The night air crackles around us, and the tension is thick—almost suffocating. A brazen need washes over me, curling around every limb before taking root deep inside me, and it’s all I can do to not reach out and grab him.

“Well, I’m glad you invited me.” His deep, smooth voice comes out husky, and my dick takes notice.

“I’m glad you decided to come.”

We sit in this intensifying bubble together, where we don’t say anything, don’t make any move to separate or get closer. We simply just exist together. And I feel something between us shifting even more as we do.

His tongue dips out, wetting his lips, before he says four words that threaten to knock me off my feet. “Show me the upstairs.”

My pulse soars, the sound almost deafening in my ears. “You’re sure?”

He tugs that damn bottom lip between his teeth as he nods his head once, starting toward the back door. With a racing heart and shaky limbs, I turn on my heel to catch up with him. If I thought the air was thick before, it’s got nothing on how I’m feeling now.

I can’t let myself get lost in thoughts of what this is, and what it could mean. I need Cash in any way he’s willing to let me have him.

Nobody is inside as we walk through the back door, and like two men on a mission, we make a beeline for the stairs at the end of the hall. Neither of us speaks, but the energy between us says everything that needs to be said. This is years of tension, years of longing, years of desire, all unleashing between us.

As soon as my feet hit the top of the stairs, he’s on me. His body crowds mine as he shoves me against the wall, lips descending on mine with fervor. It has been years since my lips have felt the pressure of his, but it’s like no time has passed. His lips mold to mine—move with mine—like they’re meant to be there. My lips part and his tongue dips inside, tasting me quickly, before he breaks the kiss, stepping back.

For a moment, I’m worried he’s putting a stop to this already. But then he looks at me, eyes dazed and hooded, lips glistening, and says, “Take me to one of the rooms, Stone.”

Don’t gotta tell me twice.

I’ve been here—and crashed here—enough times to know that the rooms on the left-hand side of the hall are open for guests. Taking his hand in mine, I lead us to the room closest to us, and once we’re inside, I slam it shut and lock it. With my back pressed against the door, my heart beats ferociously against my ribcage as my breath comes out in heavy pants.