Carrying the Lost Heir's Child(49)

                “Gee, you make a guy feel really wanted.”

                Lily slid her hands up to his shoulders, around his neck and laced her fingers together. “I think your ego needs bringing down a notch sometimes.”

                Those kissable lips offered up a sideways grin. “And you’re the woman to do that?”

                “That I am,” she said. “I bet you’ve used this body to get what you wanted from women before. I can’t blame you, though, you’re a sexy man. All those muscles from manual labor, the scruffy, rugged beard and shaggy hair...you give off a sense of mystery. But I want more than the body, more than the seductive exterior.”

                She nipped at his lips, loving the sensation of his soft beard feathering over her skin. “I want to uncover the mystery,” she whispered against his mouth. “I feel there’s so much more to you than what you’re showing me.”

                Nash stiffened in her arms, those bright eyes narrowed in on hers. “Be careful what you wish for,” he told her. “What if you don’t like what you uncover?”

                What started out as playful had taken a turn into an area she wasn’t sure about heading into. While she’d been half-joking, his tone implied he was dead serious. Was he implying there was something she wouldn’t like about him? Was he hiding something else? Everyone had secrets, but the way he’d issued that warning, Lily couldn’t help but wonder what he meant.

                “How much more do I need to uncover?” she asked, swallowing the lump of fear in her throat.

                Those strong hands on her back slid down to cup her backside. “You could spend a lifetime unraveling me.”

                Arousal slammed through her, but something else, something akin to love spiraled right along with it. Was he indicating he may want forever? Were they honestly ready for that type of talk?

                All of a sudden black dots danced in front of Nash’s face as the world tilted. Her heart rate kicked up and her stomach flipped with nerves as she broke out into a sweat.

                Lily heard him call her name before her world went black.





                                      Twelve

                Cradling Lily in his arms and beating a path through the field and toward his house, Nash said a prayer with each step he took. One second he’d been ready to confess his life to her, the next she’d slumped against his body. A fear like nothing he’d ever known slammed into him.

                Never before had Nash been so consumed with worry or gut-wrenching panic. She was pale, too pale. Those pink lips were white and she was deadweight in his arms.

                As he reached his patio, Nash laid her down on the cushioned chaise lounge which was thankfully shaded by his house this time of day.

                Lily’s eyelids fluttered, her face turned toward him and Nash eased down beside her, smoothing her hair back from her face, which was starting to regain some color.

                “Nash?”

                “It’s okay,” he assured her, cursing his shaking hands. “You passed out on me. Just lie here for a bit. I’m going to run in the house and get my cell to call the doctor.”

                Her fingers wrapped around his arm before he could move. “No, please. I’m fine. I think it was just the heat.”

                “I want the doctor to come and make sure you and the baby are healthy.” Uncurling her fingers from his arm, he brought her hand to his lips and kissed her palm. “I need to know.”