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“Why now?” she asked, searching his face, finding only vulnerability masked by a handsome, rugged exterior. “You could’ve kept this to yourself until you talked to Damon.”
He held her hands against his heart with one palm and slid his other hand up along her cheek, his fingers threading through her hair.
“No, I couldn’t. You’ve come to mean more, we mean more, than I thought possible. I wasn’t ready for you, Lily. I’ve had this secret living in me, I couldn’t just let anyone in.”
His heart beat heavily against her hand and Lily knew that him baring his soul was courageous and brave. He could’ve kept lying to her, he could’ve gone to Damon first with this bombshell, but he’d opened himself up.
“Besides,” he went on, drawing her closer. “I need you. More than I want to admit, and on a level that terrifies me. No matter what’s going on around me, in spite of all my issues, I need the passion we possess. I need you, Lily.”
Mercy, when he said things like that her entire body shivered, her stomach flopped as nerves settled deep inside her. He wasn’t lying now. No man had ever looked at her the way he did. She saw the raw truth in his eyes. Saw how hard it was to expose himself.
“I need you with me right now,” he told her, nipping at her lips. “I need to draw from your strength.”
The man was twice her size, with his broad, muscular shoulders, his towering height, yet he wanted her strength? He humbled her with his direct, bold declaration.
“Are you going to tell him soon?” she asked, gripping his shirt.
“I really don’t know. Part of me wants to, especially now that the film is done, the racing season is over and the girls aren’t under as much pressure.”
Lily smiled, warming to the idea of Nash being part of such an amazing family. “You have sisters. Nash, this is such a big deal. You have to go to them. They deserve to know. If you want me to go with you, I will. I’ll stay back, too. Whatever you want.”
Encircling her waist with both arms, Nash pulled her close where her hands were trapped between them. “I’ll go soon. But right now, I want to embrace the fact the mother of my child is in my house where there are no interruptions, no schedules to keep. You’re supposed to be relaxing and I have the perfect spot.”
She eased back, looking him in the eyes. “Don’t keep the truth from me again. We’re in this together and I can’t be with someone I don’t trust.”
Those bright eyes held hers, the muscle in his jaw clenched and for a second she thought he was about to say something, but he simply nodded.
“Was that our first fight?” she asked.
Nash nuzzled his lips against her neck, his beard tickling her sensitive skin. “I guess so. We better go kiss and make up.”
He walked her backward and Lily couldn’t help but laugh as she found herself being drawn more and more into his world. Yes, he’d kept something monumental from her, but in his defense he was still working through the new information himself. She couldn’t imagine finding your father at this stage in life and she couldn’t blame Nash for being confused on how to respond and what steps to take. This was all new territory and they had to wade through it together.
They headed down the hall, his hands cupping her bottom as he led her into the bedroom.
“This is where you’ll stay while you’re here,” he told her as he trailed his lips across her jawline and to her ear. “Clothing is optional.”
A thrill shot through her. Being claimed shouldn’t be so arousing, yet she found herself wanting Nash more and more each time he threw down that dominance gauntlet.
With a kick of his foot, the bedroom door slammed shut.
* * *
Nash jerked another bale of hay from the stack and moved it into the stable. Frustration and guilt fueled each aggressive movement. He’d lied to Lily, was still lying to her and had worked his way back into a corner he may never find the way out of.
He’d never forget the look on her face when she’d discovered he was Damon’s son. But she only knew part of the truth. The rest of his secret wouldn’t be so easily defended and the damn last thing he’d ever intended on doing was hurting her.
His plan was to reveal himself to Damon, figure out how the hell to get those horses and get back to his own estate. He was done living these lies, done hurting people he had been around for the past few months.
As much as the guilt ate at him, he still wouldn’t leave without what he came for. Otherwise this whole journey would be in vain.
Sweat poured down his back as he stacked the last bale against the far wall. He’d called and checked on Lily several times today and each time she assured him she was fine and if she needed anything she’d call him. Still, he couldn’t help but worry. Would he be like this the entire pregnancy? Always worrying?
