Read Online Take Me Home: Home is Where the Heat Is, Book 3 by Candi Wall - Free Book Online
Authors: Candi Wall
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goal. That wouldn’t be so bad if they weren’t willing to use people, sell their souls, alter everything nature gave them, to get there.”
Shawna shrugged. At one time, she would have agreed. Now? “I’ve been used too many times, so I understand why a person would behave that way. Sometimes a person needs to look out for numero uno. Sometimes a person has to do what they can to make their way.”
“Ah. Now that’s the real you, with an honest opinion.”
He trailed his knuckles down her cheek. At first, she thought he was trying to distract her. Didn’t matter that he was doing a hell of a job. “So now you agree with me?”
“No. Not at all.” He brushed her lips gently. “I just understand end goals.”
“What’s yours?”
“I can’t think of anything closer to heaven than having someone in my life that could make me believe in them so fiercely that I want to set aside every want or need I have just to make them happy.”
There was no hesitation in his answer. He meant it right down to his boots.
“That’s crazy.” Shawna blanched. “That kind of control is where heartbreak comes from. Being that invested in a person makes you settle for less than you want. Settling means always wondering. Wondering breeds discontent and resentment.”
“Ah. Now we’re getting somewhere.” He chuckled and sat back in his seat. “You act tough, but there’s all kinds of softness beneath your city mask. I like seeing the real you, whether I agree with you or not.”
Shawna didn’t know how to respond. She sat across from a hunk that could have just about any piece of tail he wanted, and he was telling her he wanted a happily ever after. Talk about a juxtaposition.
“So our end goals are different.” Not a huge surprise in her book. “What makes yours more acceptable than mine?”
“Nothing, except the using without giving. I can’t be around fake people with ulterior motives.”
His hand slid over her knee and Shawna shivered, more from what he expected from her than his actual touch. Most guys she knew looked for a quick affair with no ties. Hell, no names was a typical taste. Cash wanted more.
“You’re asking a lot,” she scolded. “What about you? Why is it so important I’m upfront? What skeleton keeps you from fucking every available piece of ass that’s been offered? Probably since you stepped out of the womb?”
For a long moment, she wondered if he’d answer. Then he took a deep breath and shifted in his seat to meet her gaze. “I wasn’t kidding when I said I don’t like fake people. I’ve had to deal with them most of my life.” He paused as the limo pulled over at the curb to her apartment building. “This is your stop. I’ll tell you my story, now or later. Your choice.”
Chapter Seven
Cash waited.
It was a defining moment for her, considering she was in full protect-herself mode.
“You want to come up and talk?” she asked quietly, a hint of surprise in her voice.
“That’s about the size of it.” Her hands shook, and she gripped them together, placing them in her lap. He didn’t know what she was expecting, but he didn’t want her nervous, no matter where the night led. “It’s up to you.”
“I guess now is as good a time as any,” she said softly.
He nodded and rapped on the window. When Gio rolled it down, he shook the driver’s hand. “Tell yer wife she’s got people she don’t know thinking of her. And you hang in there.”
“Thanks. I’ll do that.” Gio smiled hugely and shifted to look at Shawna. “Will you call when I should pick him up?”
Cash watched her reactions carefully. Her eyes shimmered, achingly sad. “No, Gio. Take Nick back to his hotel and go spend some time with your wife. You can have the rest of the night off, with pay. I’ll get Cash a cab.”
She hurried out of the limo and stood on the cobblestone walkway while Cash climbed out. The limo pulled out into traffic and she just stood there, watching it drive
Shawna shrugged. At one time, she would have agreed. Now? “I’ve been used too many times, so I understand why a person would behave that way. Sometimes a person needs to look out for numero uno. Sometimes a person has to do what they can to make their way.”
“Ah. Now that’s the real you, with an honest opinion.”
He trailed his knuckles down her cheek. At first, she thought he was trying to distract her. Didn’t matter that he was doing a hell of a job. “So now you agree with me?”
“No. Not at all.” He brushed her lips gently. “I just understand end goals.”
“What’s yours?”
“I can’t think of anything closer to heaven than having someone in my life that could make me believe in them so fiercely that I want to set aside every want or need I have just to make them happy.”
There was no hesitation in his answer. He meant it right down to his boots.
“That’s crazy.” Shawna blanched. “That kind of control is where heartbreak comes from. Being that invested in a person makes you settle for less than you want. Settling means always wondering. Wondering breeds discontent and resentment.”
“Ah. Now we’re getting somewhere.” He chuckled and sat back in his seat. “You act tough, but there’s all kinds of softness beneath your city mask. I like seeing the real you, whether I agree with you or not.”
Shawna didn’t know how to respond. She sat across from a hunk that could have just about any piece of tail he wanted, and he was telling her he wanted a happily ever after. Talk about a juxtaposition.
“So our end goals are different.” Not a huge surprise in her book. “What makes yours more acceptable than mine?”
“Nothing, except the using without giving. I can’t be around fake people with ulterior motives.”
His hand slid over her knee and Shawna shivered, more from what he expected from her than his actual touch. Most guys she knew looked for a quick affair with no ties. Hell, no names was a typical taste. Cash wanted more.
“You’re asking a lot,” she scolded. “What about you? Why is it so important I’m upfront? What skeleton keeps you from fucking every available piece of ass that’s been offered? Probably since you stepped out of the womb?”
For a long moment, she wondered if he’d answer. Then he took a deep breath and shifted in his seat to meet her gaze. “I wasn’t kidding when I said I don’t like fake people. I’ve had to deal with them most of my life.” He paused as the limo pulled over at the curb to her apartment building. “This is your stop. I’ll tell you my story, now or later. Your choice.”
Chapter Seven
Cash waited.
It was a defining moment for her, considering she was in full protect-herself mode.
“You want to come up and talk?” she asked quietly, a hint of surprise in her voice.
“That’s about the size of it.” Her hands shook, and she gripped them together, placing them in her lap. He didn’t know what she was expecting, but he didn’t want her nervous, no matter where the night led. “It’s up to you.”
“I guess now is as good a time as any,” she said softly.
He nodded and rapped on the window. When Gio rolled it down, he shook the driver’s hand. “Tell yer wife she’s got people she don’t know thinking of her. And you hang in there.”
“Thanks. I’ll do that.” Gio smiled hugely and shifted to look at Shawna. “Will you call when I should pick him up?”
Cash watched her reactions carefully. Her eyes shimmered, achingly sad. “No, Gio. Take Nick back to his hotel and go spend some time with your wife. You can have the rest of the night off, with pay. I’ll get Cash a cab.”
She hurried out of the limo and stood on the cobblestone walkway while Cash climbed out. The limo pulled out into traffic and she just stood there, watching it drive
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