Page 94 of Fairground

My jaw drops as I stare at the picture. It’s Cash—shirtless. Totally, gloriously shirtless. His abs, the ones I’ve licked, traced, and shamelessly worshipped, are on full display for the camera and those strong, tanned arms are cradling an explosion of fuzzy yellow fluffballs. His latest spring batch of chicks.

His head is tilted back, his deep laugh practically radiating out of the image, and his grin—God, that grin—melts me into a puddle right here on Molly’s living room floor.

“Why are you smiling at your phone like a fool?” Lydia’s voice cuts through my shameless ogling.

“The new chicks are in,” I say, holding up the phone for her and the girls to see.

Regan bolts upright like a firework just went off. “Spring is my favorite time of year! Baby animals! Did he say we can go see them now? Please!”

I’m about to saylet’s do it!when another buzz interrupts me. A second photo from Cash, and this one’s much more scandalous.

It’s a shot taken from above—his hand, his veryexposedhand, gripping… well, the picture cuts off just before it gets to what I want to see, but I know exactly what he’s holding. The chicks are gone now, he’s back in his office, and his smile is replaced by the smirk I know all too well.

Cash:I'm not asking again. Come here and come sit on this.

“Um, I gotta go,” I blurt, scrambling to my feet and grabbing my bag.

“What?” Molly’s voice is full of confusion as she pops another almond into her mouth. “Why? This whole night wasyouridea! You're the one who said we needed to catch up and gossip.”

“I—uh—can’t explain. Gotta go see the chicks. And Cash.”

Regan wrinkles her nose in disgust as if she knows exactly what I’m headed to go do. “Gross.”

Lydia snickers, shaking her head as she sinks further into the couch. “Chicks and… Cash. Sure, Rae. Totally believable.”

I don’t even bother with a response. I’m already bolting for the door, mentally weighing my options. It’s a couple of miles to the egg farm, and I’ve had two shots of tequila. Driving my car is probably a terrible idea, and if I try to run it, I’ll definitely die halfway there. These thighs may be thick, but not because I'm a runner. Maybe one of the four-wheelers parked near Colt and Molly’s house—

Before I can spiral any further into indecision, headlights cut through the night, and I look up to see him. Cash, riding up in a golf cart like a knight in shining armor—or, more accurately, a devil in worn jeans and a grin that promises trouble.

And just like that, girls’ night is officially over.

“Get over here,” Cash growls, his voice dark and commanding.

“Did you know I was going to be out here?” I ask, though I’m already making my way toward him, heart pounding at the heat behind his gaze.

He shakes his head, his grin spreading slow and deliberate. “Nope. But I was prepared to march into Colt’s house and drag you out myself.”

Before I can respond, I hop onto the golf cart beside him. Cash doesn’t hesitate—one arm wraps tight around my shoulders, pulling me flush against his side, and then we’re off, tearing down the winding gravel roads that snake through the property. The wind catches my hair, wild and warm, and a laugh escapes before I can stop it. He takes the turns like he was born to, smooth and sure, and just like that, I’m right back in that moment—the first time he took me to the creek, and we dry humped like teenagers pretending like that’d be the last time we did.

In just a few minutes, we’re in front of the egg farm, and before I can even blink, he’s scooped me up like I weigh nothing, tossing me over his shoulder in one swift motion.

“Cash!” I yelp, half-laughing, half-breathless as he strides toward the barn. “Why do you insist on carrying me like this?

He pauses just inside to place me on the floor, the earthy smell of hay and faint chirps from the hens off in the distance fill the air.

“Because it makes me feel like a cave man.”

I roll my eyes. “I thought we were here to see the chicks.”

“In a minute,” he says, his voice husky as his grip tightens around me. “Need a taste of you first.”

Chapter 40: Epilogue: Rae

Cash drops to the ground in front of me, his knees hitting the barn’s dirt floor as he yanks my denim jeans and underwear down in one seamless motion.?

“Geez, Cash, a little warning would’ve been nice!” I gasp, caught off guard but not complaining.

His lips curl into a wicked smile as he looks up at me, his eyes dark and blazing. “What fun would that be?” He grips my hips, pulling me closer. “Brace yourself.”

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