Jade couldn’t help but laugh, and Margot seemed even more confused as she stared between Cash and Jade.
“Well, um, I won’t keep you two. I’m sure you’re eager to get to your room to relax. Your mom mentioned you were bringing someone, but I had no idea he’d be so . . . blue collar and rugged.”
Jade stilled, not at the verbal smack to Cash, but at her cousin’s assumption. Jade’s room had been reserved for her and Brad to share, so of course everyone thought her plus-one would be staying here. Well, damn. If Cash wasn’t seen coming and going with her, they’d know he wasn’t actually her date and there would be another host of questions and lies to dodge.
“Actually, I’m not—”
Jade reached back for Cash’s hand and squeezed it to silence him. “See you tomorrow, Margot.”
She all but pulled Cash toward the elevators and smacked the button for her floor. When she turned, Cash leaned against the opposite wall, still holding her luggage, but giving her a sample of that side smile . . . which only looked more menacing with his black eye and the cut on his forehead.
“Not one word,” she growled through gritted teeth. “Not. One.”
He started whistling some annoying tune—was that “Achy Breaky Heart”? Jade refused to comment, so she shifted her focus to the numbers above the panel. Finally, the elevator stopped on the fourth floor, and Jade stepped out the second the doors slid open.
She clutched her room card in her hand and led the way to her suite . . . which she might have to share with her plus-one because she’d run in to both Margot and Ruthie and no doubt word would get back to her mother. Though it was highly likely that word had already gotten back to Lana McKenzie.
Jade pulled in a deep breath and pushed thoughts of her mother aside and slid her key card into her door. She shoved it open and plastered herself back to allow room for Cash to enter with the suitcase.
And he was still whistling that damn song.
As soon as he was in, Jade moved out of the way and let the door slam at her back. Cash shoved his hands in his pockets and did a slow perusal of the main room.
“Did everyone get a room this fancy?” he asked, his gaze finally landing on hers.
Jade glanced around, taking in the double doors leading to the bedroom, the kitchenette, the patio doors for the private balcony, and the large sectional sofa plopped right in front of a large television.
“I have no clue.” Thoughts whirled around in her mind, all of them leading her to one conclusion that made sense, even though she didn’t like it. “But the couch is all yours.”
Cash cocked his head, then stalked toward her. “Aw, Red. I figured you for more of a missionary type in a bed. You know, more vanilla-type sex. But the couch is a step up, so . . .”
Jade narrowed her eyes. “You’ll sleep on the patio if you don’t cool it.”
He came to stand within a breath of her. Jade flattened her palms against his chest.
“You know, most men would take into account that I was a victim of sexual misconduct by a coworker and not crowd my space.”
Cash smiled, flashing those perfectly white teeth. “I’m not most men, and you know I’d never make a lady uncomfortable or force her into anything.”
Yeah, she did know that, which only made her stomach flutter all the more. Cash may be egotistical and snarky and, yes, maybe a ladies’ man, but he would never take advantage of a woman—of that Jade was certain.
“Fine, but give me some space.” She took a step back, only to come in contact with the wall. “Seriously. I’ll throw you out on to the patio and lock the doors if you don’t cool it.”
He didn’t bother backing up, but at least there was some semblance of space between them.
“You were ready to give me a thank-you kiss when we landed.”
As if she needed the reminder. That moment had rolled over and over in her mind because had she leaned forward those last few inches, their relationship would’ve crossed a line they couldn’t return from.
“That was adrenaline,” she defended, crossing her arms over her chest. “I was just thankful to be alive.”
A corner of his mouth kicked up, which drew her attention back to those lips. Damn him. He did that on purpose.
“So you would’ve been ready to thank anyone with a kiss who had landed safely?”
Jade narrowed her eyes. “Don’t you need to go call Jax?”
In an instant, Cash was all business. The smile vanished and he stepped away, pulling his cell from his pocket.