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Now that I knew the house wasn’t burning down, I couldn’t get the smile off my face. My smile was probably audible as I hollered down to him, “I’m taking a quick shower.” Or it would’ve been if the stupid alarm would shut up.
As I hurried into the bathroom and turned the shower on, the alarm went silent at last. I looked at myself in the mirror as the water heated. The grin of a girl who’d been well loved reflected at me, and I let out a giggle. The sound was so foreign that I laughed again. That man made me stupid giddy.
My lips were red and slightly swollen. My nipples showed signs of being ravished, the sensitive tips still protruding and the skin of my breasts pink in areas where Cash’s scruff had rubbed.
Goofy grin still in place, I stepped into the shower and let the hot water cascade over my sensitive body. I poured shampoo into my palm and lathered my hair on autopilot, my thoughts consumed by the irresistible guy in my kitchen.
He knew me still. Knew my weaknesses and preferences and most secret desires, just like he always had. He’d remembered, whether intentionally or instinctively, how to turn me inside out like no one else ever had. Seemingly without even trying, he made me feel as if he was made for me, made specifically to take me to the stars and back.
I didn’t have the luxury of standing under the hot spray and daydreaming, but that didn’t stop me from remembering Cash’s touch on my skin as I rubbed body wash over myself. I couldn’t wait to get naked with him again, to take our time with each other, spend hours coming apart in each other’s arms—
A text message alert sounded from outside the shower, jolting me back to the here and now and sending my heart rate up. I’d forgotten all about the front desk and the fact I could be summoned at any moment.
“Shit.”
I rinsed my head and stuck it out from the shower curtain, wondering where my phone had ended up. I saw the corner of it sticking out from my shorts.
As soon as the soap was rinsed off, I flipped the water off, grabbed my towel, and frantically dried myself. I grabbed a brush and went for my hair, letting my body air-dry a little more before pulling my clothes back on. Throwing my hair up would be fast and make it less obvious I was straight from a post-sex shower as I tried to get my inn-owner face back on.
When I was dry enough, I dug out my phone and unlocked it, expecting the message to be from an unknown number, which was how the inn guests would show up. It wasn’t though. It was from Willa, my incredible agent.
Good morning, Ava. I ran into Sheldon Milano at a party in Malibu last night. He brought your name up before I could!
My poor heart couldn’t catch a break this morning because now it took off galloping for altogether different reasons. Sheldon Milano was her friend from Stream, the one I was meeting with next week.
He told me he’d talked to Pete Swain, who raved about your work ethic and your ability to think on your feet back when you were an intern under him. Sheldon said he and his partners are looking forward to meeting you Thursday. I’m taking it as a positive sign that he knew what day our meeting is without me reminding him. I have a really good feeling about this!
“Oh, my god,” I whispered, setting my phone on the counter as I pulled my underwear on. I squealed to myself, then pressed my lips together, reining it in long enough to respond to her.
I can’t wait to meet him and his team. Thanks for the update. You’re amazing!
I finished dressing, then twisted my hair up on top of my head. I didn’t have time to put my mascara or eye liner on, but no one here in Dragonfly Lake seemed to care about that, not like they did in LA.
My whole body buzzing with excitement from Willa’s message and lingering bliss from Cash, I hurried toward the stairs, thinking,Can this day get any better?
I was halfway down the flight of steps when it hit me that the two things that had me flying high at the moment were not compatible. I paused at the sobering realization.
I was going to have to give up at least one of them. Soon. And for once in my life, I was not going to sacrifice my career.
My breath was shaky as I inhaled slowly. I was terrified that succumbing to the temptation that was Cash this morning might be the dumbest thing I’d ever done.
Cash
When I got to the first floor of the cottage, it was a little smoky, so I rushed to the oven, turned it off, and opened the window above the kitchen sink. I would’ve swung one or both of the outside doors open, but I was buck-ass naked and didn’t figure Ava needed her guests witnessing that.
Now that I knew the house wasn’t burning down, I laughed to myself as I fanned the smoky oven with the towel I’d dropped earlier—or rather, Ava had dropped.
Damn, but that woman could still turn me inside out.
“Cash?” she called down.
“Everything’s okay.” As if to make a liar of me, the smoke alarm went off, shrilling through the house. “Got it under control. Just gotta get that thing turned off. It’s not connected to the fire department.” I raised my voice to be heard over the damn alarm.
“Do you need help?”
I had half a mind to say yes just so I could watch her march down here naked. “Fucking hell,” I muttered to my ridiculous self. “I’ve got it,” I called out to Ava.
“I’m taking a quick shower,” she called, and I thought briefly about leaving this mess and joining her.
