Page 45 of Wild For You

What if itwasenough for him? It sure wasn’t enough for me.

“I was lying.” He leans against the counter, taking the pressure off his hip. My professional gaze takes in the sudden lines of agony etched on his forehead. But sure as hell, he’s not saying anything about the excruciating pain he must be feeling. “Look, Erin. You can’t blame me. I haven’t been with anyone in a long time. It’s not helping that you’re sexy and beautiful, and…”

“And?” I prompt, breathlessly.

“And I plan on doing way more than kissing you. Seeing you with Ryder made me angry because I know my brother. He’d ask you out on a date, and you’d happily go out with him because, let’s face it, he can walk, and I can’t. I know I have no right to be pissed, but hell, I don’t like it. This isn’t me.” He points at his leg. “If only I could walk, you would see me differently, not just as your patient. And I—” He breaks off.

“And?” I prompt again.

“And I would have asked you out on a date first.”

I stare at him, at a loss for words, unsure what to make of him. Of us. I’ve known all along that I’m attracted to him, but I didn’t realize that yes, if he had asked, I would have gone out on a date with him.

Patient or not.

Crutches or not.

“Ryder didn’t ask me out,” I say.

“Yet.” A vein on his temple begins to throb.

He’s angry, even more than before. I want to assure him that nothing will ever happen between Ryder and me, but I sense he’s only going to continue drowning in self-pity. That’s the last thing I want.

But what I want even less is for him to think he has a claim on me.

“I hope you realize you can’t tell me whom I can or can’t date. I’ve been hired to work with you. What I’m doing in my spare time is none of your business, even if that involves seeking a bit of fun.”

His brows shoot up and his gaze turns a few degrees colder. “Are you seeking fun?”

I sigh, ignoring the need to roll my eyes. “No, but that’s not the point. The point is that even if I felt attracted to you, I wouldn’t go out with you.”

“Because of some therapist-patient rule?”

“No.” I draw out the word to make sure he gets it. “Because I promised your father and Shannon that I’d look after you. I promised them that I’d make you walk again. I don’t know if I’m going at this the wrong way. I don’t know what to do to make you realize you are your biggest obstacle, but I know that I can’t force you to start therapy. It has to come from you. You have to want it, so please tell me what to do to help you along.”

Cash remains silent as he retrieves two forks and sits down at the dining table, motioning me to do the same.

“Don’t you want to wait until it’s finished?” I ask.

“No. It’s perfect as it is. I like things better when they’re raw, naked.” Without so much as a glance at me, he hands me the fork. I take it from his outstretched hand and take a seat.

“Cash.” My tone is soft, my voice shaky. “Just tell me what you want. Tell me how I can help you because I really want to. Tell me what you need me to do. Just don’t make it so hard for me to do my job.”

I stare at him as he cuts the cake and then takes a bite, chewing slowly. Eventually, he shoots me a sideways glance.

“This is good.” He takes another bite, then looks up and smiles.

The kind of smile that makes me forget my anger and frustration and even the reason why I’m here.

He’s sexy. So damn sexy I want to press my mouth against his and let his tongue resume what we started a few days ago.

“You like it?” My voice is hoarse, breathless, heavy with want.

“It’s perfection.” He takes another bite. “Truth be told, I knew what I wanted before I met you, that being getting rid of you. What I want now is something else entirely. I kiss you. That’s all I’ve been able to think about. You, naked in my bed. Touching you, pleasing you.” He rakes his fingers through his hair, his eyes dark, brooding. I try to breathe, but drawing air has become an impossible task, as though there’s not enough oxygen for the both of us.

“Cash, I—”

“No, hear me out. I want to get this attraction out of our way. I want to do therapy, but I can’t with all those mixed feelings I’m having about you.”

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