“You think I’m beautiful?” I whispered, hating how vulnerable I sounded.
Cash’s eyes darkened, and he leaned down, one hand bracing against the desk. “Don’t act surprised. You know exactly what you look like.”
His face was inches from mine now, close enough that I could feel his breath on my lips. My resolve was crumbling with every passing second.
“This is a bad idea,” I murmured, even as my eyes dropped to his mouth.
“Probably,” he agreed, his voice rough with desire. “But you want it anyway.”
God help me, I did. I wanted him more than I’d wanted anyone in a long time. The air between us crackled with tension, my body leaning toward his of its own accord.
“I shouldn’t?—”
“Stop overthinking it,” Cash growled, and then his mouth was on mine.
The kiss was nothing like I expected. I thought he’d be rough, demanding, taking what he wanted without consideration. Instead, his lips moved against mine with a surprising gentleness, questioning rather than claiming. It was somehow more devastating than if he’d devoured me whole.
I made a soft sound in the back of my throat, my hands coming up to grip his shirt. He tasted like mint toothpaste. My lips parted beneath his, inviting him deeper.
Cash took the invitation eagerly, his tongue sliding against mine as the kiss turned hungry. His hand moved to the back of my neck, fingers threading through my hair and tugging just enough to make me gasp.
“Fuck,” he breathed against my mouth. “God, I want to destroy you.”
“Destroy me?” I said, my voice barely audible.
He pulled back slightly, his green eyes searching mine. “Yeah. I want to fuck you so good that you never forget me. That, for the rest of your life, no matter what happens, you always remember who gave it to you best.”
I nodded, unable to deny that it was exactly what I wanted. “Oh God… I… I do want that.”
A slow, wicked smile spread across his face, and he straightened up, taking a step back. “Good to know you feel that way, Pastor.”
The sudden loss of contact left me disoriented. I blinked up at him, confused by the shift in his demeanor. “Cash?”
“Now who’s the one beggin’?” he drawled, satisfaction evident in his tone.
Realization dawned on me. This was still part of his game. He wasn’t just looking for a quick fuck. He wanted me to come crawling to him, desperate and pleading. My face flushed with embarrassment and renewed arousal.
“You’re an asshole,” I said, rock hard and furious.
“Never claimed otherwise.” He winked, backing toward the door. “I’ll leave my room unlocked tonight if you feel like gettin’ on your knees.”
Then he was gone, leaving me alone with swollen lips and an ache that went deeper thananyphysical desire.
I collapsed back in my chair, touching my fingers to my mouth. The taste of him lingered there, a reminder of what I’d allowed to happen. What I wanted to happen again.
“Lord, give me strength,” I whispered to the empty room.
But I knew, with a certainty that should have terrified me, that my strength was already gone. Cash Callahan had walked into my life like a storm, destroying all my careful boundaries and leaving me in ruins.
And the worst part? I couldn’t wait to see what he’d destroy next.
Chapter 11
Cash
Midnight came and went without any sign nor sound of my pastor. I’d given up on stroking myself slowly, hoping he was watching through the crack of my door that was ajar just enough to allow him to peek. Instead, I’d taken to scrolling my phone endlessly, hoping to find something mildly entertaining while I waited for him to grow a set.
But, it seemed my waiting was in vain. I had Mike on the hook, I knew that much. However, I’d clearly underestimated his bravery. I thought a pastor willing to move into the middle of nowhere and face the aftermath of a tornado was made of tougher stuff. It seemed he was destined to disappoint me, just like everyone else.
