Total pages in book: 22
Estimated words: 20430 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 102(@200wpm)___ 82(@250wpm)___ 68(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 20430 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 102(@200wpm)___ 82(@250wpm)___ 68(@300wpm)
Cash puts his lips on mine again, and the adrenaline pumps through me once more. I savor his lips on mine, his tongue twisting with my own, and the sheer excitement of the moment. I want more of this. I want more of him. I’ve never felt so strongly about a man before, nothing even close in intensity or the speed with which we’re moving.
When the kiss ends, he still holds me close. “When’s the next time I can see you? And just you?”
“In a few days their parents should be back from their trip. After that I’ll be available any day after six, which is when their father gets back from work.”
“The very first night I can take you out, you’re coming with me. I think it’s time we go out on a proper date, Cassie.”
I nod along. “Sounds good to me. Better than good.”
More time alone with Cash makes the word ‘good’ seem, well, not good enough. There’s nothing I want more at this moment. Looking over at the stirring twins though, I realize that I’m just going to have to wait, no matter how horny I’m growing over a man I’ve only just met.
Just a few days, I tell myself. I’ve already waited decades to meet a man like him.
What’s a few more days on top of that?
5
CASH
“Cash Rowdy, you never seemed like the flower buying type,” Rita declares as I enter her shop for the first time.
And despite this being the first time, she knows who I am already. Burly is weird like that.
“Maybe I like something dainty once in a while. You got a problem with that?”
The old woman laughs. She’s an old friend of my mother’s, and I see her whenever someone throws a barbecue big enough for the whole town, which is usually once or twice a year. “There’s nothing wrong with a grown man liking flowers. But I’m guessing that you’re here for some other reason.”
“And you’d be right. I’ve always wanted to say this, Rita, give me the biggest bouquet of roses that you have ready in the shop.”
“I’ll get right on that, handsome.” She goes into the back of her shop, and I wait, pacing and rubbing my chin.
Damn, my face feels naked. I shaved nice and close, making my face silky smooth for tonight. Usually I only bother with a cheapo electric razor, which leaves me slightly scruffy. ‘Slightly scruffy’ is my default, never needed to be anything else. But for Cassie? Yeah, I want to be better than that. I want to be the absolute best I can for her.
I’m still a Rowdy and a legitimate cowboy though. And I’d feel like a poser if I showed up in a tuxedo. Clean jeans and boots combined with a button-down shirt are all I need in a town like Burly to look like I give a shit and dressed properly.
Rita returns with a fresh bouquet. Even for someone who doesn’t know flowers, I gotta admit they look pretty and smell wonderful. “I’m sure your lucky lady will be absolutely smitten with these.”
“I’ll take ‘em.”
We do the financial transaction, and I go back out onto the street and hop up on Monterrey.
He whinnies at me as he catches a whiff of the flowers. Like he’s judging me for being a bit too much of a try-hard with Cassie.
“Don’t you start with me. You know how I am. I don’t take half measures. When I set out to do something, I go all out.”
Another judgmental whinny.
“Maybe I should start just driving around town. The truck wouldn’t be giving me shit.”
My faithful steed takes off and heads toward the home of Debra and Jeffrey Michaels.
They’re newer in town, and don’t work in the area. I hear they just wanted to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, and Burly is a damn good choice for that.
I haven’t met them yet, just heard about them. Monterrey walks up their driveway, and stands next to a four-door sedan that is a little out of place in this town. I slide off my horse, and give him his treat feedbag before heading in.
A man is standing at the door, gawking my way. “You brought a horse?”
“That a problem?”
“Uh... no, it’s just not what I expected.”
“I’m assuming you’re Jeffrey Michaels, Cassie’s uncle?”
He nods, and offers a hand. “That’s me, yes. You must be Cash Rowdy. I’ve heard about you Rowdys. You better behave, you know.”
“Only my best, sir.” The nice thing about a small town is that you get to know everyone. The bad thing about a small town is that you get to know everyone, and your reputation runs ahead of you.
“Is that a horse?” A woman pops up behind him, about a decade older than Cassie by the looks of it. Her eyes light up. “Oh, I’ve always wanted to go horse riding, but I’ve never had the time.”