Into The Dragon's World - Brittany White Page 0,42

around his waist, pressing her cheek between his shoulder blades. Tension hummed through his body like electricity.

“You okay?” she asked softly.

“No.”

“You know there was nothing you could have done tonight, don’t you?”

Brady turned to face her, slipping his arms around her and pulling her into a tight embrace. They stood that way for a while, silent. Casey wondered if he was taking strength from her or if she was taking it from him.

“I can’t lose you,” he finally said, whispering into her hair.

“You won’t.” Casey closed her eyes, greedy for his warmth, his touch. “Wild horses and all that.”

He chuckled softly. “Yeah,” he said, kissing the top of her head. “Wild horses.”

“I really wish you would come with me to the club tonight.” Brady slipped into a suit jacket, straightening his cuffs as he turned to Casey. He wore a simple button-collared blue shirt and jeans. Casey wondered if she would ever get tired of looking at him.

“I’ve gone to work with you every night.” Casey strolled up to him, straightening the collar of his shirt. “There’s only so much partying a person can do locked up in your office.”

“I don’t like leaving you here alone.” Brady frowned. “It’s only been a week since we saw that asshole—”

“And he’s stayed away. Zack’s guys haven’t seen him at the club. Neither one of us has seen him wandering around in the wild. Maybe he’s gone for good this time.”

“And maybe you’re being a hopeless optimist.”

Casey smiled and eased her arms around his neck, leaning in close. The truth was going to the club every night exhausted her. She was feeling more side effects from the baby now, and it was getting harder to keep them under wraps. All she wanted to do was curl up in bed with a book and wait for Brady to get home.

“Have a good night,” she said. “And be sure to save some energy for later. I’ll wait up for you.”

Brady grinned, sliding his hands around her waist and over her buttocks, pulling her closer. “Big talk from a little lady.”

“We’ll see. We’ll see.” Casey smiled as their lips met, a soft kiss that spoke volumes.

“I’m still not sure about leaving you here alone.” Brady’s frown returned. “Wallace could still be out there.”

“I’m sure he’s found a new coed to torture.” Casey forced a smile, even though the thought of Evan Wallace roaming free terrified her. “I’ll keep the door locked.”

“Still—”

“Brady...this is one of the safest apartment buildings in the city. The doorman looks like a pro wrestler. Nobody’s getting past him.” Casey quickly kissed him again. “I’ll be fine.”

Brady’s frown deepened. She knew that he was going to do as she asked. He just wouldn’t like it.

“I’ll be home early,” he said, grudgingly releasing her and walking toward the door. “Do not open that door to anybody but me.”

Casey snapped off a smirky salute. “Yes, sir.”

He hesitated a moment at the door, simply gazing at her with an intensity that made her suddenly self-conscious. She laughed.

“What’s wrong? Do I have something on my face?”

He shook his head slowly. “Nah...just wanted to take one more look at you.”

Casey’s smile softened. “See you later.”

Brady gave her a quick wink and stepped out the door. A half-second later, he poked his head back inside. “Lock the door!”

“Yes, sir.” Casey joined him at the door and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. “Now, go to work.”

He finally closed the door behind himself and Casey engaged all five of the locks. She could hear him on the other side, waiting to hear the last click before leaving.

Casey idly wandered through Brady’s apartment, unconsciously resting a hand over her still-flat stomach. She was going to have to tell him eventually, but she wasn’t looking forward to it. So far, everything seemed to be normal with the baby; she’d gone to a doctor immediately after returning to New York, and he’d judged her and the barely-there baby to be fine and healthy. The morning (and afternoon and evening) sickness would probably pass after a couple of months.

She stopped at the floor to ceiling window that overlooked Central Park, refocusing her eyes from her own pale reflection to the city beyond. Brady would make a wonderful father, she had no doubt about that. But he had yet to actually tell her he loved her. If he even did. Sometimes Casey thought she saw love in his eyes, but she’d been hurt too many times before to be able to just assume