“He will not.”
Dropping her focus to the shawl he still wore, she played with the fringe. “I hope Sally doesn’t hate me for leaving her.”
“She probably will hold a grudge against me, not you.”
“You had better be correct. Don’t forget, Sally and I work together every day.”
“Then yes, she might hate you.”
She scowled and slapped his leg. He grabbed hold of her hand, and suddenly, their closeness and the semi-darkened coach created a heady mood. A quick rhythm started in her heart as he stared deeply into her eyes. Dare she allow his touch? She knew how quickly her body melted. However, this might be the way to gain his trust again.
“How long before we reach your house?” His voice came out deep, sensual.
She swallowed the cottony dryness in her throat. “In about ten or fifteen minutes. I live just over the bridge.”
“Are you tired?”
“Not really. Are you?” she said, hoping that he would fall asleep soon and leave her with some peace.
“How can sleep lure me to its lair when the beautiful woman sitting beside me is more enticing?”
As always, his words stirred flutters in her chest. “Nash, you’re doing it again.”
“Doing what?”
“Trying to make me swoon.”
“And what is wrong with that? Besides,” he continued without waiting for her answer, “what else have we to do for ten minutes?”
Oh, the rotten man! Did he think of nothing else besides passion and desire? “We can talk.”
He gently rubbed the side of her face, trailing his fingers down her neck. “We have talked enough tonight. Now it is time for something else.”
He dropped his mouth to hers and pecked, encouraging her lips to open, but she remained uncooperative. As much as she wanted to welcome the passion budding inside her, she couldn’t. She wouldn’t!
He held her face and tilted his mouth over hers, but she still did not open up for him. “Maxey, please.”
She kissed him with her closed mouth, then pulled away and moved to the seat across from him. “Nash, I don’t want to be seduced.”
He let out a sigh, running his fingers through his wavy hair. Silence lasted in the conveyance for a few minutes while his gaze swept over her. His lips were tight, his eyes narrowed.
“Why?” he asked.
She couldn’t tell him the real reason. If he knew what kind of mother she had, he would certainly believe his advances were welcomed. “Because I’m not ready.”
“Maxey? Have you everbeenwith a man?”
She rolled her eyes. “What an imprudent thing to ask. Of course I’ve been with a man. Am I not with you now?”
Chuckling, he shook his head. “No, my dear. I mean in the Biblical sense.”
She held her breath. What an improper question! How dare he assume… How dare he even mention such a thing? She should scream at him, slap his face—or something. Women didn’t go around telling men of their exploits. That was what men did. There was no way she could answer something so personally. Absolutely not!
Yet gaining his trust remained first and foremost on her mind. Curses! Once again, she couldn’t be herself around him and needed to act like a different person. She must talk to him about this, no matter how ill-mannered and appalling it was.
Chapter Five
Nash focused onMaxey, waiting for her answer. Inwardly, he prayed she wasn’t innocent. He didn’t seduce those types of women. Strangely, though, he wanted to make an exception in her case.
