I lasted a whole four minutes, during which I did not find the book of photographs. I maybe read one title, my eyes on the spines of the books but my brain ping-ponging between worry about Tyler and annoyance at Nash. Who hadn't even done anything wrong. It wasn't his fault I was obsessed with him.
Ugh! I finally did it. I threw my hands in the air, spun on my heel and stormed down the hall, determined to get out of this house and find some way to quiet my racing mind. It might have worked if I hadn't slammed into a broad chest and bounced off. I was tumbling to the floor when strong fingers closed around my arm, drawing me back to my feet.
"Where are you headed in such a hurry?" Nash studied my face, his deep brown eyes heavy lidded, framed by thick sweeps of dark lashes that had always made me melt.
I stared at him, wondering for a second if I'd smacked my head on the floor and I was hallucinating. Maybe I'd passed out.
"I don't– When did you get here?" Even to me, my voice sounded weak, my breath caught in my lungs by my tight throat.
How had I forgotten how handsome he was? I hadn't. Of course I hadn't. It was just that he was so far beyond the normal level of good looking that sometimes I dulled him down in my memory. But here he was, in the flesh, and every inch of him was just...more. Larger than life. Those eyelashes, for one. I swear I've worn false lashes that aren't as thick as Nash's. And his shoulders. His forearms. When he rolled up his sleeves, oh my god.
My tongue was tied. I blinked up at Nash and words tumbled over themselves in my brain, not a single one leaving my lips.I missed you. Where the hell have you been? Why aren't you kissing me yet?Maybe it was a good thing I couldn't bring myself to talk.
Nash lifted his eyes from mine and glanced down the hall beyond my shoulder. In a quick move, he straightened, took my arm, and drew me down the hall into a small, dark room. The telephone room. No one used it anymore. Decades ago, when there hadn't been phones in every room, much less in every pocket, this room had housed the main telephone for the Manor. If someone wanted a private conversation, they could come here and make their call.
Nash left the lights off. I didn't care. I didn't need the light.
"I missed you," he breathed against my temple, echoing my own unspoken thoughts. His arms closed around me, pulling my body flush against the long, hard length of him. His strength never frightened me. My arms raised, fingers stroking the back of his neck, my face tilted up for the touch of his mouth.
Here in the dark I was catapulted back in time to that closet at my wedding, to the first best kiss of my life. Nash let out a low groan, his lips taking mine, arms crushing me to him. I kissed him back, all my uncertainty, my longing for him, poured from my body to his. I had a million doubts about what we were doing. When I was in Nash's arms, I just didn't care anymore.
Nash lifted me, spreading my legs and pinning me to the wall, the hard length of him pressing exactly where I wanted it. My legs wrapped around his waist, and I had the fleeting thought that I wished I'd worn a dress. His lips skated down the side of my neck, setting every nerve on fire. I was melting from the inside out, my body liquid and all his.
Was I really going to let Nash have sex with me in the telephone room?
No. I wasn't going to 'let' him do anything. I was going to–
Before I finished the thought, I reached for his shirt, pulling at the buttons. His hands caught me, tugging my arms to my sides as he carefully set me on my feet.
Mute, I stared up at him, my throat closed again, this time from lust and surprise and a flush of embarrassment. Dipping his head, his lips grazed my ear, his breath coming hard and hot against my skin. Good to know I wasn't the only one who couldn't catch their breath.
"Do you have plans this afternoon?"
I shook my head. I hadn't expected him to ask that. Hadn't prepared an answer.
"Want to go for a ride?"
I nodded. I didn't know what kind of ride, or where. I didn't care about either. I just wanted to be with Nash. His hand took mine as he opened the door to the telephone room.
"I was wondering where you got to," Royal called out from down the hall, his blue eyes twinkling with amusement as they took in my flushed face, my hand captured in Nash's.
"I ran in to Parker in the library," he said, his eyes dropping to mine in a gaze so soft it had my knees going wobbly. Looking back at Royal, he added, "I'm stealing her for the afternoon."
Royal laughed, taking in the deepening flush on my cheeks. "Have fun," he said, turning down the hall, giving us a half wave over his shoulder.
I didn't say a word as Nash led me through the main hall to the butler's pantry and the mudroom, all the way through the garage to the courtyard beyond. As we stepped out of the garage into the bright afternoon sun, the gleam of chrome hit my eyes.
Nash turned to me, an unexpectedly boyish glint in his dark eyes. "Do you want to go for a ride?" he asked again.
I pulled my hand from his and moved closer, reaching out to stroke one handlebar. It was gorgeous. Vintage style, modern muscle. Looking back over my shoulder, I had to ask, "This is yours? How did you get it here?"
"I have my ways," he said, the side of his mouth curled in a smile. Plucking a helmet from the back of the bike, he held it out to me. "I bought you a helmet."
I took the heavy black helmet, realizing it was identical to the one he'd picked up, only a little smaller. He'd bought me a helmet. This wasn't his spare, shared with other women, or friends he might have ridden with. It was mine. For me alone. Cradling the helmet to my chest, I had to admit, "I've never been on a motorcycle before."
"I thought that might be the case," Nash said, easily. "Do you want to?"
I didn't have to think about it. "Yes. If it's with you."
