I think the smile on Lizzie’s face will blind us; she looks ready to explode at Cash’s appearance. “Yeah, I was just saying goodbye to Lizzie.”
“Then let’s go get your car. Love you!” he throws to Lizzie before ushering me out the door.
Outside, I stand frozen on the spot. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this. Based on what I know about Cash though, this fits perfectly.
In front of Lizzie’s hotel is the biggest truck I’ve ever seen. A white Ram 2500 with heavy duty tires and black rims. It has four doors and is at least four or five inches taller than I would expect. I don’t know how to even get in it. It’s the perfect mix of show-off and cowboy.
“Uh, Cash, how in the hell do I get in this thing?”
“Don’t worry, darlin’. Getting in’s the easy part. What happens once you’re there though…that’s the interesting part.” I don’t miss the meaning in his words. I can’t help but think a wet, shirtless, grumpy man makes the inside of a truck really interesting. I shake my head to clear the thoughts of Duke.
He gives me a little boost onto the rail running the length of the truck before running to the other side and jumping in, like an expert. These men are so comfortable in their world. They exist in the same place, the same time, but they are so different in it.
We pull up in front of Mick’s in the giant truck, and I look over at him helplessly.
“I’m up here, now how do I get down?” I ask him, eyes wide.
He chuckles. “Down is what I’m best at.” He winks and I just shake my head.
“I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who makes every single thing sound dirty, like you.”
“It’s a talent, darlin’. You haven’t even seen dirty yet.” He jumps out and walks around the truck to help me. He reaches up to let me slide down his body, his strong arms holding me tightly against him. He stops my progress when our faces are aligned. “The question is,” he leans in close, until we are sharing air, our lips almost touching, “do you like it?”
The sound I make in response to the butterflies filling my chest at his words—at his closeness—borders on pornographic, somewhere between a sound of affirmation and a moan. Heat low in my belly begs for release.
Leaning in, his mouth, right next to my ear, so close, his breath tickles me. “I’ll take that as a yes.” He slides me the rest of the way down before setting me on unsteady feet.
I walk away, a little wobbly, like a newborn deer. He chuckles where he leans against his truck, waiting for me.
The bell over the shop door jingles when I walk through, and Kayla pops her head up from behind the counter. “Oh, hey Caroline. The little lady is all ready for you. Let me know if you have any issues, alright?” I see her look over my shoulder, so I glance back and see a very sexy cowboy leaning against his tailgate. She looks at me but doesn’t voice her opinion if she has one. “I went to school with Cash. You should see him in the arena.”
“The arena?” I ask.
“Ask him about it. He didn’t get that shiny belt buckle with his good looks. Though the way the girls act, you would think so.”
“Thanks, Kayla. Hey, you sure it’s okay if I text you? I might need some friends; I’m planning to stick around for a bit.”
She gives me a genuinesmile. “Definitely.”
I take my keys and my receipt and walk back out to my cowboy.
He follows me back to Lizzie’s where I park in the lot, stroking the roof lovingly before barely succeeding in getting into Cash’s truck on my own.
He squeezes my hand across the center console before he heads out of town. “Where are we off too?” I ask.
“Just a little surprise. I know you’ve been here for a week but since you’ve been trapped in town, I figured you might want to try something that isn’t Mable’s.” He turns into the parking lot of a little building next to a river, with an outdoor seating area featuring swings, picnic tables, and railings where you can sit and look at the water. Following him inside, I discover it’s a counter service restaurant with hot dogs and grilled cheeses.
I order a grilled cheese and tomato sandwich with chips and Cash gets three hotdogs. We both get large lemonades, which are the largest I have ever seen.
“You weren’t joking when you said you like to eat,” I say, laughing, as we sit at one of the railings, side by side, our shoulders touching.
He gives me a side-eye followed by the most obviously sexual smirk I believe I have ever seen. I gasp. “Cash!” I scold and he breaks out in laughter.
I am so red I can feel it from the top of my head to the tips of my feet. He doesn’t miss it, and it makes him laugh harder.
“Scandalized, darlin’?” he says.
I stutter, unable to reply.
