He kissed her softly.“You’re welcome.You and Ella won’t be alone.If we take my truck, that’s another layer between you and Adam.It doesn’t sound like he knows your new vehicle or license plate, but taking mine is smart.”
“I don’t want to put you out.”
“You’re not.I want to help keep you and Ella Mae safe, but I also want to be with you.Charlie too.He’ll be thrilled to visit the Big Apple.We’ve never been, and you know how he likes adventures.”
She smiled at that.“He really does.He can turn anything into an adventure, even showing Ella how to scoot down the steps.”
“Maybe we can fit in some Christmas shopping while we’re there.”
She laughed.“I have something I wanted to order, but they won’t deliver it here.Do you mind helping me pick it up and then toting it all back here for me?”
He grinned.“Going to tell me what it is?”
“Not a chance.”
His laugh rumbled over her skin.“Even better.Okay.After you talk with your agent, we’ll book a hotel.You okay sharing a small suite or connecting rooms?That way, you and Ella won’t be alone in your room.”
She blinked away more tears.“That would be amazing.”It would be more amazing if it were just the two of them sharing a hotel room.
As if she’d spoken the thought aloud, Nash’s eyes darkened, and desire thickened the air in the room.
A slow smile lifted his lips and his gruff voice proved he felt it as well.“One day, Olivia.One day.”
She nodded and their lips locked again.
Each touch, each kiss had her falling more and more for the man.
When they broke off this time, it took her a moment for her to catch her breath.“Do you think Charlie will be okay with this?”
Nash smiled.“I’m betting he’ll be more than okay, but I’ll talk to him.He never had a chance to remember his mother, but we’ve always talked about her and made her part of his life.”
“That’s good.I’m glad you’ve been able to give him memories of her even though she couldn’t be there.”
He nodded.“Charlotte would like you, you know.”
Her eyebrows shot up.“Really?”
He nodded.“She always appreciated creative people, and she loved reading.Anything and everything.She was working on her masters in library science when she passed.Her love of fantasy was one of the reasons I knew what books to choose as Charlie grew.”
It should have felt weird talking about the woman Nash had loved and married, but it wasn’t.She could tell Nash had genuinely loved her, would always love her.
But she also knew he saw Olivia as separate person, not someone to replace Charlotte.This man’s heart was big enough to hold a lot of love—maybe even big enough to love her and Ella Mae.
And she was getting steps ahead of herself.They hadn’t talked feelings.Certainly not after kissing for the first time tonight.
Olivia told her heart to slow down, but she also knew it was too late.
If necessary, she’d deal with the broken heart later.For now, she’d revel in the love she felt for this man and his son.For someone who’d been alone most of her life, the feeling of family had always seemed an impossible dream.
One she now had hope of making a reality.
Finally, Olivia straightened.“I should get back to Ella.”They’d been talking for far longer than she’d thought and the clock showed it was well past midnight.
Nash kept his hands on her as he helped her stand and then he took her hand.
They walked hand in hand the few steps to her room.A quick peek showed Ella sleeping soundly with her dragon.“She’s good.”
Nash’s eyes were warm as he nodded.“She is.Thanks to you, she really is.”
