While It Lasts (Sea Breeze #3)(44)

Flopping down on the bed the happiness I’d felt had suddenly vanished. I didn’t like facing the facts about Cage. And as sweet as Low was I hated that she would never have to lose him. He’d always be there when she needed him. I envied that.

A knock on my door broke into my melancholy thoughts. “Eva girl, you awake?” Daddy called out.

“Yeah, come on in,” I replied.

He eased the door open and stepped inside. He always looked so out of place in my room. He rarely stepped foot in it.

“I wanted to talk to you about something,” he said, crossing his arms over his wide chest.

“Okay.” I hated it when he started our talks like this. It normally meant I wasn’t going to like what would follow.

“Jeremy will be leaving soon for school. Before he gets gone I want to have him and his parents over for dinner. He’s helped you every step of the way get through everything and they’re like family, even though things turned out like they did…”

I hadn’t thought of that but Daddy was right. We needed to have them over for dinner. They’d had us over so many times over the years.

“Good idea. I’ll call in the morning and set things up.”

Daddy nodded, “Alright then, well, goodnight.”

“Good night.”

*

The invisible fairy was no more. I made sure Cage was nearby when I took him lemonade, an ice towel and a snack. I also took these things out every chance I got instead of just a couple times a day.

Once I knew Daddy was gone into town, I took a big slice of the chocolate cake I’d made for dinner with the Beasley’s tonight, out of the fridge and grabbed the other things I knew Cage needed. Watching his back as he picked up hay bales and threw them over the fence was mouth—watering. I sat down on the tailgate and decided to enjoy the show for a few minutes. He’d see me soon enough.

The sweat glistened on his back as the sun beat down on him. His work jeans fit on his lower hips giving me a perfect view of his back dimples and the very top of his boxer briefs. He bent over to grab a hay bale and stopped. He stood up and glanced back over his shoulder. When his eyes locked with mine, a wicked grin touched his lips.

“You see somethin’ ya want, baby?”

“Maybe. I’m checking things out. Seeing if I’m interested,” I shot back with my own evil grin.

Both of his dark eyebrows shot up and he turned completely around giving me a view of his sweaty chest. Oh my. That never got old.

“I see something I want,” he drawled as he came toward me. My heartbeat started that silly fluttery thing it did when he got near me.

“You do?” I asked as he stopped in front of me and leaned in.

“Hell yeah, I do,” he murmured. “I love chocolate.”

What? My excitement turned to confusion. His arm reached out beside me and took the piece of chocolate cake I’d brought him.

“You’re a tease,” I pouted. He moved to take a seat beside me.

“Me? You’re the one who comes strutting out here in a pair of tiny shorts and screwing up my work by ogling me with your eyes. Hell, girl. You think a man can work when he knows you’re looking at him like you want a taste?”

Warm pleasure from his words spread through me. He took a bite of the cake then closed his eyes and made a low groan in his throat. Oh my.

“Damn baby, that’s good.”

Yeah, it was good. The way his jaw muscles flexed as he chewed and his throat moved as he swallowed. It was real good.

“Eva,” Cage said jerking my attention off his very nice, thick, muscular neck.

“Hmmm?” I replied “If I’m gonna eat this cake then you need to talk and stop looking at me like that. You keep that shit up and I’m gonna be eating you and to hell with who catches us.”

I couldn’t help it. I giggled.

“Don’t laugh. That wasn’t a joke,” he scolded, cocking an eyebrow at me before taking another bite of cake.

I forced my eyes away from him all together. It had been two days since we’d been able to do any kind of touching. I was getting worked up very easily.

“You got company,” Cage said, standing up and moving away from me.

Company? Who? I jumped down and turned to look up at the driveway. My stomach dropped. I knew that car. Had she seen us? I had to get away from Cage.

“I gotta go,” I said without looking back at him. I didn’t want him to see the worry in my eyes. If I explained it to him he’d never understand. I wasn’t sure I could explain it. I just didn’t want Elaine Beasley catching me with someone like Cage. She’d be so disappointed.

Rushing back up the small hill toward the house I silently prayed that she hadn’t been looking out toward the cow pasture when she drove up.

Elaine had already gotten out of her Lincoln Towncar and was headed my way. The kind smile on her face reminded me of so much. She’d been the only mom I could remember. I was so young when I’d lost my mom. Elaine had been the standin while I was growing up. When I needed a mom, Josh always took me to his.

“Hello Eva,” she said, holding her arms out for a hug. I went willingly. It always felt safe when Elaine hugged me. She smelled like springtime and cookies.

“Mrs. Elaine, it’s so good to see you,” I replied, hugging her before stepping back.