18. Baylor

CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

BAYLOR

The flash of red was the first thing that caught my eye, but when I did a double take, there was a lot more that caught my attention. I slowed the truck to a roll before pulling up to the curb. The sun glinting off his sandy blond hair was unmistakable.

Yep, it was him.

Rolling down the window, I leaned my arm on the door and poked my head out, grinning. “I thought that was you.”

Casey looked delicious. Sweaty and dirty and disheveled. He wore a University of Oregon Mapleview T-shirt that was worn and fit him just right. His cargo shorts showed off his toned legs, and the tool belt and boots just completed the fantasy for me. Now, if I could just get him to wear that tool belt with nothing else, I’d be thrilled.

Casey looked to be installing some sort of wooden box in the ground. He set his hammer down and wiped the sweat from his brow.

He glanced up, squinting against the sun. “Hey, you. What are you doing here?”

“I could ask you the same thing. I had some errands to run, and I always take a different route home so I can try to learn the ins and outs of this town.”

“I see.”

“You gonna tell me what you’re doing?”

“Oh, this? Side project.”

“Come on, Collins. Quit being mysterious.”

He chuckled. “Why don’t you get out and lend me a hand, and maybe I’ll fill you in?”

That was an offer I couldn’t pass up. Hopping out of the truck, I walked over to his tool bag, picked up his electric drill, and pushed the button, testing to see if it worked. But of course it worked, otherwise, why would he have it with him?

“You just love to push buttons, don’t you? Mine in particular.”

“Bet you can’t imagine what I’m thinking right now,” I smirked.

“I’m sure I can,” he laughed, grabbing the drill from my hands before I pushed it again.

The sound didn’t go unnoticed by another familiar face. Rawlings barked. I turned and realized that she was lying in the shade of a nearby tree. I went to her immediately, kneeling down to rub between her ears. She licked my cheek, panting, her stinky doggy breath on my face. “Hey, baby girl, miss me? ”

“Hand me that ratchet.”

Thank God I knew what he was referring to, so I didn’t look like a total clown. I handed him the tool and watched as he tightened the bolts on the base of the post. “What is that thing?” I asked.

“A mini free library. You add a book and take a book. It runs on the honor system.”

“Really? That’s pretty cool. I’ve seen a few of these around town, actually. Did you make this thing?”

“I made all of them and probably more that you haven’t seen yet.”

I couldn’t have been blown away more if a tornado touched down and scooped me up. “You made these? How?”

He laughed again, a rich warm sound that made me feel good inside. Happy. “With a saw and wood.”

“That’s not what I meant, smartass.”

“I’m handy like that,” he shrugged.

If anybody knew that firsthand, it was me. “You’re definitely talented with your hands.”

“I was talking about building things,” he corrected, his eyes twinkling with mirth.

“So, you just make shit and donate it?”

“That’s exactly what I do. And don’t ask me why. The right question to ask is why not? Shouldn’t everyone give back to their community and work to make it a better place?”

“Y-yeah. They just… don’t. I guess you walk the walk and talk the talk.” Damn, that was sexy.

“I guess I do.” He grinned, handing me back the ratchet. Casey stood back and brushed his hands off on his shorts. “Give it a try.”

“What am I supposed to do with it?”

“Open and close the door? Wait, hold on.” He hustled over to his tool bag, pulled out a small paperback book, and handed it to me.

“The ‘ Beginner’s Basics to Playing Baseball ,’” I read aloud. I reached for the little glass door, gently opened it, and slid the book onto the shelf inside before shutting the door again. “It works.”

“It works.” He agreed with satisfaction.

“So, what are you gonna build next?”

“Hmmm, A Saint John’s cross? A pillory? I haven’t decided yet.”

“Sounds kinky.” The longer he stared, the wider his smile grew. “Oh, for me? No thanks, I’m good.”

Casey laughed, and I realized he was joking a little too late.

“If you’re finished, I’ll buy you a cold drink.”

His blue eyes lit up with pleasure. “That sounds delicious. I’ll meet you down the street at the Gas and Go for a slushy.”

“You can ride with me, girl, so we can catch up.” Rawlings happily followed me to my truck, and I opened the passenger door for her, helping her wide ass hop up into the seat. When I was behind the wheel, I turned the key and pulled away from the curb. “Did you miss me, girl?” She had, clearly evidenced by her wagging tail. That was all the permission she needed to come lick my face. “You didn’t tell me your daddy built shit. I mean, seriously; the man coaches baseball, builds shit with his hands, and donates it as charity? Add that face and body… you gotta be kidding me, Rawlings. Casey Collins is lethal. How’s a guy like me supposed to say no to all of that?” She fixed her pretty whiskey-brown eyes on me and tried to understand. “He cooks, too. And, of course, he’s a dog dad, so he’s got that going for him.” She whined, laying her head down on the seat.

“Agreed. It’s too much. There’s no point in fighting it. Let me ask you a question, girl. What do you think your daddy would say if I asked him to spend more time with me? You know, one on one? Like, dating?” Rawlings sat up and barked. “Okay, okay, almost dating. Is that better?” She barked again, her big, wet tongue hanging out the side of her mouth in a silly grin. “So that’s a yes? Do you think he’s interested? Because if I shoot my shot, and he turns me down, I’m blaming you.”

She barked again and came for my face. “Settle down with all that licking. I’m driving. You’re gonna cause an accident.” As if she understood me, she laid back down. “All right, girl, I’m gonna go for it. I’ll let you know how it turns out. Thanks for the advice.” I held out my hand, and she gave me her paw, and we shook on it.

We arrived at the same time, and I caught his smile through the window. My God, I felt butterflies take flight in my stomach. What was this man doing to me? “Stay here, girl, and maybe I’ll bring you a treat.”

I made myself a blue raspberry slushy, while Casey chose red cherry. My gaze was glued to his throat, watching it slide as he chugged his drink. When he lifted the straw from his lips, they were tinted red and looked extremely lickable. Casey was staring right back, and he chuckled.

“What?”

His blue eyes darkened. “Your lips and tongue are tinted blue. I wonder,” he mused, leaning in as he dropped his voice to a whisper. “If you sucked on my cock right now, would you leave a blue ring?”

I choked on my next sip.

Pausing with my drink in hand, mouth agape, I almost poked my eye out with the straw. “In the name of science, we should head to your place right now and find out.”

He gave me that cocky grin, the one that made me want to kiss him. “Maybe later. I need a shower.”

“I can help with that, too.”

“I bet you can. It’s been a long day, though. Hopefully, your offer will still stand when we go to dinner tomorrow.”

It was true what they said about playing hard to get. It only made me want him more.

On our way to the register, I grabbed a small bag of milk bones and paid for our drinks. “Are you bribing my dog?”

“I don’t have to bribe her,” I answered smugly. “She loves me for me. That’s why she’s getting treats.”

He gave me a look that said he disagreed but didn’t argue further. “I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

“Whose turn is it to pay this time?” I asked.

“I’ve lost count. Why don’t we just go Dutch? ”

“Does it count as a real date if we go Dutch?”

His face took on a whole new look. “Do you want it to count, Baylor?”

Just to fuck with him for laughing at my blue mouth and getting my cock all hot and bothered for nothing, I leaned in close and licked my lips, making him think I was going to kiss him. His eyes flared. My words were barely a whispered caress over his lips. “I do, Coach. Make it count.”

When I pulled back, his eyes were on fire—liquid ice burning like a blue flame. “I guess it’s a real date then.”

Fuck yeah!

I rounded my truck to the passenger side and opened the door for Rawlings. “Thanks for the stellar advice, girl. You really know how men tick, don’t you? Here’s your promised treat. Be a good girl until I see you again.” With any luck, I would see her tomorrow night after dinner on my way to Casey’s bedroom. She jumped out of the truck with a bark when her daddy called her name. He gave me a wave before pulling out of the lot.

A real date, with Casey Collins. I was so getting fucked.