Page 105 of Screwed
Beau actually winced. “Yeah.”
“And he was worried about jeopardizing your business.” She pressed her fingertips to her temples, thinking about the pressure Cash must have felt. No wonder he’d stopped calling her.
Her gaze moved behind Beau to a figure outside her shop door. Cash.
Her heart skipped a beat, and she straightened. Her eyes locked with Cash’s through the glass, and all the air left her lungs. Time seemed suspended.
Then he frowned and shouted, “Callie. Let me in.”
Beau jerked around. “What the hell?”
Callie licked her lips, then moved to the door. She unlocked and opened it with trembling hands.
Cash blew in, all angry, gorgeous energy. “What areyoudoing here?” he demanded of Beau, looking as though he was ready to punch him. Callie went on alert, prepared to break up a fight if need be.
“Talking to Callie.” Beau crossed his arms. “What are you doing here?”
Cash’s lips tightened. “I came to talk to Callie, but it’s actually good you’re here, too.” He lifted his chin. “I left you a memo back at the office, but now I can tell you in person. I’m leaving Talmadge Hale.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
“What the fuck?” Beau scowled. “You can’t leave.”
“Sure I can. We are no longer business partners.” It hurt to say it, but it also felt good.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake.”
“Cash, what are you doing?” Callie rushed to him and wrapped her hands around his biceps. “You can’t do that.”
He rolled his eyes. “I’ll say it again—yes I can. I’m doing it. Screw the business. I don’t give a flying fuck about it anymore.”
“That’s bullshit,” Beau snapped. “Of course you do.”
“Callie.” Cash turned to face her. “I love you.”
She looked up at him, blinking like a toad in a hailstorm. “What?”
“I love you. I’m so, so sorry I didn’t put you first. I had it in my head that we could never be together because it would hurt Beau.” He shot Beau a frown. “And I didn’t want to ruin our friendship or lose the business. But it’s too late. I felt guilty, and I had to tell him. I couldn’t keep going like that. I want you. I need you. I need you more than anything. So I’m giving up Talmadge Hale Consulting. I’ll find a job, or start my own consulting company. Whatever.” He set his hands on her hips and squeezed gently, holding the eye contact, trying to show her how serious and sincere he was about this. “If Sutherland Industries has a problem with us, at least it won’t affect the business because I’ll be out.”
She gazed up at him with shiny dark eyes. “You really love me?”
“I really do.”
Beau made a noise that sounded likeguh.
“Oh, Cash.” She slipped her hands around the back of his neck, her fingertips teasing the sensitive skin there. His body responded to her nearness. Yeah, hell, she was as sweet as the cakes and cookies she baked, funny and cheerful and strong, but damn, she was also hot as a firecracker on the Fourth of July. He wanted her in his life, but there was no denying he wanted her in his bed, too. Like, right fucking now.
“You’d do that for me?”
He met her eyes steadily and spoke from the depths of his heart. “I’d do anything for you, darlin’.”
Her eyes warmed with love, and her pretty lips curved into a smile, and his heart expanded hard against his ribs. “That’s so…messed up.”
He choked. “What?”
“I mean…I know how much the business means to you. I know how hard you’ve worked at it, the long hours you’ve put in, how you networked and schmoozed and tried to bring in all those clients. I know how you help your mom and your sister. That you would give that up for me…” Her eyelashes fluttered rapidly again, her eyes glossy with tears.
“Well, this is all very touching,” Beau said gruffly, “but I’m not letting you leave the company.”
