Page 91 of Loving Whiskey

“You know what I mean,” Cash grumbles.

Frank quirks his brow. Honestly, if he doesn’t see how good-looking he is, or how many women would fall on themselves to be around someone who is so protective, quiet, and thoughtful, then he’s crazy. Those are attributes anyone would be lucky to find in a prospective partner. When I’m not so tired, I’m sure the matchmaking will start in my head.

I look at the clock and see it’s already almost ten p.m. “I think I’m going to head to bed. Where do you want me?” I ask without looking at Cash directly.

His gaze burns my skin. “Go to the master.”

Turning with my hand on my hip, I shake my head. “Cash, no. We aren’t…”

He cuts me off. “I started a bath. It’s all set up. Go relax. I have my stuff already. I’ll stay in one of the other rooms.”

I try to object. “Cash, I’m not kicking you out of your room.”

Cash smiles. “You’re correct. I am willingly leaving it for you.” He stands up and rounds the island, moving into my space, until I can’t do anything but breathe him in and submit to his every command. “Angel, there is no way you are sleeping anywhere but my bed.”

I sigh and grumble an acceptance of his demand. “Fine, I guess it’s only one night.”

He puts his hands over my lips, silencing me. “No. You’re not spending another night in any bed but mine.”

I eye him gingerly. “So sure of yourself and so bossy, Bossman.”

As if he has been waiting for the nickname, Cash raises his eyes in challenge. “When it comes to taking care of you, yes I am. When it comes to you in my bed…” He raises his eyes in promise, “Yes, I am.”

Involuntarily, I bite my lip and clench between my legs. While I’m no longer hungry for food, I’m starving. And I have a feeling it will only get worse when I’m sleeping in his bed. Even if he’s not there, even after the day I had—hell, even after the last few months.

Being in his bed, surrounded by him, leaves me feeling only one way, and it sure as hell ain’t ready for sleep.

Cash tips his head toward the bedroom. “Go. Your bath is waiting.”

I stare at him for another moment, searching his eyes, dipping my lids to his lips, then back to his eyes again. Cash watches my every movement with his lips parted and silent, as if he’s afraid to breathe for fear I’ll disappear in front of him. I lean up and brush a quick kiss against his cheek, right in the corner where his lip meets skin.

I’m teasing myself as much as I’m doing it to him. It’s not intentional. I literallycan’thelpmyself.

I can’t get out of my own head enough to just give in, but I also can’tnottouch him. I can’tnotbring my lips to his face. He’s an addiction I can’t kick.

“Night, Frank. Thanks for today. I really appreciate it.”

He shrugs and offers me a wink. “Glad you’re feeling better, Gracie.”

Cash shoots him a glare at his nickname on someone else’s lips. Both Frank and I share a smile.

“I’ll check on you in a bit,” Cash says below his breath, almost like he’s nervous to offer.

“Sounds good, Whiskey,” I reply, walking away from them both.

Making my way into Cash’s bedroom, I prepare myself for the reality of the next few moments. For a time, it was our bedroom. A very brief time. Barely a blip in my life. What was it, two weeks? Is it possible that was all we had? No. We had a lot longer than that but as for how long I actuallylivedhere, it was probably even less than two weeks.

The smell of coconut and vanilla assaults me when I open the door. Cash clearly kept my favorite bath salts and soap. I drop my bag on the bed, ignoring the memories that conjures, and move straight into the bathroom.

“Oh, hello gorgeous,” I say to the tub. “God, I’ve missed you.”

Without hesitating, I strip out of my clothes and check my underwear.

No blood, thank God.

It really does feel like it was all a distant nightmare this morning when I first spotted blood.

I sink into the warm bath and turn on the jets so that I can really get the full benefit of this bathroom, and my mind quiets. For once in the last few months, life doesn’t hurt so much. I don’t feel like I need to put on armor to get through the hour. I’m just…here.

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