Stormy Weather (17 page)

“I guess Mama was right,” she said to herself. “I started taking care of Sasha, Akisha, and Genise when I was eight years old. I’m still doing it now and they’re in their twenties.”

Moving away from the window, Rachelle strolled around the room taking in her accomplishments as a sense of tremendous gratification swelled inside her chest. For years, she had rolled around the idea of having a high-end inn for people to stay in for a week, two weeks, or longer if they were willing to pay for it.

Right here was where she had wanted to be for as long as she could remember. It had taken her a while, but after a lot of prayers and along with a lot of hard work, she was living her dream to the fullest. Yet, why did she feel so alone?

Success was a good thing, but not when she didn’t have anyone to share it with, and she wanted someone to tell all about her days. Working at
Luxury
used to be everything for her until a handsome man walked through the front door over a month ago and captivated her.

Cash made her feel young, free, and sexy all at the same time. She didn’t feel like Rachelle Williams, the caretaker of her three little adult sisters, but an attractive woman who could actually have fun without worrying about the consequences coming to her after it was over.

She loved to work, but there were times when it seemed like her job at
Luxury
became more important to her than having a relationship. She had lost a lot of good guys in the past because she got too wrapped up in certain projects.

The guys felt like they stayed on the sidelines, waiting for a little bit of attention from her. However, Cash got all of her focus for the short time he spent in her company and she just let him walk out the door. How could she have been so dumb?

All of these churning emotions were so new for her, and almost kind of awkward. It had never been like this before with another man and it was almost embarrassing. Cash captured her heart so fast and she feared if she gave in so quickly to him, he might think she was inadequate in some way.

A knock at the door drew her thoughts away from Cash. Rachelle glanced over her shoulder and thought about not answering it. But, she knew one of her sisters was on the other side and none of them would leave without talking to her first. They were all too stubborn to take a hint, so she might as well get it over with.

“Come in,” she said, walking over to a chair and sitting down.

The door opened and Sasha walked through in holding a magazine in her right hand. She watched as her sister shut the door, took a seat across from her, and gave her a tiny smile.

“How are things going with you?” her sister asked.

“I’m good, just thinking about the past when we were kids,” Rachelle answered, leaning forward in her seat. “Why are you here? I thought you were going to work a few hours and head to your other job. Is Akisha not here, do you need me to come out and work the front desk?”

Sasha shook her head. “No, Akisha is here. She’s working the front desk because I had to come back here to talk to you about something.”

“What is it?”

“Have you made a decision about Cash yet? I mean, it has been over a month and you haven’t even called him. Don’t you think you have allowed too much time to pass?”

“Sasha, I don’t want to talk about Cash with you. So, if you came into my office for that reason, you need to leave,” Rachelle said.

“Fine, I’ll go, but first I have something to give you.” Her sister held out the magazine for her to take.

Rachelle looked at the
Inns and Hotels
magazine before taking it from her sister. This was one of the best guides for the hottest places to stay in the country. She had been trying to get in it for months. Why was Sasha giving her a copy of it?”

“Why do I need this?” she asked.

“Open to the marked page and you will have your questions answered,” Sasha said, standing up. “If you’re still having a hard time making a decision about Cash, I think this will clear it all up for you. Remember, it’s time for you to live your life and not worry so much about Akisha, Genise, or me.”

Her sister turned away from her and walked across the carpet. She paused, then glanced back over her shoulder one last time before spinning around and going out the door.

Rachelle held the thick magazine in her hands before opening it up to the page marked with a yellow clip tab. She noticed the white envelope on the inside and her name written across the front in a familiar handwriting. Placing the magazine down on the table next to her, Rachelle opened the card and started reading the note.

Rachelle,

Hi sweetheart
,

I know this note might come as a surprise to you, but I have been thinking about you so much this past month. I was hoping you would get in touch with me, but after two weeks passed I started to see you weren’t going to make the first move. It was then I knew I had to do something to get you back into my life.

I told you before I left that I quit my job and was going to find a new one because I needed something more fulfilling to do with my time. Guess what, I found one. It’s the best thing that has happened to me. I hope you will be pleased with it as much as I am.

The magazine I sent you has a lot to do with my new career. I got my first assignment last month and I didn’t have to think twice what I would write about. I hope you like it and I want you to know that I haven’t given up on us.

I want you now as much as I did a month ago, but come to me. However, I should let you know this will be the last time I will make the first move. The next part of our relationship is left up to you…

Cash

Picking up the magazine, Rachelle flipped it back open to the marked page and started reading the article.

Luxury is beyond simple comfort

Written by Cash Garon

After staying at Luxury in Hook, Texas, I have been ruined for any other hotels, motels, or inns. I was amazed at the beauty and attention to décor this small, yet charming hotel offered to its guests. The rooms are beautiful, cozy, and comfortable. Rachelle Williams, the owner, couldn’t do enough to make sure that I had everything that I needed while I was there. Luxury is conveniently located right outside of town, yet you feel like you are right in the heart of the city.

This is a five-star you can book for very reasonable rates if you ever get a chance to visit Hook for a vacation. You should definitely check out this family-owned business. Luxury will be one place you will hate to leave once your vacation is over.

Blinking back tears, Rachelle reread the review that Cash had written about
Luxury
. Every word he wrote was filled with praise at her abilities in running a savvy, smart business while giving her guests the relaxing time they paid for. Did Cash realize he just gave her a five-star review in one of the most read travel publications in the world?

The more she thought about it, Rachelle couldn’t believe she
ever
doubted the sincerity of Cash’s words before he left. Instead of getting upset when she told him that she needed some space to think about them being together, Cash had taken his time away from her and composed this outstanding article.

Rachelle was hurtled back to Earth as reality struck her. She could no longer deny the truth. She might not have wanted to admit it to Cash then, but she couldn’t lie any longer. Her own insecurities kept her from following her heart. She wanted to be with Cash forever. The night she spent with him made her realize her own needs, and it scared her so much that she pushed him away. Her feelings for him had nothing to do with reason, but she didn’t want to let them go.

Well, she was done being a coward. Cash just proved how much he cared about her and now it was her turn to show him how much it meant to her.

Jumping up from her seat, Rachelle felt her pulse leap with excitement as she rushed towards her office door. She couldn’t stay away from Cash any longer. She would get on the next flight to California as fast as she could.

She shouldn’t have taken him for granted. Now, it was left up to her to right her mistake for it was too late. Rachelle only prayed that she hadn’t waited too long to tell Cash how much she cared about him.

Chapter Eighteen

Niven, California….

Standing in front of Cash’s condo door, Rachelle raised her hand to knock then dropped it down again as her nerves took over. How could she do this? What was she supposed to tell him after not being into touch with him for over a month?

Yes, he had sent her the article along with the beautiful handwritten note, but admitting how wrong she was would be hard. She wasn’t used to going after a man and putting her emotions out there for him to accept.

“Rachelle, is that you?”

Turning away from the door, Rachelle locked eyes with Cash, who was standing behind her wearing a running shorts and a green t-shirt. He pulled the plugs out of his ears and slipped them into the front pocket of his shorts. Must his every movement remind her of his sexual attractiveness?

“Hi, Cash,” she answered, suddenly nervous.

“What are you doing here?” he asked, stepping closer to her. “I didn’t think you were ever going to show up.”

“I came to see you. Do you think we can talk?”

Cash looked at her as if he were weighing the question. Rachelle began to wonder if there was anything she could do to get Cash to let her inside of his condo. They needed to talk and she wasn’t going anywhere until they did.

A glint of hope came into his eyes as he closed the distance between their bodies. “Yes. Let me unlock the door and you can come inside,” Cash answered as he slid around her and unlocked the door. Going inside, he held it open and waited for her to join him.

Once she got into his condo, he slammed the door behind her, making her jump a little. “Sorry, I didn’t mean to scare you,” he apologized. “I’m just so surprised that you’re actually standing in front of me.”

“How could I not come after the magazine article and note?” Tossing his keys down on the table by the front door, he removed the ear buds along with the iPod from his shorts. Cash slowly came towards her until they were within touching distance of her body.

He slowly ran his hand down her bare arm. “Is that the only reason you came hundreds of miles to see me, sweetheart? I mean, you could have left me a message on my answering machine about the article.”

“No, it’s more. I have more to tell you.”

“What is it?”

His hands rested on her arms, causing her skin to tingle. The warmth of his calloused fingers were intoxicating as an electric shock scorched through her body. Passion mingled with love pounded through her blood as she stared into Cash’s eyes.

“I tried to stay away because none of this made any sense to me. I never thought it was possible to fall for someone as fast I did you. I was raised to believe love came after dating for months or even years, but it wasn’t that away with you. I knew you were doing something to me the second I saw you walk through the doors at
Luxury.

“Yet, after our first kiss, I…”

“Tell me,” Cash whispered, brushing his mouth over hers.

His kiss was slow, thoughtful, like he had all the time in the world to wait for her words. Raising his mouth from hers, he gazed into her eyes and everything felt so right between them, but she needed to tell Cash how she felt.

“I realized how much I loved feeling your mouth against mine and it scared me a little…no, a lot. You just were too much for me too fast and I panicked. That’s why I sent you away. My rejection of you wasn’t entirely about your job, but how you made me feel.”

“I know,” Cash said, shocking her.

“How did you know?”

“Rachelle, I could see in your eyes how much you were drawn to me, and fighting it in the same breath. I felt like if I kept pushing you, it would only send you further and further away from me. I couldn’t let you go, so I left hoping you would come to your senses.”

Pulling her against his chest, he planted a tantalizing kiss in the hollow of her neck. “Sweetheart, I love you,” he whispered against her skin. “Don’t over think what we feel for each other, just accept it like I have. I won’t ever find another woman who makes me feel the way you do.”

She placed her hands on Cash’s chest and eased her body back from his. Tilting her head back, she stared up into his face. Standing on her tiptoes, Rachelle kissed him, savoring every moment. His lips were warm and sweet on hers. It was a kiss that left her weak in the knees.

“Cash, I love you, too. Please make love to me. I can’t pretend I don’t want you any longer.”

Placing his hands on her waist, Cash eased her closer to him until not an inch separated their bodies. His clear gray eyes caught and held hers for a whole two minutes before he spoke to her.

“I want you to know that if you want to stop anytime during this that you can, and I won’t get upset with you. Despite the fact, I find you totally irresistible and can’t wait to make love to you. I don’t want to force you into anything you aren’t ready for. We can move as slowly as you want. All of this is so new for both of us. Just know how much I care about you and want you in my life.”

“I’m more than ready for this,” Rachelle said. She proved her point by tugging Cash’s t-shirt over his head and running her hands over his well-defined chest.

“Do you know that you’re playing with fire?” Cash placed his large hand over her smaller ones, stopping their movements.

“Today I’m going to live dangerously, so I’m ready to play with you any way I can,” she whispered.

For a moment he studied her intently, like he was trying to make sure she knew what she was telling him. Slowly his eyes drew a darker shade of gray and she was enthralled by what she saw.