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CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Declan

When Cash and I arrived at The Rusty Hook, only two other boats bobbed at the dock and one lone group sat around a table on the deck, a cloud of smoke drifting from their cigarettes.

I laced our fingers together, holding Cash’s hand as we went up the steps. He shot me a smile. “This is pretty different from the last time we were here, huh?”

The last time…

Oh. The night Sawyer kissed Cash, and I’d stormed out like a jealous fool.

I winced. “I tried to pretend I wasn’t upset over that kiss.”

Cash’s lips quirked. “I remember. Good thing you have a bad poker face, huh? I knew you cared more than you wanted me to know.”

“Yeah,” I agreed. “Real good thing.”

Cash paused to kiss me before we went through the door. “Just for the record, I prefer kissing you to anyone else.”

“Good, because I’m the last man you’re ever going to kiss.”

Shit. That sounded bad.

Cash just laughed. “I’m going to take that in a fairytale-ending way instead of the creeper serial killer vibes you just gave off.”

“Sorry.” I chuckled. “That sounded better in my head.”

He grinned. “I like that you’re not holding everything inside anymore. And, uh…” He leaned in close. “I kinda dig the threatening vibe. Don’t hurt me, Daddy. I’ll be a good boy.”

I shoved him through the door while he laughed. Freaking brat.

The pub was relatively quiet on a Wednesday night, so we had our pick of tables. I chose one by the bay window with a great view of the sun setting over the lake.

Orange and pink streaked across a lavender sky, its reflection bouncing across rippling water, creating a mirror effect.

“Sometimes I forget how beautiful it is here.” I shook my head. “I can’t believe I actually considered leaving that view.”

“Not to mention this one.” Cash pointed to his face and fluttered his lashes.

I grinned. “Well, of course. That’s my favorite view.”

“Good answer.” He nudged my foot with his playfully. “Because you’re going to be stuck with it forever, apparently.”

He was teasing me about that last man you’ll ever kiss crack, and probably would do so for the rest of our lives.

I just smiled. “Lucky me.”

We picked up the menus, and when the server came by, we placed our orders. Cash asked for a burger with loaded fries, eating like someone who didn’t yet understand the toll shitty food would take on his body. I ordered the skillet trout and summer veggies because sadly, I wasn’t in my twenties anymore.

We both got the beer on draft, since it was on special.

“Kat could have come with us, you know,” I said, apropos of nothing. “I don’t want her to think she’s a third wheel.”

“That’s sweet, but I don’t usually invite her on dates.”

“You know what I mean. We’re more than dating. We’re all living together as a…” I hesitated, not wanting to cross a line.

“What?”

“Well, we’re kind of like a family now, right?” I wet my lips nervously. “I mean, I know it hasn’t been very long, and I’m not saying I could ever replace her parents. I just…want her to feel welcome.”

Cash reached for my hand. “Declan, that is sweetest thing I’ve ever heard. You’re lucky we’re in public.”

“I am?”

He lowered his voice. “I seriously want to throw you over the table and rip your clothes off.”

“Oh, uh…yeah. Probably not the best time for it.”

He smiled, a sexy tilt to his lips. “You just let me know when the time is right.”

“I will,” I promised, nudging his foot this time.

“But don’t worry about Kat. She’s out with her friend Jenna for the first time in weeks. She’s really happy that we left home.” He chewed his bottom lip. “It looks like I made the right choice.”

“Of course you did. I know you’ve been worried about your mom.”

He nodded. “Yeah.”

“But Skylar is a great employer. She’s going to be okay.”

He smiled, some of the tension leaving his body. “She is, isn’t she? This job is a great opportunity for her.”

“It’s very good timing,” I agreed.

Almost too good. I wondered if I should send Skylar a thank-you card. I doubted he’d hire Mrs. Hicks if she wasn’t qualified, but the fact she was Cash’s mom certainly hadn’t hurt her chances, either. Skylar looked out for his friends.

And Cash seemed more relaxed than I’d seen him since he’d walked away from his parents.

Darlene returned with our drinks, and we chatted about our workdays, passing the time companionably enough.

“I’m anxious to see the greenhouse come together,” I said. “Gray has had too many boat tours to do much more than frame it out.”

“It’s their busy season.”

I nodded. “I know. I’m not complaining. Gray has been amazing. I’m so grateful.”

Cash gave me a mock glare. “Don’t appreciate him too much. You’ve already got a boyfriend.”

“A very wise boyfriend who got me some qualified help.”

“That’s right. I should get all the credit for Gray’s work.”

I raised an eyebrow as I raised my beer for a drink.

Cash smirked. “What? Too much?”

“Just a little.”

Cash’s eyes widened. “Oh shit, look who it is.”

I turned toward the door, expecting to see Cash’s gaggle of friends crashing our dinner. Always a risk when at The Rusty Hook, where they hung out often. But I was okay with that because the goal tonight was to make Cash happy. If that meant hanging out with friends, that was just fine.

But it wasn’t any of the usual crowd we’d seen at the cookout.

Danny and Abe had just stepped inside together, looking like the coziest, most mismatched couple ever.

Danny leaned in close, his head barely reaching Abe’s shoulder. Abe had one giant hand pressed against Danny’s back, guiding him through the doorway.

Danny’s gaze landed on us, and he grinned and waved, heading in our direction.

“Do you mind if they join us?” Cash asked. “I can tell him we want to be alone.”

“No, it’s fine,” I said. “After all, you still owe him a date.”

Cash swatted my arm with a snort. “That was just a scheme to get Abe.”

“So you say,” I muttered, though I couldn’t entirely hide my smile.

Cash rolled his eyes. “Abe is looking at Danny like he’s the best thing since freshly baked bread. I don’t think you need to worry.”

“Oh, I’m not worried,” I said. “If I worried about every guy interested in you, I’d probably stroke out.”

Cash’s eyes widened as he laughed. “What?”

I nodded toward the side of the room, where a young guy—clearly a tourist judging by his brand-new Swallow Cove T-shirt—was checking out my boyfriend.

Cash winced. “I was hoping you didn’t notice that.”

So, Cash had seen him watching. I shouldn’t be surprised. He’d worked pubs like this for hookups for years.

Cash half stood, leaning over the table. He cupped my face and leaned in, so close I could see the striations of color in his blue eyes, little flecks of green encircling dark pupils. Pupils that were dilating.

“I only want you,” he said, right before he kissed the hell out of me in front of the whole pub.

His kiss was aggressive, pressing in and demanding I open for him. I hadn’t been kissed this way since the night I’d invited him to take me without holding back.

He was claiming me, I realized. Showing me that no one else mattered. Showing them, too.

I raised a hand to his face, brushing my thumb over his scruff, so damn grateful that I had a man who would make me feel like the center of his world.

“Whew! Are we interrupting something?”

Cash drew back, eyes still on mine. “I don’t know,” he said. “Are they?”

I shook my head, struck mute by the emotions clogging my throat. Cash dropped back into his seat with a satisfied smile. It was a little smug, probably one I’d have taken as arrogant when we first met. Now, I knew it was more of a promise than a brag. He wanted me to know he’d kiss me again that way anytime I wanted.

I shifted in my chair, surprised to find that I did want it quite a bit just now. I wasn’t an exhibitionist, but Cash’s devotion to me was damn inspiring.

“Good,” Danny said, dropping into one of the open seats at the table. “Because now I really want to join.” He wiggled his brows and reached for Abe’s hand, tugging him down into the chair beside him. “Right, babe?”

Abe blushed as prettily as any schoolkid with a crush, but he didn’t argue.

“Isn’t he the cutest?” Danny continued, as if we were in the middle of a conversation. “He’s so shy.”

Abe sighed, but when Danny leaned in, he slung his arm over his shoulders with a tiny smile.

“So,” Cash said, “did Danny tell you the lengths he was willing to go to for your attention, Abe?”

Danny gasped dramatically. “How can you do me dirty like that, Cash? I thought we were friends!”

“I mean, I’m just making sure Abe understands what he’s getting into,” Cash teased. “You’re a handful.”

“Oh trust me, Abe knows exactly how many handfuls I am.” He winked.

“Dear god,” Abe muttered.

I chuckled, taking pity on the guy. “So, how are you liking Swallow Cove now that you’ve had time to settle in?”

He cast a warm look at his spitfire boyfriend. He was continuing to speak in so much innuendo with Cash it was like the two of them had another language.

“It’s been…surprising.”

I smiled to myself. “Life can be that way.”

Abe glanced at Cash with a wry tilt to his lips. “We didn’t stand a chance, did we?”

I chuckled. “No, I don’t think we did.”

“Lucky us,” he said, fondness coating his words.

I couldn’t disagree.

By the time we left, it was fully dark, with bright stars sparkling in a velvet sky. Cash sat beside me, head tilted back as he drank in the sight. “Tonight was really great. Thanks for taking me out.”

“I’ll take you out anytime you want,” I said. “Just because I’m a homebody doesn’t mean you have to be.”

He rolled his head toward the left, smile soft and sweet. “I like being at home with you, too, you know? My job gives me plenty of social outlet with all the people I meet.”

“No kidding,” I said. “I don’t know how you do it, but you charm every guest.”

With Cash’s charisma, I could probably happily run the B&B for years to come. But of course, I’d never have that. Although, I did have Cash by my side now…

That changed things, didn’t it?

We tied up the boat behind the B&B and disembarked, a gentle breeze fluttering our hair as we stepped onto the dock.

It was a sweet, balmy night. I was relaxed and happy.

In love.

“Hey, Cash,” I said.

He turned toward me. “Yeah?”

“Remember when you said to tell you when it was the right time to rip my clothes off?”

His lips were on mine in a heartbeat, warm and inviting. He wasn’t forceful yet, still testing the waters with a tentative brush of tongue.

I kissed him back, opening for him, and giving back too, the want building gradually, rising from a simmer to a boil.

Cash trailed kisses along my jaw to my throat.

“It’s such a nice night,” I murmured.

He paused. “Does that mean I should stop?”

“No.” I threaded my fingers in his hair and tugged him back enough to look into his eyes. “I want you out here.”

He shuddered. “Fuck, really?”

“Is that too exposed for you?” I asked. “I don’t think anyone’s outside, but?—”

“Hell no.” He ripped his T-shirt off and shoved his shorts and underwear down. In three quick moves, he was entirely naked in front of me.

I sank to my knees, and he sucked in a sharp breath as I leaned in to brush my lips along his hard shaft. I raised my eyes to his. “It was really moving the way you claimed me tonight, kissing me in front of everyone.”

He swallowed. “Yeah? I’m glad that didn’t embarrass you.”

“No. We’re so different. Sometimes I need reassurance.”

Cash waved to his dick. “This is only for you now, Declan. I’m yours.”

The affirmation sent a wave of affection through me. I leaned in and took him into my mouth, sucking him slow and sweet, savoring the sounds he made as I edged him toward his end.

Cash tangled his fingers in my hair, holding tight. His eyes clenched and his jaw tightened. “Gonna?—”

He came in a wash of cum over my tongue. I did my best to swallow, sputtering a little. Cash dropped to his knees and kissed me hard, sweeping his tongue in and tasting himself on me.

He dropped his hand to the bulge in my shorts, caressing my length. “My turn.”

He pushed me down onto my back and attacked the button on my shorts. I stared up at the sparkling sky, need dancing through my body as Cash swallowed me down.

Heat, pressure, then sweet, sweet friction.

I came in a rush, my cry echoing and my pleasure pouring out to the whole sky.

We cleaned up in the lake and started toward the house, both of us exchanging goofy smiles. I’d surprised him tonight—surprised myself a little too—but I loved the freedom to express my love in whatever way felt right to me in the moment.

Sex. Kisses. Cuddles. Hugs.

Cash took whatever form of love I had to give, and he treasured it equally.

“Tonight was—” I stopped short as the sound of an engine cut through the night. “What was that? No one should be out right now.”

Cash’s eyes widened, and he took off running for The Roost. Shit, had the vandals returned? I pulled out my phone, but the security cameras showed no notifications.

Cash met me at the base of the hill, shaking his head. “Everything looks fine. Maybe one of your guests was out late?”

“No, not tonight. Do you really think I’d have done all that if I thought someone could watch?” I swallowed as bile rose in my throat. “God, you don’t think?—”

“No,” Cash said. “Of course not. The motor sounded more distant. They were probably nowhere near us.”

He was probably saying that to make me feel better, but I was relieved anyway.

“I think we should take a look around,” Cash said. “Be sure nothing else was disturbed. Maybe a tourist got lost and used your property to turn around.”

It wasn’t the worst theory. And I liked it a hell of a lot more than vandalism. We did a more thorough check of The Roost, checked out the Tree Hut, then headed toward the greenhouse.

I could just make out its shadowy shape in the moonlight.

“Shit,” Cash said.

“What?” I turned on my phone flashlight, shining it around, looking for what had made Cash react that way. It wasn’t what he was seeing, though, but what he wasn’t seeing. “Goddamn it.”

The piles of polycarbonate sheeting for the walls were missing. The industrial toolbox Gray had kept out here was gone, too. Every hammer, every nail, every extra plank of wood.

All gone.

Someone had stolen all our supplies. And now, under the glow of my flashlight, I saw they’d graffitied the shit out of the framing with red spray paint.

Not just Xes this time. A warning, too.

LEAVE.

“I have to call the sheriff,” I said numbly.

“I’m so sorry,” Cash said. “You’re probably wishing you’d just sold to those developers and avoided all this trouble, huh?”

“What? No.” I waved a hand toward the greenhouse, anger flashing through me. “If I’d sold, I wouldn’t have seen my aunt’s dream fulfilled and realized it’s my dream too. I won’t be chased off by whoever the hell is pulling these stunts. This is my B&B, and no one gets to tell me to leave.”

Cash watched me, a furrow in his brow illuminated in the glow of our phone flashlights. “I thought you wanted to sell the B&B, anyway?”

I looked from the obvious confusion on his face to the greenhouse that I’d begun to daydream about every day.

“Right, I…uh…just meant no one gets to tell me what to do.”

“Is that what you meant though?”

My stomach clenched and my mouth went dry. “I don’t know. I just…I loved the idea of this greenhouse so much. I was already envisioning what I could grow in there. Pearl and Ruth Marie thought I could sell produce at the Outdoor Market, but…” I shook my head with a nervous chuckle. “Those are just silly daydreams.”

Cash stepped in close, grasping my face. “Declan, sweetheart, if you don’t want to leave the B&B, it’s okay.”

“But…that was the plan. We remodel and we find someone who wants to run it, because I can’t keep doing that.”

He nodded. “I know. But if you’re happy here, maybe there’s another solution. You could hire a manager to run the B&B and?—”

“But that’s stupid.”

Cash stopped short, looking wounded.

“Okay. Never mind.”

I realized how badly that must have sounded. I grasped his arm, tugging him closer. “No, no, I just mean why would I hire a manager when you’re perfect for the job?”

He blinked. “You mean…”

“If you wanted to do it, yes, it’d be the perfect solution. I don’t want to be the face of the B&B. I don’t want the pressure of entertaining guests. But you’re so good at it, Cash, and you’re my partner now, right? If I stay, you’ll stay too. But—” I winced. “You probably want to work at the resort with your friends.”

“Well, now, that’s stupid,” he teased me with a smile. “Of course I’d choose running your B&B over just about anything else in the world.”

The fact either of us could smile right now, standing next to the scene of a crime with a call to the authorities imminent, had to mean something.

“Our B&B,” I said as a sense of rightness welled inside me. “It would be ours if we did this.”

He took a breath. “Okay, then, I guess we better get the sheriff out here so we can nail these bastards who are targeting our B&B.”