Making an Impact (Men of the Ice Book 6) Page 2

  Jessica shook her head. “No thanks.”

  Char shrugged. “Suit yourself.”

  Jessica sat down beside her. “Are you okay, Char?” The surprise disappeared, leaving only concern in Jessica’s voice.

  “I’m fine. Why do you ask?”

  “I don’t know... because you seem to be taking this birthday even harder than I expected,” Jessica said. “I saw you dancing with Casey. Kissing Casey. Now you’re drinking a martini, which, to my recollection, is a first in the entire ten years I’ve known you.”

  Yep. She was concerned, all right. Char didn’t blame Jessica. Had the situation been reversed, she’d probably react the same way. “One martini,” Char said. “One dance. One kiss.” Technically, it had been two dances and two kisses, but the first dance was fast and the first kiss was chaste, so she didn’t count those two.

  “Yes, but Casey?” Jessica frowned. “Do you think that’s a good idea?”

  “Casey’s not a bad guy.” A few minutes ago, she’d been been wary of dancing with him, and here she was defending him. Funny what one kiss could do. “Like I said, it was just a dance and a kiss. Hardly a big deal.” Char looked around the club and didn’t see him. “He’s gone now, anyway.” Probably in search of his latest conquest.

  “Okay.” Jessica sighed. “Sorry. I know you can take care of yourself, but I love you, you know?”

  “And I love you, too,” Char said. “Look, I am having a hard time with this birthday. It’s impacted me more than I thought, and I don’t know why. I’ll be fine, though. I promise. I’ll be back to my old self tomorrow.”

  “If you say so.”

  “Yeah, it’s just something I need to get over. Thanks for the party. I do appreciate it.”

  “You’re not mad about it, then?”

  “Never.” Char laughed. “How could I be, when I got this tiara?”

  “I thought it was a nice touch.” Jessica stood up. “If you’re sure you’re fine, I’m going to go find Ryder.” She nodded in the direction of the Char’s martini glass. “Take it easy on those, though.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m only having one.”

  Jessica headed back to the dance floor, and Char finished the drink. True to her word, she declined when the bartender asked if she wanted another. Instead, she got up to leave. The party had been a nice gesture, but she didn’t feel like staying.

  Outside, Char fished in her purse for her car keys. When she finally found them, she pressed the button to unlock the Mustang, but suddenly felt unsteady on her feet. Maybe that martini wasn’t such a good idea. She put her hand on the door to steady herself.

  “Char? Is something wrong?”

  At the familiar voice, she turned around, to see Casey stepped out of the shadows. “Oh. Casey. I thought you left.”

  “I was going to, but I didn’t get very far, obviously.” He whistles as he approached the car. “Sweet set of wheels. Is this yours?”

  “Yes. My birthday present to myself. My midlife crisis car, if you will.”

  “Very nice.” He nodded his approval.

  “Thanks. I’d offer to give you a spin in it, but that wouldn’t be a good idea at the moment.” Char put her keys back in her purse. After the brief unsteadiness, she felt better now, but wouldn’t chance anything. She had a high profile job she’d prefer to keep, not end up in the police blotter or wrapped around a tree. “I think that martini I had was a mistake on an empty stomach. Do you want to walk with me to find something to eat?” She didn’t know why she asked, other than it wasn’t the greatest of neighborhoods to be walking around alone at night. Besides, playboy reputation aside, she’d always known Casey to be a good guy.

  “I have a better idea,” he said. “I’ve got a car, and a driver. He can take us anywhere we want to go, if that interests you.” Before Char could answer, Casey’s lips were on hers again, in a continuation of the kiss inside the club. Make that a continuation with a lot more intensity. When he finally broke off the kiss, she struggled to catch her breath.

  “Yes,” Char said once she’d found her voice. “That sounds like a great idea.”

  Chapter Three

  She could use the alcohol as an excuse, but it would be just that—an excuse, and not a very good one. Char didn’t feel sober enough to risk driving, but she was in full control of her thoughts and her actions. No, she wasn’t getting into the back of a limo with a man sixteen years her junior because she was drunk and uninhibited. She was doing it because she wanted to, plain and simple. Char could own that fact. Maybe it was the best part of turning forty. With maturity came accountability. Or something like that.

  “Home, Mr. Denault?” the driver asked, and Casey glanced at Char, his eyes searching hers for an answer.

  One more chance to say no. “Sounds good to me.”

  Casey grinned. “Yes, home it is, Jack, and I don’t mind if you take your time getting there.” He gave the man a wink which made clear to Char that this wasn’t the first time he’d done this. Maybe that should raise a red flag. Maybe she should care. She didn’t. There was that accountability thing again.

  Casey helped her into the back of the car, and as soon as the privacy screen closed, separating them from the driver, he pulled her onto his lap. Char felt the bulge of his erection through his jeans, and wondered if all he had in mind was a ‘quick wham-bam-thank you, ma’am’ sort of encounter. It would fit with his reputation, after all. Love ‘em and leave ‘em. Instead of reaching for his zipper, though, Casey’s hand moved between Char’s legs, causing a tremor to course through her.

  One touch, and he hadn’t even gotten close to her pleasure point, and she was shaking. Yes. She needed this. It had been too damn long.

  “Are you wet?” Casey asked.

  She’d been wet since the kiss inside the club, but wasn’t ready to admit it. Instead, she said, “Why don’t you touch me and find out?”

  “I like the way you think,” Casey said, as his fingers found her panties, and her secret was out. “Oh yeah. Nice and wet.” He massaged her through the damp fabric.

  Char breath hitched. “That feels good. Don’t stop.” At the rate this was going, she wouldn’t last long.

  “Oh, baby, I’m just getting started.” Casey pushed aside her underwear with his fingers, then inserted one inside her. “So slick, just the way I like it.” He thrust another finger into her. “I bet you taste good, too. I want to taste you, but we’ll get to that later...”

  Char hoped it was a promise. Either way, Casey had more in mind than a little quickie. No, it was clear he wanted to pleasure her exactly the way she needed, and satisfy her before himself. Char arched her back, grinding against his hips as his fingers worked away inside her. She was close now, so close, and clenched her teeth from crying out, which only made him increase his movements.

  “That’s it. Come on, baby. I’m going to make you come, and I want you to scream.”

  Char bit her lip. The first part was a foregone conclusion, and thankfully so, but she remained determined not to scream. The limo driver no doubt knew exactly what was happening in the backseat, but that didn’t mean she had to broadcast her climax for him to hear.

  Her resolve lasted until Casey’s thumb found her clit, and as he massaged it, she couldn’t hold out any longer, and couldn’t stop herself from screaming, “Oh, God, Casey. Yes!” as her body shook.

  The intensity of the climax surprised her, and thankfully, Casey kept his free hand on Char’s back, preventing her from knocking her head against the seat behind her, or the privacy screen. “There you go,” he said, extracting his fingers from her once her spasms stopped and her breathing slowed. “You’re even sexier when you come.”

  Char didn’t quite trust her voice yet, so she only nodded. The limo pulled to a stop, and Casey smiled.

  “Perfect timing. We’re here.”

  The timing was perfect, too perfect not to be planned, and Char wondered if the driver had simply been going around in circles until he’
d heard her cries from the backseat. She moved off of Casey and adjusted her dress just as the door opened.

  “Here we are, Mr. Denault.” The driver’s expression remained stoic, the face of professionalism and discretion.

  “Thank you, Jack,” Casey said.

  Char surveyed the surroundings and realized they were in front of the Grand Hyatt. “This is where you live? The hotel?”

  Casey laughed. “No. I live in one of the luxury condos above the hotel. Room service is one of the perks, so I’ll get you that food you need. A little later, though,” he added with a wink. “After we finish what we started.”

  ***

  Casey was grateful for the private entry to the residence unit atop the hotel, and for no one in the elevator. It took every ounce of willpower and restraint he could muster not to stop the elevator and take her right then and there. His cock throbbed, needing to be free of the confines of his pants, and inside her. Christ, she was incredible.

  They got to his unit, and Casey hastily unlocked the door using one hand, while the other tugged at his zipper. The bedroom. He should probably take her to the bedroom, except he didn’t think he could wait. No. Later, he would make love to her the right way. Slow and tender. Right now, he just needed to have her, especially when she was already wet and ready for him.

  Casey closed the door and backed her against it. “Right here okay? Any objection?” He was losing romance points fast, but hoped to be able to earn them back. Later.

  Char gave a shake of her head. “Here’s fine, and hurry, please.”

  God Bless her. She’d already come, once, and she still wanted him to hurry. Casey choked back a laugh as he pulled a condom from his back pocket. “I don’t have any choice in that, baby. You’re killing me.” He yanked open the rubber and sheathed himself while Char helped the process along by removing her underwear and hiking up her skirt. It afforded Casey the opportunity to see more of her body than he had before, and he liked what he saw.

  He longed to explore every inch of her, both with his hands and his mouth. At the moment, though, Casey had a more urgent need. One that couldn’t wait. He entered her with ease, her opening already slick and ready for him, and as Char arched her back, Casey thrust deeper.

  “More. Faster,” she urged, and he held onto her hips as she wrapped her legs around him, and pumped harder.

  Casey wanted Char to come first, wanted to see the look of passion in her eyes again as she screamed his name and her whole body shook, and he sensed she was close. He could hold back. He had to. Just a little longer.

  He couldn’t.

  Damn it! Casey cursed himself as he exploded inside her. Damn it all to hell. Now she probably thought he was some horny kid who couldn’t wait to get his rocks off. Not ready for the big leagues with a woman of her class and sophistication. Pathetic.

  As disappointed as he was in himself, Casey didn’t want Char to not get her pleasure, so he stayed inside her while he used his thumb on her clit to bring her to climax again. It worked, and it was beautiful to watch, but he still as if he’d let her down. “I’m sorry,” Casey said as he pulled out. “I couldn’t hold out any longer.” He hoped to get the chance to make it up to her.

  “Don’t apologize, Casey. You’ve made me feel better tonight that I have in a very, very long time.” She kissed him on the lips. “Is there some place I can go freshen up while you order that food you promised me?”

  Char’s words sealed the deal. She might be the most exquisite woman Casey had ever known, and he didn’t want this night to end. And next time, he’d get it right. “Sure. The guest bathroom is down that hall, to the right.” He pointed. “First door. There’s towels, and a robe, if you want it. Whatever you need. I’ll see about getting something to eat brought up.”

  ***

  Swanky was the first word that came to mind as Char walked down the hall. She knew there were luxury condos on top of the Grand Hyatt, but she’d never seen them until now. Very swanky. She closed the bathroom door and looked in the mirror. Yes, she’d been rode hard, that was for sure. Her hair was a disheveled mess, her dress wrinkled, and her makeup smudged. Damned if she didn’t look satisfied, though. The classic JBF look. Just been fucked. And what a fuck it was. Poor Casey, feeling bad about finishing before her, but still taking the time to get her off with his hands. He had very talented hands, with or without a hockey stick in them.

  A fluffy robe adorned with the hotel logo hung from a hook on the door, so Char opted to take a quick shower. She needed it. Afterward, she wrapped herself in the robe and went to find Casey. He stood in the living room, wearing baggy shorts and a Generals T-shirt. His hair was damp, so he must have showered, too.

  “Hey,” he said. “I wasn’t sure what you wanted, so I just ordered a couple club sandwiches and chips. I hope that’s okay. If you’re vegan, or gluten free, or whatever, I can call them back and get you something else.”

  Char shook her said. “No, that sounds great. I eat just about anything.” And at the moment, she was starving. She frowned as she saw what he held in his hand. “Is that my phone?”

  “Oh, yeah, sorry.” He held it out to her. “I promise I didn’t look at your email or your contacts or anything, but I heard it buzz, so I grabbed it from your bag. You got a call or text or something.”

  “Thanks.” She took it from him. He couldn’t snoop at it. She had a passcode on it. Char keyed in the code to unlock the phone and went to her missed calls. She already knew who they were from before she saw Jessica’s name. Shit! She’d left her car the club, and now Jessica was paranoid. Char didn’t listen to the voice mail, just went straight to her text messages.

  Where the hell are you? Your car’s still in the lot. Worried. Please tell me nothing happened to you.

  Well, something happened, all right, but it was all good. Char made the quick decision not to call Jessica back, knowing it would only bring questions. Instead, she typed a quick reply to the text.

  I’m fine. Felt kind of tipsy after that stupid martini, so got a driver to take me home.

  It wasn’t a lie, except for maybe the last part. She hadn’t gone to her home. Char hit send, then followed up:

  Just going to bed. I’ll call you in the morning after I pick up my car. Sorry to worry you.

  She hit send again, then set the phone on the coffee table.

  “Everything okay?” Casey asked.

  Char nodded. “Yeah, I just scared Jess to death by leaving my car at the club and not saying goodbye.” She rolled her eyes. “She worries too much.”

  “Understandable. There’s a lot of sick people in the world,” Casey said. “That’s why I wasn’t going to let you walk anywhere by yourself. Not after dark in a sketchy neighborhood.”

  It was a good thing Casey had still been outside the club, or she might have walked once she realized she shouldn’t drive, even though she should know better. Char wondered if he’d hung around on purpose, hoping she might leave and he’d run into her again. It didn’t matter. She was just glad he had hung around, whatever his reason. “Thanks for taking care of me, Casey.” Too late, Char realized the double entendre. “Bad choice of words.”

  “I think it was an excellent choice of words.” A knock sounded at the door. “That’s the food,” Casey said. “Let’s eat, then I’ll take care of you again.”

  His wink and suggestive smile made Char blush. “In that case, I’ll be sure to eat fast.”

  Chapter Four

  Char woke before dawn, while Casey still slept. She didn’t want to leave his bed, but she couldn’t stay. Instead, she got up quietly and put on her black dress from the night before. Not the best attire for six a.m. Great. She made it to forty without ever having to do a walk of shame, but apparently there was a first time for everything. It couldn’t be avoided. She couldn’t go pick up her car wearing a robe from the hotel.

  After she dressed, Char jotted a quick note for Casey. Thank you for a night I’ll never forget. Good luck in the game toni
ght. She hoped it was an appropriate thing to say. She didn’t have a lot of prior experience with the whole one night stand thing. It seemed rude to leave without so much as a note, especially after what he’d done for her.

  Her wardrobe garnered a strange look from the hired driver, but fortunately no snide remarks, and within fifteen minutes, Char was back at the Electric Eel to retrieve her Mustang. She went to her house to change clothes, then called Jessica. No doubt her friend would have a ton of questions. Char couldn’t put this off, and she’d made up her mind that she wouldn’t lie, either.

  “I just got my car,” she said when Jess answered. “Do you want to meet somewhere for breakfast?”

  “I’d love to. I want an explanation for why you disappeared last night without even saying goodbye.”

  Yeah, you’ll get your explanation. And hopefully you’ll understand. “The waffle house on Marshall street?” Char suggested, then ended the call once Jess agreed.

  Jess was already seated in a booth when Char arrived at the restaurant. She slid into the opposite side of the booth and raised her hand to flag down a server. “Coffee, and the stronger the better,” she said. “Cream and sugar, too. please.”

  “Are you still feeling the effects of that martini?” Jessica asked, frowning.

  Char shook her head. “No. I just didn’t sleep very well.” Who had time to sleep? “I’m trying to wake up a little before I go into work.”

  “And you’re sure you’re okay?”

  “Fine,” Char insisted. A mug of hot coffee was set in front of her, along with creamer. She added it to the coffee, took a sip, and added more. Her ex-husband always teased her that she added so much cream, she may as well be drinking milk, but Char liked her coffee the way she liked it, and didn’t intend to apologize. She also wouldn’t apologize for the way she’d spent the night.

  “There’s something I have to tell you about last night,” Char said, “and I ask that you please don’t judge me.”