Page 126 of Resting Beach Face
“Well, there’s one thing thatalwaysmakes me happy.” He wiggled his eyebrows at me.
I didn’t take it seriously. It was Cash’s way to mask his pain. To brush away concern, to widen his smile, and up his antics.
“Fine,” I said to call his bluff. “If a blow job will make you feel better…”
I tugged the blankets down, but he grabbed my wrist. “Wait. No. I didn’t mean that.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Want to try actually talking to me, then?”
He closed his eyes, face tightening with emotion. “I think I fucked up.”
“What do you mean?”
His throat worked. “I was so quick to walk away, but… I’ve been looking through rental listings, and there’s not much I can afford. And now I’ve got to get a place big enough for Kat, too. I could maybe buy a trailer like Sawyer did, but I’ve got no savings. Not after helping my mom pay the bills every month. Hell, I don’t even have a boat or a car I could sell. I’ve gotnothing.”
“Hey, that’s not true.” I put a hand on his arm. “You’ve got me.”
He opened eyes glassy with unshed tears. “We can’t go on like this forever, though.”
My heart stuttered. “What do you mean? We’re together. I don’t want that to end.” I pulled away. “Do you?”
“No.” He sat up quickly, grasping my hand and squeezing. “That’s not what I mean. The B&B is going on the market. You’re gonna sell. I don’t know where you plan to live after, or if there will be space for me and Kat, and?—”
“Of course there will be. Wherever I end up, I want you with me. You and Kat. You’re a package deal, and I’m perfectly happy with that.”
His brow furrowed. “Declan, it’s asking too much of you. I’m the one who took responsibility for Kat, not you. I’m the one who has to take care of her.”
“Can’t we all just take care of each other?”
He blinked. “But you’re dating me, not my sister.”
“I love you,” I said. “And you love Kat. Which means I love Kat too. It’s simple, Cash. I thought you were the one who understood relationships.”
He gave a startled chuckle. “Uh, maybe I mostly understood sex. The relationship part is new for me too.”
“What do you think of it?”
He smiled at me, and this smiledidreach his eyes. It jolted my heart and started flutters in my gut. “Right now, it’s looking pretty good.”
He cupped my face, and I leaned in to kiss him, warmth flooding me. “I love you too, by the way,” he murmured against my lips.
“Good.” I slid my fingers through his silky hair while I kissed him once more. “Because I don’t want you to go anywhere.”
Cash drew back. “I’ll help pay expenses. And if I don’t have enough to cover it, I’ll get more work. I won’t take advantage. I promise.”
“Sweetheart, you already practically run this place for me. Do you really think I’m worried about it?”
“I don’t do that much,” he said. “I just help pick up the slack here and there.”
“Well, it may not seem like a lot, but it makes my life a lot easier and I appreciate it.”
He ducked his head, looking almost shy. “Glad I can help.”
I put a finger under his chin, tilting his face up so I could look him in the eye. “So we’re clear on this, right? I’m asking you to live with me.”
He wet his lips. “Would you ask if my living situation wasn’t so unstable?”
“Yes,” I said without hesitation. “I might have waited longer. I wouldn’t have wanted to rush you. But I got used to having you in my bed. Got used to sharing dinner and waking up with youbeside me. I don’t think I can go back to living separately, Cash. I don’t want to.” I paused, heart pounding. “What about you? Would you agree to live with me if things were better at home?”
