Knock Love Out (A Sensual New Adult Crossover Romance) by Pella Grace Page B

Softly, his voice finds me.
    “They told my parents when I was little, I had a problem—the shit they call ADD —these days? Wanted to pump me full of drugs just because I didn’t act the way they thought I should. Poppy didn’t buy into it though. She knew I was special. My mind just worked differently than other kids.”
    “Better,” I encourage, holding up a piece of paper that has a girl’s face sketched in charcoal grey. It’s amazing. So detailed.
    Cash’s face lights up, liking my words. “That’s why I’ll take all of my father’s crap and put up with that shit grocery store. It makes my mom happy. I owe her my life. Literally.”
    “No one noticed me when I was a kid. I was just another snotty-nosed nobody,” I tease.
    “You were probably the cutest little girl. Boys chased you on the playground, didn’t they?”
    I stay silent.
    He grins, nodding. “Yeah, I knew it.”
    “I’m sure you were a nightmare. With those eyes.”
    He gets up from the stool. “A dream , you mean?”
    I set the paper down, wanting to play this game. Dance this dance.
    “No, I’m sure I was right the first time.”
    I’m swept up in his arms, only to be laid down on the piles of paper crinkling underneath us. He crawls over me, looking down. His fingers dig into the sides of my knee, making me jerk with laughter.
    “What about my eyes, Lilla?”
    I go for the age stuff. “Are you seriously tickling me like we’re five ?”
    He answers with action. Smart.
    The alcohol is still speaking in my absence. “I could think of other things you could do in between my legs, Cash, other than tickle me. Very mature things.”
    He shakes his head. “Don’t tempt me, Lil.”
    “Like this?” I lock my legs around him.
    “I don’t fuck drunk girls.”
    “I’m fine. Just not legally speaking,” I laugh.
    “The fact that you are asking me to fuck you on the dirty floor is evidence to the contrary.”
    “Maybe I just want you.”
    He kisses my nose. “Who doesn’t? ”
    “That’s the only reason I came in the store. I wanted to have an affair with someone.”
    Cash dips his head into my shoulder, laughing softly. “Shut up, Lilla.”
    Rejection. Drunken stupid rejection.
    “It’s because I’m an old hag, isn’t it?”
    “What?”
    “I’m too old for you. It’s gross, isn’t it?”
    “It has nothing to do with age and everything to do with not taking advantage of someone. I’m pretty sure you get enough of that shit at home. Speaking of which, I should probably be taking you there, before Adam thinks you’ve run away again.”
    “Adam left for the weekend. He won’t be home until late on Monday.”
    “Is that so?”
    I nod.
    Cash slides away from me, rising to pull us to our feet. The light is clicked off. Down the stairs and slowly everything is put to bed. Television. More lights. And then us.
    His bedroom is a reflection of the rest of the apartment. Small tokens of his childhood lingering in the details. A picture of his family. Someone I assume is his mother, Poppy. A thick comforter is folded down before he digs through a dark-wooden dresser, pulling a shirt out.
    A long finger calls me over.
    Just like in the park, he undresses me, slowly tugging my dress away, over my head. Replacing it with a soft cotton shirt of his. He hoists me in his arms, walking us over to the bed and lays me down, removing his own clothing, sans underwear before he spoons himself along me.
    “If I push you away during the night, don’t get a complex, Lilla. I’m just an emotional sleeper.”
    I smile in the darkness. “Okay.”
    He kisses my shoulder.
    “Dream about something you’d like to do tomorrow. When you wake up in the morning, tell me what it is.”
     

 
     
     
     
    PART TWO
    CASH
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Ten
     
     
    I see Lilla peaceful and clean. I see Lilla a wonder and light. I see her small and precious. I see her soft and wrapped in warmth.
    Just watching. Admiring the picture in