Page 24 of His to Defend

He stepped closer still. She could smell him and knew that if she just leaned forward a few inches, she’d be able to taste him. “What about it?”

His voice gave her goose bumps. This man had her losing all kinds of control and feeling things she had no business feeling. She squeezed her eyes shut for a beat before opening them again. “It was fun,” she said as casually as she could. “But I just want to be clear with you that it’s never going to happen again.”

Why had she just said that?

Did she see him flinch or was it her imagination? She couldn’t be sure.

It had to be her imagination. No doubt he was going to laugh at her. She didn’t care.

“Is that right?” His eyes were locked on hers.

“Yes.” She nodded once and took a step back. It was the only way she could breathe. “That’s right.” Before he could say anything else, Nina turned and walked swiftly back into the Den and straight up the stairs to her room. She didn’t trust herself enough to be around Ryker. Because no matter what she’d just said, she wasn’t clear about her feelings at all and she definitely wanted it to happen again.

CHAPTER TEN

“I cannot believe you got us matching T-shirts.” Harper groaned but there was a smile on her face. Nina knew she secretly loved the hot-pink shirts. A lot.

“Aren’t they awesome?” Chloe grabbed one from the pile in the middle of the room and tossed it to Ella. “Bree made one for each of us.” She finished distributing the shirts that had “I Do Crew” spelled out in rhinestones on the front. Harper’s own shirt was white with the word “Bride” in silver script. They were fun and gaudy, and absolutely perfect.

“They are pretty cute,” Nina admitted, taking her own shirt from the pile.

Because she’d been traveling for work, the other girls had graciously offered to plan most of the bachelorette activities, which was fine with Nina. The only thing that mattered to her was that her best friend have a fun day and for Harper, she knew that as long as it involved her friends, she’d have a great time.

“Did you make a shirt big enough to fit over this belly?” Kira walked slowly toward the pile, her hands on her back, her stomach protruding in front of her. She still wasn’t due until January but it seemed as if the woman had all but doubled in size in the last few days. Her belly was much larger than Ella’s little baby bump.

“I made a special one for you.” Bree pulled a large shirt from the pile and handed it to Kira, who held it up to her. She stretched the fabric over her stomach and breasts and laughed. “It might just fit.”

“I don’t think Nash will be complaining if it’s too tight.” Harper winked at her.

“Definitely not.” Kira smiled. “He’s always loved my curves, but these preggo curves are really kicking things up a notch.”

“And he loves all of them, doesn’t he?” Ella asked with a grin. “I know Kade does.”

“Gross.” Kira pretended to be shocked. “That’s my twin brother you’re talking about.”

Ella wiggled her eyebrows. “I’m just saying.”

Nina couldn’t help but laugh at the easy teasing between the women. Would she be as laid-back as they were if she were pregnant? She’d never before met a woman who was as happy with their growing body as these ladies were. And their men didn’t just like their curvy figures; they seemed to go crazy for them.

Just like Ryker.

She shut down the thought as soon as it popped into her head. Yes, Ryker had liked her curves well enough while they were screwing around in the woods. But it was one thing for a man who was nothing but a fling to be into you. And a completely different thing for a partner.

Was it?

“Okay,” Chloe announced from the front of the room, drawing Nina’s attention away from her internal battle. “We’re just waiting for one more and—”

The door opened and a tall brunette stepped into the room. She instantly looked familiar, and Nina knew without asking that the woman was Ryker’s sister. They had the same green eyes, the same thick, dark hair, the same…presence. Strong. Powerful.

“Natalia!” Kira, who was still trying to pull the T-shirt over her head, managed to tug it down into place and move as quickly as a heavily pregnant woman could to greet her cousin. “It’s been too long. You look amazing.”

“You look…”

“Huge?”

The woman laughed. “I was going to say radiant.” She pulled her close for one more hug before greeting the rest of the room with a wave. “Hi. I’m Natalia.”

“Ryker’s sister.” Nina hadn’t realized she’d spoken until the newcomer turned and her eyes locked on her.