Tough Luck (A-List Security 1)

“Just keep giving me a next time. That’s all I need.” He squeezed me closer.

“You can have all the next times you want.” That was what I needed. This right here and the next time and the time after that. Cash staying. He was right. This was fast, new, and terrifying, and all I wanted was to be brave enough to reach for it.

Chapter Thirty-Four

Cash

“Are we alone now?” Danny came down the stairs and into the kitchen in the flannel pants he’d worn last night. “I thought I heard Harley leave?”

He craned his neck, looking around before advancing on me with a decidedly feral gaze. I loved him all cozy in pajamas, and leaving him late at night to sneak back downstairs had sucked. I hadn’t slept much on the couch, and I wanted nothing more than to let Danny have whatever big idea was running through his brain. But we couldn’t.

“Harley was needed on set.” I held up a hand, but that didn’t stop Danny from wrapping himself around me.

“Excellent.”

“Except for the part where your brother is on his way over with coffee.” I managed to get the warning out right before Danny bit my neck, making me shiver all over. The urge to pin him against the fridge was a real struggle.

“Darn.” Danny’s smile dimmed then brightened again. “But he’s not here now. And I can be quick.”

“I can’t.” I gave him a pointed look before gently untangling myself from him.

“You’re too tense.” Staying close, he rubbed my shoulders. “Are you really planning to talk to Duncan?”

“Yeah. I kind of have to.” The strain of having rehearsed what I needed to say multiple times during the sleepless hours of the night showed in my voice.

“Not for me.”

“For me,” I countered, stepping away, not sure how much more of his tender concern I could take. “Duncan trusts me. That matters. Growing up, no one trusted my folks. Duncan’s trusted me way beyond the call of duty.”

“I get that.” Danny’s voice was as gentle as his touch had been.

“I’m not going to carry on behind his back indefinitely. That’s not fair to any of us, you included. You deserve more than sneaking around.”

“You’re a good man, Cash Erwin.” He drew me close, and this time I let him, sinking into him for a soft kiss that felt more like a reward than seduction. Comforting. I let myself wallow in it for several long seconds before the security monitor beeped on the counter, alerting us to activity at the front gate.

“He’s here.” I reluctantly pulled away.

“Should I go shower?” Danny asked. “I want to stay and give you moral support and also tell him to stuff any objections, but I can also give you privacy.”

“Make it a short shower, but yeah, I’d like a minute.” I appreciated him giving me the option. I wasn’t entirely sure why, but this felt like something I needed to do on my own. “Is that okay?”

“Yep. In a number of ways, you’ve known him longer than I have. I understand.” He gave me a fast hard kiss before darting back upstairs moments before Duncan rapped on the front door. He had the code, so him waiting to be let in was nice and gave me a chance to take a deep breath before opening the door. Holding a tray of way-too-fancy coffees balanced on a white bakery box, he smiled on his way into the house.

“What’s this?” I asked, voice coming out too hearty, like Danny’s when he tried to fake being okay. “You’re going to eat something other than a protein bar before noon?”

“Yeah, well, I figured you need to keep your strength up after yesterday. How’s the arm?” He nodded in the direction of my bandaged arm as we made our way to the kitchen.

“A little sore, but not bad,” I lied. The hours on the couch hadn’t helped at all, and I was stiff enough to debate whether over-the-counter painkillers would be a good idea.

Duncan laughed like he knew I was bluffing. “Which means it hurts like a fucker, but you’ll never let on.”

“Maybe.” I tried to smile, but I wasn’t sure I succeeded.

“Where’s Danny?” Duncan peered around me, neck moving exactly like Danny’s had. Neither would ever admit it, but they had way more in common than I’d thought at first.

“Showering.”

“Ah.” Duncan set down the coffee and the box. Extracting a croissant, he sized me up with a calculating look. “So, in other words, he’s giving you space to come clean about whatever the hell you guys have going?”

I could feel the blood leave my face. Shit. I should have known he’d guess. “Did Harley say something?”

I hadn’t been entirely certain Harley was asleep when I’d finally made my way out of Danny’s room the night before. His breathing had seemed too deliberate, but neither of us had spoken.