While It Lasts (Sea Breeze 3)

“I need to get back to the house,” she said and started to move back to the door.

“Please don’t go. I won’t tease you anymore, I promise.” I wanted her to stay. I wanted to get to know her and I wanted her to trust me enough to tell me the truth about that ring on her finger.

I could see the indecision on her face. That was a good sign. Some part of her wanted to stay here. “Aren’t you exhausted?” she asked.

I was extremely exhausted but I wasn’t ready to give her up just yet. “Not really, just lonely. All my friends are an hour away. I need a friend here.”

Eva stepped over and sat down on the very end of the bed. She was staying.

“Are you asking me to be your friend, Cage York?”

Not exactly. But for now, friends would do. “I guess I am.”

“Why would you want me for a friend? I’ve been nothing but mean to you since you got here.”

Because you fascinate me. She wasn’t ready to hear that yet. “I’m guessing you control whether or not my sheets get washed. I figured if we were buds then that would happen more often.”

“No, you control whether or not your sheets get washed. You know where the soap and water are located,” she shot back at me.

She really was a snot when she wanted to be. “Well, in that case I’m going to have to get a female out here who likes me enough to help me out.”

I could see by her expression that she thought I was joking. I wasn’t. I really intended to call Low and get her to stop by my place and get me some clean sheets and a couple washcloths and towels. I also needed some shampoo and soap. I was tired of washing my hair and body with the dish detergent that I’d found under the sink by the feed station.

“Good luck with that,” she chirped.

I finished off my last sub and opened the bag of chips before leaning back against the wall and propping my legs up on the bed. “You might be surprised what I can wrangle up.”

Eva rolled her eyes and shifted so she was facing me. “Your ego knows no bounds, does it?”

I popped another chip into my mouth and chewed slowly enjoying the grease. Eva studied me as I chewed. Her eyes dropped down to my neck. What was she looking at my neck for? Then the tip of her pink tongue darted out and licked her bottom lip. Well, damn.

I was only so strong. I set the bag of chips on the bed and swung my legs back down to the floor. Her eyes widened in surprise and lifted back up to meet my gaze. I stopped in front of her and reached down to take her hand and pull her up until she was standing. I gently tugged her up against me then before she had time to think or refuse I covered her plump red lips with mine.

She was stiff in my arms for only a moment. Her lips loosened up and she began eagerly kissing me back. I took a small nip on her upper lip then trailed small kisses across her bottom lip and licked each warm corner. When a sigh escaped her mouth, I took complete advantage and slipped my tongue inside the dark warmth of hers. It was sweeter than I’d imagined. She tasted like lemonade and sunshine. Her tongue began to join in on the exploring and for the first time in my life my knees went a little weak.

I slipped both of my hands around her waist and settled them on her hips. I wanted to explore her body the way I was getting to explore the silky confines of her mouth but I wasn’t sure she was ready for more. Slowly her hands slid up my chest over the soft cotton of my tee shirt. She ran the pads of her thumbs over my ni**les and I gripped her waist tighter forcing myself to keep my hands in a safe area. Fuck, when had I ever kept my damn hands in a safe area? How the hell did I know what a safe area was?

The soft moan that escaped her mouth was my undoing. My hands slipped up her ribs and cupped both of her boobs. The hard pebble of her ni**les pressed against the fabric of her bra and shirt. That wasn’t enough. I needed more. I reached down and began lifting up the hem of her shirt while eagerly dropping kisses along her jawline and nibbling on her ear.

“Cage, no.”

I froze. Motherfucker.

I let the hem of her top fall back down over her bare stomach and I stepped away from her. The smell of her skin and taste of her lips clung to me. Closing my eyes, I took a deep breath. That wasn’t enough. I needed more distance.

“Then go,” I replied in a ragged breath.

“I’m sorry—“

“Don’t be sorry. No reason to be. I just need you to go,” I managed to choke out.

Once the door closed behind her I turned and opened the shower curtain then reached in and turned it on cold.

Eva

Sleep had eluded me. Every time I closed my eyes all I could see was that kiss. Then it would switch and I would be kissing Josh. It wasn’t as passionate and insane. It hadn’t felt as wickedly delicious. Then the guilt would set in. Josh had been perfect and good. Josh had loved me and only me. Cage was nothing good and far from perfect except for his outer appearance. Cage just liked women. He didn’t love me. He’d never love anyone. I had to be the worst kind of person to even admit that Cage York’s kiss had been the most mind-blowing thing I’d ever experienced when Josh had kissed me many times. He’d held me in his arms and danced with me in the moonlight. How could I think Cage’s meaningless kiss felt better than even a moment in Josh’s presence?

Throwing the covers back I gave up trying to sleep late. I grabbed a pair of shorts and a short-sleeved top from my closet and headed down the hall for my bathroom. Cage would be leaving today. Should I let him go without saying anything to him about my abrupt departure last night or should I go ahead and talk this out now? I decided I’d get it over with instead of thinking about it all day long?

Once I was clean and dressed, I headed outside. A silver hatchback was parked in the driveway. Cage’s ride must be here. I made my way down to the barn and noticed the truck he used for work was gone. Had he gone to do something before he left?

The barn door swung open and out walked a curvy redhead. She was carrying what looked like bed sheets and a towel. When her eyes met mine she smiled and began walking toward me. The short skirt she was wearing showcased a pair of really amazing legs. I hated her. Then she got close enough for me to see the crystal green color of her eyes and I really, really hated her. Who was she and why was she in my barn?

“Hey, I’m Willow, a friend of Cage’s. I brought him clean sheets and some towels and washcloths. I thought I’d take these home with me today and wash them. He can bring them back this evening. That way he can have an extra set.”