Total pages in book: 67
Estimated words: 60978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 60978 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 305(@200wpm)___ 244(@250wpm)___ 203(@300wpm)
“Hey,” he said, his voice soft in the quiet hallway.
“Hey,” I replied, suddenly unsure what to do with my hands.
He gestured toward his apartment door. “Come on in.”
His room was near the elevator and he quickly opened the door, ushering me inside. His shoulders held visible tension as if he tried very hard to appear calm.
“Can I get you anything?” he asked, hovering near the small kitchen. “Coffee? Water?”
“No, I’m fine,” I replied, perching on the edge of his sofa. My fingers twisted together in my lap, betraying my nervousness.
Cash sat on the opposite end of the sofa, his body angled toward mine. The space between us felt charged with everything unsaid. He studied my face carefully, as if searching for clues about why I was there.
“Is Lily OK?” he asked finally, breaking the silence.
“She’s fine,” I assured him. “Sleeping. Pippa’s with her.”
He nodded, his relief visible. “And you? How are you doing with everything?”
I almost laughed at the impossibility of answering such a simple question. “I’m…” I searched for words. “I’m figuring it out. One day at a time.”
Cash nodded again, his eyes never leaving my face. “I know you will. You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met, Eliza.”
The sincerity in his voice made my throat tight. We lapsed into silence again, the real reason for my visit hovering between.
“Cash, I didn’t come because of another crisis,” I said, my voice steadier than I felt. “I came because I wanted to see you.” I twisted my fingers together in my lap. “I’m sorry about the way I left before. You did exactly what I wanted, then I…”
“Hey.” He moved close enough to be able to rest his big hand over my clenched ones. “No apologies. Especially not about trying to do what’s best for Lily. You have a lot going on. Just know I’m here when you need me. For anything.”
“I know,” I whispered. “And I appreciate your support.” I took a breath. “Cash, is there any possibility of things going further between us? I mean…” I swallowed nervously. “Part of the reason I left so suddenly was because I knew I could see myself with you. Tangled in the sheets each morning. Sitting down to breakfast before we all went about our day.” I glanced up at him. “Sitting on the couch holding hands while we watch some silly TV show with Lily.”
Cash shifted closer on the sofa, close enough I felt the heat radiating from his body. “What are you saying, Eliza?”
I met his gaze directly, my heart hammering. “I’m saying I want this. Us. Whatever a relationship between us looks like. I want to find out if I can finally have the fairy tale I’ve always wanted.”
His hand came up slowly, giving me time to pull away if I wanted. When his palm cupped my cheek, I leaned into the touch, my eyes fluttering closed briefly. “Eliza,” he murmured, his thumb brushing over my cheekbone. “Are you sure about this? About me?”
I opened my eyes, finding his face inches from mine. “I’m sure about how I feel when I’m with you. The rest we’ll figure out. But I’d like to figure it out together.”
The first brush of his lips against mine was tentative, barely there. I leaned in closer, my hand resting on the solid warmth of his chest. His heartbeat thundered beneath my palm, matching the rapid rhythm of my own.
The second kiss was different. Cash’s arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer, claiming my mouth with newfound certainty. Heat bloomed low in my belly, spreading to my clit and pussy as his tongue traced the seam of my lips, seeking entrance I willingly granted. I curled my fingers in his shirt, anchoring myself against the surge of desire threatening to overwhelm me.
When we broke apart, both breathing hard, Cash rested his forehead against mine. “I will never, ever get enough of kissing you, Eliza.”
“I’m sorry I ran, Cash.”
He shook his head slightly, his nose brushing against mine. “You weren’t ready. Are you ready now?”
Instead of answering with words, I kissed him again, pouring everything I couldn’t say into the press of my lips and the slide of my tongue against his. His arms tightened around me, lifting me easily into his lap so I straddled him, pulling me tight against him. His hard cock mashed tight against my pussy, making me gasp. Cash swallowed the sound with another searing kiss.
Cash slid his deliciously rough hands under my shirt and around to my lower back. Each touch sent shivers racing up my spine, igniting nerves only Cash seemed to be able to control. I arched against him, suddenly desperate for more contact.
“Cash,” I breathed against his lips. “I want --”
“What do you want, lil’ Liza?” he murmured, his mouth trailing down to the sensitive spot just below my ear. “Tell me.”