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More than friends, less than…what?

Is he weirded out by the intense conversation we had through his bathroom door? Even now, my stomach flips at the thought that hestayed. Not only that, but he sat outside the door and made sure I was okay.

I cried, and I think he cried, too, and I’m so overwhelmedthat he opened up to me that my heart won’t quit pinging around my chest like a pinball.

Glancing at him, I take in his handsome profile. He ditched his cowboy hat and is wearing the backward baseball cap again. His scruff is darker and thicker than it was this morning.

A wave of desire hits me, hard, landing in the backs of my knees with this hot, tingly rush that makes me want to giggle and scream all at once. I hold the handle on the ATV’s frame in a death grip.

My heart takes a nosedive when the New House comes into view. I’m not ready for whatever this is to end.

Guess there’s no use fighting these feelings anymore. They’re clearly here to stay. I just can’t act on them.

I unbuckle my seat belt when Cash parks at the back door. “Thanks for the therapy session. And the tub.”

“Feel any better?”

“I do, yeah.”

Our eyes meet. The air between us vibrates.

Kiss me, you stupid bastard.

I want him to kiss me more than I’ve wanted something in a long, long time.

Scratch that. I wanted him to join me in the tub even more. I kept thinking about how hot it would be, literally and figuratively, if Cash slipped in behind me. Cradled me between those big thighs and then reached between mine.

“Well…” His Adam’s apple bobs.

I lick my lips, laughing nervously. “I’ll get these clothes back to you.”

“Keep ’em.” His eyes flick over me, one side of his mouth tipping up. “They look good on you.”

“Fishing for compliments now?” I grin. “Waiting for me to say they look better on you?”

He splays the hand he’s got on top of the wheel. “Well, yeah.”

You’re hot as fuck, and you know it. I don’t need to tell you that.

“Keep dreaming, cowboy.”

He laughs. “Get some rest. And keep taking that Advil.”

“Yessir.”

His eyes flash. “I like it when you call me sir.”

Must.

Get.

Inside.

Immediately. Or I’ll combust. Or do something really stupid and lean in and kiss him myself.

“Don’t get used to it.” I sniff, and then I make a mad dash for the house.

The next morning, I wake up sore, but not as sore as I thought I’d be. I worried I’d be pretty close to dead when my alarm went off at three thirty, even though Cash told me to take the day off. I don’t bound out of bed, but I’m able to walk to the bathroom without wanting to die.