“You mean you and Sierra Sloan?” I drop down onto the couch beside Allie. “I saw it tonight.”
“Fuck,” he swears. “Emma, those pictures are old. From a party a year ago. It’s the last time I ever got drunk. I don’t know why she leaked those photos now, but Roberto’s working on it. I haven’t seen her in months.”
I know it’s crazy to believe him. I need to be cautious, even though part of me wants to run to him right now, just to feel his arms around me. But I need to see if there’s something between us. Which means I have to put on my big girl panties and face him. Looking to my best friend for support, I take a big breath.
“Meet me at Lost Lagoon tomorrow at ten.”
Chapter eight
Nash
I’m awake early. Like, really fucking early, especially considering how hard it was to fall asleep last night. Honestly, I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning, waiting to see what Santa brought.
When Emma’s text came through last night, I thought I was hallucinating at first. And when she actually answered my call, it was such a relief to hear her voice again. I don’t know how I got lucky enough to earn her forgiveness, or her acceptance of the truth about the Sierra mess, but I’m sure as shit not going to mess up with her again. Today she is going to know, with zero uncertainty, that I want her in my life for a very long time. She’s meant to be mine, and somehow, I’m going to get her to see that.
When I get back up to my penthouse after hitting the gym downstairs, I step into the shower and quickly scrub myself clean. With closed eyes turned up to face the spray of hot water, I open my mind to the memories of showering with Emma. Instantly, my cock starts to harden, remembering the incredible sensation of her mouth on me. I’ve tried to lock these memories away, but never really could. She’s a part of me, under my skin, connected to me, whatever cliché you want to use, she’s it. I turn the temperature to cold, get some semblance of control, and then shut off the water. I dress casually and grab my sunglasses and ball cap on the way out the door. Lost Lagoon is a fairly popular tourist stop, but now that it’s September, the peak season is over, and I hope it won’t be too busy. The last thing I need is to be mobbed by fans when I’m trying to win Emma over.
When I get to the park, I’m early. It’s only then I realize we never specified where exactly to meet. There’s a path that goes around the lake, so I take off to walk around it, partly to try and rid myself of the excess anticipatory energy coursing through my body, and partly on the off chance that I run into her on the way.
My plan doesn’t work, however, and I make it back around to the parking lot without seeing her. But just as I’m contemplating whether or not to text her, the sweetest sound in the world reaches my ears.
“Hi Nash.”
I pivot and see her standing just a few feet away, twisting her hands in front of her. Fuck me, she’s even more gorgeous than I remember. Her hair is swept up in a ponytail, her face is clear of makeup and her eyes are shining at me with what I hope is happiness at seeing me. I stride over and take her hands in mine, lifting them up to my mouth in a move that reminds me of when I first saw her in Dogwood Cove.
“Emma,” I rumble against her skin. “I’m so fucking happy you’re here.”
As soon as I say that, I see the tension release from her body. Her shoulders drop, and a smile curves across her face. I don’t hesitate, pulling her in closer so that her arms go around my waist. My lips dip down to cover hers, softly at first. We take our time, relearning each other. Her hands roam my back, eventually landing on my bare skin underneath my shirt where I feel them branding my soul. I deepen our kiss, letting our tongues tangle together. My focus zeroes in on the feel of her underneath my hands, the quiet sounds she’s making, the way she’s pressing her body against mine.
Eventually I pull back, not because I want to, but because the part of me not driven by arousal knows we have to talk. She deserves to hear my apology again, and to have me beg for another chance.
“Emma, I don’t know how to begin to tell you how much I regret letting you leave. If I could turn back the clock, I would beg you to stay, or to come to Victoria with me; anything to give us more time. I never wanted you to go, I honestly thought seeing you again was a sign that we were meant to explore whatever this insane chemistry between us means. But when you left, I suddenly didn’t know if that chemistry was one sided or not. So I foolishly let my pride stand in the way of telling you what I really want. I want you, Emma, for a lot longer than just a night.”
When I finish, my heart is beating so loudly I’m surprised she can’t hear it. I stare at her, trying to gauge her reaction. Even though she kissed me back, I need more.
“I’m sorry, too, Nash,” she begins softly. I squeeze her hands in mine, and when I notice she’s trembling, I lead her over to a nearby bench to sit down. “I’m so sorry I left you — twice. The first time, I was overwhelmed from being withNash Parker the country music superstar. The second, I panicked. Because I saw you as so much more than just your singing. What we had felt real, so real. But then Roberto was there, and the way he was talking to you made me question if I was just another notch on your belt.”
I cringe at hearing her blunt assessment of that morning. Roberto isn’t a bad guy, but he’s not exactly tactful, either. “You could never be just another notch, Emma,” I start to reassure her, but she puts her hand up, signalling she isn’t finished.
“I know. And please, believe me when I sayyounever once made me feel that way. I know now, it was all in my head. I would never want you to feel like I was only with you because of who you are. Because honestly? It was the opposite. Your fame and the differences I imagined between us freaked me out. Roberto interrupting us just reinforced all of my insecurities. In that moment that he was talking to you, I managed to convince myself that all we had was some hot sex and it was time for us to go our separate ways.”
“It was more than just sex for me, Emma. Please, tell me it was more than just sex to you, too.”
I’m cut off by her lips on mine, pressing hard. Her hands are on either side of my face, holding me in place. I grab her hips and it doesn’t even take a second before I’m kissing her back.
“Yes, Nash. It was more than just sex. Although, that sex was freaking fantastic.” She quirks a smile as she slides her hands around to cup the back of my neck before reaching up and kissing me lightly one more time. “I know we probably should talk more; we have a lot to figure out. But it has been a long four weeks and being this close to you again is driving me crazy. So, unless you’re okay with public indecency, I suggest you take me home.”
“Fucking hell, baby,” I growl, taking her hand and pulling her across to the parking lot. I open the passenger door to my SUV and once she’s inside I round the front and climb in beside her. “I’ll drive you back to get your car later.”
“I took the bus,” she says with a grin.
“Perfect. Then I can keep you to myself all weekend.”
“I hope so.”
The short drive back to my building has never taken so long. Every second sitting next to her is torture, because I know that if I touch her now, I won’t be able to hold back. But the second we’re inside the elevator that only goes to my penthouse, I push her against the wall, and lift her shirt up. Bending down, I cover one of her breasts with my mouth, sucking her nipple through the thin fabric of her bra. She gasps, and her fingers grasp my shoulders tightly. I make my way down, kissing her bare skin, acutely aware that the ride to my apartment is not long and I can get her naked soon.
We crash through the door to my place, and before it has a chance to fully close behind us, our clothes start to come off in a frenzy. But as soon as she’s naked in front of me I freeze, my hands on her hips. I take a moment to just look at her, and marvel at the fact that I’m getting a third chance with this stunning woman.
