Quirking a brow, Lily sat her near-empty juice glass on the nightstand. “And how will you do that? Because I’d love to be able to shop for just an hour.”
Keeping his plan of action to himself, Nash shot her a grin. “Consider it done.”
With the slightest tilt of her head, Lily narrowed her eyes. “You’re planning something.”
Easing forward, Nash ran a fingertip down her cheek, her neck and to the swell of her breast. “I am. But your job is to feel better, take your time getting ready and just let me know when you’re done. I have nothing to do today but be at your service.”
Her wide eyes slid over his bare chest, a smile danced around unpainted lips. “Sounds like I better rest up for an eventful day.”
Because his body still hadn’t gotten the memo that he needed to chill, Nash came to his feet. “I’m going to clean up in the kitchen. Yell if you need anything.”
He cursed himself all the way down the hall. Lust, sex, it was always there, hovering between them. She was pregnant with his child, which was a hell of a turn-on, but this wasn’t the time to worry about how soon he could have her again. He had to find a way to lessen this instant, physical pull between them. They’d indulged in an affair for months and where had that gotten them?
Too much was at stake, too many lives hinged on his next move.
He needed to touch base with his assistant, needed to send a final offer to Damon Barrington because Nash refused to settle for anything less than he came here for. He had an agenda and he had to stick with it or he’d lose it all.
* * *
She had no clue how he did it, she really didn’t care.
Lily strolled out of the last boutique with bags in hand and headed toward Nash’s truck parked in the back alley. He’d gone in with her, even helped her shop and offered pretty good advice when she would try on things.
Who was this guy? She’d never met a man who actually added input on a woman’s purchases. He didn’t sit out in his truck, he didn’t ask her if she was almost done and he didn’t act bored even one time. In fact, in one store he found a blue dress which he threw over the dressing room door, telling her it would look great on her.
Guess what? He’d been right. Not only that, the dress was stretchy and flowy. Perfect for that waistline that would be disappearing in the very near future.
Still, she was trying to put a label on him and so far there were just too many layers. No way could such an intriguing man be narrowed down to just one appealing trait. She could only assume his eye for fashion, his nurturing side and his patience came from being raised by a single mother.
And it was his take-charge, powerful side that must have stemmed from wanting to care for his mother. How could she fault that? How could she even think he was anything like her stepfather? Control was one thing, being protective was another.
Nash pulled the passenger side door open, took her bags and placed them in the extended cab part of the truck before offering his hand and helping her up into the seat.
Lily smiled, her eyes level with his now. “Such a gentleman.”
“My mama raised me right,” he told her, grabbing the seat belt and reaching across her to fasten it. His hands lingered over her breasts as he adjusted the strap. “Better keep you safe.”
“Well, my boobs are fine so you can stop,” she laughed. “I take back my gentleman compliment since you just wanted to cop a feel.”
Nash’s flirty smile had her heart clenching tighter. “You wouldn’t want some stuffy gentleman. You like the way I can make you lose control.”
Standing in the open truck door, Nash’s hand traveled over her leg to slide up under her cotton skirt. “Boring and mundane isn’t for you.”
Not at all. She always thought she wanted someone who was down-to-earth, more trustworthy than the jerk who exploited her innocence years ago. She never thought she’d find someone who was so laid-back, loyal and had the ability to set her body on fire with such simple gestures. Finding the complete package had never crossed her mind.
When she’d started the affair, she’d definitely gone for appealing. Now she was discovering there was so much more than she’d ever bargained for when it came to Nash.
Lily’s breath hitched as Nash’s fingers danced across her center. Instantly she parted her legs without even thinking. His mouth, just a breath away from hers, had her aching for that promise of a kiss. Never had she desired or craved a man with such intensity.
“Did you have fun today?” he asked, his hand still moving over her silk panties.
“Yes,” she whispered. “What are you doing?”