“Rough, was it, baby?”
“You have no idea,” she said, her voice muffled as she spoke into his shoulder.
He clipped a finger under her chin, tipping her head back. “I’m here to listen, sweetness.” He sat her down, more than a little concerned with how pale she was. “Have you eaten?”
“No.”
He glanced over at his half-finished carbonara, decided that wouldn’t do at all, and passed her a room-service menu, pressing it into her hands when she shook her head.
“Order something, please.”
She gave it a cursory glance. “Okay, I’ll have the chicken soup. Honestly,” she said when he opened his mouth to disagree, “I’m not very hungry.”
For the third time in less than an hour, he called room service. It crossed his mind to add a sandwich or a burger to the soup order, but he knew ignoring her wishes would piss her off, and he didn’t want reconciliation to end in a row.
“Food will be thirty minutes,” he said, hanging up the phone. “What went down?”
A tired frown drifted across her face. “There’s not a lot to say. There was amazement, followed by shouting. Lots and lots of shouting. And finally, acceptance. They love me, I guess.” She gave a half-shrug then grinned. “You, on the other hand, are persona non grata.”
He laughed. “Sweetness, have I ever occupied any other position with Pete? I don’t care what he or anyone else thinks. Only your opinion counts.” He hesitated before spitting out what was on his mind. “Are you still willing to give me that second chance?”
She curled into his side and leaned her head against his shoulder. “You even need to ask?”
He exhaled on a shudder and rested his chin on top of her head. “One thing I’ve learned since being with you is to never take anything for granted.”
He felt rather than saw her smile. “Glad to see I’m keeping you on your toes.”
“Baby, I spend so long on my toes these days my calf muscles are three inches shorter.”
She burst out laughing, but then just as quickly, her face fell. “Cash?”
“Yeah?” He frowned, wondering what had ruined her happy mood so suddenly.
“I want to meet your mum.”
Tally wasn’t sure whether Cash was scared or surprised as he drew himself upright. His eyes were wide as he faced her. If she’d spooked him by her request, then maybe it was all a lie.
No, surely not? It would take a hell of an actor to fake the level of emotion Cash had shown in Brighton. And if he was the sort of person who could make up such a terrible story, then she didn’t want to be part of his life, regardless of how much she loved him.
He tapped his forefinger against his bottom lip, brows drawn low. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea at the moment,” he said, adding a good dose of fuel to her fears. “She’s doing great, but there’s a long way to go. I don’t think she’s up to visitors yet.”
“Okay,” Tally said quietly. “I understand.”
He lifted his chin, his gaze searching hers. Then he closed his eyes and sighed. When he opened them again, they were full of sadness and hurt.
“You don’t believe me,” he said with a slow shake of his head.
“I do,” she said a little too quickly. “Of course I do.”
“I don’t blame you,” he said, his understanding tone making her feel even worse. “I haven’t exactly given you a lot of reasons to trust me.”
“I’m sorry. Forget I asked.”
“No. You’re right.” He cupped her face with both hands, his thumbs skimming over her cheeks. “You are the most significant person in my life. You should meet my mother. I’d planned on going back to Ireland soon anyway.” He gave a half-smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “You can come with me and tell her what a pain in the arse I am.”
Tally kicked herself. This hadn’t exactly gone according to plan. “I don’t want to make you do anything you’re not comfortable with, but I want to share all parts of your life. The bad bits as well as the good ones. I shouldn’t have pushed. Your mum is still seriously ill, and I totally understand you wanting to protect her.”
“I don’t deserve you,” he said in a hushed tone. His hand curved around the back of her neck, and he touched his lips to hers. The instant their mouths connected, a knock at the door interrupted them.
“Why is it that room service always has impeccable timing?” he said with a grimace.
Cash carried the tray inside, and as the smell of rich, warm chicken soup wafted over, her stomach growled in anticipation. He placed the tray across her knees and watched as she wolfed the lot down in five minutes flat. Once she’d finished, he picked up the tray and dropped it in the hallway outside the door.
“I can order something else if you’re still hungry.”
She shook her head. “No, honestly, that was lovely, but I’m fine for now.”
“Okay, but I’m taking you out to dinner later. No arguments. And you are going to eat a proper meal.”
“Yes, boss,” she said with a grin. “But let’s go somewhere simple, not to one of your posh affairs.”
He raised one eyebrow. “My posh affairs?”
“Yeah, you know, those places where if I dribble down my chin, the waiter gives me that look. The one that says how dare I darken their Michelin-starred door.”
Cash chuckled. “Okay. I hear you.”
“Stop here please, Isaac,” Cash said. As Isaac pulled the car into the kerb, Natalia looked out of the window.
“Gourmet Burger Kitchen?” she said, looking at Cash over her shoulder.
“You wanted down to earth, and their burgers are amazing.”
A trace of a smile graced her lips. “Cash Gallagher, you never cease to amaze me.”
As they walked inside, a few heads turned his way. Diners nudged each other, and muffled whispers reached his ears. Nothing he didn’t live with every day. He picked a booth by the window, and once they’d made their meal choices, he placed their order at the counter. Natalia had picked a sizeable burger as well as a vanilla milkshake, and he hadn’t been able to hide his pleasure.
When he set Natalia’s milkshake in front of her, she gave that coy little smirk she wore when something amused her.
“What’s that look for?” he said.
“You’re as comfortable here as you are in those swanky places.”
He laughed, reaching across the table to grab her hand. He loved the feel of it beneath his own. The touch of her skin soothed him.
When she’d finished every bite on her plate, including half his fries, Cash began to hope she’d regain her healthy appetite. Before he’d met Natalia, most of the women he casually dated preferred to mess with their food instead of eating it. It always pissed him off. He didn’t see the point of ordering a meal to then spend half an hour pushing it around the plate with a fork. Natalia had been such a refreshing change. She loved eating. It was one of the many things he adored about her.
She yawned widely as the waitress cleared their plates. “Sorry. I don’t know why I’m so tired.”
“Want to go?” he said.
“Yes, please.” She yawned again.
They left the restaurant hand in hand. He rubbed the pad of his thumb over her knuckles, and she smiled up at him before resting her head against his shoulder. Happiness rushed through him. He’d won her back. It was more than he deserved.
As Isaac spotted them walking towards the car, he immediately jumped out of the driver’s side and opened the back door.
“Thanks, Isaac,” Cash said, ushering Natalia ahead of him. “Miss McKenzie’s place, please.”
She glanced over her shoulder and frowned but said nothing. Only when the car began moving did she turn to face him. “You’re taking me home?”
“Yes. You’re tired.”
“I’m not too tired if you want to go for a drink somewhere.”
Cash shook his head. “It’s been a long day. Get some sleep. We’ll be seeing each other tomor
row.” He broke into a grin as he remembered Rupe was coming home.
She tilted her head to one side. “What’s that mischievous grin for?”
Cash tapped the side of his nose. “You’ll have to wait and see.”
Ten minutes later, Isaac pulled up outside Natalia’s apartment building. Cash walked her to the front door and drew her into his arms. He was almost scared to kiss her. He worried that he wouldn’t know how to leave it there—that his need for her would overwhelm all his good intentions, and he’d end up going too far when she wanted to take it slow. But there she was, her beautiful face turned up to his, her amazing midnight-blue eyes reading his soul, and her soft, full lips parted ever so slightly. Those lips begged to be kissed.
As his stomach tightened, he buried his hands in her hair and lowered his head. He paused a millimetre from her mouth, desperately wanting to savour the moment. The brief kisses they’d shared in Brighton had been full of worry and regret. This one felt different. Was different.
He stifled a moan as their mouths met, desire spreading out from his chest, the tips of his fingers prickling. But instead of feeling satisfied, he wanted more. Much more. He leaned into her, pinning her to the door. He moved his hips in a circular motion, and when she returned the pressure, he lost all reason.
His hand crept underneath her skirt and inched over the smooth skin of her thigh before moving higher. He cupped her fabulously tight backside, the silk of her underwear a prequel to what he knew to be the softness beneath. Slipping his hand inside her knickers, he tentatively touched her wet sex. He groaned as he slid one finger inside her, his erection lengthening as she tilted her pelvis upwards and began to move back and forth against his hand.
Oh, fuck. He was going to lose it.
Using every ounce of self-control, he tore himself away. The pounding of his heart caused a roaring rush in his ears, like the fast running water of a stream after a week of torrential rain.
“I’m sorry,” he said, smoothing her skirt into place.
“What for?” Natalia’s chest rose and fell, her face a mixture of confusion and frustration.
He could empathise with the latter, but he’d agreed to take it slow. Yet there he was on their first date since making up, almost fucking her outside her front door. He wasn’t sixteen, for Christ’s sake.
Cash leaned forward and kissed her quickly on the cheek. “Goodnight, babe.”
He strode as fast as he could to his waiting car—and didn’t look back.
8
Tally stared after Cash as the Mercedes sped away, her whole body trembling with desire and frustration. When he disappeared from view, she let herself in and threw her keys on the hall table.
“Em,” she yelled down the hallway. “Are you here?”
When nothing but silence greeted her, she muttered, “Guess not,” and stomped into the kitchen. The more time that passed, the more pissed off she became. She should have demanded Cash come back and explain himself, or run after him, or something. Anything. Instead, she’d let him put his hands all over her and then leg it without following through.
And she’d so badly wanted him to follow through.
She spotted a note on the kitchen table, reminding her Em was staying at her brother’s that night. Damn, she’d forgotten. She could have done with chatting to Em about what had happened. From the time she and Cash had first slept together in Paris right up until when they broke up, sex had been the one thing that made her feel secure about his feelings. Yet now he didn’t seem to want to take that final step. They’d spent all evening together, but apart from outside just then, he’d barely touched her.
Tally yanked open the fridge and poured herself a glass of wine. She wandered into the living room and flicked on the TV, but after channel surfing with nothing catching her attention, she switched it off.
Noticing she’d already finished the first glass of wine, she poured herself an ill-advised second and headed off to bed.
Tally woke the next morning still in the clothes she’d worn the day before. She must have fallen asleep without getting changed for bed. She rolled onto her side, groaning as her eyes fell on the empty wine glass on her bedside table. Cursing her decision to drink that second glass, she slowly sat up, her stomach churning and queasy.
She switched on her phone and spotted two texts from Cash:
I’m sorry I left the way I did. I want to respect your wishes, but I’m only a man after all. I love you, C. xxx
I’ll pick you up at ten. I’ve got a surprise for you. xxx
She glanced at the clock. Nine forty-five. Shit!
She raced into the bathroom and managed to shower and dress in record time. She dragged a brush through her hair––she’d have preferred to wash it––added minimal makeup, and was in the middle of putting on her shoes when a knock at the door interrupted her. She finished fastening the buckle, her heart thumping out of her chest as she stepped over to the door. She wasn’t sure whether anticipation or all the rushing around had made her out of breath.
She opened the door and got her answer when she felt her pulse jolt.
He’d dressed casually but still pulled off a style that would rival most models. Her gaze raked over his chest, the flat, hard muscle visible through the navy-blue T-shirt, which he’d matched with a pair of boot-cut jeans that clung to his defined thigh muscles. Even with a baseball cap pulled low over his forehead, his eyes were still visible—soft grey, sparkling with mischievous thought.
He curved his hands around her waist and leaned down to kiss her. “Morning, sweetness,” he said, his lips still tantalisingly close to hers. “Did you get my text last night?”
“No, not until this morning. I fell asleep.”
“I’m sorry with the way I dashed off, but…” He left the sentence hanging, and she was about to question him when he gave her a boyish grin. “So… ready for your surprise?”
Deciding now wasn’t the right time for a heavy discussion about sex—or the lack of it— she smiled back at him. “I am.”
“Okay, let’s go.”
“No Isaac?” she said as they walked across the street to where he’d parked the car.
“Not today.” Cash unlocked the doors. “You’ll have to make do with me.”
Tally rolled her eyes as she climbed in. “Bummer.”
Cash laughed as he filtered the car into the flow of vehicles. The light traffic was unusual for a workday. As they headed out of the city, the traffic became even sparser. They’d been driving for about thirty minutes when Cash pulled up outside a large country-style house and cut the engine.
“I recognise this place,” she said, peering out of the window. “This is where you brought me that first day.”
“I did,” Cash said, his eyes shining as they met hers. “How times have changed.”
They got out of the car, and as he walked around to her side, he knitted their fingers together. The door was already unlocked, and Cash pushed it open.
“We’re here,” he shouted down the hallway. Resting his hands on her hips, he steered her in front of him towards the kitchen. When she spotted her surprise, she squealed.
“Rupe,” she said, throwing herself into his outstretched arms.
“Hello, my darling girl,” Rupe said, briefly hugging her before holding her at arm’s length. “What the fuck has happened to you? It’s like cuddling a skeleton.”
She scowled. “You sound as bad as him,” she said, jerking her head backwards.
“Well, as much as it pains me to admit it, he’s right. For God’s sake, we need to get a few pies down you.”
She waved her hand dismissively. “When did you get back?”
“This morning. Clearly, I need to be around to make sure he doesn’t fuck it up again.”
“Thanks for the vote of confidence,” Cash said, giving Rupe a playful punch on the arm.
“So this is your house?” Tally said to Rupe as she shot a glance over to where Cash had kissed her. He caught her e
ye and cheekily winked, and her stomach tightened as she remembered how he’d made her feel when he’d touched her the first time.
“Yep. Come on, I’ll give you the guided tour.”
Rupe looped an arm over her shoulder and led her out of the kitchen. The house was huge and traditional in style. It didn’t have the homeyness of Cash’s place in Northern Ireland. Cash’s house was enormous but still managed to be cosy. Rupe’s had the stiff feel of old-money English aristocracy.
“Did you rent this place out to film Downton Abbey?” she said with a grin.
Rupe laughed. “I should have. I’d have made a fortune.”
“What do you do with all this space?” she said as Rupe opened a door to yet another living room.
“To be honest, I can’t remember the last time I was in this room.”
Tally tilted her head to one side. “Then why do you live here?”
“I don’t really. I just use it as my London base. I prefer to spend time on the boat.”
“You’ve got more money than sense,” she said.
Rupe nudged her shoulder playfully. “Wouldn’t be hard, darling. I don’t have a lot of sense.”
She laughed as he led her back to the kitchen. “Shall I make us something to eat?” she said, relieved when Cash and Rupe agreed instantly. After the queasy start to the day, she didn’t fancy trying out her stomach’s resilience on one of their creations.
They sat down to eat at the kitchen table. Cash and Rupe were bantering like brothers who pretended they despised the other. Enormously contented, Tally watched them score points off each other and smiled at the one-upmanship. God, she’d missed this.
“When are you going back on the circuit?” Rupe said out of the blue. She’d been dying to ask that same question but hadn’t yet plucked up the courage.
Cash’s gaze locked on hers. “That’s up to Natalia.”
Her jaw slackened. “Me? Why me?”
“Because I want to make sure we’re okay before my career takes over my life again.”
Her skin prickled, the sensation reaching her fingertips. If she’d ever questioned his love, that single statement smashed those doubts into a million pieces. As Tally scrabbled around for an appropriate response, considering they weren’t alone, Rupe must have read the situation because he got to his feet and said, “I’ll leave you to it,” before disappearing into the hallway.
Losing Game: A Winning Ace Novel (Book 2) Page 5