Page 61 of Long Hard Fall

“She’ll get over it. Aaron’s the only one of you guys free.”

“Don’t mention that around him.” Cash poured their beer. “He’s got a thing about not dating anyone the rest of us…you know.”

“Does that leave him anyone under the age of sixty?”

Cash hesitated, then chuckled. “We weren’t that bad.”

“You weren’t?” She moved like she was going to stand. “Let me go ask that girl who was hitting on you.”

“You could.” He grabbed her and dragged her onto his lap. “Or you could sit here and talk about the next thing that comes up.” He nuzzled her neck.

“Oh my god, I haven’t heard that line for years.”

His gentle laugh sent shivers up and down her spine. “I know a place where we could…talk.”

She met his hot gaze. “I’d like to talk.”

They were in his vehicle within minutes and cruising through town.

Abbi had a hard time fighting her grin. When had she looked forward to having sex before? Not just ooh, I’m getting some but yes! I’m getting some! It seemed to be more every time she was with Cash. “Do I get to see a part of Moore I haven’t yet?”

“Uh…I was going to take you to the lake we went fishing at, but I can find another spot.”

“No, the lake is good. We can do another spot another time.”

He shot her a sidelong glance. “Yes, ma’am.”

She gazed out her window as they bumped along the small gravel road. The only light came from the pickup’s headlights and the occasional yard light visible through the trees.

“It’s so dark out here. I’ve never seen this many stars.”

“It’s why I wanted to take you to the lake. The road out there is decent and there’s little light pollution. I used to go there when I was a teen and Mom and Dad were fighting. I’d throw a blanket in the bed of the pickup and stretch out to think.”

Her heart went out to the young Cash who’d felt responsible for his parents’ problems. “You don’t have to be alone to deal with it anymore.”

He gave her a warm look. “I appreciate it, but you don’t need to deal with my family drama.”

“I mean it, Cash. I don’t want to be coddled—I want us to be partners. You don’t need to protect me from anything. I can handle it.” She’d never again be part of a relationship where her man made decisions for her own good.

He patted her knee and ran his hand up her thigh. “I’ll always protect you.”

His words seemed to echo with a deeper meaning, but she shook her head. “No. We’re in this together. Don’t baby me.”

His expression became serious. “I won’t.”

“Promise?” She’d make him pinky swear if she had to.

“Of course.” His charming smile should’ve eased her sudden anxiety about jumping in with another boyfriend who didn’t think of her as an equal. But she’d seen that smile before.

Why wouldn’t he be one hundred percent genuine? No, she wasn’t going to second-guess his word. He’d been nothing but real with her and tonight was about enjoying them and their new standing as a solid couple.

Chapter 17

His house came into view. The yard light cast a soft glow over all the buildings on his property. Cash had taken her to the lake, but with the cool temps, they’d had to scurry back into the cab of his truck. Quick sex in the backseat of his truck had only been an appetizer.

He’d gone out dancing with her and now he got to take her home. A guy could get used to this.

No, he’d never get used to it. Not when it was what he’d wanted for so long but had told himself he wasn’t good enough to have. He’d been the plus-one several times as his cousins had dated. Then witnessed Dillon find true love. And Brock—the least likely of them to find a woman who understood him—as he fell hard for Josie. Each time, it’d bothered Cash more and more that he wasn’t allowed to have that.

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