Cash’s eyes shot in her direction and narrowed. “Fuck this,” he grunted, taking my hand and pulling me toward the exit and across the parking lot. He didn’t stop until we reached my car. He spun me to face him, pressing my back into the car, stepping in close, caging me in.
“Why don’t you tell me what this is really about?” he demanded.
I stared at his chest, refusing to meet his eyes.
“Layla,” he pressed.
“If you don’t want me anymore, just come out and say it.” My tone was flat as I pushed the painful words past my lips.
His hand cupped my face, forcing my chin up. When I met his eyes, they were full of incredulous anger. “What the hell are you talking about?” he growled.
His anger ignited my own.
“You’re gone all the time. You won’t tell me anything. What the hell else am I supposed to think?” I demanded.
He pressed in closer, his nostrils flaring. “You’re supposed to think that your man is doing everything he can to take care of his family. That I won’t rest until that happens. Jesus Christ, Layla.” He stepped away, ripping a hand through his hair in agitation. “How could you fucking think this is all for anything but you? For Riley?”
The conviction in his words and the torment on his face that I’d ever think such a thing had relief and confusion sweeping through me in equal measure. If it wasn’t another woman, and I’d never thought it truly was, then why was he keeping me in the dark? Why the secrecy?
“Allwhatis for me?” I demanded. “I have no idea what you’re even talking about. Because you haven’t told me anything! Goddammit, Cash, I’m not some delicate snowflake!”
“You think I don’t know that?” he countered. “You’re strong as hell. But you’ve also had to be. I want to take that off your shoulders, baby. I know you can fight for yourself, but I want to be your shield.”
He was so utterly sincere, so impassioned in his plea, that my anger melted away, replaced by understanding. This partnership, the family we were building, it was new to him. Hell, it was new for me too. I pictured a beautiful blond-haired boy with striking blue eyes bouncing from home to home with no one truly looking after him. My heart broke at the thought.
“You are my shield,” I assured him. “But I’m also yours. And I know you have your brothers and you all look out for each other, but this”—I gestured between us—“this is different. This is you and me and Riley and whoever else may come along. This is your family.”
He cocked his head, his eyes alight with an awareness I hadn’t yet caught on to. “Whoever else might come along?” he practically purred.
My cheeks heated. I hadn’t even realized I’d said that.
His hand splayed across my hip, pulling me closer. “You sayin’ you gonna give me a baby?” he rumbled. “Chief?” he pressed when I still hadn’t formulated the words to reply.
“The thought has crossed my mind,” I admitted. And it had. Though I thought of Riley as my own, I’d always wanted to be pregnant. And the idea of expanding our family, of having Cash’s baby, made something in me practically vibrate with want.
“It’s more than crossed mine,” he replied, surprising me. “The image of you round with my baby, my ring on your finger, makes me harder than stone. Never wanted anything more in my life.”
“Really?” I couldn’t hide my surprise.
“Really,” he confirmed. “So how about this? I’ll tell you what’s been going on. I admit I should have—I thought I was doing right by you, but clearly my chief doesn’t want to sit idly by,” he added with affectionate exasperation. “And how about we make things official and have the same address?”
“The same address?” I asked in confusion.
He chuckled at my confusion, his eyes shining with a joy I loved to see. “Yeah, babe. How about I stop paying rent on a place I haven’t slept in since we met. How about we make a home together where we raise Riley and put more babies.”
I buried my face in his chest, clutching the fabric of his tee, overcome with emotion. “Yeah,” I managed, my voice a muffled whisper.
He pulled me back, tipping my chin to meet his gaze. “Didn’t catch that, Layla.”
He wanted my eyes. “I said yes,” I confirmed with a grin.
He stooped slightly, both hands spanning my waist as he touched his forehead to mine. “Can’t wait to hear those words on another ask, baby,” he murmured.
My heart pounded triple time but not with fear. “Yeah,” I repeated.
“I’m gonna take you out tonight.” He swept my hair back from my face. “Back of my bike. Boys will watch the house. We’ll get the rest of my shit from my apartment tomorrow. Seal the deal.” His mouth quirked deliciously.
“Is it safe?” I asked worriedly.