Page 54 of Beating Heart
Ride or die. Brothers till the end. Loyalty always. Forever my friend.
“What does this mean?”
“River, Romeo, Hayes, King, and I all have it inked on our skin as a reminder of our friendship.”
A lump formed in my throat. “You do understand, don’t you?”
He knew what it was like to trust someone so deeply that you’d walk through fire for them. So, he understood how deep this wound had cut me. I felt it in the way his gaze met mine, and it comforted me.
“I do.”
My teeth sank into my bottom lip. “I’m glad I moved next door to you, Nash Heart.”
“Me, too.” He chuckled.
“Remember the other day when you seemed like you were going to kiss me, and I ran out of your house like a bat out of hell?”
This sexy grin spread across his handsome face. “I remember.”
“I wanted you to kiss me.”
“I know you did.”
My head fell back on a laugh. “Well, don’t get cocky about it.”
“Not cocky, just a straight shooter. I wanted to kiss you. You wanted to kiss me.”
“You make it sound so simple.” My gaze locked with his.
“Listen, Emerson, I know you came here to get away from everything. And I’m sure that finding out that your fiancé and your best friend were having an affair and then calling off your wedding is a lot to process. I get it. So I’m not here to complicate your life. My life is pretty simple. I’m an open book. My world revolves around my little boy, and I like it that way. I know you’re not staying, and I also know that starting something up would complicate things.”
“But?” I shook my head and chuckled. “I’m guessing there’s a but in there.”
“But… I like you. I like spending time with you. Hell, I even like irritating you.” He laughed. “And yeah, I’d be lying if I said I didn’t think about kissing you. All the fucking time.”
I sucked in a breath. He was so honest and open. I wasn’t used to that.
“I like spending time with you, too. And I wouldn’t ever want to do anything to complicate things for Cutler. But obviously, I’m attracted to you, and it’s getting harder and harder to avoid you.”
He thrust forward just enough for me to feel him beneath me.
“Speaking of hard,” he said, his voice teasing. “It doesn’t have to be complicated. Cutler is already invested in you. We’re neighbors and friends. It’s not like I’d have to introduce you to him. The kid is already crazy about you, and he knows you’re only here temporarily. So I don’t see how kissing you causes anyone any stress. Hell, maybe it’ll suck, and we’ll never want to do it again.”
My heart raced as his eyes zeroed in on my lips.
“That’s a good point. But I don’t have a lot to compare it to. I’ve literally only been with one man in my life.” I shrugged. I was putting it all out there. I didn’t feel judged by Nash.
I felt safe.
“He’s a dumb fucking dude to have messed this up. But if it means I get to kiss you, then I’m certainly not complaining.”
“So, what are you waiting for?” I whispered, just as the sun moved behind the clouds and the sky darkened, as if it were preparing for this moment.
His hand moved to the back of my head, tangling in my hair, as he pulled my mouth down to his. His lips were soft but firm, and he took control immediately. His tongue slipped inside and found mine as he groaned into my mouth. He tilted my head, taking the kiss deeper, and I melted against his body.
The man could kiss. His hands were everywhere, rocking me against him as my hips started to move. My fingers tugged at his hair, urging him closer, like I couldn’t get enough.
I’d never been kissed like this.
