Tally startled awake when Cash’s phone rang. He cursed and, rubbing his eyes, sat up in bed and squinted at the screen. The only light in the room came from his phone, but it was enough to allow her to make out the colour draining from his face.

He picked up the phone. “What’s the matter? Is everything okay?” Cash held the phone so tightly against his ear Tally could barely hear the person speaking on the other end, but she did manage to make out a broad Irish brogue, very different from Cash’s soft lilt. He threw the covers back and climbed out of bed. He glanced over his shoulder at her before wandering to the far corner of the bedroom. Tally could make out every one of his taut muscles as he stood upright, his spine rigid. His hand crept around the back of his neck, and he pinched the skin as though he’d cricked it.

“Yes, got it. Of course. Do what you need to do. You know this. You don’t need to call me every time. I trust you.”

Tally winced and hugged her knees as intense jealousy speared her chest simply because she could tell Cash was talking to another woman. She was falling too hard, too fast. But having feelings that deep for a man like Cash were dangerous because when this was over––and she had no doubt it would be soon––the extraction was going to hurt like hell, and she didn’t have a clue how to protect herself.

“No, not until after Rotterdam,” Cash continued. “Maybe. Depends how well I do.” He gave a soft laugh. “Thanks for your confidence in me, Gracie.”

Tally didn’t know who Gracie was, but it was obvious she and Cash knew each other well, and another flash of jealousy shot into her bloodstream. She lay down and buried her head in the soft pillows, turning her back on him as she closed her eyes.

“Point taken. I’ll call you in a day or so. Night.”

He dropped the phone on the bedside table, and the mattress dipped as he climbed back into bed. He shifted over to her side and draped an arm over her waist.

Without meaning to, she stiffened. “Who’s Gracie?”

Cash let out a soft sigh. “No one for you to be concerned with.”

She shuffled as close to the edge of the bed as she could get without falling out. “Sounds like you’re pretty close.”

Cash sighed again, but this time, it came out more like a huff. “Don’t turn in to a jealous bitch, Natalia. Women like that bore me.”

Her throat tightened, and she swallowed hard. She shoved Cash’s arm off her and swung her legs out of bed. He seemed to know just the things to say that would hurt the most. She leaned down and picked her blouse off the floor. Cash wrapped his arms around her body and plucked the blouse out of her clenched hands, tossing it behind him.

“I told you I was a bastard,” he said kissing her hair, her earlobe, her neck.

Despite the hitch of pain in her chest, she moaned. Her mind was screaming for her to leave, but her heart and body wouldn’t listen. She struggled to escape from Cash’s arms, but all that did was make him tighten his hold.

“I’m sorry, sweetness. I’m not used to having to explain myself, that’s all.”

“You don’t have to explain yourself to me,” she said, unable to prevent a tinge of bitterness leaking into her tone. “We barely know each other.”

Cash eased her around and cupped her face, his calloused thumbs brushing her cheeks. “Gracie is absolutely no one for you to be jealous of.”

“Then what harm would it do to tell me who she is?”

Cash’s hands fell to his side, and his mouth twisted into a wry grimace. He walked away, putting several feet between them. With his back to her, he scuffed a hand through his hair, making it stick up. After a few painful seconds had scraped by, he twisted to look over his shoulder, his face tired and drawn.

“Give me time, Natalia. I’ve got some fucking shit in my past, and I don’t want us tainted with that yet. Just trust me, please.”

With curiosity gnawing at her insides, she hesitated and then, realising she had little choice, nodded. “Okay,” she said softly, mollified when he let out a huge breath and stretched out his arm for her. Tally went willingly to him, and as he covered her mouth with his, she pushed all thoughts of the stranger named Gracie to the back of her mind.

 

* * *

 

When Tally woke the next morning, it was still dark outside. She stretched, her limbs feeling stiff yet wonderfully sore. Sex versus a workout at the gym? She knew which one she’d choose. She wiped some drool from the corner of her mouth, quickly glancing at Cash. Still asleep, thank goodness. Saliva dripping from her mouth would be a real buzzkill.

He was lying on his stomach, his face towards her. Long, dark lashes grazed his skin, which was deeply tanned after all those weeks playing in the Australian sunshine. The bed sheet was gathered around his waist, and Tally allowed her gaze to wander. He was in amazing shape, and she itched to touch him, but her lack of confidence stopped her fingers from exploring.

She climbed out of bed and shrugged into Cash’s shirt. She’d need to buy some clothes today and couldn’t help cringing at how expensive they’d be in Paris. A pair of knickers would probably cost twenty Euros, and she couldn’t begin to imagine what a decent bra would run to.

Despite her probing the previous night, Cash still hadn’t explained in detail why he wanted her to take two weeks off work. Distraction was something he was rather adept at, and as she recalled the things they’d done together, her face burned. She might have started the evening a little inexperienced sexually, but she certainly hadn’t finished it that way.

She wandered into the living room, rubbing her stomach when it growled. Ravenous, she glanced at the room service menu, her mouth watering at both the amount of choice and the prices. Who could justify that much money for a croissant? She tried to ignore the hunger, but when her belly grumbled again, she caved. She ordered the continental breakfast—the cheapest thing on the menu—and a very efficient member of staff assured her it would be no more than fifteen minutes.

As she hung up, a horrible feeling stole over her. She hadn’t texted Em. Shit. Em would be going out of her mind with worry. Tally dug her phone out of her handbag and grimaced. Twelve missed calls and one text sent at two in the morning:

Where the fuck are you?

She glanced at the clock. Seven in Paris, so that would make it six back home. She dialled and waited.

Em picked up on the first ring. “This had better be good, or you’re dead.”

“Why didn’t you call Pete when I didn’t come home? He knew where I was.”

“I did call him but got no answer.”

“I’m sorry, Em. I got completely sidetracked. I’m in a hotel room in Paris. With Cash.”

Em let out a low whistle. “Jesus, Tal. When you go missing, you do it in style.”

“I’m sorry. I totally meant to call last night but––”

“You were too busy swallowing Cash’s cock, right?”

Heat rushed to her face. “Emmalee! Jesus, you’re crude. And totally wrong.”

“Liar. So what was he like? Worth the ten-year wait?”

“Oh, Em,” she said, lowering her voice. The last thing she needed was for Cash to wake up and listen in on their conversation. His ego was big enough without her stroking it. “He was… amazing.”

“No one likes a bragger,” Em said, breaking into giggles. “Seriously, babes, I’m so happy for you. Is he treating you good?”

“Very.”

“Are you coming home today?”

“I’m not sure.”

“What do you mean?”

She briefly recounted the conversation with Pete, sending Em into another fit of giggles.

“I’d have paid good money to be with Dozer when he got that phone call. I’ll give him a ring later and see if he needs any witch hazel to soothe his wounded ego.”

A quiet tap on the door interrupted her. “Hang on a minute, Em. I think room service is here.”

She opened the door a crack, conscious she was only wearing Cash’s shirt. “Hi. Can you just leave it there?”

The waiter politely nodded and placed the tray on the ground. When she was sure he’d gone, she took the food inside. “I’m back. Look, as soon as I find out what’s going on, I’ll give you another call or drop you a text.”

“Okay, babes. Love you.”

“Love you too,” she said and hung up.

“Who was that?”

Tally spun around to find Cash leaning casually against the doorframe to the bedroom with crossed arms and a half frown drawing his brows together. Apart from a pair of tight-fitting boxers, he was naked, and she couldn’t help treating herself to a slow, leisurely eyeful.

“Em. I forgot to call her last night.”

“Oh.” He smiled. “That’s okay, then.” He sauntered over to the room-service tray and poured two cups of coffee. “Cream?”

Feeling flustered and a little embarrassed, she managed a shake of her head. “No, thanks. I hope you don’t mind me ordering that,” she said, pointing her chin at the tray.

“Of course not.”

“You haven’t seen what they’re charging yet.”

He laughed. “I think I can stretch to a few pastries. Even at hotel prices.” He walked slowly towards her and passed her a cup. “I like the outfit.”

She tugged at the shirttails. “Yeah, sorry. I don’t have anything else to wear. I need to buy some clothes today.”

“No problem. I want to show you the sights anyway, so we’ll do some shopping at the same time.”

“Do they have a Primark in Paris?”

Cash smothered a croissant in jam and took a bite. He wiped the crumbs from the corner of his mouth and swallowed.

“If they do, I have no desire to go there. Dior and Yves Saint Laurent are more to my taste.”

“My credit card limit is definitely more suited to Primark.” Tally took a sip of coffee, peering at him over the rim of the cup. “When are you going to tell me why I need to take time off work?”

Cash tilted his head, a half-smile playing about his lips. He crooked his finger, beckoning her over. She placed her coffee cup back on the tray and, knees knocking with nerves and excitement, moved closer.

He tore off a piece of the croissant. “Open,” he said, slipping the warm dough into her mouth. She chewed, making appreciative noises at the back of her throat. He tore off a second piece, then a third, continuing until the whole croissant was gone.

“I like feeding you,” he said, peeling the paper from an apple and cranberry muffin. She watched as his long, lean fingers broke off a piece. Those same fingers had played her body so skilfully the night before. Her face warmed, but Cash didn’t seem to notice as he fed her and then himself until the muffin was gone. When he offered her another pastry, she shook her head.

“Thanks, I’m full. Do you think the hotel would have a toothbrush and toothpaste? I’m a little unprepared.”

“If I’d asked you to pack an overnight bag, would you still have come?”

Tally nibbled on her thumbnail and then tilted her head to one side. “We’ll never know, will we?” she said with a half-smile.

Cash grinned as he picked up the phone and dialled reception. Five minutes later, a full set of toiletries was delivered to their suite.

Tally showered and dressed. Her clothes were creased from spending the night on the floor, and the collar of her shirt wasn’t going to hide the love bite Cash had given her. She should have been annoyed he’d marked her, but weirdly, she wasn’t. She almost wanted people to see it, to know that he’d been the one to put it there.

She smoothed the creases from her skirt as best she could and headed into the living room.

“It’s all yours.”

Cash looked up from his newspaper. He unfolded his long legs and slowly got to his feet. He tossed the paper on the chair and sauntered over to her, still in his boxers. She’d never known anyone so comfortable seminaked, or fully naked for that matter.

“I had to sit on my fucking hands to stop myself joining you in the shower,” he said. “In fact, if you’d been five more minutes, I would have given in, but then we’d never get out, and I want to show you Paris.”

He gave her a brief kiss before disappearing into the bedroom. She smiled as she watched his retreating back and then poured herself a second cup of coffee. She flicked through the paper, unable to do much more than look at the pictures. French never had been her forte, as her poor high school French teacher could no doubt attest to.

Another soft tap sounded on the door. Must be room service. She gathered the cups and plates together and went to answer it.

“Mademoiselle,” a very smartly dressed woman said as she waved a hand behind her. “I have brought couture.”

Tally’s astounded gaze jumped between the woman’s earnest expression and the rail packed full of designer clothes behind her.