Page 38 of Long Hard Fall

The corners of his eyes crinkled with his smile. “You sound like you speak from experience.”

She straightened but managed to stay in his embrace. “Honestly, if I had been allowed to make hasty decisions about my future, I think I would’ve been happier. Instead, I majored in what would make everyone else happy. I got a job that was expected of me. I’ve done nothing with my life that my younger self would’ve wanted and I’m miserable. Perry was the only one I could talk to about any of it. He accepted me the way I was.”

Cash gazed at her for a few heartbeats, his expression solemn. “He worried about you.”

Her heart twisted. She should’ve pretended everything was peachy the few times he was able to call.

“Hey,” Cash said softly. “What’s wrong?”

“I shouldn’t have stressed him.”

His face hovered inches from hers. “He would’ve anyway. It’s what we do.”

She wasn’t letting Cash get away this time. Stretching up, she kissed him. He didn’t tense or pull away but hugged her closer, like it was what he needed, too.

Pulling his hat off, she dropped it behind him and snuggled closer. Combined with his efforts, she ended up straddling his lap.

Her lips parted. Their tongues danced and licked at each other, but their hands stayed firmly in place. Odd. She’d been ready to strip down the second he walked in, but this closeness filled an empty hole inside of her. One she’d had no idea existed. He confided in her, didn’t hold back when he would have with others. It was the emotional equality she’d been craving in a relationship.

He splayed his hands on her back and squeezed her to him as they devoured each other. The hard length of him pressed into her, a decadent tease that heightened the pleasure of being in his arms.

Grinding into him, she managed some restraint and reached for the promise that they’d be like this soon, only with no clothes. And when the time was right.

Because he wasn’t reaching up her striped blouse, or trying to undo her skinny jeans, he must need this connection, too. They kissed and hugged, kind of like getting to know each other without words.

Until his jacket started to vibrate.

He paused and they broke apart.

“Is that a phone in your pocket or are you happy to see me?” She didn’t move from his lap, had no wish to.

Heat simmered in his gaze, his expression intent. “Oh, I’m happy to see you.”

Capturing her mouth again, they continued where they’d left off and his phone went silent. Finally, his hands drifted down to the hem of her shirt. Warm fingers hit her back and she sighed into him. This was going to be good.

His phone started vibrating again.

With a frustrated chuckle, she rolled off his lap onto the bed. “You’d better answer.”

He snatched his phone from his coat and glowered at the screen. “What now?”

Abbi saw “Dad” on the screen before Cash put the phone to his ear.

“Yeah?” Cash’s gaze swept her body, but he glanced away as she heard a man’s voice, though she couldn’t make out the words. “No.” Pause. “Went back home yesterday. I doubt she’s answering your calls. Can you blame her?” Cash rested his elbows on his thighs and dropped his head into his free hand. “No, Mom seemed all right. Except…” A heavy sigh. “I told her that Frankie was in the hospital and I was helping her out.” Pause. “Yes, Holly’s mom—my grandma.” There was an edge to his voice. “Look, I’ll try calling and, yes, Sissy is here and she’s fine, too.”

Abbi raised a brow, but Cash didn’t spill to his dad what his sister was up to.

He disconnected and passed her an apologetic look. “Dad can’t get ahold of Mom.”

He punched in a number and put the phone back to his ear.

“Mom? What’s going on? Dad said he can’t reach you.”

Patty’s angry voice floated through the phone, but again Abbi couldn’t make out the words. She hated eavesdropping, but there was nowhere else to go and he could’ve gone into the hallway. He hadn’t. Did that mean he didn’t mind her hearing? She stretched out on the bed, honored he wasn’t going into hiding. He must trust her, or at least trust that she could handle it. He hadn’t seemed like the type to share the intricacies of his life or anyone else’s.

Had Perry entrusted Cash with any secrets? Would he share with her, or think he was protecting her? She might have to talk with him about that. Not only was that why she was here, but after what they’d gone through together, his openness with her would make secrecy on this subject feel like a betrayal.

“You’re staying where?” His sudden heat yanked her attention back. “Who? Is he a—” his shoulders slumped, “—boyfriend?”

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