Everything about Nash was demanding, yet attentive, bold, yet nurturing...in bed and out.
As her hips met his and her hands continued to grip his shoulders, Lily watched Nash’s face. A myriad of emotions crossed before her eyes: determination, arousal, need...and love. She saw it as plain as she could feel him. The man loved her, but whether he was ready to admit it to himself was an entirely different matter. He had enough going on right now without professing his love to her.
Still, she couldn’t help but feel a bit relieved that he may have developed such strong feelings for her. Because she had already started falling for the simple groom with a complicated life.
Lily continued to hold his gaze as she trembled with release, and as Nash followed suit, he didn’t look away. Those bright blues stayed transfixed on her, sending a new wave of shivers coursing through her.
And when their tremors passed, Nash leaned his forehead against hers and whispered, “You’re more than I ever thought I was looking for.”
Eleven
Nash had no clue what the hell had transpired in the hall just moments ago, but as he lay holding Lily in his arms on the bed they’d shared for a week, he realized two things: one, she was more vulnerable than she wanted him to see; and two, he’d let some of his own feelings slip out when his guard had been let down.
He had to keep his emotions close to his chest. He couldn’t afford to reveal just how fast he’d started falling for Lily.
She was right when she’d said family meant everything to him and that’s why he had to remain in control. He had to grip tightly with both hands: the Barringtons in one and Lily and his baby in the other.
She shifted against his side, her hand drifted over his abdomen as she slid one smooth leg over his thigh. He’d carried her back to bed after they had frantic sex in the hallway.
Yeah, he was a real classy guy not being able to hold back long enough to take those few extra steps to get her into bed. She didn’t seem to mind. Actually if her moans and nails biting into his shoulders had been any indication, she’d rather enjoyed herself.
As frantic and aggressive as they’d been together, something had passed between them...something silent, yet significant. He’d seen so much in her eyes and he worried what she’d seen in his.
Lying in silence for several minutes, Nash knew Lily wasn’t going to sleep anytime soon.
“I’m sure you see the parallel in my mother’s pregnancy and yours,” he told her, breaking the silence. He glided his fingertips along her bare arm across his body. “You’re not here because of that. You’re here because I want you here.”
Lily’s body softened against his. “I know. I know we started off as just a private affair and suddenly we’re both thrust into a world we have no clue how to face. One day at a time is all we can do right now.”
Relieved that she knew that much, Nash wished he could tell her the rest. Wished he could fully disclose his identity. But telling her now would certainly murder any chance he had of being with her. He needed more time.
“But, I do need to make some decisions soon,” she said after a minute of silence. “I can’t stay in Virginia forever and avoid my responsibilities.”
Forever. Was he ready to use such a word when thinking of them in terms of a couple? He’d never considered forever with one woman before, but something about Lily made him reconsider his list of priorities. She made him want to be a better man, not always putting business first and really focusing on life. But he’d already dived headfirst into this plan before he met her and, unfortunately, there was no turning back now.