Blank Space (Dirty South Book 1)

by Alla Kar

  Boleyn slapped my shoulder and turned to the kid smiling at me. “This is Brayden. He’s Kurt’s kid. There isn’t any denying ‘em. They look just a like.”

  I stepped forward and shook his hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Cash Jenkins. You can call me Cash.”

  Nervously, he ran his free hand over his light hair and chuckled. “It’s an honor to meet you. My professor at SSU—,”

  “Brannon?” I asked.

  His smiled widened. “Yes, sir. He always talks about your success. I’ve looked up to you for a while. This is the biggest opportunity for me, sir.”

  Boleyn gave me a Cheshire smile. “Don’t go fueling his ego kid, you’ve already got the internship.”

  “My head’s big enough, I get enough ego strokes from the blond in my closet. Have a seat. Katy bring these gentlemen some tea.”

  Katy scurried off, the sound of her heels clicked against the hallway floor. I chuckled under my breath, looking across the table at Brayden. “So tell me about you.”

  An hour later, I was one hundred percent sure that taking Brayden on as an intern was a good decision. He was smart, work-driven, and hire-worthy. “This has been great,” Boleyn said.

  I nodded, pushing back against my chair to stand up. The door swung opened a moment later and Ash strolled in with two bags of Chinese food hanging from both hands, but it wasn’t the Chinese that caught my attention, it was Sydney walking in after him.

  “I thought we installed that new security system in to keep out the riffraff, brother.”

  Boleyn let out a holler. “Well I’ll be damned if it isn’t the richest, dirtiest son of a bitch in Savannah.”

  Ash dropped our food onto a table and widened his arms. “In the flesh.”

  Despite the noise, it wasn’t the rowdy reunion between my brother and Boleyn that had my blood pumping. It was the smile on Brayden’s face and the way he hadn’t looked he had looked at Sydney from the moment she walked into the room.

  I jammed my hands in my pockets. The urge to force everyone to leave, drag her over my desk and sink into what I knew would be a delicious-as-sin fuck had started to overwhelm me.

  I needed to think fast and focus.

  Grinding my teeth together, I stepped forward and curled my arm around Sydney’s waist. “How did work go?”

  Her brows shot to her hairline. “Fine.”

  Boleyn tugged my brother over by his shoulder. “Who is this pretty lady, Asher? You didn’t tell me you had a girlfriend?”

  Girlfriend? My fingers tightened around her waist at the same time Asher howled in laughter. I hated myself for wanting to strangle the air from Boleyn’s lungs, but dammit I hated the sound of her being referred to as anyone else’s girlfriend.

  “I’m not his—,”

  “She’s not his girlfriend,” I said, trying hard to keep my voice neutral. “She’s an artist, and I’ve hired her to paint for me. Her name is Sydney.”

  Asher elbowed Boleyn. “I wouldn’t mind taking Ms. Henry out for dinner some time.”

  Brayden rocked back on his heels. “Neither would I.”

  Goddammit. I could feel the heat rising to my face, and I prayed that acting class had done me some good. Sydney’s head shook back and forth. “I’m not a cheap date,” she smiled, looking at her paint streaked clothes. “Even though I look it today.”

  Brayden shoved his hands into his pockets and grinned. I hated that stupid grin already. “I wouldn’t dream of takin’ you on a cheap date.”

  His mouth moved, but I didn’t hear all of what he said. Ash’s eyes bored a hole into the side of my face. He knew I was about to go ape shit. Asher stepped forward and slapped Brayden on the back. “You ready to be tossed into the lion’s den Monday morning?”

  Brayden drug his eyes from Sydney, but my uneasiness didn’t subside. “I’m ready, I can’t wait to start.”

  Boleyn stretched his arms above his head. “Speaking of lion’s dens, if I don’t get you back in time for that swim meet your dad is gonna kill me.”

  He swims? I tried not to look at him but I could tell he worked out. It shouldn’t matter, it didn’t matter. He wouldn’t get close enough to show Sydney any of those swimming muscles. I’d break his arm.

  “True.” He turned to me and offered his hand. I gripped his hand and gave it a hard shake. “I look forward to seeing you Monday, Mr. Jenkins.”

  “You, too. We’ll see you at eight a.m.”

  Boleyn exchanged goodbyes with everyone before shutting the door behind himself. Relief flooded me when the door clicked behind him, but then Sydney stepped out of my embrace. “What’s up with you?” she asked.

  Asher lifted a brow as he took out our lunch.

  “Nothing,” I said, straightening my tie.

  She watched me through narrowed eyes and carefully sat down next to Asher. “Whatever,” she mumbled.

  I saw Asher try to hide his smile. “You going to eat?” he asked over the lid of his drink.

  That smartass look was back on his face. He knew him picking up Sydney today would piss me off. Plus, Gloria would be pissed if she knew we hadn’t eaten the lunch she cooked. I rounded my desk and took a seat.

  Ash squeezed soy sauce onto his plate. “You want to go try out the new deer stand in the morning? I’ve been itchin’ for some deer meat.”

  Sydney ate silently, only looking up when it took me too long to answer. “Actually, I want to take Sydney hunting in the morning. I’ve sent an e-mail out to Carter for him to go ahead and set up the stand beside my other one.”

  Ash’s smile widened when Sydney choked on her food. “About that. You don’t want me to actually hunt, do you? I don’t think that’s a good idea. I’ve never been hunting before. I wouldn’t know what to do.”

  I knew that. I knew she’d never had her prissy ass in a deer stand, and that’s why I wanted to take her. I wanted to show her something she’d never seen before. “That’s okay. I want you to go.”

  Sydney pushed back a lock of blond hair from her forehead. “What does this have to do with painting?”

  Ash’s brows lifted to his hairline.

  I leaned over, placing my elbows against my desk, dropping my gaze to her mouth before meeting her eyes. “Absolutely nothing.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Sydney

  I felt the white paint against my forehead as I swiped my sweaty hair to the side. I hadn’t been able to concentrate since Asher dropped me back off at the house.

  The way Cash had acted earlier toward the intern had me on edge. I tried not to look too much into the fact that he held me so close to him, or the strong feel of his palm on my waist. It didn’t mean anything, or maybe it did. He’d basically told me he just wanted me to come with him deer hunting.

  I’d lied too.

  I had been hunting with my brother when I was young, but I hadn’t been back since the accident. I didn’t want to be attracted to Cash. His rude tongue and stern demeanor weren’t things I’d ever really been attracted to. Though, I’d never had a man act this way about me.

  “It’s looking good up there,” Gloria said. I dropped my paint brush and looked down at her. “Sorry to startle you, darlin’. I made some cookies, and I thought you might enjoy some. You’re finished?”

  “It’s okay,” I said, climbing down the stairs. “And I’d love some cookies. I did just finish, and I always like to reward myself.”

  Gloria wiped her hands on her apron and ushered me into the kitchen. The florescent lighting lit up a perfectly cleaned kitchen that I assumed Cash never set foot in unless to eat. “Have a seat right here,” she said, patting the bar stool.

  I climbed up, watching as she pushed the plate of cookies my way. The chocolate goodness melted in my mouth, and I felt like a kid again. “These are great.”

  She waved me off, her smile steady. “How have you been? Cash told me about your fall the other night.”

  Damn him. I swallowed and leaned against the counter. “Fine. My bum’s bruised bu
t I’ll live.”

  “Good. So tell me a little bit about yourself. I only see Cash when he’s hungry, so our conversations are limited.”

  Gosh, nosy much? I hadn’t expected any less, though. Ninety-five percent of women over sixty-five south of the Mason-Dixon are nosy. They’d tell you they were; it wasn’t a secret. “I’m twenty-five. I teach painting classes at the studio downtown on Pecan.”

  She pushed the plate closer to me. “I know the place.

  I snagged another cookie. “I love my job. I have a best friend named Frankie.”

  She swirled her finger around the outer rim of her sweet tea glass. “What about a boyfriend?”

  “No,” I said.

  The corner of her mouth pulled into a small smirk. I didn’t like it. It had conniving written all over it. “So how do you like working for Cash so far? Has everything been okay?”

  No, it hadn’t. I was physically attracted to him. The wildfire that’d taken flame between my legs when he’d palmed my waist nearly ruined me. I’d never had such a reaction to a man before. Not from just a simple touch.

  “It’s been fine,” I said, finishing my second cookie. “These are really good.”

  She smiled politely at me. She didn’t want to talk about her cookies because she wanted juice that didn’t exist. “Thank you for these, but I need to get my things cleaned up. Will I see you at supper?”

  “Of course,” she backed up and bent to turn her stove on. “I need to get started on it anyway. It was lovely talking to you, darlin’.”

  “You, too.”

  I cleaned up my things in thirty minutes. My eye had been on the lounge chair next to the heated swimming pool. I knew how to adjust the temperature because my aunt had the same kind. Ah … the luxuries ….

  After I had changed into my bathing suit, I adjusted my boobs in my top, making sure everything was neatly positioned. It was way early for Cash to be home but I didn’t want to take the chance of him showing up.

  Nyla followed me outside, and I laid my towel on the lounge chair then dove in. The water glistened in the shimmering sun. I broke through the glare and glided forward. The feeling of water consuming me felt better than anything I could imagine. Silent, still and all-consuming.

  I hadn’t realized where I was at first.

  It didn’t take long, though. Something wet soaked my foot. I jerked awake. The setting sun blinded me for a moment, I could imagine the look of horror on my face, especially when I noticed Cash’s silhouette in front of me.

  “Shit.”

  His smile sent the chilled goosebumps on my arms into chaos. “You must be freezin’,” he said, holding out my towel for me. I followed his gaze and my thighs went to Jell-O.

  My nipples were hard as hell. Sweet Lord, put me out of my misery. He wasn’t looking away from them. Before he could blink, I slipped off of the floaty lounge chair and into the warmth of the pool. It was hotter than before. “I turned it up for you,” he said, his voice slower than usual. Deeper. “I knew you’d be cold.”

  I was, but certain parts of me were very warm. I walked to the side of the pool and slowly climbed out in humiliation. He was not hiding the way he stared at me. I wanted to ask him if he’d like to take a picture because it would last longer, but I couldn’t get my mouth to work.

  Warm. Everything was warm. Heat crept up into my ears, and I hardly heard Nyla’s meow from beside Cash. Traitor.

  Cash lifted the towel toward me slowly, his mouth slightly ajar as he drug his light eyes up my body. I laced my fingers together behind my back, and I felt myself becoming weak-kneed. His eyes were so memorizing.

  He cleared his throat and gently pushed the towel toward me. “Take it,” he whispered.

  I snatched it, wrapping it around my shoulders. “Thank you.”

  Cash lifted his eyes and looked just beyond my shoulder. “Dinner will be ready soon.”

  I scratched the side of my nose. “Okay. I’ll go shower really quick. Sorry for falling asleep I—,”

  “You’re more than welcome to swim whenever you want,” he said. “I’ll be inside.” He turned on his heel and marched into the house. My heart beat took an entire minute to slow down.

  I hurried to shower, scrunching my hair quickly, and pulling a pink sundress over my head. My flats slapped against the concrete as I ran toward the bay doors. The smell of baked pork chops flooded the air and my mouth watered.

  When I rounded the corner, Asher and Cash were at the table. Scotch glasses sat in front of them, the glow from the sun shone through the dining room. My heart thumped harder against my chest when Cash turned to look at me. He’d changed into a pair of low-slung jeans and a white cotton T-shirt.

  My mouth dried.

  “Sydney,” Cash said, standing at the same time as his brother. “We’re ready Gloria.”

  I ignored the glares as I walked over to my seat, sliding my hands against my bottom as I sat down in my dress. Cash watched me, his fingers tightened around his scotch glass. “Pretty dress,” he mumbled as he took a drink.

  I grabbed the glass of water in front of me and took a long unnecessary drink. “Thank you.”

  Gloria brought our meal out, giving me a friendly smile on her back to the kitchen. “Why won’t she eat with us?” Asher asked.

  Cash shrugged. “She always declines,” he said, straightening his shoulders. “And the woman is stubborn as hell.”

  “I heard that,” she yelled from the kitchen.

  I smiled at my plate, grabbing my fork to dig into my pork chops. “The entrance looks amazin’,” Cash said. “It’s more than I could have asked for.”

  Heat crept up my cheeks. “I’m glad you like it.”

  I stole a glance at him as I took a drink of the wine that Gloria poured me. His raven hair looked soft, and I itched to touch it. My body was too aware of the way he watched me. His light eyes were intense, unlike Ash whose eyes smiled all the time, Cash’s felt like they wanted to devour me. He—Mr. Jenkins̶̶ ̶ wanted to devour me.

  “Sydney.”

  “Hm?” I looked over at Asher.

  He grinned wider, his fork hanging from his hand. “I asked you if you had anything in mind for the mural in our office.”

  Oh. Had he even spoken? I didn’t hear anything. “I think I do,” I said, dropping my eyes to my food.

  “Well, you can start Monday mornin’ if you’d like to,” Cash said.

  Asher leaned against the table. “Yeah, at least you won’t be the only newbie Monday morning.”

  Cash clanked his fork down against his plate and glared at Asher across the table. I could have cut the tension with a knife. Cash’s jaw was set tight but despite his seriousness, Asher grinned. “Oh, Cash,” he mumbled before taking a sip.

  What did that mean? Did he not like Brayden? “Kill it, Ash,” Cash snapped.

  Ash put his palms out in surrender. “My bad.”

  Cash tilted his head and squeezed his eyes shut tight; a low chuckle rumbled in his chest. “I have tons of paperwork to do,” he slid from the table. “I’ll see you in the morning at six.”

  I watched as he marched from the dining room and disappeared down the hallway. His door slammed a few seconds later.

  Ash sighed. “He’s always been dramatic.”

  I watched silently as Asher finished his dinner nonchalantly. What in the hell just happened?

  I woke before the sun the next morning. I loved early mornings but not when I hadn’t slept much the night before. My eyes felt like heavy weights drug them down, and my body felt like goo.

  When I crawled out of bed, I found a camouflage shirt and pants sitting on the hope chest that sat in front of my bed. Perched on the floor was a pair of black hunting boots and socks.

  Fear slowly crawled up my chest and knocked against my throat. I hadn’t worn anything resembling hunting attire since Ryder’s death. I never wanted to go again because it was our thing.

  Part of me wanted to grab my phone and text Cash to tell him
I didn’t feel well. The other part of me wanted to go with him because the desire I had to be close to him again was ruthless. It didn’t care that Ryder was the last person to take me hunting, it wanted Cash to take me.

  I reached forward, grabbed the clothes, and made a beeline for the shower. Forty minutes later I stood in front of the body length mirror that hung in my closet. The clothes fit me perfectly. Not like it was just my size, but actually fit me everywhere perfectly. I’d never seen hunting gear so—fitted.

  Three knocks came from the front door, and my heart pounded in my ears. Giving myself one last look, I shut the closet door and started toward the entrance.

  Cash stood on the other side. His eyes were the first thing I noticed. The magnetic pull his eyes had on me never changed. It was so hard to look away, like they were magnetic, you couldn’t even think about looking away.

  The hot morning air crackled around me; my mouth went dry, and I desperately wanted the coffee I knew he held because of the aroma. I pried my eyes away from him and gave him a once-over. His camo shirt fit him well and was tucked into a pair of matching pants. It was a typical hunting attire, but something about the way he wore them had my hormones playing soccer inside of me.

  “Good mornin’,” he said.

  My eyes moved up to the scruffy jaw that allowed those lush lips to speak. “Mornin’.”

  Cash dropped his gaze and took me in slowly. I squirmed in the huge boots that felt like they weighed ten pounds, my fingers intertwined behind my back. Cash offered me my coffee.

  “It’s hazelnut.”

  I lifted a brow and took the goodness into my hand. “Thank you.” I wanted to ask how he knew which one to get, but I wasn’t sure if I wanted to know.

  Cash gestured me forward. “This way.”

  I followed beside him, sipping on my coffee and trying to avoid the husky scent of his body. It wasn’t cologne, maybe soap? I didn’t know and didn’t care. He cleared his throat when we approached a ginormous Gator sitting in his driveway.