Page 51 of Make Me Feel Again

“Cash, Boh,” Bridge shouts, not directly at anyone. “Our girls are here.” My eyes scan the large kitchen, and when they land on Cash, who’s beer is midair until his eyes land on me. He slowly lowers his bottle, his eyes taking in my body from head to toe. He gulps.

“Cash.” Bridge spots him as he breaks away from my stare and walks toward us. He leans in, giving Toni a kiss on the cheek and then turns to me. His eyes burn me from the inside out.

“Rylee.” His gravelly voice sends my heart into overdrive as he leans in, but instead of kissing my cheek he says, “Meet me in my room in five minutes.” I shake my head as subtly as I can. I’m not fucking him at this party with Bridge and Boh here. Bridge walks farther into the kitchen.

“What can I get you ladies,” Bridge says.

“Wine please,” we say at the same time.

“I’ll go help, Bridge,” Toni says, her eyes dancing between Cash and me.

“Did you shake your head at me, Rylee,” Cash says while staring into the kitchen, taking a sip of his beer.

“I’m not . . .” I’m not even going to say it out loud, there’s too many people around. “It’s a packed party, have you lost your goddamn mind.” I smile at a few people that walk by.

“I just want to talk.” He walks in front of me. “You have two minutes,” he whispers before stalking off. I stand there, staring at Toni talking and laughing with Bridget. I survey the room to see if anyone is watching me, which they are not. I glance back to Toni, and catch her eye. It’s rare I actually have to ever say what I need her to do, and thank God, this time she knows. She gives me a wink before engaging in convo with Bridge again. I do another sweep before walking toward the stairs and then run up them, trying to hold onto the edges of my dress so it doesn’t ride up. Once I get to the top of the stairs, I peak in the bathroom to make sure no one is in there, then tiptoe to Cash’s bedroom.

Cash’s bedroom door is shut, and I go to knock but then think twice and open the door. Cash stands by his window, staring out into the backyard where people drink and dance. The sound of laughing and music slices through the empty room. Cash turns on his heels, pinning me with a stare that says anything but talking.

“I missed you.” He stalks toward me, wrapping his hand in my hair and pulling my mouth toward his. I have craved this, craved him all week. This is all I have thought about: his mouth on mine, his tongue sweeping against mine as he devours my mouth, bending my head to the side, so he can open my mouth wider. A moan escapes my throat before I can stop it. He pulls away, his eyes filled with liquid lust as they bore into mine.

“Are you trying to kill me in this dress? Did you do it on purpose, knowing it would torture me all night?” he whispers, trailing a finger up and down my bare leg. I smile and kiss on his neck, and he groans.

“Maybe.” I lean back, smiling. “Why, is it working?”

He grins wide, clicking his tongue. “You will regret that later, when I have you laid across my lap while I tan your ass until you’re dripping over this very carpet.” The smile drops from my face. The thought has me clenching my thighs together.

Cash tilts his head to the side, his smile growing.

“I will be fucking you in this dress tonight, Rylee.” He places an open-mouth kiss on my collarbone, which causes every butterfly in my stomach to flutter.

“I’ll see you downstairs,” he says before stalking off and leaving the room, not even glancing back at me. How he can say a few words and have me so uncomfortably wet and my legs feeling like they will give out at any minute, is beyond me. I wait five minutes before having a quick look to make sure the coast is clear. When I see it is, I leave Cash’s room and walk down the stairs. As I get to the bottom, I do a glance around to find Toni, but I don’t see her. She must still be in the kitchen. I head to the kitchen, but hearing Cash’s name yelled has me halting. I know that voice. I turn on my heels, and a tiny woman throws herself into Cash arms, placing a kiss on his cheeks.

“Miley, you made it,” Bridget squeals as she stalks past me, passing what must be my glass of wine to Miley. I grit my teeth as Miley hangs off Cash like he was fucking made for her. Why is he not stepping back from her? For fuck’s sake, I swear to God if I find out Cash invited her.

“Cash you still owe me that date, remember.” She winks. He laughs.He fucking laughs.

“Oh boy” comes from beside me. Toni stands there, taking in what just happened. She goes to take a sip of her wine, but I snatch it away and down the entirety of it. Not even wincing when it slides down my throat.

“Oh damn . . . Did you just down yours and mine?”

“No.” I spin, glaring at Toni. “Bridge gave it to fuckingMiley.”

“I’m sure Cash wasn’t even aware she was coming, Ry, calm down.” She rubs my back.

“Fuck this, I’m going to get drunk.” I spin around, and there stands Bohdi, staring down at me.

“Ahh . . . Boh. Hi.” I smile, trying to douse the anger inside of me.

“Not a fan of Miley, I hear.” He tilts his head toward Cash and Miley who are still in deep conversation, she keeps touching his arm, and I have never wanted to snap a wrist so bad in my life. But then I realize Boh must have heard our conversation, so I turn back.

“She’s just one of those annoying girls, you know?” Toni waves her hand in the air, attempting to save the day like she always does.

“No, I don’t,” Boh deadpans, not taking his eyes off me. “From what I heard, it sounded like a lot of jealousy, Rylee. Why would you be jealous of Cash and Miley?” He squints, tilting his head to the side, assessing me. He knows. There is no doubt about it, but this is something Cash and I have to do together. I can’t let this slip here, right in front of everyone.

“I just think Cash can do better, that’s all.”

“Who, like you?” he snaps.

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