Cash rolled up his rope once more and readied it for another throw, bloody hand completely forgotten. “So go ask him. He ain’t gonna say no.”
“And what if he does?” I asked, crossing my arms over my chest.
Cash looked me up and down, that smirk still on his lips. “Then he’s a fuckin’ idiot and never deserved you in the first place.”
Chapter sixteen
The Painter
Maverick
I’d just finished cleaningup the kitchenwhen Cheyenne and Brandy made their way toward the back door. She’d been laughing with Cash—a welcome sight for the both of them. But another emotion stirred within me—a touch of jealousy. I couldn’t do that for her. I could barely even keep myself from falling into a panic attack at any given minute, let alone make her smile.
The both of them had gone outside sad, morose, and after a few minutes the two were smiling, talking, teasing —it looked like—from the shoulder bumps and the playful scowls.
Hell, they even looked good together, if I were being honest.
I shook off the thought as the knob to the backdoor turned and Cheyenne walked back inside.
“You’re still cleanin’?” she asked, her brow rising and concern echoing in her tone. “I’d have helped.”
I waved her off and placed the cleaning spray and rag underneath the counter before turning back to her. I lifted a brow and nodded in her direction, hoping she understood.
Her face scrunched up a moment, her gaze turning contemplative. “I’m…okay, I guess,” she said with a sigh. “I uh…I wanted to talk to you.”
I frowned and nodded for her to go on.
“I can’t stay with Charlie and Ryder. There’s too much goin’ on. I feel like I’m imposin’.”
Worry swelled within me, constricting around my middle. I didn’t want her to leave. Besides, she had nowhere to go, no belongings. Where would she go?
“Cash and I were talkin’…” her voice sounded weak, weary.
Here it comes.
He’d worked his magic on her, hadn’t he? I wanted to be mad, but I couldn’t even blame her. Either of them, really. Maybe our kiss last night had meant nothing. A response to the trauma we’d both shared. I hung my head, already knowing where this was going.
“Would you be okay if I stayed with you?”
My head snapped up and I fixed my gaze on her intently. She was closed off—her eyes, her face, her posture. I couldn’t read her.
“It wouldn’t be for long. Just until I get the money from the insurance company for the trailer and find myself a place and a job while I can get the etsy shop runnin’ again.” She blew out a breath and ran a hand through her wild blonde curls. “If you’re not okay with it, that’s fine. I can figure somethin’ out.” Her head dipped, her gaze falling to the floor. “In fact, this was stupid. I’m sorry. I know what I’m askin’ is a lot.”
What? Not at all.
She had no home. Nothing to call her own. And after last night… Iwantedher to stay. Something fluttered in my chest at the idea of that. Of having her in my house. Of waking up, knowing I’d see her there when I came back in at the end of the day.
I moved around the peninsula, coming to stand before her. She was so much smaller than me—I liked that. I gripped her chin between my thumb and forefinger, tilting her face up to look at me. I shook my head.
“No, what?” she asked. Her eyes were like twin pools of worry. “No, you want me to go? Or no, you want me to stay?”
How could she not understand? I still couldn’t find the words within me, so I did the next best thing. Cupping her face in my hands, I kissed her. Slow, unhurried.
A little gasp escaped her before she melted against me, her hands pressing against my chest.
The fluttering in my heart quickened as I pulled away enough to look down at her. Her breathing was shallow and labored, her turquoise gaze swirling with some emotion I couldn’t quite place. A warm smile crooked on her pouty lips. “Was that a yes?” She bit her bottom lip. “I may need a little more convincin’.”
I smirked and shook my head before flicking her nose gently.
