Yeah, had to be a different man. Maybe the name Cash was more common than she’d thought. People were naming their kids all sorts of weird things these days—maybe Cash topped one of those Most Popular Baby Names lists, along with Apple and Potato and every other bizarre moniker.
Jen put on her most nonchalant tone. “Cash? That’s the guy you’re dumping me off on?”
“Yeah. Cash McCoy.”
McCoy.
Crap. It was him.
Annoyance rippled through her as she realized that he had lied about what he did for a living, but the irritation couldn’t mask the rush of heat that flooded her belly as she grasped what this meant. She’d be playing house with her sexy cowboy for the next three weeks.
“How come I’ve never met him?” she asked suspiciously. “And if he’s such a good guy, why wasn’t he at your birthday party?”
“Because his parents were in town and they had tickets to a show. He came over the next night for beers.”
“Oh.”
Jen suddenly felt queasy. Did Cash know she was going to be his new houseguest? She hadn’t told him her last name, and knowing Carson, he’d referred to her as Jenny-Pie or some other juvenile name when he’d told Cash about her. Chances were, the guy was in for the surprise of his life.
As panic jolted through her, Jen got ready to blurt out a protest, but apparently Carson was done talking. He threw open the driver’s door and slid out of the SUV, rounding the vehicle to get her bags out of the trunk.
She stayed rooted in her seat, her heart lurching. She couldn’t spend the next few weeks with Cash McCoy. Maybe if he’d called, things would be different, but looking into his sexy blue eyes and drooling over that spectacular body, all the while knowing he wasn’t interested? That would suck.
And the icing on the cake? He was military. She had a firm rule about military men: don’t date one.
Who says you have to date him?
True. She could always just fuck his brains out.
Except he clearly wasn’t interested in doing that, seeing as he hadn’t called.
A sharp rap on the window jarred her from her thoughts. She turned to see Carson’s exasperated face peering into the half-open window. “Out of the car, Jenny.”
She opened her mouth, nearly confessing that she already knew Cash. But she stopped herself at the last second. Shit. She couldn’t tell her brother about the night at the Tavern. Not only did it make her look like the slut of the century, but it suddenly occurred to her that if she did tell Carson she knew Cash, he might scrap this whole houseguest plan and act on his threat of involving their parents.
Another knock sounded on the window.
“I’m getting annoyed,” he announced.
Sighing, Jen got out of the car. “I doubt you’re as annoyed as I am.”
Her brother’s blue eyes softened. “I’m just trying to look out for you. Maybe I’m overreacting, seeing a threat where I shouldn’t, but I won’t take chances with your safety. Until Brendan is gone, I refuse to leave you unprotected.”
An arrow of guilt pierced her chest. Carson sounded so genuinely concerned that she felt like an ass for the way she’d bitched at him all morning. “I know. I’m sorry I’m being such a brat.”
“’S’all good. I’m used to your brattiness.”
He reached out and tugged on the end of her ponytail, the way he’d always done when they were kids, and Jen couldn’t help but smile. As infuriating as Carson could be, he was still her big brother and she loved him something fierce. Besides, as much as she didn’t want to admit it, he was right. She didn’t feel safe. She’d been on edge ever since Brendan started playing these sick games with her, and although she wasn’t convinced her ex would actually cross the line from creepy to violent, she’d definitely breathe easier once he left town.
“Come on, let’s go in,” Carson said, linking his arm through hers.
Jen’s anxiety returned once they entered the building. She wondered how Cash would react when he saw her. If he even remembered her. A guy as good looking as him probably hooked up with ten girls a night. What if she’d just been another one of his faceless conquests?
Lugging her bags, Carson crossed the small, clean lobby toward the stairwell door. “Cash and Matt are on the second floor,” he told her. “But Matt’ll be staying with his girlfriend while you’re here.”
When they reached the second floor landing, Carson led her to a door at the very end of the hall. “Oh, and Ryan and Annabelle live upstairs,” he went on. “So if you want to do any girlie things, just call Annabelle. You met her, right?”
Jen nodded. Although she’d yet to meet her brother’s newer teammates, she knew most of the older ones well, along with their wives and girlfriends. Out of all the women, Annabelle Holmes was her favorite. They’d gone out for dinner a few times, and she’d hung out with the sarcastic brunette at Carson’s thirty-fourth birthday party last month, so it was a relief knowing that Annabelle would be nearby.
“By the way, I told Mom and Dad that your apartment is being fumigated,” Carson added. “So if they call, tell them you were overrun with ants.”
“Ants? That’s what you came up with?”
He shrugged. “First thing that popped into my head.”
They reached the door, which Carson opened without bothering to knock first. “McCoy,” he called. “Come say hi to Jenny.”
She cringed. Of course, he just had to refer to her by the name she hadn’t used since grade school.
As Carson dropped her two huge suitcases on the hardwood floor with a thump, Jen examined her surroundings. The apartment looked like a typical bachelor pad—no surprise there. It featured an open-concept layout, with a spacious living room boasting a black leather couch, two big armchairs, a flat screen mounted on the wall, and an entertainment system that screamed man cave. A small kitchen with stainless-steel appliances and an eat-in counter took up the other side of the room, next to a dining area with a big glass table and a shelf lined with an assortment of beer glasses. Her gaze flicked to the corridor in the back, which she deduced led to the bedrooms.
When footsteps thudded from the vicinity of that corridor, her pulse kicked up a notch, then took off in a mad sprint at Cash’s appearance.
Oh boy. He was as gorgeous as she remembered. Actually, even more gorgeous, because instead of a leather jacket, today he wore a black T-shirt that clung to his massive chest and revealed his bulging biceps. Jeez, he had great arms. Tanned, sinewy, roped with muscle. The kind of arms you wanted pinning you down while those trim hips pumped into you.
The rest of him was equally appealing. Long legs encased in camo pants, strong jaw dusted with stubble, black-brown hair cut in a short military style. Her nipples tightened involuntarily, her core clenching at the sight of all that manly goodness. Lord, the man was sexy as hell.
And shocked as hell, judging by the way those piercing blue eyes widened when he spotted her. Recognition splashed across his face, and his voice came out in a startled rasp. “Oh. Hi.”
She met his gaze, her mouth drier than a desert. “Hi.”
Carson swung his head from her to Cash. “Do you two know each other?”
After a moment of hesitation, during which Jen transmitted a silent warning with her eyes, Cash visibly swallowed and turned to her brother. “No. I was just…I, ah…” He stuck out a hand in her direction. “It’s nice to meet you, Jenny.”
“Jen,” she corrected, moving forward to shake his hand.
The second their palms touched, heat seared into her like a bolt of lightning, spreading through her body and warming every inch of her skin. Their gazes locked again, and the fire inside her burned hotter. Desire pulsed in her veins, making her dizzy and breathless. Holy mother of God. She craved this man on a basic, carnal level she hadn’t known existed.
Sucking in a breath, she jerked her hand back. Touching him was too big a temptation. It only intensified the crazy urge to strip him naked.
?
??So we’re all cool with this, right?” Carson spoke, oblivious to the tension hanging in the room. “Jenny will stay here until Psycho McGee leaves town?”
Cash’s blue eyes rested on her before turning to Carson. “Yeah, it’s cool. Matt’s room is all ready.”
“Good.” Carson focused on her. “Jenny?”
She sighed. “It’s fine. But only until Brendan is gone.”
Carson nodded in agreement, then picked up her suitcases. “I’ll put these in Matt’s room.”
The second her brother disappeared, Jen cast a slightly embarrassed look in Cash’s direction. “I had no idea you were the one I was coming to stay with.”
“I figured,” he said wryly.
An awkward silence settled between them, bringing a jolt of annoyance. She hadn’t expected him to greet her with a passionate kiss or anything, but did he have to look so unhappy? As he fidgeted with his hands, his chiseled features creasing with discomfort, her self-esteem took a couple of hits. Couldn’t he at least pretend to be pleased to see her?
“Jen—” he started, only to be interrupted by Carson, who sauntered back into the living room as if he had no care in the world.
Well, of course he didn’t. He wasn’t the one who had to spend the next three weeks with someone who wanted nothing to do with him. Oh no. Carson just got to drop her off, leave her in the clutches of the man she’d almost fucked, and be on his merry way.
“You’re all set,” Carson said. “I guess I’ll head out now.”
Panic flitted through her. “Now?”
“Don’t worry. McCoy will take good care of you.” He frowned as he turned to his teammate. “Remember what I said—she doesn’t leave the house unless someone is with her. You, preferably, but any of the other guys are acceptable alternatives. Annabelle and Holly, too, since they’ve taken self-defense classes. But not Savannah—I don’t want her corrupting my little sister.”
Jen waved her hand around. “Hello? I’m right here, you know. Quit talking about me like I’m a five-year-old.”
As usual, Carson ignored her. “And make sure she stays away from her usual haunts. Psycho McGee might be lurking around, waiting for her to show up.”
“Got it,” Cash said with a nod.
“Good. Okay, I’m out.” Her brother didn’t rumple her hair again, probably because he could see the murder in her eyes, but he did lean in and plant a loud smack of a kiss on her cheek. “Don’t give Cash any trouble.”
He strode toward the door, then paused to shoot Cash a sharp look over his shoulder. “And remember what I said, McCoy. There’s a pool right downstairs.”
After Carson left, another silence fell over the room. Smothering a sigh, Jen studied Cash’s face, wishing she could make sense of that indescribable expression. He obviously wasn’t happy to see her, but she refused to spend the next three weeks tiptoeing around without clearing the air between them.
Her brows puckered into a deep frown as the silence dragged on. Finally, unable to stand it, she crossed her arms and said, “So why didn’t you call?”
Cash couldn’t fucking believe Jen was actually here. In his apartment. Standing right in front of him. Three steps and she’d be close enough to kiss. Twenty steps and they could be in his bed. Naked.
She’s Carson’s sister.
Despite the warning bells in his head, he couldn’t tear his gaze off her. Those tight-fitting jeans of hers were damn sexy, but the rest of her outfit was cute and girlie. Bright yellow T-shirt. A pair of flip-flops with yellow daisies on the toes. Her blonde hair was tied in a low ponytail, and she wore no makeup except for shiny pink lip gloss.
Cash gulped. Fuck, he wanted to kiss the gloss right off those sexy lips. To slide his hand underneath the hem of her shirt and stroke her smooth, tanned flesh. Squeeze that firm ass. Undo her ponytail and tangle his fingers through all that golden hair.
Jeez, there were so many things he wanted to do to this woman he didn’t even know which one to focus on.
But…he’d promised her brother he wouldn’t touch her.
Jen’s blue eyes darkened with displeasure. “You’re just going to avoid the question?”
He blinked out of his trance. “What?”
“Why didn’t you call? Not that I cried about it or anything, but I’m curious, especially since you gave me that whole speech about finishing what we started.”
“I lost your number,” he admitted.
She looked dubious.
“Well, technically, the rain washed your number away.” He shook his head in aggravation. “Trust me, I wasn’t too happy about that.”
Her expression relaxed. “So you really planned on calling?”
“I told you I would,” he said gruffly.
“Okay. Next question—why did you lie about your job?”
Discomfort curled around his spine. “Some women go a little nuts when they find out I’m a SEAL,” he confessed. “Like the chick I was hiding from that night. So I don’t always advertise what I do.” He shrugged sheepishly. “Sometimes I like knowing that the woman I’m with actually wants me for me, you know?”
She sighed. “I don’t like being lied to, but I get it. I’ve watched girls throw themselves at my brother for years all because he’s a SEAL.”
They both went quiet again.
Cash raked a hand through his hair, wanting to kick something. Fuck. The universe really did hate him. Here he was, standing in front of the woman he’d been fantasizing about for days, and he wasn’t allowed to touch her.
“Why do you look so pissed off?”
Her weary voice drew him from his thoughts. “I’m not pissed, I’m frustrated.”
“Why?”
He bit back a groan. “Because I really want to kiss you right now.”
Those blue eyes widened. “Oh.” She swallowed. “I probably wouldn’t mind if you did.”
He chuckled. “Probably?”
“Fine. I wouldn’t mind at all.”
Their eyes locked. The air between them sizzled.
The groan he’d been holding slipped out as he remembered how good her lips had felt pressed against his own. How sweet she’d tasted.
Jen took a timid step forward.
He took a speedy step back.
“But I can’t,” he said flatly. “We can’t get involved, Jen.”
She frowned. “May I ask why?”
“Because I promised your brother I wouldn’t.”
Her jaw fell open. “Are you joking?”
“I wish I was, but I’m dead serious. Carson made it crystal clear that I’m to keep my hands off you.”
She laughed in disbelief. “And I don’t get a say in it?”
Oh boy. Annoyance and anger had stained her cheeks red and her eyes glittered like bright blue diamonds. She looked really fucking hot when she was pissed off. Then again, it was probably impossible for her to not look hot. Hell, she turned him on by breathing.
Fuckin’ universe.
Clenching his fists at his sides, Cash cursed under his breath. “I know, okay? This sucks. Three days ago, I wanted nothing more than to tear your clothes off and—well, and you know. But three days ago, you were Jen, the amazing woman I met at the Tavern.”
She huffed out a breath. “I’m still Jen.”
“Yeah—Jen, Carson’s sister,” he said unhappily. “Which means you’re off-limits now.”
She arched one blonde eyebrow. “You’re seriously going to blow me off because you’re scared of my brother?”
“Yes. And I ain’t too manly to admit it—your brother scares the shit outta me.”
“Wow.” She shook her head in amazement. “You’re breaking up with me and we weren’t even dating.”
He narrowed his eyes as a thought occurred to him. “As I recall, you said you don’t date military men.”
“Date them? No. But I’m not averse to sleeping with them.” She smiled faintly. “Come on, cowboy, you know you want to.”
Hell. He was in hell. N
o, scratch that—he was in the Garden of fucking Eden and Jen was standing before him, dangling the forbidden apple under his nose.
Cash licked his suddenly dry lips. “I can’t. I promised Carson I’d behave. In case you haven’t noticed, he’s ridiculously protective when it comes to you.”
“He’s overprotective. And just because he’s my brother doesn’t mean he can dictate who I spend time with.” She went quiet for a beat. “So Carson gets to dictate your life too now?”
“It’s guy code,” he muttered. “You don’t mess around with your friend’s sister, especially when that friend tells you not to. And especially when that friend isn’t just a friend, but also your lieutenant. I made him a promise, Jen.”
“You kind of already broke it. We almost had sex in a coatroom, remember?”
His cock twitched at the memory. He briefly closed his eyes, then opened them to pin her with a firm stare. “I promised Carson to behave,” he repeated. “And I’m a man of my word.”
She smirked. “You really think we can live together and be able to keep our hands off each other?”
No.
He dismissed that deviant burst of cynicism and gathered up some willpower. Jesus. He was a grown man—surely he could respect his friend’s wishes and keep his goddamn pants zipped. Jen might be appealing as hell, but he’d met her only three days ago. His friendship with Carson trumped three measly days.
Steeling himself against her mocking blue eyes, Cash smirked right back at her. “I’ve got great discipline, sweetheart. I think I can keep my hormones under control.”
“Really.” She slanted her head. “What if I told you I like to walk around naked?”
The appealing image caused saliva to fill his mouth. Swallowing, he crossed his arms over his chest. “Then I’d politely ask you to put on some clothes.”
“What if I sleepwalk in the middle of the night—naked—and wind up in your bed?”
“Then I’d carry you to your bed, tuck you in, and go back to my room.”
“What if I want to sit in the living room and watch porn? Naked,” she added.
He shrugged. “I’d read a book in my room until you’re done, then come out and watch football.”