The man was staring at Cash with narrowed eyes. He looked at Lani, then back to Cash, and his expression grew angrier by the second. Cash quickly looked away from him, but his insides were burning. There was something in the man’s expression that made Cash want to confront him. Something was off about the man, but he couldn’t explain what it was. For the first time in days, Cash felt the bear inside of him stir. What was worse, was that Cash wanted to let it out. He wanted to slash that expression off the man’s face with his sharp claws and inhuman strength.
Cash glanced back at the man and saw that he was still looking over at them. His eyes focused on Lani. He stared at her with a possession that made Cash’s skin crawl. Cash longed to jump over the bar and shield Lani from the man’s gaze. His protective instinct kicked into overdrive as he continued to watch the man watch Lani.
Just when Cash was about to rise from the barstool, the man turned and disappeared into the kitchen. Cash exhaled sharply and closed his eyes. He held them closed for a few seconds, forcing himself to relax. He was probably just overreacting. The man probably wasn’t even looking at Lani at all.
Still, Cash’s veins ran hot with anger. He couldn’t shake the feeling that the man wasn’t someone who should be around Lani. Just the way he looked at her was dangerous…
“Hey,” Lani said. She reached across the bar and touched Cash’s arm lightly. With her single touch, all the tension Cash had been feeling left his body in a second. He blinked and looked up at Lani in awe. She was standing behind the bar, staring at him with desire in her eyes.
“What is it?” he asked softly.
Lani didn’t answer. She just ran her fingers down his arm gently and motioned for him to follow her. She was already halfway down the bar before Cash rose from his barstool. He was in shock. He couldn’t quite believe what was happening, but when Lani turned around and winked at him, he couldn’t resist hurrying after her.
Chapter 15
Lani
Lani led the way around the back of the bar. She glanced around her, making sure no one saw her disappear or saw Cash following her. Her stomach was tied in knots, and her heart was beating so hard she could feel it in her ears. The minute Cash walked into the bar that night, Lani wanted to jump over the bar and kiss him. She didn’t care that an entire resort full of people would see them or that she would be fired. All she wanted to was to feel Cash’s lips against hers again. Her desire for him was too much for her to handle. She felt like all her control was slipping away minute by minute.
As they turned the corner behind the bar, they stepped out of view of the guests. If someone strained their necks around, they would be able to see them, but Lani didn’t think anyone would. She turned to face Cash and grinned. She pulled him by his shirt into the supply closet behind them. Cash stumbled inside and quickly shut the door behind him.
Lani reached around Cash and turned the light on. She wanted to see Cash’s face. He looked at her with a mixture of surprise and desire. His eyes were dark with hunger as they trailed down her body.
Lani and Cash stared at each other for half a second before they couldn’t stand the tension any longer. Lani lunged forward and pulled Cash in for an earth-shattering kiss. She kissed him hard and fast, licking and biting his lips endlessly. Cash groaned and pulled her firmly against his body. He kissed her back with so much passion that Lani was wet within seconds.
Cash lifted Lani off her feet and sat her on the back desk that was in the corner of the closet. She wrapped her legs around him and pulled him closer to her. Their kisses grew more intense by the second. In no time, Lani was panting, and her entire body was shaking.
“What inspired this little adventure?” Cash asked softly.
“I couldn’t wait for another second,” Lani whispered.
Cash growled and kissed her again. This time his hands flew beneath her dress and searched for her panties. Lani lifted herself up just enough for Cash to pull her panties off her. He slipped them over her legs and tossed them away. He touched her softly with both hands, feeling how wet she was.
“Fuck,” he moaned. Cash played with her with one hand while his other hand shoved her dress down off her breasts. They burst free, and Cash stared at her with wide, hungry eyes.
“What are you waiting for?” Lani asked breathlessly.
Cash tore open his jeans and let his erection free. In one swift motion, he pulled Lani’s hips toward him and slid inside of her. Lani’s breathing was ragged as Cash began thrusting in and out. She leaned back, supporting herself with her hands and let Cash have free reign of her body.
Cash held onto Lani’s hips and used them to thrust even harder. Lani felt her breasts bounce with every movement. Cash leaned forward and took one nipple in his mouth, which caused Lani to arch her back toward him. He sucked it hard before he bit her even harder. Lani moaned so loud she worried the guests would hear her. Cash slowed down slightly, trying to keep her quiet, but Lani wanted him too badly. Lani grabbed his hand and placed it tightly over her mouth to muffle her moans.
Lani wrapped her legs tighter around Cash’s waist. She held herself up by his shoulders and rode him where he stood. Cash squeezed her ass while she ground her hips on his. Her body jolted with ecstasy as she moved faster and faster. Lani moaned louder into Cash’s hand as he pressed it tightly over her mouth. Cash held Lani tightly as he released inside of her. They were both panting when Lani slid off Cash and onto her feet.
Lani looked up at Cash’s face, and at that moment, she wanted to leave with him and forget this place entirely. The last thing Lani wanted to do was go back to work, but she knew she’d been gone long enough. Someone was bound to come looking for her. She kissed Cash fiercely before she began searching for her underwear. Cash had thrown it, but Lani didn’t know where it landed. When she found it, it wrapped around the top of a cleaning bottle.
“Nice throw,” Lani laughed. She pulled her panties back on and adjusted her dress. She pulled it up, so her breasts were no longer exposed. When she walked back over to Cash, she looked at him for a few seconds.
Now that her sexual desire had been satisfied for the moment, she could stare into his eyes, and juts appreciate their softness. He looked at her with so much emotion that Lani’s eyes began to fill with tears. She blinked them away and kissed him again. He grabbed her waist and pulled her against him. Holding her, he kissed her slowly, letting his lips dance with hers.
Lani knew she wouldn’t be able to leave if they kept it up. Her body reacted to Cash’s so strongly it was like they were magnets. She was drawn to him, and there was nothing she could do to resist him. The longer he kissed her, the more she wanted to stay in the supply closet for the rest of her shift.
When they finally broke apart, Lani held Cash’s face between her hands and sighed. There was so much she wanted to say, so many emotions she longed to express. She wanted to tell him how much she cared about him, and how she was willing to leave her job at the resort to be where he was. But she knew now wasn’t the time. There were guests waiting for her to be their bartender and the longer she was gone, the more suspicious her coworkers would become. Lani couldn’t even imagine what Bryce would do if he realized she was gone…
Chapter 16
Cash
Cash stared back at Lani. She held his face tightly between her hands, just looking deeply into his eyes. Cash felt the warmth spread from his face all the way down to his toes. The way she looked at him made his stomach flutter with butterflies, and his heart beat faster than ever. He could tell how much she cared about him. At that moment, Cash realized he’d never felt happier. Lani’s effect on him was powerful. She already had a hold on him, and he didn’t want her to let go.
Lani moved to leave, but Cash grabbed her quickly and pulled her against his chest. He inhaled her scent, filling his whole body with her smell. When he let, her go, he pressed his lips lightly to her forehead and sighed deeply. He never wanted to let her leave, but he knew she needed to get back to wor
k. She was already taking a huge risk.
“Wait,” Cash said. “Just one more minute.”
“Cash,” Lani laughed. “I really have to go. Someone will notice I’m gone.”
“So, what?” Cash teased. “Who cares?”
“My boss,” Lani reminded him.
Cash inhaled, remembering the man standing at the back of the bar earlier. Cash could still see the look of anger on the man’s face.
“Bryce will have a fit if I’m gone too long,” Lani continued. “He’s not exactly the best boss.”
“I bet not,” Cash sighed.
“I’m sorry,” Lani said. Her voice was full of sincerity as she looked at Cash. “I would stay in here all night if I could.”
“I know,” Cash said. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t keep you any longer.”
“Trust me,” Lani said. “I hate this more than you do.”
“Can I see you tonight?” Cash asked suddenly.
“Tonight?” Lani asked.
“I want to take you out,” Cash explained. “I know it’ll be late when you get off work, but that’s okay. I just… I want to take you on a real date. You mean more than just a supply closet hook up, Lani.”
“I do?” Lani smiled.
“Of course, you do,” Cash said. He stared into her eyes intensely, and she grinned back at him.
“I would love to,” Lani said. She kissed him quickly before hurrying out of the supply closet. When the door fell shut behind her, Cash decided to stay put for a few minutes. He wanted to make sure she was safely behind the bar before he reentered the swarm of guests. If anyone saw them walk out together… Cash shuddered as he remembered the look on Lani’s boss’ face.
Cash leaned back against the wall and smiled to himself. He’d been so worried that Lani didn’t feel the same way about him, but after their moment in the closet, he knew he’d been wrong. Lani wanted him just as badly as he wanted her. She longed for him just like he longed for her. It was an amazing feeling. Cash never felt so strongly for someone. Lani meant so much to him already. He wouldn’t have been able to stand it if he didn’t mean the same to her.
Trying to clear his mind, Cash adjusted his clothes and fixed his hair. The bar was full of bear shifters that could smell him a mile away, but he hoped they were all too busy to pay attention. At least no one would be able to tell just by looking at him. He smoothed down his hair one last time and made sure his clothes were in order.
With a deep breath, Cash pushed open the door of the supply closet and let himself out into the hallway. He moved slowly, not wanting to draw attention to himself. When he stepped out into the open, he was immediately jostled by a group of squealing women. They didn’t pay attention to him as they hurried by. Cash laughed to himself and walked a little faster.
Everyone was too worried about themselves to notice anyone else. He felt ridiculous for thinking someone would see him or Lani. One glance around the bar told him no one even knew he existed. He could see his clan members sitting at a table on the other side of the bar. They all had girls hanging on their arms, and a few of them looked really happy.
Cash could tell some of the guys were just flirting for the sake of the flirting, but when his eyes fell on Asher’s face, he felt like he was looking in a mirror. Asher started at the petite blonde in his arms with gentle, caring eyes. When he kissed her, it was soft and full of meaning. Cash could tell Asher was falling for the girl and judging by the look on her face; she felt the same way about him.
Witnessing Asher’s happiness made Cash feel even better. Not only was he falling hard for Lani, but some of his guys had met people too. He thought the resort would be a waste of time, but it wasn’t. It actually worked. Asher found someone who looked to be his true mate and Cash was beginning to think he had too…
Cash watched Asher for a few seconds, enjoying the sight. When he turned his attention to Jackson, he saw the same look in his eyes. It seemed like almost all the guys met someone. Only Zander seemed to be still fooling around. Cash hoped Zander would find someone before the trip was over.
Cash decided he should go over and join his clan. It was only right for him to meet their mates, especially if the girls were planning to join the clan members on the compound. Scarlett left Bear Ridge and moved immediately to the compound with Kurt. She didn’t pause to think about things; she knew she loved Kurt more than anything.
As Cash took a step forward, ready to head over to the clan, a voice stopped him. He turned toward the bar to see Lani talking to her boss, Bryce.
Chapter 17
Lani
Lani hurried behind the bar with a nervous glance around her. She didn’t think anyone noticed her absence, but she was terrified someone might see her sudden return. As she bent down to refill some syrups and make sure her station was in working order, she heard loud footsteps heading toward her. When she looked up, Bryce was stomping around the side of the bar with his eyes set on her face. She took an automatic step backward as he approached, but he grabbed her arm roughly and pulled her forward.
“Where the hell were you?” Bryce demanded. His face was inches from Lani’s. She could smell his breath, and it made her stomach roll.
“Excuse me?” Lani asked. She tried to jerk her arm free, but Bryce held on tightly. The look in his eyes was unlike anything Lani had ever seen. He didn’t just look angry, he looked dangerous.
“I said,” Bryce spat. “Where the hell have you been?!”
As he spoke, each word grew louder and louder. His voice raised and several guests began to look around. Lani’s stomach ached with nerves, and she could feel herself starting to shake. She was terrified, but her anger was worse. With one swift motion, she yanked her arm away from Bryce and took two steps backward.
“I was on my break,” Lani said with a glare. “Who do you think you are? You don’t have the right to touch me like that. Ever.”
Bryce’s expression shifted from anger to disgust in an instant. He stepped forward, but Lani moved immediately away from him. She wasn’t going to let him near enough to touch her again. As strong as his anger was, hers was just as strong. It didn’t matter that Bryce was her boss, she would never let anyone grab her the way he had.
“I saw you with him,” Bryce hissed, his eyes flashing.
“With who?” Lani asked. She tried to look confused like she didn’t know what Bryce was talking about, but with one look she knew it was no use. Bryce saw her with Cash, and now she was about to reap the consequences of her actions. Her stomach tightened even more, and she felt a lump forming in her throat.
“The guest,” Bryce said loudly. “I saw you disappear with him. What were you doing?”
“Doing?” Lani scoffed. “We weren’t doing anything.”
Bryce watched her carefully. Lani could see his chest rising and falling with every breath. He wasn’t just angry; he was jealous. Lani hadn’t noticed it before, but behind Bryce’s rage was something much more complex. He wasn’t reacting like her boss. His emotions weren’t fueled by the fact that Lani had broken the company’s rules. No. He was acting so irrationally because he was jealous of Cash. He couldn’t stand the idea of Cash being with Lani.
Lani thought fast. She tried to think of something that would get her out of trouble. The last thing she needed was to be fired, but she was more worried about Bryce’s jealousy. She didn’t know what he would do if he thought Lani truly cared about Cash. If he was this angry by the sight of them walking away together, what would he do if Lani admitted she had been sleeping with him? That she was falling in love with Cash?
“It’s nothing,” Lani said. She kept her voice calm. She stared into Bryce’s eyes and willed him to believe her. “He has a little crush on me, okay? I’ve been flirting back to get more tips. That’s all. We all do it.”
“Really?” Bryce asked. He apparently didn’t believe her.
“Yes,” Lani insisted. “I promise. He doesn’t mean anything to me. He’s just a random guest who seems to li
ke me a little. I talk to him, pay extra attention to him, that kind of thing. It doesn’t mean anything.”
“Nothing?” Bryce asked. “So, nothing has happened between you two?”
“Of course, not,” Lani said with a scoff. She tried to seem offended so Bryce would be shamed into leaving her alone. “I wouldn’t do that. He’s just a guest. He doesn’t mean anything.”
Bryce’s face was confused. His anger was still evident in every line, but he also looked conflicted. He searched Lani’s face, searching for a sign that she might be lying to him. Lani knew she was under attack. If she so much as blinked wrong, Bryce would be all over her. He was itching to fire her so that he could keep her away from Cash for good. Lani could tell that Bryce was hoping she would eventually fall for him. Ever since they first met, Lani could feel Bryce’s attraction for her, but she never wanted to focus on it. She couldn’t imagine ever feeling for Bryce what she felt for Cash.
Lani also feared what would happen to Cash if Bryce caught wind of their relationship. Harmless flirting was one thing, falling in love was something else entirely. Lani didn’t know how far Bryce would take his jealousness. Would he have Cash kicked out of Bear Ridge? Would Cash be exiled and never allowed to return? Or, would Bryce sink so far as to try and hurt Cash?
The thought made Lani want to strangle Bryce where he stood, but she made herself relax. Staying in control was crucial. The last thing she needed was to give Bryce yet another reason to be angry.
“It was just flirting?” Bryce asked. He was repeating Lani’s words, and she was growing tired of his presence. All she wanted to do was return to work and put this entire conversation behind her.
“Just flirting,” Lani promised. “I realized his attraction to me, and I thought I could use it to my advantage. Like I said, Bryce, he means nothing to me.”
Furever Always (Furever Series) Page 17