“I need to know, Clara, so I can use it against you at the right moment.”
That made us both burst into laughter.For a split second, I felt like I’d reached nirvana.Holy shit, this was paradise—Nash at my side, genuinely laughing and connecting, being fawned over, him buying plants for me, while actually contributing something helpful to his life.
Did he feel how perfect this was too?
Nash came around the table, sliding his hand over the dip in my hip.He brought his mouth close to my ear and whispered, “Just so you know, you have about ten different looks that could bring me to my knees.But I’m not going to tell you which ones.”
Every inch of my body buzzed after that comment.I tried to school my surprise and remain coy.But damnit, this man made it nearly impossible.Tendifferent looks?That meant he saw me.Catalogued me.
It meant he felt this too.
“Great.So we both have ammo for a rainy day,” I teased.
He kissed the top of my head.“Let’s get some food.We need to be ready for later.”
“What’s happening later?”
“You’ll see.”Nash wore a mischievous smile as he led me toward the buffet, where a tantalizing array of small plates and appetizers awaited us.We picked through the offerings laid out on crisp white linens—delicate crostini topped with burrata and heirloom tomatoes, seared scallops with citrus beurre blanc, and more.After we filled our bellies with the savory items, Nash moved his gaze out toward the gardens.
“We should go for a walk.”
“I’ll follow you anywhere,” I said, before I realized how that sounded.Heat crept into my cheeks as he cast me a sly look.
“Anywhere?”He laced his fingers between mine and led us down a path that curved away from the sale.After meandering down a few stone pathways, we came into the Rockefeller Rose Garden, which was verdant but not quite ready to bloom in this early spring.
“Here.”Nash slipped his arms around my waist, looking down at me with a hungry gaze.“Isn’t this nice?”
I wasn’t sure what he meant.This entire evening had been a dream, a fervent wish that I’d never dared utter because it seemed too impossible.Nicedidn’t cover it.Nice was what I called a deli sandwich from the bodega down the street.This life with Nash was three rocket launches away fromnice.
“It’s perfection,” I whispered, sliding my palms over his shirt.In the periphery, people drifted past, couples off exploring like we were.But nobody was close enough to see or hear us.“I could live in this garden year-round.”
“I’d have to live here with you then.”His easy smile made butterflies swarm my belly.
“Only until December 31,” I reminded him.
“We could stay longer.”His fingers slid over my neck, up into my hair.“Squat here for the rest of our lives.”
Laughter burst out of me.Nash looked pleased with himself, but his eyes went hooded.He dipped down, capturing my lips in a hot kiss.A little whimper escaped me as his fingertips dug into the back of my neck, sparks skating across my skin.
When we broke apart, Nash was breathing heavily.His hand drifted to my breast again, just like he’d done at Axis when we were performing for Haley Reeves.His thumb grazed my hard nipple, sending a jolt of pleasure through me.
“Ohh, here we go again,” I murmured, arching myself toward him.
“I’d fucking peel this dress off you with my teeth if it wouldn’t get us arrested in five minutes.”Nash cupped my tits through my dress, rubbing his thumbs over each of my nipples.I whimpered, squeezing my thighs together.
“Please, Nash.”
“Please what?”He squeezed the top of my tit.“Stop?Or keep going because it’s obvious how much you fucking love this?”
It was hard to form words as he continued to pinch and tease my nipples through the linen of the dress.I reached for the only tool I had—his cock.
“If you keep going…” I started, reaching in between our bodies to find his erection trapped behind the belt of his pants.“We might get arrested anyway.”
“We don’t need to be conspicuous,” he chided before planting a hot, wet kiss along my neck.“We can have all the fun we want without the police finding out.”He backed me up against a low stone bench.“Sit here.”
I plopped my butt down, barely registering the cold stone through the fog of my arousal.All I could see was the thick ridge of his cock near eye level, straining against his khaki pants.
“Oh, my,” I whispered, dragging my fingers along the bulge.
