“Wait. Nicola.” He turned her in his lap so that her legs went over his thigh.
She wriggled around, hooking her leg around him, straddling him, hands lightly lying on his shoulders. If he lay down, she’d be sitting on top of him, and she wouldn’t even know what to do with herself. One second, she was on top of the world, the next, she felt gangly and awkward. Legs too long, making her feel better suited to be a jogging partner than sex-scapade participant. But still, looking into his eyes made her dizzy. “Hmm?”
Those eyes, dark with arousal but narrowed as though studying something. They made her even more nervous. One arm stayed wrapped around her back, but his other hand smoothed her hair, pushing it off her cheeks. “Are you a virgin?”
What? “No!”
Eyes wide and heart stopping, she’d just died of embarrassment right that second in his arms, yet somehow still felt alive enough to feel the awful cringe of humiliation.
“Seriously, it’s not a big deal if you are.”
“I’m not.” But I might as well be. Oh my God, this was mortifying. She needed out of his lap.
Ignoring her, his hands locked her in place. “Nic?”
“Are you trying to ruin everything?”
Dead serious, he shook his head once. “Nope.”
“So what then?” God, her chest was caving in. Her cheeks had never been hotter. It’d be a lot better to have this conversation far out of his reach. She tried to move again. Better not to have this conversation at all. “I need to g—”
“Why you running?”
She blew out a breath. “I’m not.”
He ran his hand up her back. “Then why are you acting like it’s a big deal?”
Squirming wasn’t making anything better. Amusement lit his eyes.
She huffed again. “Because, you are… you. And I…”
“You? What?”
“I’m vanilla, and you’re freakin’ Baskin Robbins.” Nicola closed her eyes and took a deep breath. “The only reason I’ve ever even had sex was because I was trying to forget about you.”
There. She’d said it. Rushed and jumbled, but it was out there. She’d already warned him that she couldn’t keep the truth from him anymore, and that was the big granddaddy of truths. “It’s not like it’s something I’ve done a lot, or even recently. But, no, I’m not a virgin.”
All the light and laughter on his face was gone. She’d killed the mood, ruined their date night. Maybe she’d get another shot at it some other time. Hopefully, the drive home wouldn’t be terribly awful and awkward. He could even drop her off in front of her house. No one would know the difference.
He dropped his head, pressing his forehead to hers. Now he pitied her. This was worse than she’d expected. Her eyes burned, and a big, huge, enormous knot resided in her aching throat.
“I’m an asshole,” he whispered.
What? Had she heard that right? “Cash…”
He tipped them sideways. Startled, she landed on her side, safely held, with his bicep acting as her pillow, their legs tangled, and the fire roaring behind him.
“Whatever you think about me.” His face was shadowed and sweet. “Whatever you’ve seen or heard, half of which I can promise you isn’t true, it’s because I never thought I could have the only girl I wanted. You.” He kissed her slowly, working her mouth open. He paused, pulling her even tighter. “The blame lies with me, Nic, and it kills me that I didn’t tell you sooner.”
Heart racing, she didn’t know what to say, but her stomach climbed past the knot in her throat. Lost in his sapphire stare, she felt like the universe stopped and started at her command. She opened her mouth, but nothing came out.
“I need you, sweet girl. Always have.” His palm found her cheek, his thumb caressing as he kissed her.
Her body tingled, fingertips and toes, mind and soul.
He kissed her again, deepening it, and she craved him. All her hesitation was gone. Everything else was replaced by complete trust. Still on her side, her one arm was hooked around his neck, but the other found his rock hard stomach and explored over the cotton t-shirt, then under, to the ripple of abdominal muscles.
He sat up with her still in his lap, shucked off his shirt then snaked his hands up her calf, drawing a slow path as he lay them back down. His hands drifted over her thigh, and she watched him watch her.
“You okay?”
She nodded, pretty much lying because nothing about tonight stooped to the level of okay.
“Good.” His fingers smoothed against her skin, massaging the inside of her thigh, teasing higher, higher, then dragging the back of his knuckles over her mound.
She couldn’t breathe. “You’re a tease.”
Propped on his side, he loomed over her. “Yup.”
“I like that.”
He did it again, slowly torturing her with a touch that was barely there, spreading her legs wider. “Your little skirt’s killing me.”
“That was my plan.”
His fingers ran under her skirt until they drifted along the edge of her panties. “But this little lace number you’ve got going on.” Cash shook his head almost as deliberate as he stroked her. “Has to go.”
She nodded, and he slid them down, slipping the lace off one foot at a time, then he kissed her ankle. His hands slid up her legs, and he kissed the back of her knee, almost bucking her off the ground with one long, warm slash of his tongue.
Cash chuckled. “Like that too?”
“Apparently.” Her voice was raspy, breaths panting. He did it again. “Yes. Yes, I like that.”
“Good.” Pushing between her knees, he trailed a burning path of kisses higher until he stopped at the juncture between her legs. He didn’t move. Didn’t kiss. There was no touching or teasing or torturing for the longest second of her life, and then he kissed her.
Oh God… Her head rolled back, and she arched as Cash swirled his tongue around her, hiking her skirt high. Both his hands moved up to her hips, and his broad shoulders kept her legs wide.
“Cash.” She stared into the star-covered sky, felt the warmth of the fire and heard its crackle while he did his best to kiss her to oblivion.
His tongue drifted to her opening, and the pad of his thumb began a sinful circle on her clit. He speared her with his tongue, then added his fingers. She couldn’t see straight. Her eyes closed, embracing all that she could. Her body trembled, spiraling out of control. He increased his onslaught, stronger, faster, deeper, until white lights exploded behind her eyelids. She came, and the rush of satisfaction pulsing through her blood was the best she’d felt. Ever.
“Fucking beautiful.” He tugged her shirt off her limp body.
Feeling as sexy as the look on his face said she was, she rested her hands on his belt. The leather worked out easily as she unbuckled, then unsnapped the top button of his jeans. His erection strained in his pants, and just the thought of Cash naked made her heart race.
Two fingers touched her chin, and he brought her gaze up. “What’s going through that pretty head of yours?”
Her gaze shot to the campfire, then back. “You’re gorgeous.”
“Guys aren’t gorgeous.”
“Well, you are.”
He smiled, kissed her, taking off his pants and lying next to her, entirely naked. Lord, she was right. He was gorgeous. Even in the campfire light, she could see how perfect and corded his body was, and how thick his erection stood.
Every inch of her was on fire. His mouth worked over her, his body was positioned between her legs, and she had never been so incapable of breathing yet so alive in the moment.
While he worked on a condom, her hands memorized the feel of his strong back and the sway of his muscles leading to his firm backside. Everything about him was powerful, tall, overbearing, over top of her, but completely, deliciously seductive.
“You okay?” Forearms caging her head, his fingers ran into her hair and his hard-on pressed against her opening.
Again with the
okay… She nodded yes, but she wasn’t actually sure. A sudden panic pounded in her chest. This was going to hurt. It had to. He was—her breath hitched as he pushed into her. Just a little bit. And a little more.
“Okay.” It was a breathy, raspy whisper, but it was the truth. Her mouth hung open, her entire body trying desperately to accommodate and enjoy everything. It was pleasure mixed with a hint of pain. Or more than a hint as she walked her feet up, bending her knees and opening more to him.
“Relax.”
“Relaxing.” She nodded, her fingers clawing into his back. He felt so damn good. The discomfort was intoxicating. “Trying.”
Cash kissed her, touching her soul and sliding deeper again. “Damn, Nic.”
She tasted his neck, kissed the faintly salty taste, and smelled his soap mixed with the outdoorsy scent clinging to them. She wrapped her legs around him and hugged him for all she was worth. His forehead touched hers, lips kissing as his body pushed her faster and deeper.
This was more than she’d ever experienced, more than she ever dreamed. Lightning powered in her veins, muscles tightening. Her vision went hazy, went brilliant, did a thousand things in between. All she could feel was him. All she could think was how perfect he felt. Her muscles tightened around his shaft, gripping and building for more.
“Come for me.” Low and strained, his voice rumbled, growling, ordering her to fall apart for him. “Please, sweet girl. I need it. Need you.”
Cash needed her? She would’ve called him a liar, but his eyes locked on hers, intense and demanding. She saw nothing but raw honesty. Unable to control her reaction, she climaxed, crying out his name. Stars and sparks and sizzle flared, and he rode her deeper, holding her tighter.
His fingers dug into her. Every part of his hard body tightened as he strained, growling her name with powerful thrusts so deep she felt he touched her soul. One last long push and he stilled, groaned, coming with his jaw open and his eyes squeezed tight. “God, Nicola.”
He collapsed on her, his chest heaving as hard as hers. Feeling him fall apart, watching his face, and knowing it was because of her… her heart seized.
“Cash…” He nodded, holding her tight. His fingers brushed her hair, and he murmured in her ear. She was beautiful. She was perfect. She was his.
Catching their breaths together, lips connected, breathing in tandem: this had to be a dream. The campfire’s flames blazed high.
Cash left her to dispose of the condom, bringing back with him a second blanket. He tucked her close and she closed her eyes.
She kissed him. “Definitely memorable.”
“Good.”
Nicola rested her chin on his chest. “Tonight was perfect.”
His golden smile warmed her from the inside out. “Best date ever.”
She closed her eyes, laying her head down, and watched the flames. Cash’s fingers trailed up and down her spine. Burrowed beneath the blanket, she wanted to ask him what he was thinking. Wanted to see if anything had changed. Wanted to just drift to sleep for only a minute…
CHAPTER TWELVE
It had been two hours since Cash pulled up to Nic’s house and kissed her goodbye. He hadn’t planned to spend the night out there, but when he woke up with her in his arms, a damp dew settling over everything and the sun rising over the river, and he wouldn’t have changed a thing.
Checking his watch for the millionth time, he decided a two-hour separation was long enough. He picked up a dozen donuts and headed over to Nic’s place. If the girls weren’t up yet, he’d get them up.
Using his fist, he bumped twice against the door before letting himself in. “Morning, ladies.” He walked through the door. Nic, Brandy, and Hannah were stacked on a couch in pajamas, nursing coffees and watching television. “I bring gifts.”
Hannah popped up first. “Donuts? God, you are a good man.”
Brandy looked way hung-over. “Get me one, Han.”
Hannah hooked two donuts. “Nic, want one?”
Cash walked toward her, offering the box. “Breakfast?”
“Yeah, sure.” She blushed, and he wasn’t sure why, but he liked it.
The four of them crammed onto the couch, watching whatever the girls had on, and his fingers traced over Nic’s arm.
“Stop it,” she mouthed.
He feigned stupid. “What?”
She elbowed him. Brandy grumbled that they were making too much noise. Hannah reached over Nicola toward the donut box at the same time he did.
“Dude, Cash, what happened to your arm?”
He looked down. Three itchier-than-shit mosquito bites stood loud and proud. “Bug bites.”
Hannah took a big bite of her donut. “Nic’s got some too. Where the hell have you two been lately?”
Nicola choked on her donut.
“Easy there, sweet girl.” He laughed, clapping a hand onto her back. “Yeah, Nic. What have you been up to?”
Nic turned, glaring, mouthing all kinds of things that he assumed were threats. Slowly, Brandy turned her head, eyes narrowed and curious, which made Nic sit still, straight back, knees pressed together and feet flat on the floor.
“What’s with you?” Brandy’s evil eye bounced from Nic to Cash and back.
He chuckled. “Yeah, Nic. Something up?”
Brandy’s glare tightened.
Nicola didn’t look away from the TV. “I need more coffee.”
Cash stood up. “Me too.”
He laughed when she growled at him quietly enough that only he heard. So damn cute.
Roman walked through the front door, eyeing Cash. “Thought I’d find you over here. Damn, you missed quite the night.” He stretched and nodded to the box of donuts. “Throw me a donut.”
“There’s no donut throwing in here.” Hannah waved her hand a couple of times. “Watch out. Your butt’s in the way of the TV.”
Nic grabbed the donut. “Here.” She handed it off and shuffled toward the kitchen. Cash was fast on her trail.
“Hey—”
She spun. “I am not ready to tell the world.”
He crossed his arms and leaned back against the kitchen counter. “I could take that as a major insult.”
She rolled her eyes and refilled her coffee, drowning it with milk and sugar. “But you won’t.”
He pushed off the counter and caged her against it. She kept her back to him. She smelled like lavender. “You took a shower.”
“I slept outside.” She looked over her shoulder as he pushed her hair off of her neck. “That, and I normally take showers.”
“You smell nice.” His lips slid down her skin.
Turning around, she looked over his shoulder. “If Roman comes in, he’ll think you’re doing the Heimlich.”
“Better than kissing your neck, right?”
“I’m being serious.” Her nose wrinkled as she tried to make her point, failing in an angry kitten kind of way. “Think about it. The second Roman finds out, everything changes. He won’t see you as his best friend. And whatever you guys do when you hit the bars, Lord knows, bringing home whatever—”
He shook his head. “Don’t be like that because it’s never been like that.”
“I’m just saying that everything’s going to change. Can’t we wait and get back into the swing of things at school? If he has something to do, he won’t be so on my case. Yours either.” Footsteps approached in the hall. “Please, Cash.”
He took a step back, and she grabbed her coffee off the counter as Roman walked in. He went straight to the fridge and rummaged through takeout boxes.
Roman pushed a few containers around. “Don’t you have anything to eat?”
“Donuts.” Nicola sidestepped further away from Cash, and he ground his teeth together.
Roman abandoned the fridge, grabbed a mug, and poured a cup of coffee. After a long sip, he twisted his face. “What’s wrong with this?”
Nic shrugged. “French Vanilla.”
Her brother dumped it into the sink and
turned to him. “What’d you get into last night? Mira and Jaycee?” Roman laughed at his joke, and Cash wanted to punch him in the face.
Nicola grumbled as she stormed out. “You guys are pigs.”
Roman nodded toward her. “What’s got her all worked up?”
“Maybe you cool it on Mira-Jaycee thing.” If Roman noticed that Cash suggested that through clenched teeth, the guy ignored it.
“You know who needs a dose of Mira-Jaycee is Double-deuce.”
That was the best idea Cash had heard all day long. Jacob could have those girls and keep away from Nicola. “At least he wouldn’t bother Nic so much.”
“Exactly.” Roman nodded.
“Or she could always find a guy like me.”
“Yeah, not in the mood to go to jail ’cause I’d have to kill any dude like you who touched her.”
Cash’s molars were going to shatter with all the gnashing going down this morning. “Meaning?”
“Hardy har har, asshole. Like you’d let her go anywhere alone with someone like you. Shit.” Roman shook his head, laughing like they shared some funny joke, and Cash could do nothing but ball his hands into fists.
“Right.” This was going to be way harder than he thought. Nicola was right. Operation rehab his image needed a serious planning session.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Today was the big two-oh. It was her birthday, and Nicola was at work glaring at her desk. Spreadsheet after spreadsheet. Bank transfers piled high in folders. They weren’t that interesting, except for the fact that none of them made sense. Either the account balances were off, or sales totals were wrong because the durable goods and their corresponding accounts were comical. There was an error somewhere, the type where someone accidentally added five zeroes to each dollar amount.
She picked up the phone and dialed her boss. “Hi, Aleena, I’m having the same problem. The numbers look off from the shipping manifest.”
Her boss huffed in her ear, again, because this was the second time she’d brought it up.
“No one’s paying you to analyze the accounts. Just crunch the numbers and process the bill of sales.”
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