"Wow."

I could merely stare, shocked as I was by my surroundings. "Wow."

Cash grinned as he tugged off his jacket. "Wow?"

I shook my head, my mouth agape. "Wha-How-"

"Yeah." He shrugged indifferently. "I guess it's okay."

"Okay?" I spluttered, bewildered. "Cash, you live in an actual mansion."

And he did. The Smith family house was certainly nothing to sneeze at-Large, sleek, and modern, the entrance hall was larger than my bedroom. Windows spanned every wall, letting natural light spill across its marble tile.

It was beautiful. And Cash lived here.

I peered at him suddenly over my shoulder, frowning thoughtfully.

"What?" Cash asked.

"Nothing..." I shrugged, smiling mysteriously. "Just...Figured some things out about you."

"Oh?" He quirked a brow, stepping forward. "Care to enlighten me?"

"Nope." I flashed him a teasing grin. "Well, are you gonna give me the grand tour?"

"I don't know if you deserve it now, after that comment," Cash retorted, poking me lightly on the shoulder. "But I do pride myself on being a generous host. To the kitchen."

To the kitchen indeed. It, like the front of the house, was spacious, modern and gleaming. Although, there was something cold about it, too. Something that suggested it was rarely used...At least, not by its occupants.

"Cash...Do you have servants?" I asked slowly, gazing at my reflection in the countertop.

He snorted. "No, we don't have servants. We have a few staff-"

"Same thing."

Cash laughed and shook his head. "Shall I show you to my bedroom now?"

"How improper," I gasped, with mock outrage. "I think that suggestion warrants a bit more chivalry."

"Chivalry?" A slow, mischievous grin spread across Cash's face. "Oh, I'll show you chivalry." In one swift movement, he scooped me into his arms and began carrying me, bridal style, up the nearest staircase.

"Cash," I said shakily, my heart galloping violently against my chest. "What are you doing?" My skin was burning, bright and flushed beneath his touch.

His chest rumbled with laughter. "What's the matter, Miller?" he teased. "Not having fun?"

I grumbled incomprehensibly and turned my face away, pressing it into his chest. "Hmph."

"Do you want me to put you down?"

"...No."

Surprisingly, Cash's bedroom was less opulent than the rest of the house. It was still big, of course, but bare; a large king-sized bed sat in the middle of the room, but aside from a dresser, a desk, and a TV, it was relatively sparse.

"Welcome to my room," Cash announced, depositing me onto his bed.

I gazed around, taking in the neutral grey walls, immaculate carpet and wall-to-wall windows. Most of the blinds had been pulled down half-way, so the room was basked in dim afternoon lighting.

"You, ah...Don't have a lot of stuff," I commented.

"Mmm." Cash climbed onto the bed beside me and stretched out on his side, pulling me closer. "I don't like clutter."

"It's a wonder you let me in here, then," I mused wryly.

"Well, maybe I'm willing to make an...exception." He began playing with the hem of my shirt, his fingers brushing against my skin. I sucked in a breath, barely daring to move as he slowly lifted up the fabric.

"Is this okay?" he asked softly, meeting my gaze.

I drew in another shaky breath, my mind racing as electricity crackled through my veins.

"Yes."

The word was barely more than a whisper.

I climbed onto Cash's chest as he drew off my shirt, moving closer until our lips met. His hands roved across my back, my stomach, completely clearing all thought from my mind. We were moving as one, in perfect tandem, with a wonderful synchronicity I could barely comprehend.

"Can I?" I murmured, grasping the hem of his own shirt.

Cash nodded breathlessly and raised his arms, letting me prop myself up and peel it away.

Jesus Christ.

He was perfect.

There was no other explanation. Rippling golden skin twitched beneath my touch, toned and smooth, stretched out before me in all its glory.

My stomach clenched self-consciously. He was simply-

"Beautiful," Cash whispered suddenly, touching his hands to my face. "You're beautiful."

I let my gaze drift, unable to meet his eyes.

"Alyx?" Cash prompted, brushing his finger against my lips. The sound of my name brought my eyes back to his face. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah." I cleared my throat, spoke with more conviction. "Yeah, I am." How could I explain the truth? That I simply didn't feel good enough for the boy in front of me?

"You sure?" His brow furrowed slightly. "We can stop, if you want to."

"No, it's okay," I insisted quickly. I didn't want this moment to end-Not ever. "I promise I'm fine."

I leaned closer as Cash pressed his lips to mine again, and we quickly lost ourselves to the joy of just being together, of sharing these precious moments alone, where no one could see us.

Where no one could judge us.

- - - -

"How did you know you were into boys?" I asked later on.

I was lying on Cash's bare chest, gazing up at his ceiling. We'd finished making out a while ago, but I found there was just as much enjoyment in simply being with Cash like this, in a non-sexual context.

It took Cash a moment to respond. "I guess I didn't," he said finally.

I glanced up at him, trying to move my head as little as possible. "Really?"

"Really." He shrugged, his voice reverberating through me. "Up until very recently, I was very certain I was straight."

"Oh." I hesitated, trying to summon my courage. "I, um...I assume you're not a virgin?"

Cash didn't respond, and when I peered at his face again, he was smirking.

"Right," I said quickly, turning away. My face felt hot. "I already knew, of course-"

"I don't know what to say," Cash interjected. "I'm sorry, if it helps?"

"No, don't be." I flattened my hair down self-consciously. "Have you, um..." I cleared my throat. "Have you ever been in love?"

Again, he took a while to respond.

"Yeah...Yeah, with Casey, I always thought..." He shrugged again, the motion raising me slightly. "That I loved her."

I thought of her then, Casey Truman-Just as beautiful as Cash, just as glamorous, just as fashionable-Just as unobtainable. Effortlessly gliding above the peasants, untouched by all the drama unfolding below. She was worthy of him. Of Cash.

Together, they made the perfect couple.

"Do you miss her?" I murmured quietly, my voice hoarse.

"Do I miss her?" Cash repeated. Birds chirped outside his window, twittering softly to themselves.

"Yeah."

Cash sat up suddenly, propping himself against the headboard and drawing me into his embrace.

"Miller," he began, brushing the hair from my eyes, "Casey and I...We didn't work in the long term. I might've cared about her, but we're not together anymore. And honestly? It's probably for the best."

"But you guys look so good together" I protested. "You're like...Perfect for each other."

Cash tipped my chin up with a finger, forcing me to meet his gaze. "But I'm not with her right now, am I? I'm with you." He kissed me briefly on the forehead. "Can't that be enough for now?"

I pressed my hands to his chest, tracing circles across his skin. "It is," I murmured softly. I touched my palm to Cash's heartbeat, feeling it flutter against my fingers. "It is."

"Good." Cash stood from the bed and stretched broadly. Then he went to his closest and rummaged through it, humming softly to himself.

"Here," he said, tossing me a hoodie. It smelled just like him, drenched in that distinct cologne he wore, and I slid it gratefully over my bare stomach. "I'll take you home."

A/N: Thanks for reading! If you're enjoying so far, please leave a vote and/or a comment :)