Cash shifted closer on the sofa, close enough I felt the heat radiating from his body.“What are you saying, Eliza?”
I met his gaze directly, my heart hammering.“I’m saying I want this.Us.Whatever a relationship between us looks like.I want to find out if I can finally have the fairy tale I’ve always wanted.”
His hand came up slowly, giving me time to pull away if I wanted.When his palm cupped my cheek, I leaned into the touch, my eyes fluttering closed briefly.“Eliza,” he murmured, his thumb brushing over my cheekbone.“Are you sure about this?About me?”
I opened my eyes, finding his face inches from mine.“I’m sure about how I feel when I’m with you.The rest we’ll figure out.But I’d like to figure it out together.”
The first brush of his lips against mine was tentative, barely there.I leaned in closer, my hand resting on the solid warmth of his chest.His heartbeat thundered beneath my palm, matching the rapid rhythm of my own.
The second kiss was different.Cash’s arm wrapped around my waist, pulling me closer, claiming my mouth with newfound certainty.Heat bloomed low in my belly, spreading to my clit and pussy as his tongue traced the seam of my lips, seeking entrance I willingly granted.I curled my fingers in his shirt, anchoring myself against the surge of desire threatening to overwhelm me.
When we broke apart, both breathing hard, Cash rested his forehead against mine.“I will never, ever get enough of kissing you, Eliza.”
“I’m sorry I ran, Cash.”
He shook his head slightly, his nose brushing against mine.“You weren’t ready.Are you ready now?”
Instead of answering with words, I kissed him again, pouring everything I couldn’t say into the press of my lips and the slide of my tongue against his.His arms tightened around me, lifting me easily into his lap so I straddled him, pulling me tight against him.His hard cock mashed tight against my pussy, making me gasp.Cash swallowed the sound with another searing kiss.
Cash slid his deliciously rough hands under my shirt and around to my lower back.Each touch sent shivers racing up my spine, igniting nerves only Cash seemed to be able to control.I arched against him, suddenly desperate for more contact.
“Cash,” I breathed against his lips.“I want --”
“What do you want, lil’ Liza?”he murmured, his mouth trailing down to the sensitive spot just below my ear.“Tell me.”
“You,” I said simply.“I want you to fuck me.”
Cash stood in one fluid motion, lifting me with him as if I weighed nothing.My legs wrapped instinctively around his waist as he carried me three steps to pin me against the nearest wall.His mouth never left mine, the kiss deepening with a hunger matching the fire building inside me.I moaned against his lips as his hips thrust forward, the hard ridge of his cock rubbing over my clit through our clothes.He gripped my thighs, supporting my weight effortlessly as he broke the kiss to trail his lips down my neck.Each touch of his mouth against my skin sent electricity coursing through me.
“You’re so fuckin’ beautiful,” he murmured against my collarbone, his breath hot against my skin.“Bravest, strongest woman I’ve ever met.”
His words sent a shiver down my spine, the raw honesty in his voice more arousing than any practiced seduction.I tugged at the hem of his shirt, suddenly desperate to feel his skin against mine.
“Off,” I commanded, my voice barely recognizable to my own ears.
Cash set me down gently, stepping back just enough to pull his shirt over his head in one smooth motion.I’d caught glimpses of his tattoos before, but now I had the luxury of really looking at him.Intricate designs flowed across his broad chest and down his arms, each one telling part of a story I wanted to learn.Beneath the ink, his muscles rippled with each breath.
His skin was hot beneath my fingertips, his pulse jumping at my touch.Cash stood perfectly still under my exploration, his breathing becoming more ragged as my fingers traced lower, following a trail of tattoos disappearing beneath his waistband.
“Your turn,” he said, his voice rough with desire.
I whipped the T-shirt over my head.The cool air kissed my skin as Cash took the garment from me, letting it fall forgotten to the floor.His gaze traveled over my exposed skin, appreciation darkening his eyes to midnight.
“Christ, Eliza,” he breathed, his fingers trailing reverently over the swell of my breast above my bra.“You’re fuckin’ perfect.”
I should have felt self-conscious -- my body marked by motherhood and years of stress -- but the naked adoration in Cash’s eyes made me feel beautiful in a way I hadn’t in years.He bent to press his lips to the hollow of my throat, then lower to the edge of my bra.My head fell back against the wall as sensation overwhelmed me, his beard creating delicious friction against my sensitive skin.
Cash scooped me up again, carrying me toward the bedroom.I wrapped my arms around his neck, pressing kisses to his jaw, his ear, any part of him I could reach.The bedroom was dim, illuminated only by the light spilling in from the living room, casting long shadows across his bed.
He laid me down with unexpected tenderness, his weight settling over me as he captured my mouth again.The feeling of skin against skin was electrifying, his chest hair creating a tantalizing friction against my breasts.I arched up into him, seeking more contact, more pressure where I needed it most.
Cash traced the curve of my waist, cupping my breast through the thin fabric of my bra.He released the front clasp.When the garment fell away, he paused, rising up on his elbows to look down at me.
“You sure I’m what you want?”he asked, his voice strained with the effort of holding back.“We can stop if --”
“Don’t you dare,” I interrupted, pulling him back down to me.“I want you, Cash.Like I’ve never wanted another man in my life.”
Something fierce flashed in his eyes before he lowered his head, taking one nipple into his mouth.I gasped at the sensation, arching my back off the bed as he circled the sensitive peak with his tongue.He palmed my other breast, thumb brushing over the nipple.