She pulled in a deep breath and stood straight once he’d put her on her feet. “You know why.”
“No. I don’t. I’ve made myself clear when it comes to spending time with you, Laura.”
“Yes. You have. But I’m not interested in scratching someone’s itch.”
He laughed. “Good God woman. It’s not an itch, it’s an ache, and I can guarantee you the pain is going to take a lifetime to ease.”
Her mouth dropped open. Snapped shut. Opened again.
“I’m not after a quick fuck. I can get that anywhere.” He moved into her and lowered his head until he could brush his nose against hers. “I don’t know what you want but I’m not interested in one night or even a few. I want all your nights.”
“But—”
“Laura. I’ve been half in love with you since the minute I set eyes on you in that sexy as hell uniform. I almost swallowed my tongue and shot a nail through my hand when you climbed out of your cruise that first time.”
“Oh.” Her breath rushed over his lips.
“Laura?”
“Yeah?”
“Tell me no.” He brushed his lips on hers lightly. “Or I’m going to kiss the ever loving hell out of you.”
5
Laura held still, her gaze locked on Nash’s.
If she didn’t tell him no everything would change.
She knew one kiss with this man would never be enough. Then again, it didn’t seem as though he wanted just one. Over the years she’d never let herself think about what he wanted beyond the fact he made it clear he wanted her. If she had…
“Everything will change,” she spoke against his lips.
“Yes.”
“We can’t go back.”
“No.”
“I don’t think?—”
“Don’t think. Just feel. Turn that brain off for two seconds and feel.”
She swallowed, her throat thick. “What if it doesn’t work?”
“What if it does?”
“How does that look?” Laura had no idea why she kept talking. Not when everything inside her was screaming for her to press her mouth to his. Hard.
“It looks like forever. Here. Us. Together.”
“Oh.”
“And when you’re ready, kids.”
“Nash,” his name slipped through her lips on a breath.
“Laura. Tell me no and walk away or shut the fuck up and let me have you.”
