Page 46 of Smooth Moves
“No, you moron. I had a standing date withmy friend, Hector,before you and I did the horizontal grab. It was great. And you know I’m the best you’ve ever had, but don’t let it get to your head.”
He looked as if ready to go to war and moved into her personal space. “You are not fucking Hector.”
“I’m not…now.”
He leaned down, and she could see lighter green striations in his eyes. “Not. Ever.”
“Hmm. Now who’s acting all possessive and weird?”
He clenched his hands into big old fists, yet she had no urge to step back or fear he’d harm her. Hector, on the other hand, might not fare so well.
“Oh, relax, Conan.” Her brother hadn’t been far off the mark. “Hector and I are friends. I’m not someone who sleeps around.” She gave him a look.
“Hey, neither am I. It’s not my fault ladies like me.” At her raised brow, he added, “I’m with one woman at a time. And until I’m done with you, that means we’re it. No other people during this fuckfest.” Cash at his most romantic. “What are you smiling at?” he growled. “And why aren’t you agreeing with me about this?”
She found his aggression to cover his vulnerability oddly appealing. “Hey, I was fine calling it the beginning of a sexual thing between us. You said ‘fuckfest.’”
He eased back. “Well, around you I just want to fuck. You’re kind of addictive.” As if having said too much, he turned bright red and headed for the door. “Enjoy the chocolates, and I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“At work,” she agreed. “Where you and I continue ascoworkers and friends.”
“Yeah, yeah. Isn’t that what I said?” He’d opened the door and started to leave, then turned around and hauled her into his arms for a kiss that left her breathless. “Christ. You broke my dick. Around you, it’s always hard. Damn it.” Then he stormed off and slammed the door behind him.
The moment he left, she realized what she’d done. She’d had sex with Cash Griffith. Several times. And she had a feeling had Rafi not been coming back, they could have spent the night screwing and not gotten it out of their systems. And he’d calledheraddicting?
Floundering, she looked around at the dishes in the sink, knew she needed to air out her room and adjust the bedding, and contemplated jumping in the shower to wash his scent off her skin, to erase the memories of how good he’d felt inside her.
Instead, she grabbed the box of chocolates and dug in, needing the sustenance, so that by the time Rafi returned, she had the house neat, herself in pajamas, ready for bed, and no hint that her entire world had turned upside down.
* * *
Cash told everyone to have a great Fourth by the end of the workday Tuesday. He still didn’t understand the dynamic between himself and Jordan, but damned if they hadn’t fallen right back into their routine on the job. He teased her and tried to tell her what to do. She told him to kiss off and teased him right back.
They acted exactly the same with each other, except for a few stolen glances when no one was looking.
He’d never had that kind of rapport with a woman, and he didn’t know how he could possibly have it with Jordan. She was smart, funny, and sexy. Exactly the type of woman who normally saw through bullshit and ended nonsense before it could begin. Yet she’d already agreed to come to his place Friday night so they could discuss Rafi and Cash could makeherdinner.
He didn’t understand why she wanted to be with him outside the sex part. Because that he did exceedingly well.
“Hey, my eyes are up here,” Hector teased, and Cash realized he’d been staring at Hector’s broad chest while holding a large box.
“Funny.” He scrambled for an excuse for his absentmindedness. “I just can’t figure out what to do about Smith. Everyone’s got assignments for next week except him. And me.”
Hector slapped him on the back. “And there’s your answer. It’s your turn to take one for the team. You and Smith really need to get to know each other better.”
“Fuck you.”
Hector chuckled. Jordan happened to walk by and overheard. “Stimulating conversation with Cash Griffith, as always, eh?”
Cash felt out of sorts, so he fell back on what he knew. “Sorry, Jordan, but no. When I said fuck you, I was talking to Hector. That wasn’t an invitation, but hey, you’re cute. Someone out there will make a nice Mr. Fleming.”
Hector guffawed.
Her eyes narrowed. “Is that right? Sugar nuts, you couldn’t handle me if you tried.” Then she turned to a laughing Hector and gave him a sweet smile. “I’ll see you later tonight at Simon’s.”
Hector blew her a kiss and kept laughing, this time at Cash’s expression. “Relax, man. We’re hanging so I can pretend I’m not checking out Lafayette’s new man.”
“I’m relaxed.” He forced himself to laugh. “That woman is a viper.” He knew it came out complimentary.
