“I would love to spend more time with you, Ash,” Nash said, making her heart race again. “But if I take you up on your offer, I’m almost positive your brother will make good on his threat.”
“Just because I got pregnant at seventeen doesn’t mean I can’t take care of myself at nearly thirty! And it sure as hell doesn’t mean I’m not capable of making my own decisions. So if I want to take a hot guy back to my apartment on the Michaelerplatz and have sex with him all night long, that’s exactly what I’ll do. And no one in my family can stop me.”
It wasn’t until the words had spilled from her lips that she realized it sounded like she expected Nash to share her bedroom tonight, rather than sleep in the extra bedroom.
“That was the most embarrassingly mortifying thing I’ve ever said.” She put her hands over her face, then spoke from behind them. “I didn’t mean for that to sound like I think you want to be with me tonight as more than a friend. Not when I know it’s the most ridiculous idea in the world.”
She stopped speaking when she felt his hands move over hers. Gently, he drew them away from her face.
“It’s not a ridiculous idea. In fact, I think it might be one of the best ideas I’ve ever heard. Because I do want you, Ash. More than I’ve ever wanted anyone else. I wasn’t kidding when I told you in the hotel suite that you’re gorgeous and that any guy who got to be with you would be a lucky bastard. And I meant it when I said how attracted I am to you. I’m crazy attracted to you.”
Her mouth fell open. Actually dropped open. She’d never believed it could happen in real life. But now she knew it was a completely natural response to someone saying the very thing you least expected them to say.
Still stunned that he wanted her the way she wanted him, she told him, “You’re so sweet to say that, Nash, but you don’t have to let me down easy. I know what league I’m in—and it’s not yours. Just because we’ve had a great time together today doesn’t mean I think our day should end with us in bed together.”
But he was smiling at her the whole time she was speaking. The sexiest smile she’d ever seen. “Being with you today hasn’t been great, Ash, it’s been perfect. The only thing that could possibly make it better would be to end it naked in bed with you.”
Her heart was pounding like crazy. Completely out of control. She could hardly catch her breath.
Was this really happening?
Was Nash Hardwin actually saying he wanted to sleep with her?
Despite the secret fantasies she’d had about him over the years, never in a million years had she thought something like this could actually happen.
“Do you really mean what you’re saying?”
“Why won’t you believe that I find you attractive? Not just attractive, but hands down the sexiest woman I’ve ever been with. Why won’t you believe that I want to be with you? Especially since you’re a million times too good for me.”
She was taken aback by the passion in his words. He didn’t sound like he was just trying to be nice. He sounded like he wanted her. Really, truly wanted her.
But though warmth was starting to unfurl in her belly, she’d spent so many years feeling like the ultimate wallflower that she could barely believe it was true.
“I’m not too good for you, Nash.”
“You sure as hell are, in a million ways. But the truth is, right now I want you too badly to give a damn.”
The next thing she knew, his mouth was on hers, and they were kissing. His tongue slicked against hers, and a gasp of pleasure escaped her throat. She wanted to get closer. Closer to Nash than she had ever been with anyone else. She was practically wrapping herself around him when he drew back slightly, his breath coming in harsh pants.
“Now do you believe me? Now can you finally stop doubting that what’s between us is wickedly hot?”
She couldn’t deny it. Not after that kiss.
But though she didn’t argue, she had to remind them both of something. “The only other time I had reckless, spur-of-the-moment sex, I got pregnant.”
Shockingly, her frank reminder didn’t deter Nash. “I’ll do everything I can to ensure you don’t get pregnant tonight. But if it did happen, I would never turn my back on you, or our kid, the way your ex did.”
Yet again, she was having conversations with Nash that she simply couldn’t imagine having with another man. Conversations where she put it all out there, leaving nothing out for fear of embarrassment.
Did that also mean she wouldn’t have to hold back with him in bed? Could she give in to her wildest fantasies with him?