Always with You - Part One(7)

The way he said it-Right?-brings my protective instincts roaring to the surface. Could it be that this big, strong, beautiful, capable man thinks that this could cause him to lose me?

The thought is ludicrous. But so, so sweet I could cry.

I roll up onto my knees and take Cash's face between my hands. "We are in everything together. As long as you want me around, I'm here. Right by your side. Got it?"

I hold his sparkling black eyes as they search mine. There's a sadness in them that mirrors what's in my heart. "This isn't the way it was supposed to happen," he says softly.

My throat squeezes and my eyes burn. "I know," I manage to eke out.

"I don't want you to think that because she's an old friend, that because she says this little girl is mine, that it changes anything between us."

"I won't," I assure him. But I know I'll have to remind myself of that fact a million times before this is over.

"Will you come out and talk to her with me? The little girl is still asleep. I put her on the couch in the office."

"Of course I will. Just let me clean up a bit."

I press my lips to his just before he pulls me into his arms for a bone-crushing hug. It's as though he wants to imprint his body, his love, his certainty onto my skin in a permanent way.

"Take your time. I'll wait," he says when he releases me. I get up and make my way slowly toward the bathroom. Cash holds onto my hand and then my fingers, right down to the very tips, until I take the step that separates us completely. The instant that small contact is broken, I feel bereft and oddly afraid, as though everything that was so solid two days ago is now as fragile as the most delicate of crystal.

I'm near tears again by the time I close the bathroom door. I go immediately to the sink to splash cold water on my face in hopes that that woman won't see that I'm upset. I can't show the slightest weakness. I get the feeling she'd exploit the hell out of it. I have no reason to think that, of course. Other than my strong and instant dislike of her. It's not worth risking, though, so I'll keep my strong face on, just in case.



       
         
       
        

When my hair is brushed, my teeth are brushed and I'm feeling a little less … off kilter, I rejoin my husband, who is pacing the room like a caged lion when I open the door.

I walk right over to him, lace my fingers through his and smile my biggest smile.

"Ready?"

He stares at me for a few seconds before he relents and returns my smile, jerking me roughly to him to plant a hard kiss on my mouth. "You and that damn smile … "

He bends his head and nips the skin of my neck, sending a shower of chills raining down my chest and shoulders.

"Did you say we needed to leave this room? Because if you keep this up, we won't be going anywhere," I tell him, warmth coiling in my stomach. No matter what else is going on, no matter how much drama and distress is swirling through our lives, we always have this. Always. A fire that can't be extinguished. A love that can't be quenched.

"Shit," I hear him grumble. He releases me again, just as reluctantly as he did a few minutes ago, and he looks down into my face. "Let's get this over with."

I take a deep breath, nod and hold on tight to his hand as he opens the door and pulls me out of our safe haven.





CHAPTER SIX



Cash



I feel protective of Olivia. I mean, I always do, but it's more pronounced now. Like, right now. At this moment, I feel the need to rescue her. From my past, from the people in it, from the uncertainties of the future.

Part of me wants to turn around, scoop her up and carry her as far away from here as I can get her. Only I can't do that. If Sophie is right, if this little girl is mine, I can't just abandon her. I can't just walk away. She's already been in this world and without a father for, what, nine years? I don't want to add even one more year to that number.

So here I go, walking into the stickiest of situations-trying to merge the past and the present, trying to integrate the woman from yesterday into my marriage of today.

I feel Olivia's fingers tighten around mine when we round the corner to find Sophie sitting about halfway down the bar, on a stool, slumped over like she's asleep.

I clear my throat and her head shoots up. When she locates us, her lips spread into a tentative smile. She gets up and stands beside the stool until we reach her. Her eyes are trained on Olivia.

"Do you mind if I say something first?" she asks, addressing my wife rather than me.

I glance down at Olivia. Her beautiful face is calm, not one bit of her inner turmoil showing through her creamy skin. "Of course not."