Page 63 of Counting On You

Away from rehab, having just entered his natural habitat, it’s easy to forget who he really is. It’s hard not to really see him and acknowledge that he’s hot.

It has been ages since I’ve last had sex.

The thought hits me like a bucket of cold water.

It must be the alcohol, even though deep down I know it’s not the truth.

“I see you were able to break out.” Cash’s voice draws me back. The two friends are standing shoulder at shoulder, staring at the new dancer. “So, hot or not?” he asks Kade.

“I think this one might be your best yet.”

“You can have her. I’ve got a room set up for you, which…” His voice trails off as he catches Kade’s glance at me.

I’m not a tall, half-naked dancer with legs that reach up to the sky, which is probably the reason why he didn’t notice me before.

“It’s okay.” I gesture with my hand a little too enthusiastically, and it looks as though I’m swatting at an annoying fly. “Don’t mind me listening in. You were saying you’ve set up a room for him and” I encourage him to finish.

Cash raises a brow, and his mouth breaks into a smile as he takes a step forward. “And you are?”

I peer all the way up and realize his eyes are impossibly green and piercing. He looks feral, almost wild. Before I can open my mouth, Kade says, “A friend. Leave it at that.”

Kade’s hand travels down my spine and settles on the small of my back, and for a moment I fear he’s going to pull me against him. But his hand just rests there, the pressure a little too hard. “Vicky, this is Cash. Cash, this is Vicky.”

“Nice to meet you.” I grab Cash’s outstretched hand, feeling his gaze on me, and give it a strong shake.

He doesn’t release my hand as his glance travels down my dress and settles on my breasts. They’re not as generously sized as the dancers’, but my backside and hips, which always used to carry the extra fat, really make up for it. Eventually, he addresses Kade. “Is this…?”

Kade goes rigid. I peer up at him and see his set jaw. “Actually, Vicky needs to make a call. Do you mind if she uses your office?”

I regard him, unsure whether to call him out on his lie, then decide against it. Maybe he’s trying to get rid of me so he can hook up with the dancer, in which case I sure won’t be standing in his way.

“Sure.” Cash nods his head. “Follow me.” He smirks apologetically. “Don’t pay attention to the naked walls. The club renovations took longer than expected, and I didn’t get to finish the office. But the basics are there.”

“Give us a moment,” Kade says as soon as we’ve reached the office.

Cash hesitates for a moment but then leaves, closing the door behind him.

“Feel free to take all the time you need,” Kade says. “Just do me a favor and don’t run away. We need to be back before breakfast.”

“I wasn’t planning on running away.” I settle into Cash’s leather chair. “You booked this ride before you asked me to tag along. Why?”

“Why?” Kade’s expression is blank.

“Why are you doing this?” I elaborate. “You didn’t have to. Obviously, your friend had very specific plans for you tonight. And I’m—”

I struggle to find the right expression, but all that pops into my mind is ‘spare baggage.’

He smiles gently. “We’re friends. That’s what friends do. They support each other.”

“But you barely know me.” I brush my hair back, confused.

“And?”

“You’re supposed to be my partner, to help me get over my addiction.” I shake my head.

“I think I’m doing a great job so far. Don’t you?”

I laugh. “You can’t be serious. All you’ve done so far was help me break the rules. You’re taking risks for me even though you’re raising the odds of you being caught. I just want to know why.”

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