A moan escaped me as his mouth found the peaked bud. One of my hands curled around the back of his neck, holding him to me, urging him for more, more, more.
The door crashed open, so loud I thought a freight train had crashed into the living room. For a split second, I swear to God, my soul left my body.
“Well, shit. Dinnerand a show!” Cash’s crow of laughter followed. “Don’t start without me. Let me get a front row seat.”
I growled, legit growled, before flipping him off over my shoulder. “Fuck you, Cash!” I half-heartedly yelled.
How was I getting cockblocked again? Seriously?
Cash laughed once more. “Looks like Mav’s already got that covered, Trouble.”
Maverick slumped against me, his shoulders quaking. For a moment, I thought he was crying, but as he lifted his gaze to meet mine, the widest, most bashful smile I’d ever seen graced his lips. I couldn’t help but return it, a soft, embarrassed laugh escaping me.
Thank God I was turned away from Cash or I’d have given him a full show. My cheeks felt warm; I could only imagine how red they were. Maverick righted my top, his intense gaze never leaving mine as if silently saying,we’ll finish this later.
“I sure as fuck hope so,” I murmured before brushing a kiss against his lips.
I was met with Cash’s signature grin as I hopped off the counter and went around the island to greet him.
“Aw, why’d you stop? Things were just gettin’ good.”
“Don’t you have some buckle bunny to shmooze over?” I grumped, even as a smile curved my lips. “I thought I remembered you bringin’ home some brunette last night.”
He waved a dismissive hand. “Ah, no. She’s done. Already met the three-date max rule.”
I frowned. “Three date max rule?” I asked, just as Charlie, Ryder, Cason, and Dutch appeared in the doorway. Play growls erupted through the house, followed by Cason’s laughter, as Dutch and Brandy started to wrestle. The two—well, three including Cason, were thick as thieves already.
Ryder’s smooth voice cut through the chaos, a playful glint in his eyes. “Cash’s got this system. Once he’s made his way through the steps, he’s onto the next girl.” He plopped an armful of board games onto the coffee table in the living room.
Charlie smiled at me and reached out for a hug I eagerly accepted. She smelled of lavender and vanilla, and was quite literally glowing with happiness. I knew this pregnancy was kicking her butt, but it didn’t look like it. She radiated.
Cash scoffed, his hazel gaze meeting mine. “There’s more to it than that. There’s a whole damn art to it.”
“Here we go,” Ryder groaned, glancing at Maverick.
Maverick rolled his eyes and shrugged, his lips failing to hold back a grin as Cash launched into his explanation.
Chapter twenty-four
Sun To Me
Maverick
There were some timesthat I wondered how Cash and I were related. This was one of those times. The brash, brazen behavior, the dumb logic. It all baffled me. But it clearly worked for him.
I shook my head as he educated Cheyenne on the CASH system.
He’d come up with it not long after Dakota left. I think it was a way for him to deal with the pain. A way to feel in control after everything he’d ever hoped and dreamed for shattered right before his eyes.
“So, it works like this,” Cash said, cracking open a Coors and taking a sip. “You start out with the letter C—charm the piss outta ‘em. Find out what they like and shit. It’s your chance to really win ‘em over.” Another sip. “Next, assist them—A. Make her feel like you’re useful. Capable. This leads into S—seduce them. This is my personal favorite.”
Charlie groaned, rubbing a hand across her forehead. “Dear Jesus, remind me to never let Cason take dating advice from you.”
Cash chortled, his obnoxious donkey bray of laughter echoing through the room. Thankfully, Cason had already run outside withDutch and Brandy. After another swig, Cash went on. “The last letter—H—stands for hightail it outta there.”
Cheyenne moved around the island and to my side, all the while her attention still on Cash. She leaned her head against me in a silent show of affection before disappearing behind me as I worked.
As Cash explained his ridiculous system, I finished up searing all the chicken and placing it on a serving plate. It was only then I realized I wasn’t the one who’d gotten the plate out in the first place. I frowned, glancing around to find Cheyenne over in the dining area setting up the table with plates and utensils.
