A weight she didn’t know she was carrying was lifted off her shoulders. “Ian said recording wouldn’t start for a couple months, but he’s getting me the script to look over. Aiden O’Neil is going to play opposite me.”
“Wasn’t he the guy in one of the scripts you just turned down?”
Lily nodded. “He declined after he heard I wouldn’t do it. He’s a good friend, like Max. And this will be a good change of pace for me. Hey, no hair and makeup, either.”
Nash laughed. “You’re stunning no matter what you have on.” Those eyes darted down to her lips as his fingers trailed up her thigh and beneath the cotton gown. “Or don’t have on.”
The man could get her body to respond with the simplest words or lightest of touches.
“You know you’re the only man I’ve let get this close to me since the scandal.” She trembled as his hand continued to glide over her skin. “I never thought I’d get this close to someone again, let my heart be exposed to the chance of being ripped apart.”
Nash’s looked at her seriously. “You humble me, Lily.”
“If you want to try to make this work, you’re not going to be able to avoid the media. Not once the pregnancy is out there.”
The muscle in Nash’s jaw ticked. She knew he didn’t want to be thrust into the public eye. Resting her hand against the side of his face, rubbing her thumb along his bottom lip, Lily leaned in and whispered, “Take me inside and make love to me.”
In one swift move, he had her lifted and turned to straddle his lap. Then his hands were lifting her gown to her waist. Lily leaned forward and clutched his shoulders as he worked the zipper on his jeans.
“Or not,” she added as he threw her a crooked grin.
“I don’t want to wait,” he said, easing a hand between her legs to stroke her until she thought her eyes would roll back in her head. “Do you?”
Lily shivered, holding on tight to him so she didn’t fall. “No,” she whispered as he continued to torture her. “Please, Nash.”
* * *
She’d come out here wearing a flimsy nightgown, sans underwear and she thought he could wait to get inside the house? Hell no. Nash wanted her here, now.
He also wanted to not discuss how the media would hone in on them. The last thing he needed was being identified before he could fully disclose the rest of his life.
The little moans escaping her, the way her hips rocked against his hand and seeing her eyes closed, head tilted back as he pleasured her was nearly his undoing. Not to mention the perfect distraction for both of them.
Damn it, he owed her so much...a debt he could never repay because while she was freely handing out her love, he was still betraying her by keeping a lie bottled inside.
The thought of having her walk out of his life once she learned the truth would be the equivalent of taking a knife to his heart. Because he loved her. God help him, he did. And when she’d whispered those sweet words to him, it had taken all of his willpower to remain silent.
He couldn’t tell her he loved her, not when there was such a heavy lie that still hovered between them. He could only show her how much she meant to him. Once he revealed himself, after he’d talked with Damon one more time, Nash would truly open up and tell her every single thing she deserved to know.
Nash removed his hand, gripped her hips and eased her down onto him. Making love to Lily with the warm summer breeze embracing them like lovers, Nash wrapped his arms around her and tugged her toward him, capturing her mouth. Her fingers slid into his hair, sending him another reminder that he was living a lie. The longer hair, the scruffy beard, the rental home...all of it was a lie.
All of it, except for the fact he loved her, loved this baby and wanted a lifetime with them both.
As her body started to tremble, Nash felt himself losing control. She broke the kiss, looked him in the eyes, just like when they’d been in his hallway.
Those dark eyes held his as her body tensed. “I love you,” she told him as her body broke.
And as Nash followed her over the edge, he wished he could repeat those words back to her.
* * *
The food had been amazing and now the entire Barrington clan was gathered on the back lawn, waiting for the fireworks show that Damon had no doubt shelled out a pretty penny for, considering they’d planned this impromptu party very last-minute. But when a man had his financial padding, he could afford to snap fingers and plan such niceties with little notice.
Blankets were lying side by side and some front to back creating the effect of an oversize outdoor carpet. Ian, Cassie and little Emily sat on one blanket. Another quilt had Grant and Tessa all snuggled together. Lily was nestled between Nash’s legs, her back leaning against his chest. And surprisingly Damon and Linda were on a quilt together, laughing and...whispering?