Losing Game: A Winning Ace Novel (Book 2)

by Tracie Delaney

  Tally gave Cash an embarrassed grin. “Poor Rupe, being chased out of his own kitchen.”

  Cash pushed his chair back but remained seated. He patted his leg. “Come here.”

  She stood up and straddled his thighs, lowering herself into his lap.

  “Kiss me,” he murmured.

  She curved her hands around his face, his scruff tickling her palms. She lowered her mouth to his, but as she tried to increase the intensity, she felt him holding back. She broke off their kiss. “Cash, don’t you want me anymore?”

  His hand stilled from where he’d been rubbing her back, and a frown flickered across his face. “Are you crazy? Of course I do.”

  “Then why did you leave the way you did last night?” She winced at the desperation in her voice. “And why are you holding back now?”

  He caressed her cheek with the back of his hand. “Baby, you said you wanted to take it slow.”

  Her fingertips teased his hair. “But not physically. I want you, Cash. I need you. If you want to make sure we’re okay, that’s the way to do it.”

  His right thumb skated over her bottom lip, and she parted her mouth in anticipation. He leaned in and kissed her, his tongue slowly twirling with hers. Her insides twisted, and she moved closer. He grew hard, and she rocked against him. When he groaned into her mouth, warmth spread throughout her chest.

  She broke their kiss and gazed into his eyes. The depth of feeling he showed humbled her. And then she knew. She held his fragile heart as tightly as he held hers. They were bound together by love. Both would be easily destroyed should that love be torn away.

  Cash tipped her off his lap and clasped her hand. As he headed towards the stairs, Tally tugged him back.

  “Where are we going?”

  He glanced down at her. “I’m going to show you how okay we are.”

  Despite the thrill of desire that swept through her body, she hesitated. “We’re at Rupe’s.”

  “So?”

  “We can’t.”

  “Sure we can.” He held onto her hand and took off upstairs.

  When they reached the top floor, which she hadn’t explored with Rupe earlier, Cash pushed open a door that led into a bedroom decorated in Edwardian style. The inside was fresh and light, a complete contrast to the dark interior of the rest of the house.

  “I’m here so often Rupe finally gave me my own room,” Cash said by way of explanation. “Although when I had it redecorated, he moaned like a bitch because it didn’t go with the rest of the house.” He shrugged. “Shouldn’t have told me it was my bloody room.”

  Tally chuckled, but as Cash snaked his arms around her waist, kicking the door closed with his foot, she stopped laughing. His face grew serious, and as his gaze slowly grazed her body, she shuddered in anticipation.

  She half expected him to lunge at her, but instead, he feathered his hands up and down her sides before burying them in her hair. He pulled a lock over her shoulder and twisted it around his finger before letting go of the curl he’d created and moving on to the next one. His eyes never left hers. Her breath hitched when his knuckles skimmed her cheek, the touch tender and soft.

  “I almost lost you,” he whispered.

  His mouth cut off her intended reply. His kiss began in a slow, almost exploratory way as his lips moved over hers. She wrapped her arms around his neck and hitched her legs over his hips, his answering groan exactly the response she was looking for. His hands curved around her backside, holding her in place as his tongue surged into her mouth. As she rubbed herself against his erection, he tore his mouth from hers, his lips fastening onto her neck instead.

  “I thought I wasn’t good enough, ace,” she said. “That you’d changed your mind about us getting back together.”

  His lips stilled, and he eased her legs to the floor. As he tilted his head backwards, his grey eyes were stormy, and he quivered with… anger? Annoyance? Irritation?

  “Jesus,” he muttered, sweeping a hand down the back of his head. “I fucking hate myself right now.”

  “No.” She cupped his face, her thumbs caressing his cheeks. “This is my issue, ace. Mine. Not yours. I…” She shrugged. “It doesn’t matter.”

  He exhaled on a shudder, and he shook his head slowly. Her hands fell to her sides. Why hadn’t she kept her bloody mouth shut? If she had, they’d still be kissing. Instead, she’d ruined what would undoubtedly have been mind-blowing make-up sex by voicing hang-ups that Cash had done nothing but reassure her about. What the hell is wrong with me? Sometimes, she swung along the spectrum from certainty to doubt so fast it made her head spin.

  “Come with me,” he said, ignoring her confused look and leading her to the far side of the enormous bedroom. He pushed open an already-ajar door and stepped into a dressing room. He drew her in front of a period-design full-length cheval mirror mounted on a rectangular base. He reached around her and tilted the mirror backwards until they were both visible. His hands briefly rested on her shoulders before moving to deftly unfasten every button on her shirt. As his fingers brushed her skin, she trembled, and her lips parted. He tossed her shirt to one side and then fell to his knees and peeled off her jeans. Her underwear quickly followed until she was fully naked. She bit down on her lip, the pain momentarily distracting her from wanting to wrap her arms around herself.

  He clasped her shoulders. “Why can’t you see how beautiful you are?”

  She shrugged. “I don’t know.”

  Cash sighed softly, blowing warm air onto the back of her neck. “There have been times I thought we made progress, then something happens and you start up again with thinking you’re not good enough for me. I blame myself fully for the latest relapse in your confidence.”

  As she opened her mouth to speak, he pressed his forefinger to her lips and fixed his gaze on hers in the mirror.

  “I love you so much, more than I ever thought myself capable of loving anyone. I’m barely half a person without you in my life. I want you to stop with the self-loathing, because when you attack yourself, you attack me and the depth of my feelings for you.”

  Tally forced air into lungs that seemed to have collapsed. Her eyes fell closed, but they snapped open again when Cash tugged hard on one of her nipples. Their gazes collided in the mirror, and his smile came slow and sexy.

  “Eyes open. I’m going to show you what I see when I make love to you.”

  Her core involuntarily tightened, and she squeezed her thighs together. A moan tumbled from her lips as Cash cupped her breasts and twisted her nipples between his thumb and forefinger. A rush of liquid heat pooled between her legs, and her head rocked onto his shoulder as she arched her back, desperate for more.

  “Eyes on the mirror, Natalia,” he demanded.

  She lifted her head and met his gaze once more. He’d shucked his clothes, although she didn’t know when, and his muscles rippled beneath his skin. His erection was hard against her backside, and she shimmied against him.

  “Witch,” he whispered with a chuckle.

  His hand slid south, moving slowly over her ribcage, her stomach. He pressed his thumb hard on her clit as he slipped his middle finger inside her. Every nerve in her body sparked to life, and she clenched around him. A hiss left his lips as his eyes trailed over her body, scorching her, branding her with his gaze. Slipping a second finger inside her, he kept up a relentless rhythm, and the eroticism of watching his fingers disappearing and reappearing brought her to the cusp of orgasm. She moaned softly.

  “Keep your eyes open, baby,” he said. “I want you to see what you look like when you come.”

  Embarrassment swamped her, but she fought the urge to close her eyes. He repetitively circled his thumb against her clit before pressing down hard, and like a volcano erupting, she climaxed, her muscles rippling against his fingers.

  “Oh, God,” she murmured as an intense warmth raced down her legs. She curled her toes, and her knees trembled. A faint sheen of sweat broke out on her brow as he increased the pr
essure, making sure he drew every ounce of pleasure from her. As her breathing slowed, she met his smile with one of her own.

  “Admit it,” Cash whispered in her ear. “That was hot.”

  Heat rushed to her cheeks, but when she nodded in agreement, the look of pride and pleasure on his face swept away her embarrassment. He circled her waist and pressed his thumbs into the small of her back.

  “Lean forward, and hold onto the mirror. Don’t worry about it falling. It weighs a ton.”

  His fingers gripped her hips, and he lifted her backside in the air and, in one thrust, pushed himself inside. The aftershocks of her orgasm were still pulsing through her body, and Cash groaned, his teeth lightly grazing her shoulder as he drilled into her. Their eyes met in the mirror. Cash clenched his jaw tight. A steady pulse beat in his cheek, and a faint tinge of red bled into his skin with the effort of controlling himself.

  Tally tightened her grip on the mirror and pushed backwards as he thrust forward. The noise he made thrilled her. She loved how much she could turn him on. During these moments, all her worries and fears melted away, and she could allow the person beneath to shine. She clenched her core hard, and when he responded by almost painfully digging his fingers into her hips, she knew he was close.

  “Let go,” she said.

  A long, drawn-out groan spilled from his lips as he climaxed. He buried his face in her neck, his lips searingly hot against her skin. Tally released her grip on the mirror and reached around to caress his hips before dropping her hands to his arse. She squeezed.

  He laughed, the sound rumbling through his chest as he pulled out of her. He eased her around to face him. His hands curved around her waist, and he grazed her lips with a brief kiss. “Are we okay?”

  She nodded. “We’re okay. Now, promise me you’re playing Monte Carlo.”

  Cash nuzzled her neck. “I’m wherever you are, sweetness.”

  “Oh, good. I’ve always wanted to go to Monaco.”

  9

  “Aren’t you fucking ready yet?” Cash stood by the front door, jangling his keys and tapping his foot. If someone broke the news to him that Rupe was a woman, he wouldn’t be surprised, based on how long his friend took to get ready.

  “Almost,” Rupe said, trying to balance on one foot while putting on his shoes. “You only saw her a few hours ago. I’m sure you can survive being five minutes late.”

  Cash held back from saying what he thought, but if Rupe didn’t get his shoe on in ten seconds, Cash would bloody do it for him. He rolled his eyes as Rupe hopped about, finally letting out an irritated sigh. “For fuck’s sake, sit down, and put them on.”

  “All right, all right. Don’t get your knickers in a twist.” Rupe finally managed to lace up his shoes and headed for the front door. He cocked his head. “You coming or what?”

  Cash ground his teeth. “You are one irritating bastard.”

  “And you’re a grumpy fucker, but you don’t hear me complaining every five minutes.” Rupe held the door open, giving Cash a shove as he walked through.

  Isaac dropped them off at Natalia’s flat a little after eight. Despite his driver’s protestations, Cash insisted he take the rest of the night off. Cash and Rupe could easily get a cab home, and Isaac’s daughter was in town for a few days. It would do the man good to catch up with his family, especially as he’d soon be away from home for weeks at a time when Cash went back on the circuit.

  Natalia must have been watching out for them because by the time they’d climbed out of the car, she was already standing at the front door.

  “You’re late,” she said with the special smile she seemed to keep only for him. A warm glow spread through his body, and his fingers itched to touch her.

  He leaned forward and gave her a quick kiss. “You’re hot.”

  “You’re excused,” she said with a soft giggle. “Anyway, I bet it was Rupe’s fault you’re late.”

  “And how do you figure that?” Rupe said.

  “Because she knows you well.” Cash pressed Rupe through the door first, which allowed him to sweep his hand over Natalia’s backside in private. “I can’t wait to get my hands on you,” he whispered in her ear. “Let’s hope these two get on so we can leave early.”

  She wrapped her arms around his neck, standing on tiptoes to reach his lips. Her kiss was light but full of promise, and he shuddered.

  “I’d like that,” she murmured.

  Cash took her hand as Emmalee appeared in the hallway. Natalia’s flatmate scowled at Cash, but her face smoothed as she greeted his friend.

  “Hi, I’m Emmalee—Em. You must be Rupe.”

  “Yeah.” Rupe ignored her outstretched hand as he moved in and gave her a kiss on the cheek instead. “Thanks for inviting me over.”

  A faint tinge of red bled into Emmalee’s cheeks at Rupe’s trademark overfamiliarity. “Well, technically, I didn’t. Tally did. But regardless, you’re welcome. Come on. Let’s get you a drink.”

  She studiously ignored Cash as he and Natalia followed them into the kitchen. Natalia headed to the stove and gave something a stir.

  “Smells good,” Rupe said, sniffing the air.

  “Paella.” She held out a spoonful, her free hand underneath the cutlery to catch any drips. “Here, taste.”

  Rupe slurped at the spoon before smacking his lips. “More pepper.”

  Natalia grabbed the peppermill and added more to the pan. Her backside wiggled as she stirred the contents, and Cash struggled to avert his gaze until Emmalee coughed. He dragged his attention away from Natalia’s perfect arse to find Emmalee glaring at him. She stole a surreptitious glance at Natalia, who was busy joking with Rupe, before leaning across the table.

  “Don’t think all is forgotten,” she whispered in a low enough tone to keep it between them. “Just because Tally’s forgiven you doesn’t mean I have.”

  Cash raised an eyebrow. “Good to know,” he drawled.

  Her expression darkened. “Just as arrogant as before, I see,” she hissed.

  Cash expelled an irritated sigh. “Look,” he said, leaning closer. “I get it. You’re pissed, and you have every right to be. She’s your friend, and I hurt her. I know you don’t like me, but unfortunately for you, Natalia does. So you and I are going to have to find a way past this before we put unfair pressure on her.”

  Emmalee opened her mouth to come back at him, but Natalia chose that moment to glance over her shoulder. A frown drifted across her face. Emmalee must have spotted it, because she straightened and passed him a bottle of red wine and a corkscrew.

  “Here, make yourself useful and open that.”

  Cash gave the label a cursory glance. A half-decent Merlot. He opened it and took a sniff. Not bad. He poured four glasses and handed them round.

  “Em, pass me those plates, would you?” Natalia held a hand out behind her without looking around. “I hope no one minds eating straight away. The rice will overcook if I leave it for much longer.”

  Cash stared pointedly at Rupe, who flashed a wry grin. “No problem for me, darling,” Rupe said as he sat at the table and held his knife and fork upright, like an expectant child.

  “No shit,” Cash said. “Especially as it was your fault we were late.”

  “What was the problem?” Natalia said, placing two dishes of paella in front of him and Rupe.

  “Rupe’s a woman in disguise,” Cash said. “Takes about three hours to get ready, although looking at him, you’d wonder why.”

  Natalia giggled. “You should give him a few tips, Em.”

  Rupe threw his hands in the air. “What’s this—pick on Rupe night?”

  “You make it too easy, buddy,” Cash said.

  As the evening progressed, the tension between him and Emmalee lessened, although he could tell her softening was more for Natalia’s benefit than any real truce. On the other hand, Emmalee and Rupe got on so well they could have known each other all their lives. Cash watched for signs of a budding romance, but it seemed much
more of a brother-sister relationship than anything else.

  “Are you going back on tour soon, Cash?” Emmalee asked, glancing between him and Natalia. She seemed to be gauging Natalia’s reaction, although Cash couldn’t be sure.

  “Yeah. Monte Carlo in a couple of weeks, but I’m taking Natalia to Northern Ireland with me first.”

  “You are?” Natalia said, dropping her dessert spoon with a clang.

  “Yes.” He tilted his head, mirroring her posture. “I made you a promise, and I’m going to make good on it.”

  Emmalee sighed heavily, her arms crossed over her chest. “She’s only just got home, and now you’re dragging her off again.”

  “Emmalee,” Natalia said with a tinge of warning in her tone. “That’s enough.”

  Cash covered her hand with his and squeezed. “It’s okay, sweetness.” He fixed his gaze on Emmalee. “If you’ve got something to say, then let’s hear it.”

  Temporary truce over, Emmalee’s cold stare locked onto his. “I’m just interested in what’s so urgent in Northern Ireland. What did you promise her, Cash? Not to go around kissing strange women anymore?”

  Natalia caught her breath as Cash shot a furious look at Emmalee. Even Rupe decided fiddling with the edge of the tablecloth was preferable to making eye contact with anyone.

  Emmalee’s cheeks reddened as she realised she’d gone too far. “Shit. I didn’t mean that. It just slipped out.”

  Natalia fidgeted beside him. She kept threading her napkin through her fingers, undoubtedly waiting for him to explode. He clutched her hand, stilling her.

  “Be careful judging what you don’t understand, Emmalee,” he said, purposely keeping his tone even, though he’d gladly have strangled her.

  She ducked her head, the blush spreading to her neck. “Sorry. Never did know when to keep my mouth shut, did I, Tal?”