Prologue #2
I smiled up at the man behind me. He was not terrible to look at, with soft brown eyes and a sharp jawline.
He would definitely fit the part of one-night stand cowboy.
Taking his wink as a cue that he was interested, I turned in his arms and looped mine around his neck.
Leaning up on my toes, I placed a kiss on the corner of his mouth.
It was my favorite move. Forward but not aggressive. A little tease to feel out the vibe before fully committing.
My cowboy growled quietly, pulling me into his chest and crashing his mouth into mine.
The kiss was nice, but there were no sparks.
His tongue was a little too wet—which sounds incorrect, but I swear it was a thing—and his nose kept getting in the way.
Normally, those things would turn me off but, tonight I didn’t want sparks or chemistry.
I wanted an orgasm or two and to send him on his merry way.
He reached above his head and palmed his hat before lifting it and swiftly placing it right on my head.
Heat was burning a hole in my cheek. I knew Cash’s attention was on me. I knew I was going to hear about this.
I glanced at the edge of the dance floor and found his eyes locked on me—on the hat I was wearing. The tick in his jaw made me smirk as I kept dancing with the satisfaction that Cash Leonard was no longer having a good night.
When Lottie announced it was time to go home, I stepped away to use the bathroom. My cowboy and I were going to ride with his buddy so he didn’t have to squeeze into Walker’s truck with everyone.
That would be too awkward, even for me.
When I opened the bathroom door to exit, I came face to face with Cash. He was casually leaning against the wall with his arms crossed, blocking my path. His face appeared completely relaxed, but I knew the look in his eyes. He was pissed—and I was happy about it.
“Come on, time to go,” he snarled, gesturing his head in the direction of the front door.
“I actually have a ride, but thanks.” I winked and bit my lip. My voice was sweet as honey as I let the insinuation hang between us.
Cash chuckled and pushed off the wall. “Take the hat off, Pip. I’m taking you home.”
I scoffed. “Get out of my way, Leonard.”
He was out of his mind if he thought he was the boss of me.
He moved farther into my space, surrounding me in a way that felt suffocating. “Take it off and get into my truck before I drag you out of here kicking and screaming.”
I squared my shoulders and met his hard gaze. I wasn’t afraid of him or his threats.
“No,” I said firmly.
Cash shrugged casually before swiftly leaning down and grabbing me behind my knees, then tossing me over his shoulders like a bag of feed.
I shrieked, the cowboy hat I was gifted lay abandoned on the beer-soaked floor.
Cash spun and stalked out of the bar. I was pounding my fists on his back when I felt the warm night air hit the exposed skin above my jeans.
“Put me down, you Neanderthal!” I screamed as he walked me through the parking lot.
“I’ll get her home,” Cash shouted to Walker who had come to pick up the rest of my siblings.
My brother did absolutely nothing to come to my rescue—fucking traitor.
Cash opened the door of his truck and practically threw me into the passenger seat. I crossed my arms and pinned him with a glare as he slammed the door in my face.
I refused to look at him the entire ride back to the ranch.
This was just like him, never letting me have any fun.
Who cared if I wanted a hot one-night stand?
That was my choice. He had no right to stop me, and I’d seen him take countless women home over the years.
I wasn’t some little girl who had to follow his rules.
He was not in charge of me.
When he rolled to a stop in front of the barn that I lived in the loft above, I threw open the door and stormed out of the truck. I felt Cash hot on my heels until I reached the bottom of the stairs that led up to my little home. He grabbed my shoulders and turned me to face him.
“Please, just leave me alone,” I snapped.
“Sorry, Pip. Can’t do that.” His face was expressionless.
“Why not?” I threw my hands to the side. His calmness was fueling my anger.
“Because you clearly can’t be trusted to make good decisions.”
“My decisions are none of your business. You’re not my keeper, Cash”
Cash stepped forward into my space, causing me to retreat until my back hit the cool metal of the barn structure.
“If you know what’s good for you, then you won’t take any more hats from strangers.” His voice was cool and his presence was intoxicating. He was trying to intimidate me into submission, but that wasn’t the kind of girl that I was.
I trailed my finger up his chest, causing his body to stiffen. I wasn’t backing down, and I think he liked that about me.
“A girl has to have a little fun somehow. It isn’t like you’re offering your hat.” My voice was low and sultry.
Cash’s expression hardened. “It’ll never be my hat, Paige.”
He draped one hand above my head and leaned in, until I felt his lips ghost over my ear as he whispered, “You can’t handle me.”
Goose bumps erupted down my neck, and I hated that he had that effect on me. I chuckled and turned my head so we were face to face. Our lips were so close that I could feel his breath mingle with mine. His eyes flicked to my lips as they filled with heat.
“You have absolutely no idea what I can handle, Leonard.”
I pushed past him, checking his shoulder, and started up the stairs. I heard the gravel crunch under his boots as he stalked away and started his truck.
Once he finally drove off, I let out the breath I’d been holding.
This game with Cash was exhausting and I was done playing. If he wanted a say in how I spent my time, then he was going to have to earn it.