Cash glanced at his watch for the tenth time in the last hour. Apart from one brief text from Natalia the night before, he’d heard nothing. Patience wasn’t something he had in plentiful supply. Waiting to find out if Emmalee and Pete had convinced Natalia to kick him to the kerb was driving him crazy. He was well aware they had the power to talk her round, and the fact that he’d asked Natalia to keep the truth about Gracie private wasn’t going to help his cause.

He jumped at a knock at the door then remembered he’d ordered room service even though he wasn’t all that hungry. He opened the door and ushered the waiter in, instructing him to leave the tray on the dining room table. The food turned his stomach, but the glass of wine did the opposite. He began to pace. Unable to wait another second, he sent Natalia a text:

What’s happening? You okay?

He glared at the screen as if willpower alone would make a comforting text appear before him. After five minutes and still no reply, he threw the phone on the couch. Goddammit! He had a bad feeling about this.

Cash drifted over to the window and peered through the blinds. Beneath him, busy Londoners sped, going about their business, each one oblivious to his mental torture. He knew Pete and Emmalee would win. He should have refused to let her go it alone. If he’d been there, he would have been able to control the situation.

His phone rang, and he lunged for it, speaking breathlessly into the speaker. “Natalia?”

“Jesus, bud. You lost her again already?” Rupe said in his usual sarcastic tone.

Cash groaned. “Not exactly.”

“So what has happened? We only spoke yesterday.”

“She wanted to tell Pete and Emmalee on her own.”

“And you let her?”

Rupe’s incredulity spoke volumes, and not for the first time, Cash wished he’d tried to be more persuasive. “You know how stubborn she can be. When she makes her mind up, that’s it.”

“And you think they’ve changed it for her?”

Cash scuffed a hand over the top of his head. “I don’t know what to fucking think. She texted me last night after she’d spoken to Emmalee and said everything was fine. Pete was on today’s agenda, and I haven’t heard a thing since.”

“Are you at the house?”

“No. The Dorchester.”

“Then check out, and get your arse over there. I’m coming home.”

“I told Natalia I was staying at the hotel. I don’t want to leave until I’ve spoken with her. I’ll bring her over tomorrow.”

“Okay. I’ll call you when I land. And try to chill the fuck out.”

Without anything changing, he felt a whole lot better. Rupe had a knack for grounding him. He was the brother Cash had longed for as a child, and Cash adored him, even if Rupe could be an annoying bastard at times.

He tossed his phone on the coffee table as a text notification pinged. His heart jolted at the sender. He swiped at the screen and read her message:

Be there shortly.

Relief surged through him. He sank into the nearest chair. Thank fuck for that. Even if Pete had put doubts in her mind, she was still coming over, which meant Cash stood a chance of pleading his case and trying to reverse any damage done.

He called down to room service and ordered a bottle of wine. The wine arrived at the same time as Natalia. He kissed her cheek as she entered and then signed for the wine.

“Started without me?” She pointed her chin at his empty glass.

He grimaced. “Needed something to take the edge off.” He poured her a glass of wine and topped up his own. “Pete didn’t lock you in the tower, then?”

“Not quite.”

Her lips twitched in an almost smile, and he put his arms around her, holding her close to his body. When she made a soft, contented sound, his fears evaporated.

“Rough, was it, baby?”

“You have no idea,” she said, her voice muffled as she spoke into his shoulder.

He clipped a finger under her chin, tipping her head back. “I’m here to listen, sweetness.” He sat her down, more than a little concerned with how pale she was. “Have you eaten?”

“No.”

He glanced over at his half-finished carbonara, decided that wouldn’t do at all, and passed her a room-service menu, pressing it into her hands when she shook her head.

“Order something, please.”

She gave it a cursory glance. “Okay, I’ll have the chicken soup. Honestly,” she said when he opened his mouth to disagree, “I’m not very hungry.”

For the third time in less than an hour, he called room service. It crossed his mind to add a sandwich or a burger to the soup order, but he knew ignoring her wishes would piss her off, and he didn’t want reconciliation to end in a row.

“Food will be thirty minutes,” he said, hanging up the phone. “What went down?”

A tired frown drifted across her face. “There’s not a lot to say. There was amazement, followed by shouting. Lots and lots of shouting. And finally, acceptance. They love me, I guess.” She gave a half-shrug then grinned. “You, on the other hand, are persona non grata.”

He laughed. “Sweetness, have I ever occupied any other position with Pete? I don’t care what he or anyone else thinks. Only your opinion counts.” He hesitated before spitting out what was on his mind. “Are you still willing to give me that second chance?”

She curled into his side and leaned her head against his shoulder. “You even need to ask?”

He exhaled on a shudder and rested his chin on top of her head. “One thing I’ve learned since being with you is to never take anything for granted.”

He felt rather than saw her smile. “Glad to see I’m keeping you on your toes.”

“Baby, I spend so long on my toes these days my calf muscles are three inches shorter.”

She burst out laughing, but then just as quickly, her face fell. “Cash?”

“Yeah?” He frowned, wondering what had ruined her happy mood so suddenly.

“I want to meet your mum.”

* * *

Tally wasn’t sure whether Cash was scared or surprised as he drew himself upright. His eyes were wide as he faced her. If she’d spooked him by her request, then maybe it was all a lie.

No, surely not? It would take a hell of an actor to fake the level of emotion Cash had shown in Brighton. And if he was the sort of person who could make up such a terrible story, then she didn’t want to be part of his life, regardless of how much she loved him.

He tapped his forefinger against his bottom lip, brows drawn low. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea at the moment,” he said, adding a good dose of fuel to her fears. “She’s doing great, but there’s a long way to go. I don’t think she’s up to visitors yet.”

“Okay,” Tally said quietly. “I understand.”

He lifted his chin, his gaze searching hers. Then he closed his eyes and sighed. When he opened them again, they were full of sadness and hurt.

“You don’t believe me,” he said with a slow shake of his head.

“I do,” she said a little too quickly. “Of course I do.”

“I don’t blame you,” he said, his understanding tone making her feel even worse. “I haven’t exactly given you a lot of reasons to trust me.”

“I’m sorry. Forget I asked.”

“No. You’re right.” He cupped her face with both hands, his thumbs skimming over her cheeks. “You are the most significant person in my life. You should meet my mother. I’d planned on going back to Ireland soon anyway.” He gave a half-smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “You can come with me and tell her what a pain in the arse I am.”

Tally kicked herself. This hadn’t exactly gone according to plan. “I don’t want to make you do anything you’re not comfortable with, but I want to share all parts of your life. The bad bits as well as the good ones. I shouldn’t have pushed. Your mum is still seriously ill, and I totally understand you wanting to protect her.”

“I don’t deserve you,” he said in a hushed tone. His hand curved around the back of her neck, and he touched his lips to hers. The instant their mouths connected, a knock at the door interrupted them.

“Why is it that room service always has impeccable timing?” he said with a grimace.

Cash carried the tray inside, and as the smell of rich, warm chicken soup wafted over, her stomach growled in anticipation. He placed the tray across her knees and watched as she wolfed the lot down in five minutes flat. Once she’d finished, he picked up the tray and dropped it in the hallway outside the door.

“I can order something else if you’re still hungry.”

She shook her head. “No, honestly, that was lovely, but I’m fine for now.”

“Okay, but I’m taking you out to dinner later. No arguments. And you are going to eat a proper meal.”

“Yes, boss,” she said with a grin. “But let’s go somewhere simple, not to one of your posh affairs.”

He raised one eyebrow. “My posh affairs?”

“Yeah, you know, those places where if I dribble down my chin, the waiter gives me that look. The one that says how dare I darken their Michelin-starred door.”

Cash chuckled. “Okay. I hear you.”

* * *

“Stop here please, Isaac,” Cash said. As Isaac pulled the car into the kerb, Natalia looked out of the window.

“Gourmet Burger Kitchen?” she said, looking at Cash over her shoulder.

“You wanted down to earth, and their burgers are amazing.”

A trace of a smile graced her lips. “Cash Gallagher, you never cease to amaze me.”

As they walked inside, a few heads turned his way. Diners nudged each other, and muffled whispers reached his ears. Nothing he didn’t live with every day. He picked a booth by the window, and once they’d made their meal choices, he placed their order at the counter. Natalia had picked a sizeable burger as well as a vanilla milkshake, and he hadn’t been able to hide his pleasure.

When he set Natalia’s milkshake in front of her, she gave that coy little smirk she wore when something amused her.

“What’s that look for?” he said.

“You’re as comfortable here as you are in those swanky places.”

He laughed, reaching across the table to grab her hand. He loved the feel of it beneath his own. The touch of her skin soothed him.

When she’d finished every bite on her plate, including half his fries, Cash began to hope she’d regain her healthy appetite. Before he’d met Natalia, most of the women he casually dated preferred to mess with their food instead of eating it. It always pissed him off. He didn’t see the point of ordering a meal to then spend half an hour pushing it around the plate with a fork. Natalia had been such a refreshing change. She loved eating. It was one of the many things he adored about her.

She yawned widely as the waitress cleared their plates. “Sorry. I don’t know why I’m so tired.”

“Want to go?” he said.

“Yes, please.” She yawned again.

They left the restaurant hand in hand. He rubbed the pad of his thumb over her knuckles, and she smiled up at him before resting her head against his shoulder. Happiness rushed through him. He’d won her back. It was more than he deserved.

As Isaac spotted them walking towards the car, he immediately jumped out of the driver’s side and opened the back door.

“Thanks, Isaac,” Cash said, ushering Natalia ahead of him. “Miss McKenzie’s place, please.”

She glanced over her shoulder and frowned but said nothing. Only when the car began moving did she turn to face him. “You’re taking me home?”

“Yes. You’re tired.”

“I’m not too tired if you want to go for a drink somewhere.”

Cash shook his head. “It’s been a long day. Get some sleep. We’ll be seeing each other tomorrow.” He broke into a grin as he remembered Rupe was coming home.

She tilted her head to one side. “What’s that mischievous grin for?”

Cash tapped the side of his nose. “You’ll have to wait and see.”

Ten minutes later, Isaac pulled up outside Natalia’s apartment building. Cash walked her to the front door and drew her into his arms. He was almost scared to kiss her. He worried that he wouldn’t know how to leave it there—that his need for her would overwhelm all his good intentions, and he’d end up going too far when she wanted to take it slow. But there she was, her beautiful face turned up to his, her amazing midnight-blue eyes reading his soul, and her soft, full lips parted ever so slightly. Those lips begged to be kissed.

As his stomach tightened, he buried his hands in her hair and lowered his head. He paused a millimetre from her mouth, desperately wanting to savour the moment. The brief kisses they’d shared in Brighton had been full of worry and regret. This one felt different. Was different.

He stifled a moan as their mouths met, desire spreading out from his chest, the tips of his fingers prickling. But instead of feeling satisfied, he wanted more. Much more. He leaned into her, pinning her to the door. He moved his hips in a circular motion, and when she returned the pressure, he lost all reason.

His hand crept underneath her skirt and inched over the smooth skin of her thigh before moving higher. He cupped her fabulously tight backside, the silk of her underwear a prequel to what he knew to be the softness beneath. Slipping his hand inside her knickers, he tentatively touched her wet sex. He groaned as he slid one finger inside her, his erection lengthening as she tilted her pelvis upwards and began to move back and forth against his hand.

Oh, fuck. He was going to lose it.

Using every ounce of self-control, he tore himself away. The pounding of his heart caused a roaring rush in his ears, like the fast running water of a stream after a week of torrential rain.

“I’m sorry,” he said, smoothing her skirt into place.

“What for?” Natalia’s chest rose and fell, her face a mixture of confusion and frustration.

He could empathise with the latter, but he’d agreed to take it slow. Yet there he was on their first date since making up, almost fucking her outside her front door. He wasn’t sixteen, for Christ’s sake.

Cash leaned forward and kissed her quickly on the cheek. “Goodnight, babe.”

He strode as fast as he could to his waiting car—and didn’t look back.