Chapter Three
Violet
Cold water crashes against my spine as the shock of it all steals my breath, the world tilting on its axis. The sky, the trees, the sun, all of it spinning a blur before the lake swallows me with a muffled splash.
As I fall, my shoulder clips something beneath the surface. A half-buried rock, maybe. It’s hard to tell, but the pain blooms instantly down my arm.
Cash reaches out for me, his strong, inked biceps flexing as he lifts me out of the water, though judging by his face, he’s angry as hell.
His gaze draws toward Andrew who stands there lifelessly, staring at me as though he doesn’t know what to do, which is weird for a firefighter. Aren’t they supposed to have catlike reflexes?
“What the fuck are you doing, man?” Cash growls toward Andrew as he holds my arm in his big, rough hand.
“It was an accident,” my father says, slapping Cash on the back. “Take it easy on the boy. He’s a brute. Doesn’t know his own strength yet. I’m sure he didn’t mean to knock Violet down. He’s just excited to see her.”
I know Cash wants to get into it with the both of them, I can see it in how tight his jaw is, but instead he turns toward me. “Where does it hurt?”
Is he being protective? Why would he be protective over me?
“I’m okay,” I lie, desperate for everyone to stop looking at me. “Really, it was just a fall.”
“It was more than a fall,” Cash groans. He looks over my back as he says, “You got sliced right open.”
His assessment has Andrew narrowing his own brows as he steps back to check my shoulder. “That is pretty deep. You might need a hospital, Violet. I can take you if you like.”
“She doesn’t need a fucking hospital,” Cash barks as he runs the rough pad of his finger beneath my cut. “A good cleaning, some ointment, a few Band-Aids, and some rest is what she needs.”
“It’s alright, Andrew. She’s in good hands with Cash,” my dad says, already turning his feet back toward the food truck. “He’s got years of military time and more first-aid training than all of us combined.”
Cash straightens like he’s pleased with this comment, though my father seems more concerned with his empty fishing pole than his oldest daughter’s injury.
Honestly, this isn’t new for my dad. He loves fishing more than most things.
“It’s settled then. I’m taking Violet back to my place,” Cash says, hand on my back. “You two have a good day.”
Andrew doesn’t take the hint and steps forward. “Sorry I knocked ya down, Violet,” he says, kissing my cheek. “I’ll give you a call tonight and set up a time to take you out. Consider it an apology.”
I nod out of kindness, though I can’t help but notice how Cash stiffens at the sound of Andrew’s voice.
Maybe it’s in my head. Heck, maybe I hit my head so hard that I’m seeing Cash act all protective and possessive, when really, I’m lying up on the beach gasping for air.
That, or maybe Cash really does appreciate all the work I do with the kids, and he wants to make sure I’m here to keep doing it.
I decide to go with the latter as his big, strong hand lands on my shoulder and we turn back toward the kids and Bella on the other end of the beach.
“I really don’t need all the babying. It’s just a cut,” I say, desperate for the babying I’m sheepishly pushing away.
“I’m not taking no for an answer. You take care of us all the time. Tonight, I’m taking care of you.”
“Are you sure? I don’t want to be a pain, and… this thing really isn’t so bad.”
“You can’t even see it,” Cash says, squeezing me in against his frame. “Let me help you, even if it’s ridiculous. I’ll save you from a meal cooked by me, though, and we’ll grab take out on the way home. What’s your favorite?”
“Let me buy dinner. It’s the least I can do.”
“Princess,” he stops in the sand and looks down at me, his massive frame blocking out the light of the sun, “I’m buying you dinner, I’m taking care of you, and you’re going to let me.”
“Okay,” I whisper, pussy throbbing.
Did he just call me princess?
Seriously, I need a replay on that.
He clears his throat and looks into the distance as though he’s gaining composure before meeting my gaze again. Maybe he did call me princess, but why? Why would he ever call me princess?
“You like pizza, right?”
I nod.
“Good.” He tucks his hand behind my back and we step forward again. “Then it’s a plan. You’re a princess tonight. Feet up or else.”
“Or else what?” I hold my gaze on him as the pulse of something warm and electric pushes between us that’s impossible to ignore.
He growls low and rough, a sound that feels like a warning to himself. “Or else you’re in trouble.”
Trouble? I can feel a mischievous grin spreading across my face. I’ve never wanted trouble more!