Page 42 of Wild For You

Chapter Twelve

Erin

My heart fluttersand my stomach cramps. Today is Cash’s birthday, which shouldn’t mean anything to me.

But for some reason, I’m nervous.

I want him to have a great day, and yet I instinctively know it will be one of more struggle and fighting. His relatives visiting didn’t have the soothing and uplifting effect on him I would have expected. Maybe he had other things besides celebrating on his mind. Or maybe he’s simply unsocial. Either way, you never know what to expect with Cash Boyd.

With each passing day, I try to rethink my strategy, only to fail again. He’s unpredictable and uncompromising, which is the reason why the task at hand renders me nervous.

I’m standing in the kitchen, my old apron tied around my waist, sweat trickling down my back, as I try to complete today’s mission. I shift my weight, juggling several things at once. The counter is covered with flour and pots, and mixing bowls are scattered all over the generous working space.

I only register the approaching steps when he’s already thrown open the door to the kitchen. Startled, I lift my gaze, and my heart gives a jerk, as though it’s about to flee from my own body.

Cash is dressed in worn, blue jeans and a white shirt that hugs his sculpted body. Not even the tired lines beneath his eyes diminish his beauty. He looks so devilishly handsome, my body heats up and my cheeks catch fire.

I feel like a teen in heat, brainless and completely out of control when it comes to my body’s reaction to him. It’s like I’m reliving high school all over again, only I don’t remember ever having felt this way for a man before.

Ever since that damn kiss, I’ve been imagining us in all kinds of situations, most involving a bed and plenty of naked skin.

Sometimes, we don’t even get to take our clothes off…

I clear my throat and take a sip of water in the hopes he won’t notice just how breathless his proximity makes me feel.

Luckily, Cash seems oblivious to my thoughts as his eyes roam over the kitchen, taking in the mess, before settling on me, confused.

“Happy Birthday,” I say.

I point needlessly at the cake on the counter, my hands shaking a little because this is the first time I’m baking a cake for a man. It still needs the finishing touches, but I didn’t anticipate Cash to get up so early. It’s barely five a.m., the sky a beautiful shade of red and the air still crisp.

“What’s this?” he asks, his brows drawn.

“A cake. I’m sure you’ve heard of those, maybe even had a slice or two in your life.” Seriously, I might not be a professional, but I do think my cake resembles the real thing. Besides, there’s frosting everywhere. I’m probably even covered in it. That’s hard to miss.

“I’ve made it for you,” I say, in case it’s not obvious. “It’s your birthday gift.”

His eyes move to me, taking me in.Reallytaking me in, as though he needs to remember every inch of me. “You’re baking a cake at four in the morning?”

“Actually, it’s almost five a.m. And I started at three. It’s not as easy as it looks.”

He continues to stare at me, which is slowly starting to make me feel uncomfortable.

What the hell’s there to look at?

Eventually, his gaze focuses on the cake, and I can finally release the breath I didn’t even know I was holding.

Cash leans forward, his face so low, I can’t read his expression.

“Happy Birth,” he tries to read.

“It’s not yet finished, obviously.”

He looks up. “You didn’t have to.”

There’s a soft smile on his lips. It could be my imagination, but I think there’s also a spark in his eyes.

He likes my cake.

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