Page 77 of Resting Beach Face
“He sure as fuck is,” Cash said, fuming. “When we get back, I’ll talk to him, okay? He can’t say shit like that. I don’t care if he’s drunk or hurting, it’s not fucking right.”
“No, don’t,” Katelyn said. “You’ll just make it worse.”
“But—”
“Please, Cash! Just… I don’t want to deal with him. I—I don’t want to go home. That’s why I went to the party. I just needed to get away. I’m sorry.”
“Don’t apologize,” Cash said.
There was a sob and a sniffle, and I glanced back over my shoulder to see him holding her. He caught my eye and grimaced. I turned forward to give them some privacy, pushing the throttle and speeding up as we left the party behind.
My heart ached for them. Cash was in his twenties. He should be out at parties like this having fun, not working his ass off to pay the bills and comforting his sister because their father broke her heart.
I thought back to that night a year ago when I’d found him sleeping on the couch in my B&B. Who comforted Cash? Who fought for him?
The siblings talked in hushed voices I could no longer make out. A few minutes later, Cash dropped into the seat beside me.
“Everything okay?” I asked.
He swiveled the seat toward me, his knees brushing my thigh. The small contact was reassuring. “Yeah. I really appreciate you helping us out tonight.”
“No problem,” I said, glancing toward him. “It’s the least I can do after all the help you’ve given me at the B&B.”
“That’s not the only reason, is it?”
“No, of course not,” I said softly. “I wanted to be there for you.”
“Good.” He smiled. “Katelyn doesn’t want to go home, so?—”
“Stay at the B&B.”
He blinked. “I was going to text Brooks and Skylar about getting a room at the resort.”
“Oh. Well, of course, if that’s what you want. You’re coming back to the B&B in the morning anyway, though, aren’t you?”
Cash nodded. “Yeah, I am. Are you sure…”
“I’d be happy for you both to stay,” I said. “I’ve got one room open. Your sister can have it.”
“Okay. I guess that means I’m stuck on the couch in your quarters again?”
I hesitated. If he went to the resort, he’d surely get a comfortable bed. I should offer him the same, shouldn’t I? It had nothing to do with the fact that I couldn’t bear the thought of Cash sleeping on a sofa feet from my bed. Or that I wanted him close all the time.
“Declan?” he asked with a chuckle when I didn’t reply. “You okay? If you want me to sleep somewhere else?—”
“My bed,” I blurted. “You can sleep with me.”
His eyes met mine. There was a long beat as I questioned my sanity. Was I really inviting a man into my bed again? Hadn’t I learned my lesson yet?
“Okay,” Cash said.
“Okay?” I repeated.
“Yeah.” He smiled slow and sweet. “I thought you’d never ask.” I flushed, but before I could say anything else, he leaned across the aisle and brushed a quick kiss over my lips. “Just sleep. No shenanigans. I promise.”
For once, it was a promise I didn’t need.
Cash wouldn’t push for anything I didn’t want to give, and tonight? I wanted to give more than I had in a long damn time.
