Had she taken a drink of her wine during that deliverance, she would’ve choked. Vincent “Cash” Miller was pulling the gentleman card right in front of her eyes. The man who flirted with every breath, the man who didn’t hesitate to get her naked and in the shower when she’d been a sip away from drunk, was sitting here telling her she basically deserved more.
More than what? Because she was having a good time with the way things were going.
“Are you telling me you don’t want to do this anymore?” she asked.
Because if that were the case, she’d have to respect his decision, but she didn’t have to like it.
Cash shook his head. “That’s not what I’m saying at all,” he clarified. His hand stilled on the bottle. “I’m saying the exact opposite.”
The exact opposite, as in . . .
Oh, wait. Jade reached for her wineglass and finished it off. She couldn’t have heard him right. Cash was actually considering a relationship?
“Cash—”
“Crazy, right?”
He let out a nervous laugh. But Cash didn’t get nervous. . . did he? All this was such new territory, she wasn’t sure how to respond, or if he’d fully thought this through.
“I don’t even know what to say,” she mumbled as she stare
d at her empty glass. She’d love another, but she definitely needed a clear head for this conversation. “What exactly do you mean? You want a relationship? Like in public?”
He stared at her another minute before he picked up his bottle and cleared his throat. “You’re right. We should keep things as they are. Forget I mentioned it.”
When he scooted his seat back, Jade came to her feet first. “Oh, no,” she demanded as she pointed across the table. Cash didn’t move. “You don’t get to do the whole passive-aggressive thing with me.”
A corner of that wicked mouth kicked up in a grin. “I wouldn’t dream of it, Red. I just laid a question out on the table and then took it back. Simple as that.”
Simple? He thought mentioning a relationship with her was simple? Nothing about their setup was easy, yet she refused to let go. But a relationship? That word elicited a bit of panic, she wasn’t going to lie.
She’d dated over the years, she’d even had a couple of boyfriends who were somewhat serious. None she ever thought of as long term. But Cash? He was a good time, no doubt about that. She honestly wasn’t sure either of them were capable of a solid relationship, and two people floundering through the process didn’t seem like a smart idea.
“Listen, I didn’t initially invite you just to discuss this.” Cash slowly came to his feet and rounded the table until he stood mere inches away. “But after not being able to touch you or even kiss you without thinking who would be watching, I thought we were both being cheated.”
Jade reached out and laid a hand on his chest. “You’re being logical on me. I didn’t expect that.”
Cash tipped his head and shrugged. “I’m more than just a pretty face, Red.”
She couldn’t help but laugh as she looped her arms around his neck. “Always so modest,” she murmured against his lips. “How about we work on that chocolate cake and then rinse off in the hot tub?”
He palmed her backside and jerked her hips to his. “Sounds like you’re being logical now.”
When he covered her mouth with his, Jade realized they hadn’t resolved anything really. His question, though he claimed to have pulled it back, was still out there, hovering in the air. She couldn’t ignore it, and neither could he. At some point, they were going to have to figure out what all this meant, because now that he’d thrown down that gauntlet, she had to decide whether or not she should pick it up.
Chapter Thirteen
“Who’s going to eat all these petit fours?” Jade asked as she surveyed the food table decorated in blue fluffy tulle to mimic clouds.
“I’ll take them!” Piper raced to the table and stared up at Jade. “Can I?”
“I’m not sure Livie will think that’s a good idea,” Jade replied, tapping the adorable blonde on the tip of her nose. “But maybe you could take a couple and share them with your dad.”
Melanie had taken Knox to the bedroom to nurse him while Jade and Livie cleaned up after the successful baby shower. They’d opted to have the event at Tanner and Melanie’s house because that was easiest for Mel with the new baby.
“The trash is all out and the kitchen is clean,” Livie said as she came back into the living room. “Don’t even think of touching those cakes, young lady.”
“I hope you’re not talking to me,” Jade joked.