Page 52 of Seducing the Sheriff
“That was...” he trailed off, seemingly searching for the right word.
“Yeah,” I agreed, understanding exactly what he meant. Words seemed inadequate to describe what had just happened between us.
Cash carefully withdrew, both of us wincing slightly at the sensation. He tied off the condom and tossed it in the small wastebasket I'd placed near the bed. Then he settled back beside me, pulling me against his chest.
“Mattress held up pretty well,” he murmured into my hair, his fingers tracing lazy patterns on my skin.
I chuckled, feeling the slight give of the air mattress beneath us. “Surprisingly sturdy engineering.”
We lay in comfortable silence, our breathing gradually returning to normal. My body felt pleasantly used, a delicious soreness settling into my muscles and ass. Cash’s heartbeat steadied under my ear, a rhythmic reminder of his solid presence beside me. The sweat cooled on our bodies in the night air, and I shivered slightly.
“Cold?” Cash reached over to tug a tangled blanket over us.
I hummed contentedly, nestling closer to his warmth. “Not anymore.”
His fingers continued their gentle exploration, tracing the curve of my shoulder, the line of my spine. It felt intimate in a way that transcended the sex we’d shared—this quiet aftermath, this wordless connection.
“What are you thinking about?” he murmured after a while.
I considered the question, surprised by how comfortable I felt in this vulnerable state. “How unexpected this all is. Everything. You, the town, us.”
Cash’s chest vibrated with a soft hum. “Good unexpected, I hope?”
“Definitely good.” I propped myself up on an elbow to gaze down at him.
The moonlight filtering through the uncovered windows cast shadows across Cash's features, highlighting the strong line of his jaw, the curve of his lips. In that moment, he looked so open, so genuine, that something shifted inside me.
“I didn't come to Charming looking for this.” I brushed my fingers across his chest. “Hell, I barely came here with a plan at all beyond trying to settle somewhere.”
Cash caught my hand, bringing it to his lips, pressing a kiss against my palm. “Sometimes the best things happen when we’re not looking for them.” The air between us seemed charged, weighted with possibilities neither of us was ready to name. Cash traced my bottom lip with his thumb. “I'm glad you came to Charming.”
“Me too.” I was surprised by how much I meant it.
Cash pulled me down for another kiss, this one gentle and unhurried, as if we had all the time in the world. When we parted, I settled back against his chest, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
For the first time in what seemed like forever, I experienced true contentment. And whatever the future might hold, I know one thing for sure. I’d never regret choosing Charming as my forever home or meeting the town’s hot sheriff.
“Don’t get me going again,” Cash laughed as we stepped from the shower. “You’re a beast.”
I snapped his fine, naked ass with my towel. It featured a smattering of fur, but it was perfect in my eyes. “It’s all your fault. I can’t control myself around you.”
Cash let out a small growl as he pulled me close by cupping the back of my neck. “Same. If I can be so bold, let’s meet tomorrow at my house after my shift once you’re done for the day.”
I took a quick kiss, scraping my teeth across his bottom lip before letting go. “So we can fuck on a real mattress?”
He chuckled. “That, too. But I also want everyone to know you’re mine.”
I rubbed against him, his semi inspiring me to go for round two. Maybe after an hour or two of recuperating. It was still sort of early.
“From what you told me, it sounds like they already do.”
Cash shook his head, his voice softening. “Not officially. This is me staking my claim.”
I shivered, but not from being cold. “Then I should definitely come over.”
We locked gazes. “It’s an open invitation, you know. I’m done waiting for the right one.” Cash exhaled on a long breath, giving me an easy smile. “You’re already here.”
Tears burned in my eyes. “And I’m not going anywhere.”
