35. The Night Before
THE NIGHT BEFORE
PAIGE
I rolled to my back as I stared at the dark ceiling. Apparently, two weeks was enough time to get used to sleeping next to someone. I wanted Cash’s hard body to be wrapped around mine and I was being completely dramatic about it.
After dinner, Cash had kissed me good night and left to go sleep in the bunkhouse. We were already married so the tradition of sleeping separately seemed kind of stupid, but I was going along with all the little traditions my mom was pushing.
Or at least I was going to.
Frustrated and exhausted, I pushed my duvet off and grabbed one of Cash’s hoodies. It completely covered my pajamas and hit mid-thigh, but I didn’t care. I slipped into a pair of boots and grabbed my phone.
Fuck traditions. I wanted my husband.
I opened my door and tiptoed down the steps, peeking around the corner to confirm that the coast was clear.
When all I heard was crickets in the night air, I made a run for it.
There wasn’t a need to be so quiet or sneaky since there wasn’t a soul awake at this hour, but you never knew who might still be lingering from the party.
Something about this felt wrong—familiar. Even though Cash and I were married, there was still an essence of it being taboo. I was an adult and married, and I was still sneaking out to see him.
I crouched low as I ran past the stables until I reached The Village.
Through the front windows I could see a few ranch hands hanging in the living room playing video games so I knew the front door wasn’t an option.
My mother was well plugged in on this ranch, and these men had a weak spot for her.
I didn’t trust a single one to not rat me out.
They’d do it for pride and extra cinnamon rolls on Sunday morning.
I dipped below the window and ran around to the opposite side where I knew Cash’s old room was. When I reached his window, I knocked twice and fell to lean against the side of the building.
“What the fuck?” Cash muttered as he pushed his window open.
“Haven’t you ever heard not to open the door for strangers,” I said, pulling his attention down to me.
His face broke into the widest smile as he leaned on his palms. “Hate to break it to you, darlin’, but this is a window.”
“Murderers can break in through any entrance.”
He snorted. “A murderer wouldn’t announce themselves. Also, technically, I opened the window so they wouldn’t have to break in.”
“I’m going to be a widow by thirty-five if that’s your logic,” I muttered under my breath.
Cash’s smile never fell as he grabbed me and pulled me through the window.
“What are you doing here?” he asked as he scooped me up under my thighs.
I looped my legs around his waist and finally felt the calmness I’d been craving all night.
“I missed you,” I admitted.
“I missed you, too. I couldn’t sleep.”
Hearing that he felt the same made my heart flutter in a way that scared me, like maybe this was becoming too real.
Like maybe, just maybe, this feeling was mutual.
“Well, now I’m here so we can sleep,” I said, playing with the hairs at the nape of his neck.
A low growl escaped him. “I’ve wanted to get you in this room for years. I’m definitely not sleeping now.”
I let out a squeal as Cash dropped us onto the bed.
“I could use some help relaxing,” I cooed as he kissed down my neck.
“I think I can help with that,” he said as he continued his trail of kisses.
He pushed his hoodie up my torso, then I raised my hands so he could peel it over my head. When he took in my tiny pajama set, his jaw went slack. I was wearing a silky white set with lace trim that was so thin it was practically sheer.
“This is what you chose to sleep in when I’m not home?”
I leaned on my elbows and smirked. “Lottie got it for me for the bachelorette.”
“Remind me to thank your sister,” he said as his palms ran down my sides.
I giggled as he explored my body, nipping my skin and peeling my shorts down.
Cash pushed my legs apart as he settled between them. His eyes flicked up as I waited for him to put his mouth exactly where I wanted it.
“This is my favorite fucking view,” he said, dropping his face between my legs.
I let out a cry as he sucked my clit between his lips.
I collapsed to the bed and gripped the sheets in my fists as Cash lapped at my pussy like a man starved.
He sank two fingers in me, causing my back to arch off the bed.
With a palm to my stomach to keep me still, he flicked his tongue faster, and hooked his fingers in a way that had pressure building.
“Fuck,” I cried out as my orgasm built.
Cash chuckled against my skin. The man knew what he did to my body and had no shame in the game. He reached up and pinched my nipple between his finger and thumb. That was all I needed for my orgasm to crash over me. My jaw dropped on a silent scream as my body convulsed against his face.
Once I slumped against the bed, Cash crawled back up my body. He hovered over me, his hands on either side of my face. There was a sheen on his lips as he ran his tongue along them with a hum.
My god.
“I can definitely sleep now,” I said as he dipped his head to kiss me.
“Good, baby. That was my plan.”
He collapsed to one side as I sat up and reached for my shorts. I took the opportunity to really take in his room. It was dark, but I could still make out the Pink Floyd poster and Coors neon sign that wasn’t lit.
“You have such a boy room,” I said.
I tugged on my shorts as Cash sat on the edge of the bed.
“What does that even mean?”
“Your walls are white. You have one dresser that is basically empty and like three hanging shirts. A band poster, and beer. All that’s missing is a picture of a swimsuit model, and a single fold-up chair as decor, and you’d be a total cliché.”
Cash looked appalled. “I would never hang up a picture of a swimsuit model. My wife is smokin’, I’ll just hang one of you,” he snarked back, grabbing my hips and pulling me onto his lap.
I grabbed his chin and pulled his dopey smile toward me. “If you hang a picture of my ass on these walls, I’ll kill you well before Walker ever could.”
Cash huffed but smirked. “You know I’d never let anyone else see those pictures but me.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I sighed before kissing him softly.
Cash pulled up his duvet and I slipped under it before cuddling up to his chest. Being in his room—in his bed—still felt a little surreal.
“What are you thinking about?” Cash whispered into the dark, like he could read my over thinking mind.
“I never thought I’d be in here.”
“You’ve been in here before,” he said, his hand running up and down my back.
“Well, yeah. Years ago. But not like this. Not in your bed.”
“Not half naked?” he asked as his chest shook.
I playfully slapped him. “Definitely not.”
His grip tightened. “I like it, though. It feels right.”
“I like it, too,” I whispered my truth in the air. “I always said I wasn’t going to be one of your girls. The ones who ended up in your bed only to sneak out in the morning.”
Cash tilted his chin so he was looking into my eyes. “You’re not one of those girls, Paige. And if you weren’t so scared of your mother, you would not be sneaking out of here in the morning like I know you’re going to.”
“I know,” I said, shutting my eyes.
And I did.
Sort of.
This all felt so messy.
Very real feelings coming to the surface at a time where my life was one big lie. Just for tonight, I let myself live in it. I closed my eyes and drifted off to sleep in my husband’s arms.
And when the sun peaked over the mountains, Cash woke up to me under the blanket returning the favor from the night before. Then I snuck out through his window and ran home.