Casey's Valentine

Jason touched his tongue to her bottom lip and Casey's mouth opened to him with a sigh. Their tongues touched for a tentative moment, but before the kiss could deepen she felt Jason's stance shift suddenly and he tore his lips from hers.

"What?" he growled behind him.

Casey peeked around Jason's body and spotted Rory O'Brian.

"Did you forget about me, LeBlanc?" Rory caught Casey's eye and grinned, unashamed at his interruption. "Hi, Casey."

"I try to forget about you every day, O'Brian." Jason leaned down to speak to Casey, his voice rough. "I'm sorry, he was supposed to wait for me in the book store." He turned back to his teammate. "Though I don't know how I thought that could occupy you for more than two minutes."

Casey laughed, still dizzy from Jason's touch. He leaned over and pressed his lips to hers gently. "I'll see you tomorrow, beautiful."

She closed her eyes and nodded into his chest. Casey couldn't help but register his scent, a combination of musk and ice. Her teeth cut into her bottom lip as she bit back a groan. No man had ever smelled so appealing.

A few deep breaths later and she was turning away, reluctant to return to work. Somehow over the wind, the men's voices carried back to her.

"I ever tell you you're an asshole, O'Brian?"

"Everyday, LeBlanc."

Casey laughed as she snuggled into her coat against the sudden return of the cold. She was walking, but it felt like she was floating.

-----

Saturday dawned, clear and bright. Casey found herself standing in front of her open closet, almost angry at her lack of choices. She had one shapeless black dress for funerals, then nothing but jeans and sweaters, T-shirts and hockey jerseys.

"Well I'm fucked," she murmured to herself. One of the drawbacks to being a tomboy, she mused. It may have been a black tie hockey benefit, but she doubted Jason would appreciate her wearing a jersey as a dress.

Casey pulled her phone out and dialed Jason's now familiar number.

"Morning beautiful," he mumbled, his voice muddled with sleep.

"I'm fucked," Casey repeated her earlier thought.

"Not yet, you're not," he growled.

Casey had to stop a shudder of desire from ripping through her. "You're not helping," she groaned.

"Am I supposed to be?" Jason teased.

"Why else would I call you at ten in the morning?"

"If you want me to help, then I definitely shouldn't answer that."

Casey swallowed hard, trying to tamp down her desire. How did he do this to her every time they spoke?

"I thought you had practice?" she asked tentatively.

"We did, and I came back to nap. So what's wrong, darling?" Jason prompted when she didn't speak for a minute.

"The only dress I own is for funerals. So unless you plan on killing someone tonight, then I'm fucked."

"Well, O'Brian does get annoying ..." he trailed off.

Casey tried not to laugh, but failed.

"Again, not helping. Not to mention you need him for when you get to the playoffs."

"Good point." She heard shuffling and a telltale strain in his voice as Jason stretched. "Why not go shopping?"

"Because I hate it?" Casey replied.

"Darling, unless you want to show up naked, I'm not sure you have much of a choice. Not that I would mind," he seemed to add as an afterthought.

"Ugh, shopping," Casey mumbled, more to herself than Jason.

"I could come and make it much more interesting," he suggested.

Casey heard the promise behind his words and immediately dismissed the invitation. The last thing she needed was to extend her time at the mall. She shuddered as their kiss last night ran through her head for what felt like the millionth time. "No, I'll suck it up and go."

"You sure, Casey?" Jason replied. She could almost hear him pouting.

She let out something between a sigh and a laugh before answering, "Yes."

"I'll see you at seven, then," he finished before hanging up.

Casey stared at her phone for a moment before pocketing it. God, he had better make this worth it.

-----

Jason double checked the address one more time before hopping out of the car to enter Casey's building, his heart racing. He shook his head, trying to clear it. Jason faced down hulking men armed with sticks and sharp ice skates for a living. Yet he felt more anxious now than he did before any game.

He looked up and was startled to be facing apartment number two. How long had he been standing in front of her door? Jason ran his fingers through his hair and took a few deep breaths before lifting his fist to knock lightly on Casey's door.

The door flew open. Jason barely had time to register Casey's flushed cheeks and upswept hair before she ran back into the apartment.

"I'm late, I'm so sorry!" she yelled. Jason bit back a laugh as she tried hopping into her heels as she moved down the hall.

"I'm such a pushover! Do you know how much useless shit I was talked into buying today?"

Jason couldn't help but smile as he leaned against Casey's doorframe, watching her scramble around in a mad dash to get ready. She was in a simple black strapless gown that hugged her ass and showed off her sculpted shoulders.

"I'm clueless about make-up and hair, so I had to go to a damn salon. And do you have any idea how complicated garters are?" she yelled from a back room.

Jason gripped the doorframe as his head swam with vivid images of Casey in nothing but lingerie.

"I could help you with those, you know," he all but groaned.

"Too late," Casey breathed as she walked back into the front room. "Hi," she finished as she approached him, apparently ready to go. Her smile was dazzling; Jason felt his breath catch in his throat. God she was gorgeous.

"Wow," was the only coherent word he found he could say. All thought left him when she blushed in response.

"Ditto," Casey whispered as she exhaled, brushing a hair from the shoulder of his tux before leaning over and giving him a light kiss on the cheek. He caught her fingers and swiftly kissed the back of her knuckles, enjoying the deeper flush it brought to her cheeks. It took every ounce of self-control Jason had not to haul her against his body and take her right then and there.

"Ready?" he asked, offering her his arm.

"Not really, but let's go," Casey replied as she tucked her arm into the crook of Jason's elbow. He led her downstairs and to his Jeep, where he opened the door for her. "Since when are you a gentleman?" she joked.

"Since always. You just seem to bring out a different side of me." Jason raised an eyebrow before closing the door and jogging around to hop into the driver's seat.

"Swing?" Casey asked with a smile as the car started and the music switched on. "How does a hockey player get into Benny Goodman?"

"You recognize Benny?"

"Yes, but that doesn't answer my question."

"My mom used to listen to swing when she cooked. It reminds me of home," Jason answered as he pulled away from the curb. "And how do you know Mr. Goodman?"

Out of the corner of his eye, Jason saw Casey turn and look out the window.

"An ex of mine," was all she said. He could hear the strain in her voice and didn't press further.

They drove through the city in silence, listening to the tinny music coming from the stereo.

"I'm sorry if I brought up bad memories," Jason offered when Casey said nothing else for a few minutes.

"No, it's fine," she said as she flashed him a smile. "Just nervous."

"What do you have to be nervous about?" Jason asked.

Casey barked out a laugh.

"Well, let's see," she started. "I'm going on a first date, which is stressful enough as it is. It happens to be with my favorite hockey player to a charity event where there will likely be press and fans throwing themselves at him. And I'll be meeting his entire team. In a dress."

"I'm your favorite player?" he clarified. Casey said nothing, but he could feel her smile without seeing it. "So that's all that you're nervous about?" Jason asked, a teasing tone in his voice.

"Oh, and I can't fucking walk in heels!"

Jason laughed and pulled the vehicle over to park for a moment.

"What are you doing?" Casey demanded.

Jason reached over and grabbed one of Casey's hands, planting a soft kiss on her palm. Their eyes met, and he smiled.

"You're beautiful, Casey." She blushed and looked away. Jason reached out and turned her face towards his again, unable to stop himself from brushing his fingers along her cheek. "You'll be fine."

He held her hand to his face and watched as some of the fear left her eyes as they softened beneath his stare.

He truly felt for her in that moment. Jason had been in the league for seven years now, plenty of time to get used to the public side of his job. Press conferences, team charity events, fans pressing for autographs or more. He didn't exactly enjoy it, but it came with the territory of professional sports. He knew it would be a big adjustment for her, to say the least. Jason fell for Casey a little more just then, for being brave enough to face it with him, for him.

"I won't leave your side tonight," he promised.

Casey gave him a little smile and looked straight into his eyes. Jason briefly recalled how much trouble she had doing that when they first met. But he saw the warmth there and felt his heart drop into his stomach. Dear God, he was in trouble.

"Thanks," she whispered, still not looking away.

For once, Jason was the first to break their gaze.

"We're going to be late," he murmured hoarsely. He had to drop her hand and close his eyes for a few moments before he felt in control enough to drive again.

-----

Casey couldn't help but smile as Jason's Jeep made its way back to her apartment. The entire night felt like a whirlwind, one high after another. Jason kept his word, staying with her all night. His hand was always on her waist, or back, or simply holding hers. Every one of his touches raised goose bumps, usually followed by a warm flush.

She couldn't pick a best part of the night as memories flashed through her head. Kellan Quaid had greeted her with a laugh and a hug. Jason taught her how to play craps. Team captain Alan Forte thanked her for taking pity on LeBlanc, and Colby McIntire promised to beat the shit out of Bricker.

Then there was the glint in Jason's eyes every time he looked at her. And how he had managed to keep her from tripping over her stupid heels all night. The way he howled with laughter when she kicked O'Brian's ass in poker. And then there was the occasional hungry look she caught in Jason's eyes; it would send sparks all over her skin before settling in between her thighs.

"Did you have fun tonight?" Jason asked, interrupting her thoughts.

Casey giggled, unable to help herself.

"God yes!" she all but yelled. She felt drunk with happiness. Then again, the last glass of champagne probably helped. She giggled again at the thought. "Did you?"

Jason hummed in agreement before reaching over and taking her hand, drawing circles on her palm with his thumb. Casey felt like every nerve in her body was shifting in time with Jason's movements. Her head swam and her thoughts muddled as they pulled up to her apartment building. Was she going to invite him in? Was she ready for that?

Thoughts of her ex unexpectedly popped into her head and Casey sighed. It had been years now, and she knew that she was better off without him. But occasionally she felt broken by the absence of him in her life. Jason had started to mend her. Still, she felt damaged, and it didn't feel right for him to not know what he was getting into before anything else happened.

She was able to put off the decision to invite him in for a few minutes as Jason seemed intent on walking her to her door. They made their way silently up to her apartment, hand-in-hand. Casey fiddled with her keys while she continued her internal debate, avoiding Jason's eyes. She knew that the second she looked into them, she would be lost.

"Thank you, for tonight," she muttered to the floor.

Casey should have known better than to think that Jason would let her get away with that. He felt his fingers gently pressing against her chin, forcing her to look up and into his devastating grey-blue eyes. Her heart jumped.

"Thank you, for coming."

She nodded and found that she just couldn't break their stare. Something about Jason's eyes just pulled her in.

"I, um," Casey started before clearing her throat. "Do you want to come in for a little while?"

Jason exhaled audibly and then nodded. He rested his hand on her lower back as she unlocked and then opened her door, walking in and stepping aside to let him in behind her.

"It's not much, but it's home."

Casey went about her usual ritual of flipping on light switches and then gratefully slipped out of her heels.

"God, that's so much better," she moaned as her feet hit her carpet. Jason chuckled. Casey made her way into the kitchen and bent to stare into her fridge for a moment. "Do you want something to drink? I've got coffee, water, and some white zinfandel."

She jumped as she felt Jason's hands suddenly on her waist. Before she knew what was happening, he spun her around and pressed her back into the kitchen counter. Her brain fogged, unable to think when he was bearing down on her with that hungry look on his face.

"No, I'm good," Jason murmured before running his hands up her bare arms and cupping her neck.

The intent on his face was plain, but Casey had to stop him. He had to understand, before. She knew that as soon as he kissed her, she would be so far gone that she'd never be able to explain and would never forgive herself if she didn't first.

"Wait," she whispered as he started to lean in. "We, we," Casey stammered. She took a few deep breaths to steady herself and gather her resolve. Jason moved half a step back, giving her a little room. "We have to talk."

Casey watched as his eyes glazed with worry.

"No, it's not bad per se. Just something you need to know before anything ..." she stopped there, trailing off.

Jason's forehead wrinkled a little with concern. She found herself smoothing it with a finger without even consciously making the decision to do so. He made a little noise of contentment, and she found her courage in that one sound.

"You just need to know that I'm not ..." she took a moment to pause and gather her thoughts again. It was difficult with Jason just inches away. "It's been a while."

"How long?" he prodded gently.

"Years," Casey muttered and blushed furiously. She looked down at the floor again, unable to meet Jason's eyes. "My ex, he really ... he really fucked me up. He broke up with me on Valentine's Day and was dating my roommate less than a week later."

"Idiot," Jason murmured.

"So I have trust issues, to say the least. Just please, please don't break me," she whispered, staring into Jason's eyes as he did. "I know we haven't known each other that long, but I don't know if I could take it if you hurt me."

Before she knew what was happening, Jason had pulled her into his chest into a tight hug.

"I could never live with myself if I did," he breathed. Casey had to shut her eyes to keep the moisture from spilling over. "You have no idea what you do to me, Casey Taylor."

She sighed and felt herself relaxing into Jason's embrace, scared to trust him but willing to try.

Jason held her there for what felt like an hour, just rubbing small circles over her back. Casey pulled back eventually to look up and into his eyes.

"Thank you, for understanding," she whispered.

She was caught off-guard by her sudden need to be closer to him. Casey worked her hands under his tuxedo jacket and sighed in pleasure at the hard muscle she felt through his shirt. Jason froze; she could sense his reluctance to press her for more.

"Kiss me," she demanded.

Casey melted in his arms as Jason obeyed, touching his lips to hers gently at first. She moaned at the contact and threaded her fingers into his hair, pulling his head closer to hers. Casey wanted more, needed more of him.

The pressure of the kiss increased, and Casey's mouth fell open at the insistence of Jason's tongue. Where they had been interrupted the day before, there was no distraction now. Their tongues slid over each other, tangling together and sending sparks all over Casey's skin. Jason's hands moved to her hair and paused, seemingly unsure of what to do with the complicated up-do he found there.

Casey laughed into his mouth and broke the kiss. Jason made an impatient noise. "Wait," she demanded with a touch of her finger on his lips.

She dug and found the pins that had been holding her hair together and quickly pulled them out, wincing a little as a few hairs followed. Casey ran her fingers through her hair a bit and felt it fall around her shoulders.

Jason ran his fingers through her now flowing locks as she closed her eyes and leaned her head into his hands, enjoying the simple feel of having her hair played with. His hands turned into fists, and Jason pulled her firmly back into another kiss.

His lips crushed hers, and Casey moaned into his mouth, his tongue exploring and running along hers. She could feel the heat in her face and was sure she was flushed; for once, she didn't care. Casey briefly wondered if it was possible for her entire body to blush; but then Jason nibbled on her bottom lip, and all thoughts flew out of her head except one. More, she needed more of him.

Casey snaked her fingers into Jason's jacket again and moved to push it over his shoulders and off. Her breath caught when Jason caught her hands in his and broke their kiss.

"Wait," he murmured, resting his forehead against hers for a moment and closing his eyes. "Are you sure, Case? I don't ..." he paused again, gathering his thoughts. "I want you, more than anything, but I don't want to push you if you're not ready."

His eyes opened and met hers. The look there stole Casey's breath away and washed away any lingering doubts she had. Something came loose in her in that moment. She pulled her hand free from Jason's and moved it to just below his waist, squeezing his cock. Jason inhaled sharply and nearly growled.

There was no gentleness to their kiss this time as Jason brought their bodies together, only urgency and desperate desire as their lips and tongues met again. Casey felt like she might spontaneously combust as pricks of heat radiated from between her thighs. She heard rather than felt her zipper being pulled down and suddenly she was standing in her underwear, her dress pooled at her feet.

Casey chuckled, unable to help herself. "I don't think I could have found that so easily," she commented.

"I've been scoping that out all night," he growled before tugging Casey's earlobe between his teeth.

Jason's hands found her bare waist, and she gasped as heat grew and spread from his touch. Casey whimpered as his lips explored her neck and throat, Jason's breath doing interesting things to the moisture he was leaving behind.

"Bed," Casey murmured and then squealed as Jason cradled her in his arms. His eyes met hers and she gasped at the look she found there. It was the same hungry look she had seen earlier that night, except a hundred times more intense.

Jason effortlessly walked them down the hall, leaning down to kiss her every so often as he tested a few doors before finding the right one. He gently tossed her onto the bed, and Casey couldn't help but dissolve into a fit of giggles as she fell.

She propped herself up on her elbows and surveyed Jason. He was standing over her, clearly enjoying the sight of her in nothing but her underwear. Casey blushed under his appraising stare.

"You're still dressed, Mr. LeBlanc. That hardly seems fair."

Jason's lips pulled into a grin as he finally removed his coat, tie, and shirt. Casey couldn't help but gasp at what he had been hiding. "It should be illegal for you to wear a shirt," Casey murmured as she sat up and ran her hands over his sculpted chest and abs. She watched as Jason's head fell back at her touch. Casey couldn't help but feel pleased that she seemed to be affecting him just as much as he was affecting her.