Chapter 12
Mike
Iwas sitting in a corner booth at the diner, nursing a cup of coffee, and trying to ignore the ache that reminded me of my poor decisions the night before.
Letting Cash Callahan fuck me senseless wasn’t exactly the worst decision I’d ever made.
But it was definitely in my top five. Because now, despite whatever had happened between us, Cash was still going to be living at the parsonage for some time.
We had to get on with our day-to-day business while knowing full well what we’d done.
For him, that might not be a problem. But I knew myself.
Cash had been one of the best fucks I’d had in years, possibly ever.
And that meant, no matter how hard I tried, I wouldn’t be able to look at him the same.
That made him dangerous to be around. He now held a power over me.
I’d never be able to look into his eyes and not think of the way his thick cock felt inside me.
That didn’t sound exactly proper for a preacher in a small town. Not to mention, Cash was a broken man. Even after fucking me, he refused to talk about anything personal. He’d kicked me out of his room for even asking.
This was just the same as last time, right before everything went wrong.
The entire idea of it made my stomach turn.
And yet, no matter how much I told myself to ignore it, some burning part of me wanting to make the same mistakes all over again with Cash.
Besides, he wasn’t going to be around for long, right? Easy come, easy go.
“How are you today, Pastor?” Dolly said, appearing at my table with a coffee pot in her hand. I pushed my cup to the edge of the table so she could refill it. “You look wound up like a nine-day clock, sugar.”
“Just got a lot on my mind,” I said, forcing a smile that probably looked more like a grimace. The coffee was hot and strong, exactly what I needed after the night I’d had. “The rebuilding efforts and all.”
Dolly gave me a knowing look, like she could see straight through my flimsy excuse. “Mmhmm. Wouldn’t have anything to do with that handsome houseguest of yours, would it?”
I nearly choked on my coffee. “What? No! Why would you—”
“Relax, Pastor,” she chuckled, patting my shoulder. “I just meant he seems like a handful. Brooks mentioned Cash has been giving everyone a hard time since he got back. If he’s anything like he was as a kid, you’ve got your hands full.”
“Oh,” I breathed, willing my heart rate to slow down. “Right. Yes, he’s... complicated, I guess.”
“That’s one way to put it,” Dolly said, leaning against the booth. “That boy’s carrying more baggage than the airport lost and found. James did him wrong, kicking him out like that. That man had his head shoved so far up his butt sometimes…”
I nodded, not trusting myself to speak. So everyone in town knew about Cash’s past. Everyone except me, apparently, until Beau had filled me in.
“Anyway,” Dolly continued, “I came over to ask if you’d help me with somethin’.”
“Of course,” I said, grateful for the change of subject. “What do you need?”
“Well, I was thinking about doing a little fundraiser. For the folks who lost everything in the tornado. A karaoke night here at the diner. Charge ten bucks a head, all proceeds go to the relief fund. That sort of thing.”
“That sounds like a wonderful idea,” I said sincerely. The thought of the community coming together, even for something as simple as karaoke, warmed my heart. “I’d be happy to help however I can.”
“Great!” Dolly beamed. “I figured we could do it next Saturday. That gives people enough time to prepare their songs and spread the word. And I’ve already got all the equipment here, so no need to go out and rent anythin’.”
“Sounds perfect,” I said, already mentally checking my calendar. “I’d be happy to help promote it at the church. Maybe we could put up some flyers around town too?”
“That would be wonderful,” Dolly smiled, refilling my cup again though I’d barely made a dent. “I was also hopin’ you might sing somethin’ yourself. Show the folks you’re not just all sermons and prayers.”
I felt my face flush. “Oh, I don’t know about that...”
“Come on now,” she pressed, her eyes twinkling. “Everyone loves a singin’ pastor. Besides, it’ll help people see you as one of them. That’s important in a small town like this.”
She had a point. I’d only been in Sagebrush a short time, and anything that helped me connect with the community was worth considering. Even if it meant making a fool of myself with a microphone.
“I’ll think about it,” I promised, which made Dolly beam.
“That’s all I ask,” she said, patting my shoulder before moving on to the next table.
I sipped my coffee, wincing as I shifted in the booth.
The dull ache in my backside was a constant reminder of last night’s activities.
Cash hadn’t been gentle, just as I’d asked.
The memory of his hands gripping my hips, his voice rough in my ear as he claimed me completely.
.. I felt heat rising to my face again, and not from embarrassment this time.
My jeans were clearly not built for those kinds of thoughts.
The bell above the door jingled, and I glanced up out of habit.
My heart nearly stopped when I saw Cash himself walk in, looking frustratingly good in worn jeans and a tight black t-shirt.
His hair was tousled, like he’d just rolled out of bed, and there was a day’s worth of stubble darkening his jaw.
Our eyes met across the diner, and for a moment, neither of us moved. Then Cash’s lips curved into a knowing smirk that sent heat straight to my groin. He knew exactly what he’d done to me, and he was enjoying every minute of my discomfort. The man delighted in my torture.
I dropped my gaze to my coffee cup, praying he wouldn’t come over. Of course, because God has a wicked sense of humor sometimes, I heard boots approaching my table.
“Mornin’, Pastor,” Cash drawled, sliding into the booth across from me without waiting for an invitation. “Fancy seein’ you here.”
“Cash,” I managed, my voice remarkably steady considering the circumstances. “I didn’t expect to see you up so early.”
“Slept like a baby,” he replied, his smirk widening. “Must’ve worn myself out last night.”
I glanced around nervously, but no one was paying us any attention. “Could you keep your voice down?” I hissed.
“Why?” he asked innocently. “I was just talkin’ about how I helped move some furniture around. What did you think I meant?”
Before I could respond, Dolly appeared at our table again, coffee pot in hand.
“Cash Callahan,” she said, her tone warm despite the appraising look she gave him. “I knew I recognized you the first time you came in. But I couldn’t put my finger on exactly who you were. Been a long time, sugar. You want some coffee?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he replied, his Texas drawl thicker than usual. He flipped over the mug in front of him. “Black, please.”
Dolly filled his cup, then looked between us with curious eyes. “You two getting along all right at the parsonage?”
“Just fine,” Cash answered before I could, his eyes never leaving my face. “Pastor Mike’s been very... accommodating.”
I choked on my coffee again, earning concerned looks from both of them.
“Wrong pipe,” I coughed, waving off their concern. “I’m fine.”
“Well, I’ll leave you boys to it,” Dolly said, though her eyes lingered on us a moment longer than necessary. “Call me over when you know what you want to eat.”
As soon as she was out of earshot, I leaned forward. “What are you doing here?”
Cash sipped his coffee, regarding me over the rim of his mug. “Having breakfast. Same as you.”
“No, I mean... why did you sit with me?”
He shrugged, setting down his cup. “It’s a free country, ain’t it? Besides, thought you might want to talk about last night.”
“There’s nothing to talk about,” I said quickly, too quickly. “It was... it happened. That’s all.”
“So you regret it,” he stated flatly.
“I didn’t say that.”
“You didn’t have to.” His expression hardened slightly. “Look, I get it. You’re the town pastor. Can’t have people knowing you like to take it up the ass.”
“Jesus, Cash,” I hissed, glancing around again. “Could you be any more crude?”
“Probably,” he smirked. “Want me to try?”
I ran a hand through my hair, frustration building. “What do you want from me? Was last night not enough?”
Something flickered in his eyes. It might’ve been hurt, maybe, or anger. It was gone so quickly I couldn’t be sure.
“Relax, Pastor,” he said, his voice cooler now. “I’m not here to blackmail you or whatever you’re thinkin’. Just thought we should clear the air since we’re still livin’ together.”
I took a deep breath, trying to calm my racing heart. “You’re right. I’m sorry. I just... I wasn’t expecting to see you this morning.”
“Clearly,” he muttered, taking another sip of coffee.
We sat in uncomfortable silence for a moment. I studied his face, noticing the slight shadows under his eyes. Maybe he hadn’t slept as well as he claimed.
“So,” I finally said, desperate to finish on this subject and move to another. “What do we need to clear up?”
“That last night meant nothin’ to either of us,” Cash replied, not looking me in the eye. “It was just good fun. Nothin’ else.”
“Just good fun,” I echoed, nodding perhaps too enthusiastically. “Exactly. Nothing more.”
Cash’s jaw tightened almost imperceptibly. “Good. Glad we’re on the same page.”
I stared into my coffee cup, unable to meet his eyes. The truth was, I wasn’t sure we were on the same page at all. Last night had been... incredible. Earth-shattering. And while I knew it shouldn’t happen again, part of me desperately wanted it to.
“So we’re good?” Cash asked, his voice oddly flat.
“We’re good,” I confirmed, finally looking up at him. “Though maybe we should establish some... boundaries. Since we’re still living together.”
Cash raised an eyebrow. “Boundaries? Like what? No more shower peeping?”