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Aw, honey, you know you’re only gonna find relief if it’s with me.

“So you like the ’stache,” I manage.

“On everyone else, I hate it. On you?” Mollie’s nostrils flare. “It’s like the second coming of Tom Selleck.”

I can’t stop laughing when this girl is around. “What a stud that man is.”

“Stone-cold fox,” Mollie says with a solemn shake of her head.

“To Mr. Selleck.” I hold out my glass. “And to Garrett.”

“To Dad.” Mollie clinks her cocktail against mine. “May we make him proud.”

“I think we’re doing better in that department now.” I sip my drink. Cold, crisp, delicious. Hint of citrus and spice. It’s the perfect cocktail after a long, hot day.

Mollie smacks her lips after a sip. “That’s so, so good, Cash. Wow.” She sips again. “You really think Dad would be proud of us?”

“I do.” I drink, the tequila hitting my bloodstream. “A murder/homicide hasn’t happened yet. You’re looking mighty fine on horseback. You and the cowboys get along, and Patsy and John B just adore you.” I meet her eyes. “You’re tryin’, Mollie. I think maybe that’s all he wanted when he gave you the ranch and said you had to live here for a bit. He wanted you to try it on.”

She blinks. “Why would he want that, though?”

“Not sure.” I shrug. “He knew you took after your mama. Could be he thought you might take after him too.”

“You think so?”

I set my glass down and lean my backside against the countertop. “I know so, honey.”

Her throat works as she swallows. “I like when you call me that. Sounds…so fucking good when you say it, Cash. By the way, is Cash your real name? Or is it a nickname?”

“It’s my real name.” My lips twitch. “My parents were obsessed with Johnny and June Carter Cash. The first song they danced to the night they met was ‘Walk the Line’.”

“Cute.”

“Right? Anyway, when they found out I was a boy, they knew right away they’d name me Cash Robert Rivers. Cash after Johnny, of course, and Robert after my grandfather.”

She grins. “That’s a good, strong name.”

“Thank you. Now get over here.”

Sipping her drink, she raises a brow. “Okay. Maybe I also like it a little bit when you tell me what to do.”

“You like it a lot. Get over here, honey.”

Mollie saunters toward me like I’m not about to yell from wanting her so bad. When she’s close enough, I reach out and grab her, yanking her against me so our hips are flush.

She lets out this startled, happy sound when I roll my erection against her.

“Already?” she pants.

“Already.”

“Let me finish this, then.” She drains most of her ranch water before setting it on the countertop beside mine. “Need some hydration before?—”

“I work you hard?” I bend down, wrap my arms aroundher knees, and toss her over my shoulder. “Good idea. You’re gonna need it.”

She laughs, and I make a beeline for the bedroom.

CHAPTER 23