Read Online Working Stiff: Casimir (Runaway Billionaires #1) by Blair Babylon - Free Book Online Page B

more. His tongue was hanging out a little on one side of his mouth in his delirium.
    “I really appreciate you letting us stay here, Cash. I found a guest house in between contracts today. They’re fine with cats. I filled out the form online, and they said they can do the credit check in the morning so I can move in tomorrow after work.”
    “Good. As long as you’re safe. I started Melanie on drawing up documents to serve your old landlord. We’ll have your things and your deposit back within a few weeks, I predict.” He leaned his head to the side, watching Pirate, and smiled. “Okay, I know that they’re your babies, or whatever, and I hate to say anything harsh about an innocent animal, but these are some beat-up beasts.”
    “They’re beautiful,” Rox said, scratching Midnight on his scarred back. The mound of cat fur on her lap began to purr. “Besides, it’s what’s on the inside that counts.”
    Cash laughed a full-throated laugh. He threw his head back and everything. Pirate looked up at him, bemused. He said, “No, it’s not.”
    “Of course it is.”
    He raised one eyebrow. “If you’re not beautiful on the outside, you can’t get laid, no one likes you, and you won’t get ahead in life.”
    Rox shook her head and released Midnight, who trotted away and licked his tail. “I call baloney, Cash.”
    “It’s not. It’s the absolute truth.”
    “You think you got where you are because you’re pretty?”
    An incredulous look floated up his face. “Absolutely.”
    Rox laughed at him. “Humble, much?”
    “This is how I look. I am aware of how everyone reacts to me, every day. Yes, I have a bit of success because I am, as you have said, pretty.”
    “You’re a damn fine lawyer, Cash. You went to Yale.”
    He shrugged. “Money and flirting with the admissions board.”
    “Every actor and model in this town wants you to look over their contract.”
    He raised one eyebrow. “And then sleep with me.”
    “Some of them are in New York and go over the contract via video chat.”
    “And then they all fly in for one last meeting,” Cash said.
    “You don’t sleep with the guys.”
    “It’s not for their lack of trying.”
    “It is not just because you’re a pretty boy! Look at me. I work my ass off, and I’m advancing within the firm. I’m not beautiful.”
    Cash looked up from the cat in his lap and blinked, a slow movement of his lids over his brilliant green eyes. “Yes, you are.”
    “Oh, my stars, Cash!” She cracked up. He could not be serious. “Look at me. I’m dumpy. I’m chubby. My hair is boring brown. So are my eyes. My bone structure is so-so and buried under pudge anyway. Don’t tease me.”
    His hand stole along the back of the couch, and he stroked her bare shoulder with one finger, a breach of their established etiquette. “You are beautiful. Your eyes are the color of the caramels back home. When you smile, everything about you is a delight.”
    “Stop it. It is not.” She was losing her breath. He shouldn’t say stupid things like that to her.
    “Doesn’t your husband tell you that you’re beautiful?” he asked.
    His hand drifted down her arm, and he tugged her elbow. Her hand floated away from the cats, who adjusted so they wouldn’t fall off her lap. Midnight grumbled.
    Cash caught her fingers in his with his hand underneath, as if he might kiss her hand in an old-fashioned way.
    She couldn’t quite look away from his hand, his long fingers that held hers, even while she reached for righteous indignation. She lived in Los Angeles. Surely the ability to act was in the water, there. Her voice was a little breathy as she said, “He doesn’t have to.”
    He turned his chin, looking at her sideways. “He does though, right?”
    “Um, no.” She looked away. None of her imaginary friends lied to her, not even her imaginary husband.
    His fingers still held hers suspended in the air, and her whole body was aware of his hand and all the