“No, but it always comes back to that with you, doesn’t it?” He’s smiling, but I can tell he’s only half kidding. Suddenly it hits me: Cash really cares what I think. About him.
“Don’t you ever think about those girls? What if they’re in relationships? What are you breaking up? There’s no such thing as no strings attached, regardless of what you might—”
“Clearly I’m gonna have to level with you,” he says. “First off, if they sleep with me, they know what they’re getting. I make it very clear up front that I am in it for a good time. Second, if they are cheating, then that’s on them. Am I supposed to have them fill out some questionnaire to see their dating history? Fuck that, Savy. Sometimes you just have to go for it. Love is messy, it’s not orderly, and you may get burned but you keep going—you appeal.”
“Appeal?”
“Isn’t that a lawyer term? I’m trying to speak your language.”
That gets a laugh out of me. “Continue, counselor.”
Cash takes a drink from his own champagne flute before he goes on.
“Here’s the thing: you don’t need to always have it go somewhere. Sometimes things are just fun—you need to be reminded that you are worth it. You are worth it, Savannah.”
“Sustained. I see your point. And I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to judge.”
“You don’t have to be sorry, just have some fun. Don’t let Tanner Jakes continue to ruin your life, or I’ll be forced to intervene on your *’s behalf.”
I actually laugh this time. It’s been so long since I laughed with someone. Since I’ve felt remotely like the person I used to be, before Tanner Jakes walked into my life. Cash is certainly not Mr. Right, but hell if I don’t want him to be Mr. Right Now.
That’s it. Throwing caution to the wind, I lean into him and kiss him right on the lips.
He tastes like champagne and mint. It’s a quick kiss. I draw away much sooner than I would like, but it’s just as good the second time around. It clouds my head, and for the first time in forever I don’t care about my job or promotion.
Staring into my eyes, he tucks my hair behind my ear and with both hands grasping my face kisses me harder, rougher. It’s a wake-up call for my body. Every nerve’s cell tunes in to see what his hands will do next. Logically, I should stop and thank Cash for the rescue and tell him this can’t go any further, but the pleasure pooling between my legs says keep this fucking going. I thread my fingers into his hair and pull him closer.
Damn. Cash wasn’t lying. His mouth is magic. Until he pulls away. Again.
I let out a noise of frustration and he chuckles.
“Easy there, sweetheart.”
“We were just getting to the good part,” I grab his shirt again, but he backs off.
“Trust me, this isn’t the good part. But I’m saving that until you’re sober.”
“I’m fine!” I protest, my blood still singing from the kiss. I want him. Now.
Cash shakes his head. “Let me put it like this.” He traces a slow, burning path up the side of my bare arm, until I swear I’m panting. “If you fuck me tonight, it’ll be about him. And when I take you – because sweetheart, you best believe, I’m going to be the one doing the taking – I’m going to be the only one on your mind. Until you can’t manage a single thought, other than ‘yes, Cash. More, Cash.’ Understand?”
Goddamn.
I nod, slowly, because I don’t have a choice. Then Cash stands, and offers me his arm. Chivalrous, like he just didn’t promise to fuck my brains out. “Now, let’s get you home.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
Cash
I’m perfecting more drinks for The Library, and I have volunteered Ryder to be my tester for the day. It’s meant to be a flashy drink. It’s a mix of absinthe and whiskey with a little mint to help blend it all together. Ryder takes a huge hit from the glass. He coughs, and I can’t help but chuckle. “Damn, that’s good.”
“Librarians often are wild in the sack, just like accountants.”
“And how would you know anything about accountants?” Ryder asks.
“Did one several years back—she definitely knew how to make it count.”
But the details of that encounter are pushed aside by thoughts of what Savannah would look like while she came. Her body tight, squeezing me, pulling me deep.
“And how was the date with Savannah last night?”
“You know I don’t kiss and tell,” I say before I can stop myself. I close my eyes; shit, he found it out. Ryder’s smirking with a knowing look.
“Welcome to the club.”
“I want nothing to do with that club. Got that invitation a long time ago, and I sent back my RSVP with a big fucking NO checked. Now tell me, what do you think of the drink?” I ask, anything for a change in subject. The last thing I need to do is open up more about Savannah. What happens between us is our business.