‘A celebrity you wouldn’t want to do?’ I interrupt quickly.
‘Kim Kardashian.’
I look at him curiously. ‘Why?’
‘Have you seen her sex tape? Man that’s one lazy woman.’
I laugh. ‘Seriously?’
‘Seriously, someone showed it to me.’
‘Right, favorite color?’
‘Lucky blue.’
‘Favorite food?’
‘Macaroni and cheese.’
‘Favorite musical artist?’
‘Aww, babe. That’s like asking me to choose between my ribs. They’re all necessary.’
I smile. ‘Give me a few.’
‘Led Zeppelin, Prince, Chuck Berry, Pink Floyd, Bob Dylan, Tupac, Michael Jackson, The Beatles, Oasis, Coldplay, Green Day, The Killers, Maroon Five. The list goes on.’
‘Are you secretly gay?’
His eyes widen. ‘Come here, you little …’
I giggle. ‘Favorite word?’
‘Sex.’
I shake my head. ‘Do you have to be so predictable?’
He opens his palms out. ‘What’d you want from me? I’m a man.’
‘Biggest regret in life?’
‘Pass.’
‘Biggest mistake in life?’
‘Pass.’
We stare in each other’s eyes and I realize he has a huge regret that he doesn’t want to talk about.
‘Favorite TV show?’ I ask.
‘Fresh Prince of Bel Air. Is it my turn yet?’
I grin at him. ‘Yes, it’s your turn.’
‘Your smile is killing me.’
I feel myself blush at the intensity in his eyes. ‘That’s not a question. You’re supposed to be asking questions.’
‘Can I have your number?’
‘No.’
He laughs. ‘Favorite movie?’
‘How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days.’
He nods sagely. ‘Ah … Now it all makes sense.’
‘You’re supposed to fire the questions really quickly,’ I remind.
‘Favorite animal?’
‘Hummingbird.’
His eyebrows rise. ‘Favorite color?’
‘Green.’
‘Favorite person?’
‘My mom.’
‘Favorite singer?’
‘You.’
He freezes. ‘I thought you didn’t like my songs,’ he says slowly.
‘I love your voice, I just don’t dig your music,’ I reply quietly.
He stares at me. ‘I’m done playing. Let’s go back to our room.’
My heart flutters as he takes my hand. Then we are running back to our room. We arrive breathless, laughing.
I love this man. God, I love him so much.
I was so tired after we had sex I nodded off. One moment I’m lying in Cash’s arms and the next I’m gone. When I wake up again it is dark and I am alone in the bed. I remember we went into the vast bathroom and bathed in the stunning glass roll top bath. Our bodies slipped and slid over each other.
How I had giggled.
I wrap myself up in the bedsheet and go outside. I find Cash on the terrace. He is sitting on the floor wearing his jeans. The picnic basket is open and there is food all around him.
He turns his head to look at me, his lips greasy, a chicken drumstick grasped between his fingers.
‘You sick freak! Eating chicken after dark like a caveman,’ I say softly.
‘Want to see what else I do after dark like a caveman?’ he asks.
I smile. ‘What time is it?’
‘Nearly nine. Are you hungry? There’s still loads of food here, or they have an award winning restaurant downstairs. We could eat something.’
‘Nah, I really should get back.’
‘You sure you don’t want to stay the night?’ He sounds disappointed.
‘Yeah.’
He stands and comes towards me. ‘Why not?’
‘I don’t think my aunt would like it. It’s setting a bad example for my niece. Kids nowadays are so sharp. They pick everything up. Besides, it’s a big thing for Tabitha and me to make pancakes for breakfast on Sunday morning. It’s like a tradition … ’ I trail off because he is watching me, his perfect teeth gleaming in the dark.
‘I know why my father chose you now,’ he says, smiling big.
Chapter Twenty-two
Cash
‘Are you two coming in?’ Tori’s aunt asks after yanking open the door so suddenly that Tori almost falls into the house.
Automatically I reach out and grab Tori’s arm while she finds her footing again.
‘Oh, I’m sorry, dear. Were you leaning against the door?’ her clueless aunt asks.
I try to keep a straight face as Tori mumbles something indistinct and her aunt turns towards me. ‘Would you like to come in for a drink?’
‘Actually, I’ve got to hit the road.’