Page 69 of Trust

He flops back onto the couch with a satisfied sigh.

“So?” I ask when he offers nothing.

He meets my gaze, already grinning. “Fine. First, training went well. She picks up fast. Strong instincts, good reaction time. That spin move?” He lets out a low hum of appreciation. “Not even my idea. She improvised it.”

“And the hole in the wall?” I point toward the area behind me, next to my head.

Cash winces. “Yeah, about that. Got a little enthusiastic. Sorry, man. But that’s not really what you’re asking, is it?”

I raise a brow.

His grin grows wider. “Told you I’d go for it when the moment came.”

My eyes narrow. “What exactly did you go for?”

He shrugs, not even trying to downplay it. “Kissed her.”

I keep my attention on him until he gives me more.

“Completely mutual,” he adds. “Didn’t push anything. It just happened. We were close. It felt right. She didn’t pull away.”

I take that in. Let it sit for a second. I’m not surprised. It’s Cash. Women always fall for him, sooner or later. He’s charming without trying, makes them ache for his attention. It isn’t some calculated thing; it’s who he is. You put someone as stunning as Sara, eighteen, curious, strong but still figuring herself out, in a cabin with him all day without any distractions from the outside world? Then add training, adrenaline, and physical closeness? Yeah, that was an easy setup.

This isn’t a fling for him. I know Cash. I’ve seen him mess around, flirt without emotion, entertain without investment. The way he talks about her, the way his face shifts when she enters the room, he’s in deep. And she, well, she didn’t pull away.

“How was it?” I ask, my tone even.

Cash drags a hand over his face like he needs a second to recalibrate. The reaction gives him away before he says a word. “I want to do it again,” he admits. “Touch her like that again. Find out what happens when I don’t stop.”

I don’t threaten to hold him back. There’s no point. She’s legal. She can consent. I know him too well to think he’d push her. If she allows it, if she wants it, I’m not standing in their way, as long as it doesn’t interfere with getting her home.

“You’re crushing hard,” I say, keeping my expression neutral.

“Don’t,” he warns.

“Not mocking.” I lift my hands in surrender. “I get it.”

He studies me, an eyebrow lifting. “Do you? Then tell me why I’m the one who kissed her first. You must have had a hundred opportunities, and don’t come at me with that she’s-a-job bullshit again. I may be slow at times, but I’m not blind.”

He’s not wrong, either. Every one of those moments, I felt it, thought about it, shut it down, again and again. Somewhere along the way, the crowned chaos I’d written her off as gave way to someone resilient, intelligent, and far more vulnerable than I’d assumed. Someone who trusts me enough to let me see it.

That changed me, and I’m only now realizing I’m done resisting.

Cash bends forward, elbows on his knees, the weight of his focus heavy on me, lit with an amused glint. “Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine you at a loss for words.”

That earns a snort, but before I can fire back, a tiny tear on the side of my shirt catches my eye. It’s barely noticeable except for the drop of red right below it. I lift the hem to check.

Yep. Blood. Mine.

“You’ve got to be kidding me,” I mutter.

Cash laughs. “No way. She got you?”

“Second time,” I say, staring at the mark.

“Damn,” Cash chuckles. “She’s getting good. You keep this up, she might actually take you out next time.” He reclines, folding his arms behind his head. “Then I get to keep her all to myself.”

“Like you’d want that,” I say, letting the sarcasm shine.