He was wearing a tie and collared, button-up shirt with a tired facial expression. He was sipping from a bottle of beer and stealing small chocolate chips from the bag of baking morsels.

"He broke his leg in three places and had surgery on it that day. I went to see him, maybe, two days afterward, since hospitals suck," Derek explained, receiving a nod from Casey. "I was teasing him about when he'll come back to the team, saying that he won't be on the ice, but he could still wear his jersey. I say he'll make a great water boy, and he should hold our towels for us."

Casey wrinkled her nose and chuckled. Derek gave her a small smile, and she watched the way the expression warmed his features. Things were changing so much between them , and the uncertainty of how far that would go and how long it would take made her nervous.

Her shoulders dropped just as his gaze did.

She wondered how his breath had grown hot in such a short time as his mouth attached itself to her neck. He took hold of her breast, rubbing his thumb up and down on the side of it. Her hands had hung loose at her sides until a second ago, and she didn't know how to stand or whether or not she should. Would it be wrong to push Derek away just a little and sit down, trying to put an enticing look on her face, fully covered but lacking a bra, feeling vulnerable. Would he wake up then, and realize he didn't want this? His exhale was heavy and a clear signal of a certain level of arousal. His tongue traced her bottom lip, a gesture she wasn't sure she liked, but he made up for it when he initiated kissing for the next few minutes, his hands running over her back and sides.

"I don't understand you, but…keep touching me." She found herself whispering.

"I want you," he replied at a slightly louder volume, pulling back enough to make eye contact. "Sam and I planned all day on drinking like this-what we'd drink and what bars we'd hit to have them, and…I wanted this, too."

Casey's mouth fell open.

He smirked and slid his thumb along her hips, just inside the waistband of her skirt.

"I'm not kidding." He said.

His breath was heavy with Jagermeister and Casey began to unbutton his shirt, while still uncertain, nervous, and insecure.

"Keep it up," he murmured. "I'll take care of you."

"Just tonight." She added, her eyes flitting between each of his.

He swallowed and looked down, focusing on her body. There was no answer to her silent question. Not until daylight, anyway.


05.25.10