Cash and I have been together for weeks now, I basically live out of my overnight bag in the corner of the room and only use my room at the bed and breakfast to change for work.

I’m in the middle of brushing my hair in the bathroom when Cash bellows out, “Damn it, son of a bitch.”

“What’s wrong?” I call, walking into the room. He’s standing in the bedroom with his foot tangled up in my overnight bag.

“Mia, baby. We gotta talk about you living out of a suitcase. I have more than enough room in the dresser and the closet for you. You’re here more than you’re at the bed and breakfast. Pack your shit and stay here,” he sounds exasperated by the time he’s done.

“Cash, seriously. I’m fine at the bed and breakfast. I’ll keep my stuff more picked up, so you won’t trip over it.” He is not happy with my reply and I can see it in his eyes and the way he has his hands on his hips.

“No, that’s not alright. I want you here with me all the time. Not just partially, not living out of a suitcase. Here. With me. I won’t take no for an answer. If I have to get on my knees and beg you, while my head is buried between your thighs, to get you to say yes, that’s what I’ll do.”

“Cash, we haven’t known each other that long,” I start, worried at how fast things are moving.

“Do I look like I give a fuck? You’re mine. I want you here at the farm where you belong,” he says and I get butterflies in my stomach.

I stare at his face and I can tell he’s completely convinced and that it’s what he wants, but I can’t help being nervous.

“Are you sure? I don’t want you to feel like this is moving too fast, too soon. What if we move in together and you hate living with me and want me gone. What will happen then?” I raise my hands up in the air while I’m pacing around the room. I’ll admit that I’m close to panicking. If I move in and then Cash decides he’s done with me… it would kill me.

Suddenly my back is on the bed and Cash is looming over my body. I look up at him in shock. God, he’s beautiful… devastatingly handsome. It’s hard to believe I have him in my life. The poor girl that rode into town in a busted Jeep, working at a bed and breakfast. I’m definitely nothing special, but somehow I have Cash in my life and he keeps giving me… everything I’ve ever dreamed of.

“I’m only going to say this one more time, so listen closely. What we have here, is more than just a passing moment. What we have is what dreams are made of,” he whispers in my ear and I let out a contented sigh. “You are my dream, Mia. I’ll always want you.”

I do my best to keep the tears out of my eyes at his words.

“Okay, if you are sure, but one day you’re going to have to surrender my car and that includes the bill that comes with it. I can’t keep driving your truck. Also, if I move in, I want to pull my weight around here. Let me buy the groceries and maybe help with the power bill. I can’t help with the mortgage, even I know that, but I want to feel like I’m contributing in this relationship.” He hesitates then goes to talk and I hold up my finger to his lips and say “Please.” He responds by taking my finger into his mouth and nipping at it.

“Okay, darlin’. We’ll work something out. I have to tell you something first and you’re going to be pissed off, I’ll just warn you now.” I can see the disgruntled look on his face as he proceeds to tell me, “I scrapped your Jeep, Mia. It needed everything new, and baby, I mean everything. I’m shocked you even made it into town in that thing.”

“Dammit Cash! Don’t you think you should’ve told me this before you did it? I mean, it was my only vehicle.”

I really am throwing a hissy fit. I know he means well, and I know my Jeep really was a piece of shit. But, it was mine and it’s all I can afford right now.

“Baby, I couldn’t have you in that car. Even if it was fixed, it’d be only a matter of time until something else broke on it. My truck is there for you to use whenever, I already made plans to go look at a newer model SUV before the snow hits.”

“Cash, did it ever occur to you that I can’t afford a newer SUV. I mean sure, I’ve been scrimping and saving, plus using your truck has helped a lot, and I do mean a lot. But, Babe, I can’t afford a payment and to help out with bills around here,” I finally say, defeated.

“Mia, you think I’d actually let my woman pay for a vehicle, I know she needs?” he asks. He’s coming towards me and as much as I want to run. I stay where I am.

He holds both sides of my neck and stoops down, so we’re eye level when he says “I’d do anything for you, Baby. That includes making sure you’re safe and sound and always have a soft place to land in my arms.” When he says it like that, I have no more sass left to throw at him. He’s right, and I know if there was something I could do to soften his landing when times were tough… I would in a heartbeat.

“Okay, Cash. Just next time try to talk to me first, please. I don’t really like being broadsided like this,” I whisper to him.

“You got it, Baby.” He kisses me and stands back up to his full height and we finish getting ready for the day.