Page 22 of Tasting Fire
Talk about bad timing.
She leaned in and gave him a kiss that Maggie would’ve been justified in making an arrest for. Cash tried to disengage, but a boa constrictor could learn a thing or two from Chelsea.
She must’ve caught on that he wasn’t participating in her game because she let him out of the grasping embrace. “Where in the world have you been lately? I haven’t seen you out and about the last week or so. And I know you don’t go much longer than that without a littlefun.”
The way she said the wordfunmade it clear to anyone within hearing distance that she meant it as a placeholder for a different three-letter word. And it was true that Cash dearly loved that word, but right now the thought ofthree-letteringwith Chelsea made him cold.
Cash shifted back as far as he could without dumping Chelsea onto the floor. Her blond hair was loose and skimmed the top of her breasts, revealed by the low neck of her shirt. As usual, her doll face was made up—eye shadow, thick mascara, and dark plum lipstick that had one of two effects on a man. Lust or fear.
She’d inspired the former with him a few times when they were both looking for something fun and easy.
But that had been before Emmy returned to Steele Ridge.
Way’s imaginary voice came back into Cash’s head.Don’t let her mess you up again, dickhead.
Go away, Way.
But his brother was right. Cash cleared his throat and gently pushed at Chelsea’s hips, relocating her into the chair to his right. Unfortunately, that also cleared his sightline to Emmy’s speculative expression across the table.
“Chelsea,” he croaked. “I’d like to introduce you to Emmy McKay. She’s the new tactical medical team lead and a doctor in St. Elizabeth’s emergency room.”
The two women shook hands and Chelsea did a once-over that even Cash could tell was some type of female territorial appraisal. Then again, he and Chelsea had never been exclusive, and she was known to enjoy the company of both men and women. So maybe she was sizing Emmy up for other reasons.
They all chatted for a few minutes, making the awkward small talk people engaged in when they found themselves in a position like this. Once they exhausted comments about the band now playing the latest Luke Bryan release, Chelsea aimed a bright smile at Cash and eased out of her seat, putting her ogle-worthy chest even with his eyes. “Well, my date is probably wondering where I am, so I’d better get back to our table.” Then she leaned down and kissed him on the corner of the mouth, touching the tip of her tongue to his skin before straightening. “Don’t be a stranger, ya hear?”
Not for all the Bud Light at the Sack & Snack would he have watched her walk away, but Emmy had no such reluctance. Finally, she looked back at Cash and said, “Wow.”
Out of desperation, he snatched up a menu and wiped at Chelsea’s lipstick with the back of his hand. “Have you decided what you’d like to eat?”
“Chelsea obviously wanted a big ol’ plate of you.” Emmy chuckled and used her menu to fan her face. “I think she would’ve shoved me out of my chair if you’d given her the slightest encouragement.”
He shouldn’t feel as if he needed to explain, but he did. “She moved to town a few years ago. She’s a teller at Highland Bank and Trust. We’ve…dated…a few times.”
“With dated being a euphemism for hooked up.”
“I like women.” He shrugged, trying to stay cool about the whole thing. “Always have, always will. Maybe that comes from growing up with two sisters and a mom who don’t take shit from anyone. You gave up the right to comment on my personal life a long time ago.”
Her amusement wound down. “You’re right. It’s none of my business who you see or how much of them you see.”
“Emmy—”
She held out a hand, palm toward him. By now, the band was belting out “This Is How We Roll” at somewhere around the decibel level of a jumbo jet. “This isn’t why we came out tonight. It might’ve been better to discuss TMT business in private, but we’re here and—”
Suddenly desperate to stretch out their time together for reasons he didn’t want to think about too closely, Cash said, “If you’ll tell me what you want to eat, I’ll let Grady know and we can get down to business.”
“Steakhouse burger with sweet potato fries.”
Once their order was in and he brought two more beers back to the table, Cash settled into his chair. “So I was mid sorry-I-was-a-dickhead before Chelsea interrupted.”
“You’re upset that I’m in charge of the TMT.”
“Yeah, but I’m a team player, and the team is the most important thing here. Not the past. Hell, not even the present.”
“So you’re not upset anymore? Not at all?”
He’d be lying if he said he was completely over his disappointment. “I can still wish things had worked out differently without being a flaming asshole about it. But honestly, why wish for something that I can’t have?” And was he talking about his desire to lead the TMT or about the desire he still harbored for her?
“Does that mean you’re not planning to quit the team?”
