "g," "h," "j," and "k and m". I'll bring "I" ice cream for dessert. "L" is a surprise. Wear this dress tonight, and we'll work our way to the letter "n." The colors of the card remind me of your eyes. Guess which color they turned last night when you were in my arms?

Casey's heart pattered. Filled with passion, what color did her eyes turn? And what was the letter "n"? Her "n" was neverending—what was Gabe's?

Excitement filled her, then plummeted to reality when she heard Henry S.' laughter. Sensing trouble, she rushed to the kitchen and groaned.

"Wook, Mommy. Pasta piggie."

Multi-colored noodles arranged in a pig's shape decorated her wall. "Oh, Henry S., it's a pretty piggie, but you glue the pasta on the paper to make pictures, not on the walls, buddy!"

* * *

Gabe was running late. He rubbed his hand along his jaw, hoping the extra time he'd taken to shower and shave again was worth it. At least his socks matched now.

Picking the last piece of tissue off his face where he'd nicked himself with his razor, he dodged Casey's beast of a pet as Dog racing around the yard as he made his way to the front porch.

Mentally he ticked over details of the case as he climbed the steps. He'd spent the afternoon in some hole in the wall joints and alleys meeting contacts, and the smell of garbage and cheap liquor had permeated his clothes. At least he was finally making progress with the story. All the stolen merchandise had been traced back to the media warehouse on Fifth Street. Harper had checked out all the employees, but so far zilch, although he had a feeling that was the lead they needed. He and Quickchange met pawnshop dealers and had identified three teenagers with priors as suspects, but he had no evidence.

He had a feeling he was on the brink of cracking the story. If Casey hadn't looked so uncertain this afternoon, he'd skip dinner and still be working.

The fresh flowers in his hand and the gift were meant as an apology for his abrupt behavior at his office. Hank had questioned him about Casey after she left, and he hoped he'd satisfied his boss's curiosity.

When Casey opened the door, his lungs tightened. She looked stunning in the green dress and necklace he'd sent. The neckline of the dress dipped to a tantalizing low, exposing her creamy flesh.

The temptation to ask her if they had to have dinner first before he stripped her hit him. He'd have her for dessert.

Casey waved him in. "It's nice to see you tonight, Gabe. I... thought you might change your mind."

He narrowed his eyes, although his tone was teasing. "Why? Because your little boy stole my boss's hairpiece?"

Casey relaxed. "Thanks for taking it so well."

"Hell, it was funny," Gabe admitted. He remembered the flowers and held them up to her. "These are for you."

Casey sniffed the fragrant petals. "You didn't have to bring me gifts. You've already sent me too much."

Gabe pulled her into his arms. "We're not finished with the alphabet yet, are we?"

Casey smiled and kissed him tenderly. "No, and I've had fun all afternoon wondering what you meant in your card. What is the letter 'n?"'

Gabe tickled her earlobe with his tongue. "Any ideas?"

Casey seared him with a kiss. "A few, but we have to eat dinner first."

Gabe grinned. "Okay, food first. Then you can open your presents."

She took his hand and led him in, and while she put the flowers in water, he studied the room. Something was different.

Then it hit him. The room was clean, neater than usual. He didn't have to dodge toys or clothes or any of Henry S.' other items. "The house looks nice."

"Henry S. and I picked up," Casey said with a shrug. "I bought some storage bins, and I'm going to teach him to clean up. We wrote names and pasted pictures on the boxes this afternoon so he knows where everything goes." Casey pointed to several brightly colored plastic tubs. The fluorescent yellow and green didn't exactly match her country décor, but she obviously didn't seem to mind.

He was impressed at her way of handling the problem. In his house, everything had its place. His mother had been rigid. This house looked like a happy home for a little boy, not a showcase.

Casey led him to a candlelit table and poured them both a glass of wine.

"I'm sorry I was late," Gabe said, taking his seat. "I got hung up on my assignment. Where's Henry S.?"

"With Jenna. I swear she begs to babysit. She needs to have her own children someday."

Gabe's dimple twitched. "Remind me to thank her."

Casey claimed the chair facing him. "I heard you visited her shop."

Gabe accepted the heaping plate of stuffed shells from Casey, his eyes widening with appreciation. "Yeah. It's nice. As a matter of fact, that's where I bought your gift today."

"Really? Lace from the Love 'N Lace, how clever," Casey said.

"Well, you had laughter on your list for 'L,' but I couldn't buy that. Besides, that's the gift you've given me. You've shown me how to laugh again."

Casey smiled at the compliment, and his body stirred with need. But she had said they should eat first, so he vowed to behave himself. "This food looks great. Where did you learn to cook?"

Casey sipped her wine. "I've been on my own for a while. It didn't take long to get tired of pizza and sandwiches. Besides, I want Henry S. to have balanced meals."

Gabe lifted the forkful and bit into it, then groaned. "God, woman, you sure know how to please a man."

Casey raised her wineglass for a toast and winked. "Just wait until after dinner."

Gabe almost choked on a piece of garlic bread. If the food hadn't been so delicious, he would have leapt over the table and acted on the promises shining in her eyes. But he'd practiced eating his vegetables mixed, and he wanted to impress Casey with his achievement. He intended to linger and savor every minute of the meal she'd prepared.

Then he'd fulfill appetite number two in the same slow way.

* * *

The anticipation of being in Gabe's arms again built within Casey, making her hands tremble as she tried to eat. His gray eyes darkened as he looked at her, then he twirled the pasta around his fork and opened his mouth.

She had been worried that he'd protest the mixture of ingredients in the dish, had imagined him picking at the mushrooms or peppers, but he surprised her. He closed his eyes, savoring the food, and Casey's body tingled as she imagined jumping his bones.

But she had to take it slow, had to protect her heart.

Gabe had made no promises, so she forced down a few bites and tried to make conversation. "How's your story going?"

Gabe's fork paused in midair, and Casey could have sworn guilt flashed into his eyes. "Fine," he said. "How's your book going?"

"Great. It's an alphabet craft book. Henry S. and I made pasta pictures today for the letter "p."

Gabe's brow wrinkled. "What are pasta pictures?"

"Artwork using dried pasta. We colored some, then glued them to make different shapes and designed. We even painted with wet spaghetti."

Gabe stabbed another piece of stuffed shell. "I think I'd rather eat the spaghetti, but it sounds like fun."

"It was. Only Henry S. decided to glue some to the floor and walls. And look up there." Casey pointed to the ceiling.

Gabe roared with laughter. A handful of red spaghetti noodles clung to the ceiling. Then his gaze zeroed in on several colorful spots where the pasta had been stuck to the wall behind her. "Is that a pig?"

"Yes," she said, stifling a giggle behind her hand. "He has quite an imagination."

"I can see."

"Of course, so do you. You've been creative with these gifts."

Gabe's gaze turned smoky, and Casey shifted, heat suffusing her. Heaven help her, she wanted his hands on her again.

Hoping to distract herself, she carried their plates to the sink, then extended her hand to Gabe. "Come on, I have a surprise for you now."

She'd taken special care in getting ready for Gabe, and she'd worn this dress for him. Now she wanted to take it off for him, too.

He squeezed her hand. "Wait, open the gift first."

Casey took the neatly wrapped package and tore the paper, then smiled as she eased away the tissue paper to reveal another gift from Jenna's store.

"It's a lace teddy," Gabe murmured. "You said you liked teddies for 't.'"

"I meant teddy bears," Casey said, laughing as she held up the sheer scrap of peach lace. "You really expect me to wear this?" She twirled it around, showing off the racy back.

Gabe took her hand and kissed her fingers one by one, then stared into her eyes. "Maybe for a minute or two, but I'd rather have you in nothing at all. That's my 'n,' Casey. You, naked."

Heat raced through Casey, but so did wariness. Gabe's "N" was nude, hers; neverending. Did that mean all he wanted was sex—not marriage?

"I've been thinking about you all day," Gabe said in a husky voice.

Her doubts faded. She had no right to ask for more yet. She could handle sex for now. So she took his hand. "Come on. We'll have dessert outside."

Stars glittered above them as Gabe followed her to a giant oak tree with sweeping moss near the fence. A blanket held a picnic basket with wine, strawberries, an angel food cake and a can of whipped cream.

"The stars are gorgeous, aren't they?" Casey said softly.

"Yes, they are," Gabe whispered although he wasn't looking at the sky; he was looking at her. "But nothing is as beautiful as you, sweetheart."

A tingle traveled up Casey's spine at the sound of his husky voice. Then he covered her mouth with his, teased her lips apart with his tongue and ravished her mouth.

Casey's legs went weak. She'd planned to seduce Gabe, but every time he touched her, fire sizzled through her blood and she fell apart.

"I like this dress on you," Gabe said, raking his gaze over her body. "But I'd like it off better."

Casey traced a finger along his jaw. "I've been thinking about your dimple all afternoon. "

Gabe chuckled. "Then let's end the agony. I've wanted to make love to you again since last night."

But for Casey the agony began as he slowly peeled her dress over her shoulders. One kiss to her neck set her on fire, then he blazed a trail down her neck and shoulder. His fingers and mouth were everywhere, caressing her face, her neck, her breasts, her nipples until Casey moaned and urged him closer. Still he tortured her with more kisses down her stomach and her belly, then lower, pressing sweet tongue lashes on the curve of her hip and to the heat between her legs.

He slid the dress down to her ankles, moaning as his hands skimmed her bare hips. "God, Casey. If I'd known you weren't wearing panties, we never would have made it through dinner."

Casey shivered against him. "I've been fantasizing about this moment," Casey whispered through a ragged breath.

Gabe lowered her to the blanket and tenderly stroked and teased her legs apart, then dipped his mouth to her damp curls.

"Gabe?" Casey clutched his hand and tried to pull him up.

"Shh." He held her legs firmly apart. "I'm ready for dessert."

He took her gently into his mouth, suckling until he tasted her honeyed sweetness, loving her with his tongue and mouth until Casey convulsed, groaning and trembling with the sensations assaulting her.

Then Gabe moved over her, pushing his clothes down, freeing himself. With a gentle urgency, he thrust into her and Casey hugged his body to her, angling her hips as Gabe gripped her legs to encircle him.

"Casey, god, Casey," Gabe whispered.

Casey closed her eyes and prayed he'd say the words she desperately wanted to hear.

Then thoughts of words evaporated and suddenly nothing mattered, but the mind-drugging feel of Gabe joining with her in the most primal way. He lowered his head to suckle her breast, moving his hips slowly, withdrawing slightly, then plunging harder until Casey could bear no more.

"Please, Gabe," Casey whispered.

He cupped her face between his hands and gazed into her eyes, desire darkening the depths. His skin was flushed as he tilted her hips up to fill her more completely. She squeezed his arms, urging him on, needing more, and he complied. He thrust harder and faster, building a rhythm that made Casey quiver with erotic sensations. A second later, her body began to spasm with pleasure, and he pounded deeper, faster, deeper, faster until she cried out his name and he groaned, then shuddered as his own release claimed him.