“He’s a bartender, right? Or did I get my wires crossed. Is he Dog-Man?”
“Rob, have I ever told you that I’m glad you use that brain of yours for good and not evil.”
“I’ll figure something out with Shaker Boy.”
“You are not calling Cash Shaker Boy.”
“Shaken and Stirred?” Rob offers and I glare at him. There is no nickname for my…for my Cash. “Oh wait, I know. Dirty Martini?”
“You’re now just naming drinks. And let me repeat myself only once more: you are to not give Cash a nickname.” Anyway, I think to myself, he already has one. Cassie, Shelby, Avery, Ruby and I named the guys of Altitude Sexy Bastards one time, and it definitely fits them.
“So he is sticking around.”
“Hell yes,” I say, catching Cash’s eye. He has half the paralegal department ready to form a harem. Back off, ladies. The man is mine.
“Go find him before he charms the pants off the nearest female.”
I find Cash and I pull him away, wanting just a little time between us.
“Come on, there’s a great spot over here.”
“Why Savannah Sunday, are you trying to lure me into a dark corner?”
“You know it.” I trail a kiss over his cheek and standing on my toes I whisper, “Want to get out of here? I’ll make it worth your while.” His hand slips into mine, and we can’t get out the door fast enough. I feel like I’m a teenager again, sneaking around under my parents’ noses.
We’re almost to the door and freedom, when a woman does a double take at Cash. I try to ignore it. Lots of women would do this. I mean, I’ve done it. Plus we’re still not anything so I don’t have any grounds to get mad about her open invitation.
“Cash?” the woman says. She’s striking. Blond hair, the right proportions. Dress is a little on the boring side, but definitely someone Cash would charm out of her clothes.
“Morgan,” Cash says like he just woke up from a nightmare.
He knows her name.
Okay. Okay. It’s not the end of the world. I knew this was a possibility—and more likely a probability. Still, the whole exchange hits me like a punch to the stomach.
“I thought that was you.” She gets up from her seat, and I get the full picture of this Morgan. She’s beautiful in that country club polished sort of way. Not the person I would have thought Cash would be into—maybe his tastes have varied more than I originally thought. “I’m so glad I ran into you again after—”
“We were just leaving,” Cash cuts her off. His grip on my hand tightens and before I can so much as get out a hello, he yanks me toward the door. Whoever she is, I’ll never know.
He’s silent on the ride back to my place. I try asking a few questions and he just turns on the radio. By the time I get to my apartment, I’m not surprised when he just parks out front.
Still I can’t help but ask, “Are you coming up?”
This sort of thing is going to happen, right? I mean, he’s been with so many women, we’re bound to run into them when we’re out. If he closes down every time this happens then we’re never going to get anywhere.
So come on Cash, let’s just go upstairs.
“Not tonight.” He scrubs his face with his hands.
“Okay.” I nod, trying to go along with this, but I can’t make myself get out of the car. If I want this, it’s time to take a stand. “Is this what’s going to happen every time we run into someone from your past? Because if I’ve done the math right, we’re never going to be able to go out at this rate.”
“I don’t want to do this tonight.”
“When do you want to do it? Because I’m here, and I don’t care if we run into your exes. I knew that would happen. Neither of us was exactly virginal when we met.”
“Savannah—”
“I don’t care about the women you’ve slept with, because right now, I’m in your bed. Just talk to me.”
“I’ve got stuff I have to do at Altitude.” He focuses squarely on the steering wheel. For once, Cash Gardner is not there with a quick come back and a knock out attitude. His past has him hiding. Fuck it if he thinks I’m just going to roll over and let him hide.
Do not shut down on me.
“Cash--”
“I’ll call you later.”
And just like that, he cuts me off.
“Call me when you fucking grow a pair,” I say, getting out of the car and slamming it shut. One minute we’re sneaking out to go have crazy, wild sex, and the next he’s dropping me off. He stays until I’m inside but peels out before the door is even shut behind me.
Dear Morgan, go fuck yourself. Actually, Cash, go fuck yourself, too.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Savannah