Chapter Eighteen
KINDRED
The nearest strip club is located a few towns away, and I believe it only features topless dancers. I have nothing against a woman making her coin, but I don’t love the idea of Cash going to strip clubs. He wouldn't even let me pull my panties to the side. I guess I didn't see him as the type that went to those places.
I’ll never understand how people think strip clubs can be a free pass in relationships. Having the sign sayStrip Clubon it doesn’t make the inside of the building different from any other place when it comes to the terms of a relationship.
“Babe, I was in charge of a lot of men in the Army and Rangers. They went out partying when they had downtime."
"And you didn't?"
"I don't care to be touched."
"Really?" I have never gotten that vibe from him.
"You can touch me all you want, but in general, I'd prefer people to keep their hands to themselves, and most do."
"So you're not a big hugger?" I tease.
"There wasn't a whole lot of hugging in the house I grew up in. Suppose I'm not used to it." Cash never talks about hischildhood. I know both of his parents have passed. He doesn't ever talk about them.
"You never talk about your childhood."
"Wasn't a good one. Father sent me to military school thinking it would shape me up how he wanted, but I enjoyed it. At least there, when I got in trouble, I deserved it."
"Oh." I can read between those lines. He was raised in an abusive household. "I'm sorry."
"It's in the past." He shrugs. I reach over and place my hand on his thigh.
"That stuff lingers and can shape us. You didn't let it destroy you and turn you into an angry, hurtful person. It says a lot about you."
"If my father taught me anything, it was to never be the man he was."
"You're a good man, Cash. I mean, you've had me in love with you for years, and I have never crushed on anyone else. Knew you were different. I sensed it even when you wanted to throttle me."
"Kindred." He glances over toward me. "You cannot say that shit to me when I'm driving."
"What?"
"Love."
"Sorry." I shrug. "But it's true. I mean, of course I love you." He nods his head. "Hey." I tap his thigh. "And don't go thinking I'm saying that like I would about other casual people in town. It's different."
"What did I just tell you?"
"When do I ever do what you tell me?" I tease him. "Besides, we have exited the holiday movies and entered into theHalloweenmovie. I must tell you these things before we die."
"Kindred." He growls my name, and damn is it hot.
"It's okay. I'm a virgin, so I'll make it out alive. Sorry for you and my brother’s luck." He does that normal slow shake of his head at me. Once upon a time, I thought he was annoying. Now not so much.
"Then I should be all right too." If Cash was trying to take my mind off the crap done at my house, this would do it. “I was thinking about putting in a gate here,” he says, pulling down the road that leads to his house. I suppose it’s a driveway, but the house is really far back. Is he seriously talking about putting in a gate when he just dropped a huge bomb on me? “You okay?”
“I’m stuck back at you being a virgin. That’s what you meant, right?” How that’s even possible is beyond me.
“Told you, I don’t care to be touched.” But I can touch him. Wow, see, I knew from the start Cash was different. That he was meant to be mine, if we could both get out of our own way. “Is that a problem?” I realize we have stopped and are now parked outside of his cabin.
“No, but you have a dirty mouth for a virgin.”
