My heart aches for him. At the sweet little boy that was raised like that. It’s the image he shows the world. The bad boy. The villain. Someone not to be messed with.
But that’s not the real Cash.
It’s the man sitting in front of me. Whose tender heart was battered and bruised growing up. Cash put up walls toprotect himself. I can’t blame him when that’s how he grew up.
“Thank you.” I press a kiss to his lips.
“For what?”
I rest my hand over his heart. “For telling me. I know it’s not easy.”
“I don’t like people feeling sorry for me.” He blows out a breath, cupping my cheek to pull me in closer. “Especially you.”
“All I see is a person who survived the only way they knew how. I’m glad you told me.”
“Only you, Princess. You’re the only person I’ve told.”
His words carry a weight I never would have imagined. This thing between us has an end date. I went into it with eyes wide open. Spending time with Cash to help him? I’ve done worse things.
But now that he’s opening up to me? Telling me things he’s never told anyone else?
I want to be worthy of this man’s secrets. I want to be the person that he can continue to turn to when things don’t go right in his life.
Can I? Can we keep this thing going? No wonder Cash doesn’t do relationships. His mom left him and his dad only wanted him for his own gain.
“You’re looking a little murderous there.”
“I just hate that your parents were like that.”
“It is what it is.”
Cash’s face has gone soft. Both of us are just looking at each other. Really seeing one another.
“It seems like we have more in common than we think.”
“Not letting people in?” he asks.
“More like not letting ourselves be vulnerable with people.”
“Being vulnerable with you is easy,” Cash whispers against my lips. “Easier than I thought it would be.”
“Your secrets are safe with me, Cash.” I place a sweet kiss on his soft lips.
“I know.” He brings me in closer and we sit like this for who knows how long. Soaking in each other’s strength having bared our weaknesses to one another.
“I know this might be a big ask…” I say into his neck. It might be easier if I’m not looking at him.
“What?”
“Come over for Christmas dinner next week. I know you’re gone on a road trip until then, but come for dinner with my family.”
“What?” Cash pulls back, looking into my eyes. “You want me to come over for a holiday?”
“I know this thing is fake, but if you don’t have plans, I want you to come with me. You and Puck.”
Puck runs over to the couch and hops on when he hears his name.
“Are you sure? I’m not the type that people bring home to meet the parents.”
