Page 62 of Wild For You

Chapter Seventeen

Cash

Letme tell you something about my father. I’ve got the coolest dad in the world. Whatever the problem was, he’d always gotten me out of trouble. Even when we didn’t see eye to eye, he supported me and proceeded to meddle in my affairs because he meant well.

He always showed at least some understanding…right after giving me an earful of whatever he had to say.

I sense this is one of those times.

His cheeks are flushed red with anger, his gaze is stony, which is kind of frightening. I mean, the guy’s a cop and carries a gun. His fists are clenching and unclenching. His whole body’s tense, but his tone is surprisingly calm as he speaks. “You are screwing your physical therapist.”

I know better than to trust that tone of his when his posture says it all.

He’s about to bite my head off.

My dad’s just lost the cool dad of the year award.

This is going to be fun.

“I…”

He cuts me off “Cash.” That tone of his is supposed to make me feel like I’m still a teen. He must have missed the fact that I’m twenty-eight years old. “What the hell were you thinking?”

“Relax, Dad. Nothing happened.” I grin, which is sort of belying my assurance. But hell, I can’t help myself. Winding him up is even better than winding up Erin.

They both have that short fuse thing going for them, but Dad can take it to a whole new level.

“You expect me to believe you?” He cocks his head to the side, regarding me with an air of incredulity. “I saw the glance you two exchanged.”

I meet his gaze with a cold stare. “What glance?”

“Don’t play stupid with me, boy.”

“You don’t think it was because you kind of barged in without so much as knocking and you kind of startled us?” I sigh. “But if you must know our private business, Erin and I kissed.”

He shoots me a look of disapproval…and then more incredulity. “I’m not screwing her,” I say slowly.

Yet.

“I’m disappointed in you.” His eyes bore into me. “I leave you alone for what? A few weeks? And what happens? It’s bad enough you risk your life for nothing and screw women over at every corner. But does it need to happen in your home? With her? Goddammit, Cash.” He gives me another deadly stare. “You better get your shit together. I pray for you that she doesn’t sue! Because if she does, I promise you won’t hear the end of it.” He heads back inside, leaving me staring after him, my hands clutching at my crutches, as I mull over his words.

Not two minutes later, Dad returns, followed by Erin.

“I need to get a few things from town,” Erin whispers as she rushes past me.

“Keep it in your pants,” Dad mumbles and heads for his cruiser, slamming the door.

From where I’m standing I can see Erin peering at me as she heads for the car. I give her a small nod; my lips pressed together. My father gives me another deadly stare before he starts the engine, and they speed off.

For a good few minutes, I stand in the driveway, staring into the empty space.

I’m a businessman, for crying out loud. Making out with the employees is never a good idea. It can go wrong on too many levels.

I know that.

Dad’s right to warn me against it. I would never get sexually involved with a female employee.

Only, with Erin it feels different. Natural. Not like a fling, but like something that could take root, meaning I’ll have to start treating it like I want it to grow.

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