by Candi Wall
If Shawna fit into them, great.
Chapter Six
Shawna didn’t know what to think of Cash’s renewed participation. The girls were as into it as he was, and every eye in the club watched. The buzz was all it was supposed to be. Chloe was ridiculously happy. Everyone was happy.
Shawna groaned. Maybe not everyone. She wanted to claw out the eyes of every woman watching him.
The pictures from the photo shoot were one thing, but this was different. Seeing him in real time, eyes riveted to the models’ bodies, a slow, sexy smile curving his mouth… The way his muscles flexed and the fine sheen of sweat glistening off his tanned skin would make a nun hungry. He looked aroused, like he was ready to take on both models right then and there. His hands were everywhere, just like theirs were. It was hot and intoxicating, and highly arousing.
“What did you say to him?” Chloe nudged her shoulder and passed her a glass of champagne.
Shawna clinked her glass to Chloe’s before taking a sip. “I’m not really sure what it was that triggered this reaction.”
“Well, whatever it was, it worked.” Chloe was cat-in-the-cream happy.
Ian Malcolm toppled into them from behind, throwing his arms over each of their shoulders. “My favorite girls, all dressed up and standing in the shadows like wallflowers. What gives?”
“Like you don’t know.” Shawna turned and smiled up at him. Ian was one of her favorite people. “Watching our newest chick fly from the nest is gratifying.”
“That’s why I’m here. You girls do things spectacularly, even leaking hints on a new model. It’s always fun to be in your brilliance circle.” Ian scanned the dance floor. “Let’s see. Lemme guess.”
He scooted his unneeded glasses down the bridge of his nose. Ian was a fashion critic. One of the best. A simple nod of approval could get a new designer’s line picked up, and a frown could bury a budding career. He was terrifying at times, brutally honest and throw-me-down gorgeous with his light brown hair and whiskey eyes. Shawna loved the way his mind worked the most. He was one of those people who could see the proverbial diamond in the rough.
“I see.” Ian sighed. “It’s a he this time. He’s perfect, ladies. Right up anyone’s single-day alley. Good thing I found Jimmy or I might take him off your hands.”
Shawna shook her head. They hadn’t even given him a clue to work with. “How do you do it?”
“Brilliance is born, not learned,” he quipped. Grabbing Chloe around the waist, he nuzzled her chin. “Let’s dance on over so I can get a better look at your newest creation.”
Shawna heard him say something about sweaty, dirty cowboys, and she laughed. Missing the rest of his crude comments didn’t hurt her feelings. She needed to pee, like yesterday, and Ian offered the perfect escape. She passed the bar and weaved through the crowd, almost bypassing Cash’s brother Nick without seeing him. She wasn’t sure how she’d almost missed him. He stuck out like—well—like a cowboy in the city.
“How’s it going, Nick?”
“’S been better,” he grumped.
She followed his gaze to the dance floor. Chloe was in celebration mode. Ian was behind her, Cash was in front, and no one could say Chloe Garrison didn’t outshine most of her models. She was gorgeous. She belonged in the beautiful crowd. “It’s her job.”
Nick looked her way, his scowl rigid. “Her job sucks.”
Shawna sighed. She couldn’t argue with his way of thinking. Any guy that wanted more from Chloe than occasional sex was in for heartbreak. She didn’t want to see Cash’s brother hurt that way, but there was nothing she could do to stop the inevitable. He’d already fallen hard if the possessiveness in his gaze was any indication.
“I’ll be back in a few.” She could at least keep him company. “We’ll have a drink and commiserate.”
“Sounds good.”
She rushed to the bathroom. It was getting to the point of emergency status. Of course the line was a mile long. By the time she reemerged, Cash was waiting outside the door, a dark scowl marring his handsome features.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, almost afraid of the answer.
“I did what you wanted me to do, but I’ve had enough of this bat-shit crazy place for one night.”
He grabbed her arm and steered her toward the exit.
“Wait a minute,” she snapped, confused by his lack of information. “I need to check with Chloe.”
“She knows we’re leaving,” he shouted over the music. “She said she’d call you later. She was busy rippin’ Nick a new ass for hitting Ian.”
“What?” Shawna tried to stop but he kept them in motion. “He hit Ian? Why?”
“Because he was getting too cozy with Chloe.” They burst out into the cool evening air and Cash let her go, dragging a hand through his hair. “Nick had no idea he was gay. Not that it matters. Chloe’s stringing him along. Any guy would snap.”
“Maybe where you’re from.” Shawna knew better. “But that’s not how Chloe works. She’s a creature of habit. If she’s sleeping with Nick, he’s been told it’s temporary.”
“Temporary?” He glared at her. “Like you sayin’ I ain’t in your future? Which means I can play your game, fuck you, eat you in limos, but I’m not supposed to look beyond that?”
“Exactly.” Having him state it so crudely made her über aware of what a bitch she sounded like. “At least I’m honest. What we have is easy and simple and fun. And you get to walk away after. You should be doing cartwheels.”
“I know,” he snapped. “You city chicks do something to a country boy’s head. That’s all I can figure. I’ve only known you a day and I’m thinking you’re what I’ve been looking for all along.”
Ah, maybe the fatal flaw? They all had them. This one was stalker crazy. “You don’t even know me.”
“I didn’t say it was right.” He paced away. “Hell, it’s down-and-out crazy. That’s why I tol’ Nick to git while he could. That it weren’t worth it.”
“Oh, you’re quite the charmer, aren’t you?” How else was she supposed to respond to that?
“No.” He looked at her, his expression serious. “I’m all tied up. I’ll stay to get paid, then I’m gone too. This place and its fucked-up, changing rules would drive anyone crazy.”
“I’ll admit it takes some getting used to, but it’s not all bad.” She didn’t know why she felt the need to defend her home or her actions. “At one time, I wondered if New York was for me. I came in fresh off the farm too, and yes, city life is a bit harsh and cold at times. That doesn’t mean everyone becomes that way.”
“You’re a few ice crystals away from Chloe, darlin’.” The limo pulled up, and he motioned the driver to stay put. “I sure hope you get out of here before you turn into her.”
Shawna braced herself. This was a side of Cash she hadn’t seen, and she couldn’t understand why he was so upset. Grabbing the limo door, she opened it wide. “Sounds like you should call it a night.”
He nodded, staring at her. “You’re staying?”
“Yes.” She had to check in with Chloe. She also needed a bit of space without him in it, making her question herself, her motives and who she’d become. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Call or text me and let me know you made it home.” He slid onto the seat, the anger in his eyes softening. “Please. I won’t sleep well knowing you’re out here.”
“The limo will come back for me.”
“All the same. You wouldn’t want me showing up for tomorrow’s shoot with bags under my eyes, would ya?”
Damn it. Why did he have to be so damn cute? Stalker, she reminded herself. Stalker. “No.”
“And I’m guessing I can’t convince ya to come with me?”
“No.”
“Then you’d best be callin’ when your business is done.” He slammed the door then,
and she watched the limo pull away. She wanted to be mad at him, keep him in the angry-at zone, but all she could think about was when the last time was that someone had worried about her, or asked her to check in. She couldn’t remember.
The club closed in around her when she reentered. The music seemed too loud, the lights too bright. Suddenly everything seemed foreign and out of sync. She scanned the interior. The throng of bodies packed in the space was overwhelming. She couldn’t find Chloe, and none of the people from StyleU knew, or cared, where she was.
After several long minutes of searching, she went back outside and dug her cell out of her purse. Shooting Chloe a quick text to find out where she was, she walked over to one of the burly bouncers guarding the door. If she remembered right, his name was…
Damn it, she couldn’t remember. She could imagine Cash’s raised eyebrow and knowing gaze. “Did you ever ask?”
Probably not, she admitted to herself. “Excuse me? Did you see Chloe Garrison leave?”
The bouncer smiled, and she racked her brain for any detail of his life she might have learned. Anything to make him human and not just a hunk of meat that had kept her, Chloe, the StyleU models safe for years.
“Sure did, Miss Little,” he stated. “She left with Seth Hanson.”
Ugh. Seth was one of Chloe’s boy toys. She’d be safe with him, but Shawna had a funny feeling Nick wouldn’t be too pleased. She glanced around. “What about the cowboy? Nick Westing. The one who beat up Ian?”
“Ian was fine.” He chuckled, and she really wanted to ask him his name. “The cowboy hasn’t left yet far as I’ve seen. He giving you trouble?”
“No. Not at all.” She held her hand out. “Thank you. I apologize, but I don’t remember your name.”
He shook her hand. “It’s Mike.”
Feeling a fraction better, she walked away. Cash could say what he wanted about her being cold. She hadn’t completely forgotten her upbringing—she’d just hardened herself for her crazy lifestyle.
The streets were still fairly busy, and she leaned against a lamppost, waiting for the limo to return. It took less time than she expected, and when the driver pulled up to the curb, she waved him off and let herself into the vehicle, Cash style.
“Damn you, Cash Dillon,” she muttered.
“What did I do?”
Cash’s voice from the interior was the last thing she’d expected. The driver pulled away from the curb as she settled back in her seat to find both Cash and Nick in the limo.
Her phone buzzed. “Finally. Where are you, boss lady?”
She noticed the way Nick sat up straighter in his seat and she read Chloe’s text quickly, affirming what Mike had said. Shooting her companions a glare, she slumped against the seat. “Chloe’s fine. She’s with a friend.”
Nick crossed his arms over his chest and stared out the window.
She turned her attention to Cash. “You need to get out of my head. There’s nothing wrong with how I live my life. Stop telling me I’m cold and hard.” While she was already in honesty mode, she added, “What the hell did you come back for anyway?”
“You.” He shrugged and tapped his thumbs against the rim of his beer bottle. “Couldn’t leave you there. By the time Gio was out in traffic, and I figured out how to get his attention to tell him to go back, he had to circle around the block to get back to the club. It worked out since we found Nick walking.”
Stomping down the sizzle of excitement his admission created, she rolled her eyes to cover the momentary fan-girl he-came-back brain fart. “And you already know our driver’s name. Way to make me feel even shittier.”
“What?” he asked innocently. “You didn’t know his name, or that he has six children? Did you know his wife has breast cancer and this is a third job he’s holding down?”
Tears burned at her eyes but she forced them away. “No. I didn’t.”
“Leave off, man,” Nick jumped in. “You ain’t perfect, ya know.”
“Fuck off,” Cash countered.
Nick grumbled and settled back deep in his seat, pulling his cowboy hat low over his face. “Run while you can, girl. My brother’s more trouble than he’s worth.”
Finding a sliver of relief at having Nick’s comic relief to ease the tension, Shawna sent Cash a smirk. “You do realize I’ve been out there, on my own, for years.”
“Not on my watch.”
He took a long pull off his beer and she followed the smooth line of his throat as he swallowed. “You cowboys are a pain in the ass.”
Neither man argued, and she was content to sit back as the city lights flashed by. Several minutes passed before she realized they weren’t going to Cash and Nick’s hotel. “Where are we going?”
“I asked Gio to take you home first.”
“Thanks.” Staring out the window was getting harder by the moment. Cash’s hot gaze was an entity of its own. She could feel it like heat from the sun, moving down her body in slow, nearly tangible increments. She squirmed and tried staring at the seat next to her.
Epic backfire. The memory of being sprawled out on that seat with Cash’s tongue between her legs had her biting her lip. She chanced a glance in his direction only to find him watching her intently. His eyes slipped to the seat briefly before traveling the length of her boots. When his gaze met hers again, he grinned.
Leaning forward, he braced his elbows on his knees, letting the beer bottle dangle between his thighs. “I know what you were just thinkin’ ’bout.”
Shooting Nick a glance, she scowled. “No you don’t.”
“He’s asleep already.” He knocked his brother’s knee with his own to make his point. “Dead to the world. And yeah, I do.”
It was ridiculous that she could be as aroused as she was by a memory, an earlier insinuation for more, and his current hot stare. But she was. Funny how stalker vibes could be ignored when a pussy was hot. “Tell me,” she breathed.
That was all it took for him to be in the seat next to her, his lips touching her ear. “You were thinking about earlier. How hard you came. How good it felt and that it wasn’t quite enough. You were thinking that you want more.”
Yes. Yes. Yes. “Not exactly.”
“Liar.”
He called her out. That wasn’t something she was used to. Cash rewrote the page at every turn. No lines. No bullshit. She liked it and found it disconcerting at once. “I don’t lie.”
Honesty was the best policy. If he could do it, so could she. Taking a deep breath, she plunged into his shark-infested waters. “I thought about a lot of what you said, especially wanting more.” She turned so she was facing him. “But I was also thinking you’re asking for more than I’m willing to give. I want you.”
“Good.”
“No.” She needed to make herself perfectly clear here, or she’d be dealing with another cowboy like Nick. “I want you and what you can do for my sexual needs. I want you to eat me, fuck me, drive me insane with orgasms.”
“Done.” He smirked.
“What I don’t need is you reminding me of a past I walked away from.” She’d worked too hard and too long to make it big enough to go bigger. He needed to understand that even if grassroots and small-town values were where he came from, where she’d started out, she didn’t want to be there ever again. She wanted more. To be someone. To travel the world. To leave a mark. “Yes, I’ve become slightly impersonal. But understand this, Cash. That’s how it needs to be for me.”
He considered her carefully. “Explain.”
How was she supposed to do that? Jesus, her chest ached just thinking about her need to be someone special when her last marker was placed over her grave. Living paycheck to paycheck and killing themselves to make ends meet had slid her parents into early graves. She was the only one left to remember them. They were two in billions, with no legacy beyond a child. “Worded
correctly, my story could be as sad as anyone’s in a big city where a nobody can get lost. Worded wrong, I sound like a spoiled brat out to experience the world, crying when the cards don’t fall my way. Which fiction do you want?”
“What I want—” he sat forward, leaning in to whisper in her ear, “—is the real you. We can go rounds, fucking, playing, doing whatever will satisfy you. I’m game. But I want you real. You have to share who you really are with me. I’m not into fucking blow-up dolls, manikins or patched-together surgical recreations. I’ve had my fair share of fake. I want real.”
“I could feed you any story.” She shifted back to meet his gaze. “How would you know the difference between the truth and lies?”
“Cardboard StyleU models do nothing for me, darling.” His lips touched her neck briefly. “Yeah, they’re pretty, but if a person looks too close, it’s easy to see that they’re empty shells. Their lives revolve around an end goal. That wouldn’t be so bad if they weren’t willing to use people, sell their souls, alter everything nature gave them, to get there.”
Shawna shrugged. At one time, she would have agreed. Now? “I’ve been used too many times, so I understand why a person would behave that way. Sometimes a person needs to look out for numero uno. Sometimes a person has to do what they can to make their way.”
“Ah. Now that’s the real you, with an honest opinion.”
He trailed his knuckles down her cheek. At first, she thought he was trying to distract her. Didn’t matter that he was doing a hell of a job. “So now you agree with me?”
“No. Not at all.” He brushed her lips gently. “I just understand end goals.”
“What’s yours?”
“I can’t think of anything closer to heaven than having someone in my life that could make me believe in them so fiercely that I want to set aside every want or need I have just to make them happy.”
There was no hesitation in his answer. He meant it right down to his boots.