It only takes him a few more minutes. He thanks them again, and one of the teens even offers to check out the parking lot to make sure no one is waiting. Once he gives us the all clear, we walk to the car hand in hand. A comfortable silence surrounds us. Things just feel right when I’m with him. Nothing feels forced.
On the way home, Cas says, “So you grew up here. Tell me about all the places and your memories.” He gestures around.
I’m grinning ear to ear as I begin giving him directions. We drive by my old house from before my dad became famous. I show him the private K-8 school I attended before switching to art school. We’re headed back to my place when I gasp, pointing out the window. “Oh my gosh, it’s the merry-go-round park with the spider climber and swings.”
I look at Cas, and he’s staring back at me with a sexy half-smile. “Do you want to go to the park and play, Vivienne?” he asks, his voice coated in pure, dangerous seduction.
“Yes!” I squeal. “There’s a small parking lot around the block. Turn right at the stop sign, and then you’ll see it. There’s only a few parking spaces.”
We pull up to the empty park. It’s another warm night, and plenty of old-timey, gas-lantern-type lamp posts splash splotches of color over the park. The stars are bright in the sky this close to the mountains and farther away from Denver. When Cas opens my door, I point them out to him.
He sucks in his breath for a moment. “Wow, it’s really pretty here.” Then he shouts, “Race you to the swings!” and takes off running.
I chase after him, but there’s no way. When I arrive moments after him, he’s standing, arms crossed, triumphantly in front of both swings. “Loser has to give the winner a kiss,” he declares.
I stand on my tiptoes, and he bends down so I can kiss him. Cas pulls away first, then sits on one of the swings, and I follow. He pulls out a joint, holds it up, and asks, “Do you want to smoke?”
I shrug. “Sure. It was fun last time.”
“Oh, I can promise it will be just as much fun this time,” he replies in a cocky tone.
He lights it and takes a few drags before offering it to me. He holds it up, and I take a long, slow inhale.
“It’s nice here. I like it,” he says, taking another puff and blowing the smoke out.
“Are you moving?” I tease.
He holds the joint to my lips and waits for me to take a hit.
“I might be,” he replies.
“Where to? California?” I guess, since that’s where so many famous people live.
“Here.”
My jaw drops open in surprise. Cas tilts it closed with one finger, then brings the joint to my lips. “What’s wrong, Vivienne? I want to be closer to you once the tour ends.”
I don’t know what to say. I shrug. “Why?”
He laughs. “Why not? Are you hiding some deep, dark kinky secrets I should know about?”
“All kinds of kinky secrets,” I tease.
“You’re on the hook to tell me at least one.” He winks, holding out the joint for me.
I take my turn, and blow the smoke out. I’m getting remarkably better at this, and honestly, I don’t mind smoking with Cas. It’s fun.
“That’s not fair. You tricked me.”
“Sounds like a you problem,” Cas snickers.
I shake my head. “This feels so crazy.”
“Why shouldn’t I be obsessed with you after one night?” He’s suddenly standing in front of me.
Cas offers me another turn, and I shake my head. He brushes my cheek with the back of his hand. “I’m going to move here whether you like it or not.”
“What does that mean?” My question is met with a wicked smile from Cas.
