As they stepped outside, Cash reached for her hand. “Sacré-Coeur next?”
She nodded and tried to muster a smile. “Is it far?”
“It’s a little far to walk if we want to get around to all the sights today,” he said as they set off in the direction of the car.
Cash kept hold of her hand on drive over to Sacré-Coeur, his thumb drifting across her knuckles. Once or twice, he brought her hand to his mouth, his lips soft and warm as he kissed her, causing ripples of desire to feather across her skin.
The car stopped a couple of minutes away from the bottom of Montmartre. About three quarters of the way up the steps towards Sacré-Coeur, Tally put her hand out. “Give me a minute.” She gasped, trying to catch her breath.
Cash laughed. “Paris is not a city for the faint-hearted.”
“Or the seriously unfit.”
“Poor baby. Shall I carry you the rest of the way?” He bent down as though he planned to toss her over his shoulder in a fireman’s lift.
Tally skipped out of his reach. “Don’t you dare.” She set off walking again, scowling at the sound of Cash laughing behind her.
“Seen enough?” he said after they’d spent about half an hour walking around Sacré-Coeur.
“I guess,” she said, taking a last look at the view over the whole of Paris. “I think I prefer this place to Notre-Dame.”
“Ah, we’ll have to agree to disagree there, sweetness.” He captured her hand. “Let’s grab some lunch and then take a riverboat cruise.”
“Do I get to sit down on the cruise?”
Cash laughed. “Yep.”
“Thank God for that.”
Cash took her to a typical French restaurant on rue Lamarck, where he persuaded her to try frogs’ legs for lunch. Despite her reservations, they tasted very similar to chicken—bloody delicious. As they were leaving the restaurant, a couple of fans stopped Cash, asking for selfies and autographs. Tally hung back, watching, as he patiently posed and signed scraps of paper and what she hoped were unused tissues.
A flashbulb went off in her face, and she automatically raised her arm, her head flinching backwards.
“What the—”
Before she could finish her sentence, Cash grabbed her arm and muscled his way past the photographer, who seemed to have his finger permanently on the shutter release.
“For fuck’s sake,” Cash muttered. He knitted their fingers together and broke into a run, with click, click, click following them as the photographer got his fill.
After dodging down a couple of side streets, they managed to lose the photographer. With her lungs burning, Tally bent over, hands on her knees, as she tried to suck in some much-needed oxygen.
“Are you okay?”
Still short of breath, Tally glanced up at Cash. His face smouldered beneath a chilly expression.
“Jeez, Gallagher,” she said with a laugh, hoping to jerk him from his obvious annoyance. “You sure know how to show a girl a good time.”
“Fucking paps.” He tried to hide the small smile creeping across his lips.
With her breathing easier, Tally managed to stand upright. “Well, today’s taught me one thing.”
“Oh, yeah? What’s that?”
“It’s about time I got a gym membership.”
* * *
By the time they arrived back at the hotel, Tally’s feet had blisters upon blisters, and she craved a long soak in the bath.
“Do you mind if I leave you for an hour or so?” Cash said as he let her into the hotel room. “I need to get a workout in at the gym.”
“You still have energy for exercise after today?”
He winked suggestively. “I’ve got bags of energy, sweetness. I’ll be happy to demonstrate later.”
She grinned. “No, I don’t mind. I’m going to have a hot bath. My feet are killing me.”
Cash clasped her hips and pulled her close. “Thinking of you all soapy and naked in the bath will help me get through this workout twice as fast.” He kissed her forehead, grabbed his gym bag, and left.
She watched the closed door for a minute or so. Cash was such a bundle of contradictions. He had a reputation as a “love ’em and leave ’em” type selfish and self-serving enough to put his own interests above those of anyone else. Yet when they were together, he made Tally feel as though she was the most important person in the world. He was attentive, caring, considerate, and always asking her what she wanted to do or if this or that was okay.
Tally wandered into the bathroom and spotted some bubble bath on the side. She unscrewed the top and lifted the bottle to her nose. The smell was heady, caramel with an undertone of honeysuckle. She tipped a decent amount into the enormous tub and, while she waited for it to fill, headed back into the living room. Automatically drawn to the window, she stared at the view before her. Paris certainly was beautiful, and in this one visit, she’d fallen in love with the city.
She limped back into the bathroom, glad to see the bath was finally full, then sank into the water and rested her head on a folded towel. The combination of heat and bubbles eased her aching muscles. She closed her eyes and tried to imagine what Em would say about what had happened at Notre-Dame. Em had miles more experience with men, and Tally had a yearning to talk to her even though they’d just spoken the night before.
Tally jumped out of the bath and dashed into the living room, dripping water and bubbles everywhere. After grabbing her phone, she dialled Em and climbed back into the warm bathwater. Em answered on the first ring.
“Hey, Tal. I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon. Bored already?”
Tally laughed. Just hearing Em’s voice made her feel better. “Hardly. He’s gone to the gym, so I thought I’d give you a quick call.”
“Babes, if he’s got energy for the gym, you ain’t doing it right.”
She laughed again. “Honestly, Em, I’ve never known anyone with so much stamina. We’ve been walking around Paris all day, and I’m absolutely knackered, yet Cash is still bouncing on his toes.”
“So if everything’s great, what’s up?”
“Who said anything’s up?”
“Come on, Tal, I’ve known you my whole life. I can hear it in your voice. Fess up.”
Tally briefly told her about the kiss at the top of Notre-Dame and how Cash had run off straight after and then refused to tell her anything other than he felt weird.
“Hmm,” Em said. “Not exactly what a girl wants to be told after she’s been kissed.”
“That’s what I said.”
Silence. Then Em said, “Aha! Got it. He’s falling for you.”
Tally snorted. “Don’t be ridiculous. This is Cash Gallagher we’re talking about. I’m fully aware of the fact I’m just another notch carved into his extremely knobbly headboard.”
Despite promising myself I wouldn’t be that girl.
“Don’t be so sure. Even George Clooney got nabbed in the end,” Em said.
“Yeah, but George was fifty-three when he got nabbed. Cash is twenty-eight. That’s a whole lot of notches yet to carve.”
“Or he may have found what he’s looking for and can now retire his chisel.”
She giggled. “Oh, Em, I knew I’d feel better talking to you.”
“Has he told you why you’re having an unexpected break from work yet?”
“No. I’ve tried to ask a couple of times, but he keeps changing the subject. He’s expert at it.”
“Then be tenacious. Pin him down. Don’t take no for an answer.”
“I’m going to. Tonight.”
“Good.” Em chuckled. “I gave Dozer a call today.”
Tally grimaced. “How is he?”
“Pissed. Very pissed. Cash seems to have a knack for pressing every one of Dozer’s buttons. He was worried about you too, but I put him right on that score. He may not like Cash, but let’s be honest—he’s in a minority of one.”
“I’ll call him as soon as I know what’s going on.” She adjusted
the towel behind her head. “If I keep him in the loop, he’s less likely to worry.”
“Good idea.”
“Right, I’ve got to go. The bathwater is getting cold.”
“You called me from the bath? You decadent witch.”
“You should see the size of it too. It’s bigger than our entire bathroom.”
“Bugger off, Tal. You know I don’t like the way my face twists when I’m jealous.”
Tally chuckled. “I’ll call you in a day or so.”
She climbed out of the bath and bent over to pull the plug out when she heard someone clearing his throat. She spun around. Cash was leaning against the doorframe, arms folded. He raked her from head to foot with eyes that left burns in their wake.
“I knew it was worth rushing through that workout.”
TWENTY-TWO
Tally grabbed a towel and wrapped it around herself. Cash’s gym clothes clung to his skin, and beads of sweat dripped down his forehead. He wiped them away and walked predatorily towards her.
“I didn’t hear you come in. How long have you been standing there?”
He caught the end of the towel and tugged. It fell to the floor, and before she could reach for it, he kicked it away.
“Not long.” He crossed his arms and gripped the hem of his T-shirt, pulling it over his head. His skin glistened from the workout. Momentarily forgetting her discomfort at being naked, Tally reached out to touch his chest. His eyes fell shut, and he made a soft moan at the back of his throat. His hand closed over hers, holding her outstretched arm in place, and his eyes slowly opened.
“Take a shower with me.”
“I’ve just had a bath.”
“I don’t want to get you clean, sweetness. I want to get you dirty. Very, very… dirty.”
Butterflies swarmed her stomach as Cash reached into the cubicle and flicked on the shower. In seconds, the stall was filled with hot steam. He stripped off the rest of his clothes and ushered her inside. As the jets of water rained down, her skin prickled, nerve endings firing shoots of pleasure through her body, although she wasn’t sure if it was from the pounding spray or Cash’s touch.
He cradled her from behind, one arm wrapped protectively around her middle. With his free hand, he brushed her wet hair over one shoulder then sucked lightly on the side of her neck. She leaned into his body. His hands covered her breasts, and he firmly tweaked her nipples. An intense longing ripped through her, and she gasped.
“I couldn’t stop thinking about this, about being with you, the whole time I was in the gym.”
He trailed his fingers over her stomach, eventually burying them between her legs. A husky groan eased from his throat.
“Hands on the wall, baby. This is going to be quick.”
* * *
Cash lay on his side, playing with her hair. He kept taking a new lock and twisting it around his forefinger before moving on to the next.
“I take it that was Emmalee you were speaking to earlier.”
She momentarily froze. So he had heard.
“Yeah,” she said as casually as she could manage while her stomach contracted with anxiety.
He rolled onto his back and knitted his hands together behind his head. “She okay?”
Tally blew out the breath she’d been holding. “She’s fine. She managed to calm Pete down after your call yesterday.”
Cash chuckled. “I probably went too far.”
“You think?”
“Well, it’s done now. He’s a big boy. I’m sure he’ll get over it.”
“Are you ever going to tell me why I’m taking time off work?”
“Sure.”
She sighed. “When?” She couldn’t keep the irritation out of her voice, and Cash’s twitching lips annoyed her even further.
“Soon. So tonight. In or out?”
“What?”
“Dinner. Room service or restaurant?”
“Oh. A restaurant would be good. Although I can’t walk far. My feet are still aching.”
“Don’t worry, sweetness,” Cash said, nuzzling her neck, making her forget she was cross with him. “I’ll carry you. Come on—let’s get ready. I’m starving.”
Cash climbed out of bed and helped her up. She winced as her feet touched the floor. “I might have to take you up on that offer.”
She dressed in one of the outfits she’d bought that day—a pale lavender wrap dress with capped sleeves and a V-neck. Cash had not been happy at her insistence on buying the outfit with her own money, but when she wouldn’t back down, he’d grudgingly conceded.
She gazed lovingly at the matching shoes, knowing they would kill her, but not having anything else to go with the dress.
“You’ll be fine wearing them,” Cash said, nodding in the direction of her shoes as he correctly guessed what she was thinking. “We really aren’t going far.”
“Okay,” she said, slipping on the slingback sandals. Once she had them on, her feet weren’t as uncomfortable as she’d thought they’d be, and the shoes did set off the dress beautifully.
She did a quick twirl. “Will I do?”
Cash took his time appraising her. His gaze swept slowly from her head to her feet and back again. When his eyes met hers, it didn’t take a genius to figure out what he was thinking.
“You’re stunning,” he said, clasping her hand firmly. “We’d better go to dinner before I change my mind and decide I’d rather eat you instead.”
Five minutes later, they crossed the lobby, and Tally laughed when she realised where Cash was taking her.
“Was it the thought of carrying me that made you choose this place?”
Cash faked a look of offence. “I’ll have you know that Le Meurice happens to be one of the best restaurants in Paris.”
“And also happens to be the restaurant at our hotel.”
He grinned. “Pure coincidence.”
A waiter seated them by a large picture window, although as it was dark outside, all Tally could see was her own reflection in the glass. She glanced around. The décor was a little over the top for her tastes, but she loved the mosaic-tiled floor, and the lighting was cosy and warm.
They ordered their food, and the sommelier poured the wine, and once they were alone, he reached across the table and took her hand in his.
“What do you think of my favourite city?” Cash said.
“I love it.”
“I’ve loved showing it to you. Your enthusiasm is so infectious.”
“Better than with the seven or eight?”
Cash dropped her hand as though it burned him. “We’ve had this conversation,” he snapped. “I’m not having it again.”
“Sorry,” she mumbled. Tally stared out of the window into nothingness as the silence between them grew. When she risked a glance at Cash’s face, his expression was stony, and dread spread through the pit of her stomach.
My turn to make the first move. She placed her hand on top of his. “I’m sorry,” she said, this time with more feeling. “I don’t know why I keep bringing it up, because it doesn’t make me happy when I do.”
His face softened. “I don’t know what to tell you, sweetness. My past is out there, and I can’t do anything about it. And I don’t know or particularly care what the future holds. What I do know is that I am enjoying being here with you, and I hope you feel the same. Can’t we just leave it at that and live in the moment?”
Her lips curved slightly upward as an idea sprang to mind. “We can… if you tell me why I need time off work.”
Cash laughed and draped an arm over the back of his chair, his body twisting sideways as he crossed his legs. “Ah, an attempt at negotiation. You should know that I’m a master at this game.”
She was about to respond when their food arrived. She waited patiently. Once the waiter had gone, she leaned across the table, giving Cash a good eyeful of her cleavage, and received her reward when he hissed loudly.
“We all use what we can to get ahead in the art of neg
otiation. So here’s the deal. You tell me what’s happening, and you’ll get to spend a considerable part of the night with your head buried right here.” She lowered her eyes before raising them slowly to find Cash wasn’t looking at her face. “Or,” she continued, stifling a giggle as he forced his gaze upwards, “I’m afraid I may have to rethink things.”
Cash’s eyes grew wide. “What things?”
She kept her poker face on. “I don’t like secrets, Cash. I want to know what’s going on, or first thing tomorrow, I’m flying home and going back to work.”
He fidgeted in his seat. “You can’t.”
“I can, and I will.”
Tally drummed her fingers on the table as Cash stared at her, refusing to break her gaze. For a brief moment, she thought he was going to call her bluff. Then he blinked and nodded.
“Okay. Point taken. I’ve dragged it out long enough.” He gave her a crooked smile. “I’m playing Rotterdam next week, and I want you to come, spend the week with me, be in my corner so to speak.”
She stopped tapping, and her mouth fell open. “But… I didn’t think you took women to tournaments. I mean, I don’t think I’ve seen one at a tournament. Only your agent.”
A flicker of irritation crossed his face, but it was gone before she could take a second look. He captured her hand and lifted it to his mouth, kissing her knuckles. “So you’ll come?”
“Of course I’ll come.”
“Perfect. I’m having a car delivered tomorrow. We’ll set off straight after breakfast.”
“We’re driving?”
“Yes. It’s only four hundred-ish kilometres, and we have the time. It also means I don’t have to get on a goddamn plane.” He tilted his head. “So do I get my reward now?”
She grinned. “Wait until we’ve eaten, then we’ll see.”
* * *
Tally lay with her head resting on Cash’s chest. His heartbeat was reassuringly steady, and as she listened to it, she used the quiet moment to take stock. For years, she’d dreamt of meeting Cash one day, maybe even getting his autograph or a picture she’d be able to put in a frame and occasionally spend a few moments reminiscing about the day it was taken. But sharing his bed and his life and preparing to travel to an ATP500 event as his guest? Not even in her wildest fantasies would she have dreamt this up.
Winning Ace: A Winning Ace Novel (Book 1) Page 12
