We’re riding back into town, and I already can’t wait until tomorrow night to see Cash again. In his arms I had the best sleep I’ve had since before my dad was sick. Back then, I didn’t have a care in the world. Going to College with the goal of becoming a Veterinarian was my life, but things change. Life happens, and sometimes you rub two pennies together to make a dollar, and that’s exactly what I’m doing now. Meeting Cash is just a bonus, and what a bonus it is. I’m already trying to figure out what I’ll make him tomorrow night for dinner and praying that I don’t have to work the night shift.

“Shit,” he growls, bringing me out of my thoughts.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, worried.

Has he changed his mind about seeing me again?

“Mia, Darlin’, I’m so sorry. I got so caught up in being with you and wanting to see more of you, that I forgot I’m heading out of town for a cattleman’s conference.”

“Oh… that’s okay, Cash,” I whisper, wondering if he’s not just making the story up. My mind goes back through the time we’ve spent together and wondering if I handled everything wrong.

Cash immediately brakes and pulls to the side of the road, surprising me.

“Mia, look at me.”

“I—”

“Look at me,” he orders, his deep voice sending chills of need down my spine.

“What?” I ask, feeling out of my depth.

“Stop worrying. I’m not letting you go. I’m going to call you every night.”

“You are?”

“After what we’ve just experienced together, Mia, I’m not going to want to go a night without hearing your voice.”

“I don’t want to go a night without hearing yours either,” I tell him, unable to keep anything from him.

“Good, so we both know we’re on the same page, right?” he says and I smile.

“Right,” I whisper and he smiles with me as he pulls back on the road.

We’re silent the rest of the trip, but it’s an easy silence and one I don’t feel the need to fill. When we pull up to the entrance of the bed and breakfast he shuts his truck off and turns to me. The look on his face is intense and it makes me feel alive.

“Thank you for bringing me back into town, Cash.”

“The pleasure is all mine, Mia.” He croons. I lean over the center console giving him a kiss goodbye. I meant to make it short and sweet, but he deepens it. Kissing him is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before. I get lost in the taste of him and I know that it’s all I will think about until I see him again.

When we break apart, he jumps out of the truck and comes to my side of the door and helps me down. He goes to walk me to the door, but I stop him.

“Thank you again,” I say in a sigh, hating to see him go.

“Darlin’, it’s gonna be hard to get ahold of you without a phone number,” he grumbles.

“Whoops. I forgot about that.”

I’m blushing once again, and I could curse my fair skin at times like this.

He programs my number into his phone and then takes my phone and puts his number in mine. He hands it back to me and his hand stays on mine. I look up at him.

“I’ll make sure your car is fixed before I leave tonight. It will be here when your shift ends, just in case you need it.”

“Cash, I—”

He pushes his lips against mine to stop my protest.

“If I can’t get it going, I’ll make sure my car is here for you to drive.”

“Cash—” I try to argue again.

“Give it up, Mia. It won’t do any good.”

“I’m going to owe you a lot of dinners,” I mumble.

“I like that idea,” he says and he grins in such a way that I know he means it. That knowledge makes my heartrate speed up.

“Bye, Cash.”

“Talk to you soon, Darlin’,” he says. I turn, racing against the clock to get inside before I’m late.

On my way in Mrs. Fairchild says, “Hi, Mia.”

I was hoping to skate by without her seeing me in yesterday’s clothing, but my good luck just ran out.

“Good morning, Mrs. Fairchild.” I stop and we chat about the new guests and what time we should expect them in. “Well, I better go and change before it’s time to clock in,” I say and then wave goodbye.

Unlocking the door to my room, the first thing I do is lay back on my bed and breathe out a happy sigh. Last night, was more than I ever expected, and I wish I could see him tonight. I’m already missing him and I may not survive a whole week without him. I don’t know what stars aligned to bring Cash into my life at this point in time, but I’m thankful they did.

I get up and change, reimagining him taking my top and bra off. It was the most sensual form of foreplay I could ever imagine. I start the shower and finish getting undressed and visualize what it would be like to have Cash in here with me. How the water would sluice down his chest, a chest I haven’t seen yet, but have memorized the feel of. I start to glide my hands down my body, but think better of it, because the hands I truly want aren’t here.

I want Cash’s hands.

I dress for my shift, already knowing it’s going to be an exhausting day of getting rooms ready and checking in the new guests, all while answering phones. For this being a small town, we seem to have guests coming and going daily.

I’m trying to clock in and get all the things together that I’ll need to get my day started, but my thoughts are full of Cash. I sure hope this week goes by quickly. I tell Mrs. Fairchild to have a great rest of her day and hurry to get everything ready for the incoming guests.