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“You’re back here,” he says, pulling me close. “If you think I’d sit anywhere but next to you, you’re crazy.”
Frank grins in the rearview mirror. It’s comfortable having him here. He breaks up the awkwardness. Although, if I’m honest, it’s not exactly awkward right now. It’s nice having Cash’s arm around me. Having his warm breath tickling my skin, his fingers stroking my arm. It’s familiar, and it doesn’t feel the least bit awkward.
When we walk into Cash’s building with a piping hot pizza and Frank by our side, I am ecstatic to see Sal manning the front desk. “It’s Sunday, Sal. Does this guy ever give you a break?” I tease, thumbing back toward Cash.
Cash snakes his arm around my waist, and his lips brush against my neck. “So much sass tonight.”
I smile and push away from him, moving into Sal’s arms. He gives me a big hug. “I’ve missed you, Ms. Kensington. How have you been?”
I glare at him. “Stop with the Ms. Kensington. Gah, that’s my mother-in-law.Mrs. Kensington,” I say in a prim and proper voice, and then I remember that she’s no longer my mother-in-law, and I smile wider as a giggle sneaks out.
I think I might be delirious from the lack of food and the stressful day.
“What are you laughing at?” Cash says as we walk to the elevator.
“Just that I have thebestgift for my ex-mother-in-law for Christmas,” I say with a grin.
Frank smirks. “I’ll bite. And what is it?”
“Her son back!” Frank lets out a loud laugh, and Cash eyes us both as the giggles take over. “Get it!” I shriek. “Because I gave him back!”
Cash rolls his eyes but smiles as Frank and I continue laughing. It isn’t until the doors open to the penthouse that silence returns. The laughter dies on my lips, and I remember the last time I was in this elevator with Frank. When Jay carried me out of here, numb and in shock with tears coating my face.And then when I rode this elevator down, dazed and in shock after Cash told me I was nothing more than a good fuck.
Cash reaches over and squeezes my hand while Frank takes the pizza and walks into the penthouse. I don’t get off though. I can’t move. I’m stuck in place.
Cash reaches over and presses the emergency button, stopping the elevator and giving me a moment to breathe.
“I know this is a big deal. I wish it weren’t, Grace. God, I wish so many things. But most of all, I wish that I’d never hurt you.” He turns to face me, my hands held tightly within his own. “I promise you, you’re safe here. Not just physically, but emotionally. Mentally. I…God, Grace, I love you so damn much I promise I’ll prove it to you that you’re safe with me.”
I look into his eyes, the hope teasing me like a drink in the desert. I want it so bad I’d crawl to it. I want to believe everything he’s saying. I know he believes it. I know he truly means what he says. But it’s not that simple. He meant it when he said that months ago. When he told me he loved me. When he told me to trust in him. When he promised that loving him wasn’t a risk…and then he broke me.
I close my eyes, trying to disengage from these emotions. Trying to forget the past—and maybe even forget the future and just live in the present.
When I open them again, he’s still staring at me, but I’ve removed myself from the control of his gaze. I let go of his hands and step off the elevator, not giving any more power to the location or the memories than necessary.
“I got plates. Come get a slice before it gets cold,” Frank offers, breaking the proverbial ice.
I drop my bag on the floor next to the couch, nervous to claim anywhere else as my spot for the night, and move into the kitchen to eat. The smell of greasy, cheesy deliciousness wafts through the air, and I’d love to blame it on the baby, but it’s my stomach that grumbles and growls in hunger.
Frank smirks. “Baby’s hungry, huh?”
I smile. “You’re a smart man, Frankie baby.”
With a wink, he hands me a slice which I devour without looking up. I’m on my second slice by the time Cash finally comes into the kitchen. He settles onto a stool and watches Frank and me, but he doesn’t join in on the conversation.
“Any new ladies, Frank?”
He shrugs. “No one worth talking about.”
“You know, I am now representing all these awesome, career-driven women. Might be right up your alley.”
Frank stares at me. “You think one of your hoity toity bachelorettes wants to date a chauffeur?”
This time both Cash and I scoff. “You’re not a chauffeur!” I reply with indignation. Not that there is anything wrong with that, but what Frank provides is so much more than that.
Cash looks equally annoyed. “Don’t fucking talk like that or I actually will fire you.”
Frank laughs. “Oh, way to make a guy feel better.” He takes another bite of his pizza.
