The Bad Boy Wants Me(40)

‘I’ll tell my dad. He’ll know what to do.’

Suddenly tears fill my eyes when I think of Britney. How misunderstood she was. ‘Poor Britney,’ I whisper.

‘Hey, why are you crying?’ he asks, shocked.

‘Damn onions,’ I sniff.

‘What onions?’ he asks, as he scrambles over to my side of the bed, making some of the food tip onto the duvet.

‘You’re destroying the bed,’ I mumble, embarrassed that I cried in front of him.

He pushes me onto my back. ‘Your tough guy attitude is just an act, isn’t it? Inside you’re as soft as a marshmallow.’

‘No, I’m not,’ I deny.

‘Don’t,’ he says softly. ‘You’re beautiful when you cry for someone else.’





Chapter Twenty-one


Tori

After I put the food away we go for a walk in the lovely grounds with their flowering bushes and tall majestic trees. There are rabbits everywhere and I put the salad and cut carrots that I found in the picnic basket on the ground, and watch delighted as the tame creatures come up to us and eat them right in front of us. They are so cute that I make a video of them on my phone to show my niece.

When every last bit of food is gone and nose twitchers have scampered away, I suddenly spot a strawberry plant with a single, bright red strawberry nestled in the bushes.

‘Look at that,’ I cry. ‘It looks like a jewel.’

‘I’m going to get it for you,’ Cash says.

‘No, just leave it. You don’t know what’s hiding in the bushes,’ I warn.

‘I’m bigger than whatever’s hiding in there,’ he says, as he walks towards the plant. He stands in the middle of the bushes next to the strawberry plant and takes a bow.

‘And now to win the coveted prize for my lady,’ he says, and bending down plucks the strawberry with great flourish.

I shake my head and laugh. He brings it back to me and places it on my lips.

‘Your eyes are such an unusual green,’ I say, looking into the swirling green depths.

He shrugs carelessly. ‘When I was a baby they were like yours, bright blue. Then one day when I was about five they became green.’

Looking into those green depths, I open my mouth and take a bite.

‘Oh yeah, babyyyyy,’ he says in a deep sexy voice, as my tongue comes out to lick at the juice squirting down my lips.

Then his face changes, he blinks.

‘What?’

‘Oh fuck,’ he curses, and sitting on the grass starts ripping his shoes off and tossing them away. Then he stands up and starts unbuttoning and unzipping his jeans before yanking them urgently down his legs. He kicks the pants off and I see them.

Ants. Angry red ants. All over his legs.

Cursing, he begins slapping at them and frantically brushing them off his legs and I feel laughter bubbling up inside me. I can’t help it. I laugh so much I have to drop to the ground and hold my stomach. He collapses beside me.

‘I risk life and limb to get you a strawberry and you laugh at me,’ he says with mock petulance.

‘Excuse me, Mr. Act First Think Later, but I did warn you. Remember? I’m bigger than whatever’s hiding in the bushes? Though you were right about that bit.’

‘Funny girl. You can at least kiss me better,’ he says.

‘Let’s go back and get some ice on it,’ I suggest.

He laughs. ‘It doesn’t hurt that much. I was just trying it on.’

I punch his shoulder.

‘Awww,’ he screams.

I shake my head. ‘You’re such a drama queen.’

‘And you’re sour as balls.’

I look at him. ‘I’m sorry you got bitten by ants,’ I say, and spoil it by giggling.

He raises his eyebrows. ‘Doesn’t look like it.’

‘I tell you what. Let’s get your mind off your … er … injuries.’

‘I know exactly what’ll get my mind off the damn bites,’ he cuts in.

‘No, not that,’ I say quickly. ‘I’ll ask you a question and you answer me, but really fast without thinking about it.’

‘How is that going to help?’

‘It’ll be fun. Then you can turn around and ask me whatever you like, OK?’

He rubs his hands. ‘Cool.’

‘Right. First question. Name your favorite actor.’

‘Matthew McCononaughey.’

‘Favorite actress?

‘Angelina Jolie.’

I nod. ‘Name the actress that you fancy the most.’

‘She’s like god knows how old now, but Cameron Diaz.’

‘For real?’

‘Oh yeah, for real. And can I have one more?’

I grin. ‘Go on.’

He grins. ‘Jennifer Lawrence. Now she …’