Page 108 of Resting Beach Face
I got the impression that was unusual for him. “A family checked in today. There’s a teen her age. They were going to stay in with a pizza and watch a movie. They invited Kat to join.”
“Girl or boy?”
“What?”
“The teen her age? Are they a girl or a boy?” He paused. “Or something else?”
“A boy, I think. We didn’t exchange pronouns.”
Cash swore again, only more creatively this time with a string of fucks. “Drive faster.”
“Cash, his parents are there, too.”
“Don’t care. I know what guys his age are like. Drivefaster.”
Bemused, I pushed the throttle forward. As soon as we arrived, he hopped out of the boat to rush inside. I hurried to follow. It wouldn’t do for Cash to get charged with an assault on one of my guests.
The Jackson family was in the living room. Katelyn curled up in an armchair, and Marcus—the sixteen-year-old whose presence worried Cash—sat on the couch with his parents.
He was watching Katelyn more than the movie, so maybe Cash hadn’t been totally off-base, but to my relief, there would be no need for bloodshed.
“Hey,” Katelyn said when she noticed Cash. “I didn’t think you’d be back this soon? What kind of date night is that?”
“The best kind,” Mr. Jackson murmured.
His wife elbowed him, and he grunted.
Cash bent down to say something to Katelyn, and she turned beet red and slapped his arm. Then he turned a look on Marcus. “I’m Kat’s brother,” he said. “I’m very protective of her, and I’m right here in the same house. Understand?”
“Yeah, man.”
“Good. Hope you enjoy the rest of the movie.”
“We will,” Mrs. Jackson said. “And don’t worry. We’re keeping an eye on the kids.”
We left the Jacksons to watch the movie—and Marcus to apparently worry about what Cash might do if he stepped out of line—and went to my quarters.
As soon as I closed the door, I apologized.
“I didn’t realize you’d be concerned about Kat spending time with a boy. My sister’s older, and she’s been married for years…”
“That’s okay.” Cash wrapped his arms around my waist, bringing our chests together. “I probably overreacted. I just remember how I was at that age.”
“Dare I ask?”
“Let’s just say that I wouldn’t wish me on anyone’s little sister—or brother. I’m too fucking good at getting people into bed.”
“And yet we’re just standing here talking.”
“Well, that’s—” He stopped short, one dark eyebrow rising. “Is that an invitation?”
“Maybe it is.”
His gaze sharpened on me. “For cuddling, or…”
I swallowed hard. Pushed the words past the nervous tightening of my throat. I wanted to know all of Cash. Wanted to experience the passion he shared when he wasn’t holding back.
“I’d like to see that side of you,” I said.
