“I know why you did it.” Cash drops a finger over my lips.
“You do?” I mumble against his finger.
He nods. “Ava.”
I suck in a breath. “But how?”
Cash backs us up into the living room, sitting me on the couch. He drops between my knees, pulling me to the edge in his arms.
“Duncan.”
“What?” Now I’m really confused.
“He was being a douche and bragging about dumping Ava because she was too crazy and blackmailing him. He kept bragging about it to Rio and I was able to put the pieces together.”
I pick at a loose thread on my pants. Embarrassment creeps up my cheeks.
Cash tips my chin up, forcing me to look him dead in the eyes. “Why didn’t you come to me when Ava found out?”
“Because what could anyone do? I couldn’t let Ava destroy your reputation!” I explode, bursting up from the couch in a fit of rage. “It was my fault! I was reading our texts and she saw them and put two and two together.You’ve worked so hard to let people see the real you, and any hint of a scandal would blow that wide open. I couldn’t let her do that to you!”
Cash is smiling. A full-blown, irritatingly handsome smile that I love. Damn him for being so sexy when I’m angry.
“So what?”
That stops me in my tracks. “I had to protect you!”
Cash stands, approaching me like a wounded animal. “Piper. I’m a grown-ass man and capable of taking care of myself.”
“You shouldn’t have to. I want to be able to take care of you. And I never want anyone to see you for less than you are.”
“Is that how you see me, Piper?”
I bite my lip, trying to keep my emotions in check. “Yes.”
Cash lifts me into his arms and pushes me against the wall. “I don’t need you to protect me. I should be the one protecting you from those two idiots.”
Cash’s nose brushes against mine. Too many emotions are flitting through his eyes. “I want everyone to see you like I do. The kind, caring, loving man you are. I never want people to think badly of you because you were only dating me to make them see that.”
He shakes his head. “You think I was only dating you for that reason?”
“Yes?” There’s uncertainty in my voice.
“Do I need to teach you a lesson, Princess? I never do anything I don’t want to do. And being with you is the one thing in the world I want more than anything.”
“But how?” My heart is battering against my ribs. “Ava will?—”
“Ava is no longer in the picture.”
“What happened?”
The smile Cash gives me is one that I will savor for the rest of my life. “Duncan sent her packing.”
“But she could still spill our secret.”
“We’ll talk to Cassie. It’ll be okay.”
“She hates me though. What if she tells the media?”
