“Time with you.” He nodded.
I let the momentary pleasure of that sweep over me before I straightened my spine, determined to get a few things straight. “Listen, I don’t want to be rude, but based on our first few interactions and what I’ve heard, I really don’t think I’m what you’re looking for.”
His nostrils flared. “I see. So a strong, smart, hot as hell woman isn’t what I’m looking for?” he challenged.
I crossed my arms over my chest. “A single mother dealing with a lot of personal shit who’s not interested in a one-night stand,” I countered.
“Interested in that too,” he murmured without missing a beat.
I looked at him doubtfully, sure my words would have deterred him.
“How about this?” he bargained when it was clear I was at a loss. “How about you actually text me next time? It’s just a text, Layla,” he pressed when I didn’t respond.
I sighed. “Okay,” I agreed before I could think better of it.
“But this time you mean it,” he prompted with a raised brow.
“This time I mean it,” I grumbled, and he grinned in response.
****
“Layla.” The unfamiliar voice caught me by surprise as I picked up a few things at the grocery store on my way home.
I turned to find the lawyer, Marty, following me up the aisle.
I inwardly groaned. Something about the man gave me a serious ick vibe. The fact that he used my first name also struck me as unprofessional when I’d been a client. How my nan had hired him in the first place was beyond me. Though, she wasn’t quite as with it in her last few years.
“Hi,” I replied, hoping we could keep this to a brief exchange.
“How are you and Riley settling in?” he asked, his dark eyes staring at me so intently, I had to fight the urge to squirm—and not in a good way.
“We’re fine, thanks,” I replied, throwing a box of cereal in my cart. “I’m in a bit of a rush,” I added apologetically, and it wasn’t a lie. I wanted to pick Riley up from school rather than have her go to aftercare, and I had work to finish up first.
He smiled, but it didn’t reach his eyes. “Of course. We’ll be in touch.”
I wasn’t sure what we’d need to be in touch about, and with a tight smile I pushed my cart down the aisle, eager to end the encounter with him.
****
Planning on the gym tomorrow at 9
I texted Cash that evening after much deliberation. At this point, I didn’t see a way out of it. It was either text him or stop going to the gym.
I’ll see you there. How was the rest of your day?
It was good. Had a good evening with Ri, just put her to bed. You?
I lay in bed watching the bubble indicating he was typing a response with way too much excitement.
My day was fucking great. I got to spend a few minutes with this hot as hell woman who has the most beautiful green eyes I’ve ever seen.
My cheeks grew hot as I stared at his text. I’d never been so openly complimented before, and I had to admit that I liked it.
Yeah, she’s a pain in the ass though
I like a challenge. His response was swift and made me grin.
night cash
night chief
At some point I’d get around to asking him why he called me that. I snuggled down under the covers, swooning over a man I hoped I wasn’t just a challenge for. Because even now, when I barely knew him, I could already tell he had the capacity to seriously shake up my world.
Chapter 6
CASH
I leaned against my bike the next morning, waiting for Layla’s car to pull in. I’d gotten here early, not willing to give her the chance to ditch me. Having to chase a woman was new to me, and though I liked the challenge, I knew catching her would be the real prize.
When her Rav4 pulled in, I was glad not for the first time to see that it looked well-maintained. That didn’t mean I wouldn’t be trying to get under the hood to check things out as soon as she’d let me.
“Hey,” she greeted. “I thought you were walking me to my car later?” She quirked a brow, looking edible in black leggings that cupped her delicious backside and a green tank top that molded to her full breasts and highlighted her green eyes.
“I’m a full-service operation.” I winked, extending the water I’d brought her.
She laughed, the sound hitting me right in the gut. “Thanks.”
“Riley get off to school okay?” I asked as we walked side by side toward the gym.
She nodded. “The mornings are pretty chaotic but she’s adjusting well to school, which is a relief. If only she’d stop waking up at the crack of dawn,” she added dryly.
“Is that just because of the move, you think?”
“Mostly,” she replied. “Though she’s always done that to some degree. She ends up in my bed more often than not. I don’t really mind.”
I opened the door for her as she tipped her chin in thanks. “What’s your plan for today?” I asked, gesturing to the gym.
“Probably some weights. I should take a day off from running,” she shared. “Oh God, you’re not gonna just sit there and stare at me, are you?” she demanded in horror.
I chuckled, enjoying how animated she could be. “As tempting as that is, I was going to give you your space. I have some paperwork to finish up in the office.”
“Wait a minute, you work here?” she asked in surprise.
“I own the place,” I replied. Buying the gym a few years back had been a solid investment, and when I wasn’t devoting my time to the club, I spent it here either working out or in the office.
“I didn’t realize,” she murmured, looking at the large gym as though seeing it in a different light. “You’ve done a really good job.”
“Thanks.” I was genuinely pleased she thought so. “Have a good workout, let me know when you’re leaving.”
“I will,” she replied, and I sensed a glimmer of disappointment that our time together was ending so soon.
Good.
That way, when I started pushing harder as I undoubtedly would, maybe she’d be prepared to put up with me. Because I knew I’d only be able to keep myself at arm’s length for so long.
****
“I think you’re turning me into a green smoothie drinker.” Layla wrinkled her nose three days later as we sat in the bed of my pickup truck in the gym parking lot. It had become a routine, one I liked a hell of a lot. I’d meet her at the gym after she dropped Riley off, and after her workout, we’d spend some time together—time that was increasing day by day. Bribing her with smoothies or coffee helped, and I planned to use everything in my arsenal to get more time with her. The more time I spent with her, the more I liked her, the more I wanted her. She was incredibly smart but also soft and sweet in ways that made me want to eat her up.
I reached over and wiped a bit of smoothie that remained on her full lower lip. My cock hardened at her quiet intake of breath. “There are worse things,” I murmured. For a moment we just stared at each other, and it took everything in me not to lean in and kiss her. But that hesitation in her eyes was still there, and though it went against my nature, I forced myself to be patient. Reluctantly I pulled my hand away, appreciating the gorgeous blush on her cheeks.