Page 88 of Love Me, I Dare You

“Hey,” Nash says, as he stands before me. He reaches for me when I don’t immediately reply, tugging me further into the room with him and out of sight from anyone lurking in the hallway. His hands find my waist and pull me in as he crashes his lips against mine.

The kiss catches me by surprise, and I set my palm flat against his chest to push him back, but the moment his tongue dips inside, languid strokes hitting the sides of my mouth, I melt into him. I’ve been aching to feel his lips on mine all night. Now that I have, I want to stay in this moment forever and allow him to erase whatever conversation I overheard just moments ago.

All it did was leave me more confused about what occurred that night ten years ago that forced Nash to disappear without saying goodbye and question my father’s involvement. I always suspected it, especially the way they seemed relieved he’d up and left, but there was no use in questioning his motives.

Nash’s hands creep up my back, tucking under the cream-colored silk top I paired with light blue flared jeans. “Nash,” I moan, giving into the way his touch makes me feel, when I recall the words I hear him say.

I pull away, reminding him we’re in the middle of my house where anyone in his or my family could see us at any moment. His eyes go wide in surprise. “What is it?” he asks, worry etched into the creases of his eyes as his smile tightens into a sharp line.

My palm remains flat against his chest and I can’t help the way my fingers tangle into his shirt at the feel of his muscles heaving beneath me. “Someone is going to see us?” I tell him, yet my mannerisms speak otherwise.

“So what? Bailey, I want you. I want this. I don’t give a fuck who sees us. Better yet,” he says, grabbing me by my hand. “Let’s just go out and tell them right now.”

Everything he’s saying is exactly what I’ve prayed to hear for so long. He wants me, wants us to be in a relationship, meaning he’s thinking about staying in Crossroads longer than he planned to because of me, but I can’t help but think of what he and my father spoke about.

Is all of this willingness to admit to everyone that we’re together, just a ploy to prove to my dad he has the upper hand? That my father isn’t powerful enough to forbid us being together any longer?

“Nash, please stop.” He halts in his tracks but doesn’t release my hand. “Look, I want to be with you, too. Trust me, there’s nothing I want more. But we need to figure out what we want before we drag any of our friends or family into this. It’s morecomplicated than that. You have to be sure this is what you want because if you do, it means staying in Crossroads.”

“Then let's go home and figure it all out right now.” Why is he suddenly so eager? I hate myself for questioning the sincerity of his words, but I can’t help the uncertainty creeping inside me.

“I’m staying here tonight.” His face falls at my admission and I find myself needing to assure him it’s not because of what I may or may not have overheard. “Tomorrow, I have to be up bright and early to prepare everything for the festival. My mama offered to let me use her kitchen, which is much larger than mine at the cafe.”

Nash cups my face with his free hand, his thumb tracing circles along my skin in a tender caress. “Angel, are you sure? I can’t help but feel there’s something else going on?”

I want to pull away and not risk someone catching us, but I know it will only further worry him if I do. “It’s fine, Nash, really. We’re good. I just think it’s best for me to stay here tonight. Billie and Monroe are staying, and Brynn will help as well. It just makes sense for us since we’ll begin prep at five am tomorrow in order to have everything ready and packed by noon. Maybe you can come by then and help us transport everything if you’re not busy helping Jase with the stuff for the bar.”

“Yeah, he asked my brothers and I if we’d be available. They’re all staying an extra few days and will help him out. I’ll be here at eleven. I’ll even borrow Monty’s truck to help.”

My eyes meet his, and in this fleeting moment of locked gazes, a gentle warmth envelops me, soothing my racing heart. Nash’s eyes mirror the same affection that resonates deep within me, speaking a silent language only we can understand.

“Thank you. I hope tonight wasn’t too difficult to sit though. I’m sorry for my parents and their tactless questions if they made you or your family uncomfortable.”

His smile is wide and genuine and I’m nearly swept off my feet from how freaking beautiful he is. The room fades into a blur as I keep my gaze on him and the sweet crinkle of his eyes as his smile widens. “I’ve dealt with my fair share of men like your father. I’m good as long as we’re good.”

I nod as he leans forward to place a kiss on my lips, but when I abruptly turn—unable to give into the emotions swirling in my stomach at the quiet intensity of his touch—his lips graze my chin instead. I cringe at what I’ve just done, further admitting that there is something bothering me.

Nash lets out a soft chuckle but says nothing else about it. “Goodnight, Angel. I’ll see you in the morning.”

…

After everyone’s made it to their respective rooms for the night, I pace back-and-forth downstairs, unable to sleep. As I lay my head down on the pillow, all I could do was picture Nash and my father’s heated conversation and the things they’d said that only made me more confused than I already found myself.

Without second guessing myself, I head down the hall and toward his study, knocking on the door that once again sits slightly ajar. “Come in,” he calls out and I do, stepping inside to find him seated in his brown leather chair behind the large mahogany wood desk he’s owned for as long as I can remember. It was a family relic, built by my great grandfather when he first purchased the land that now holds the King Family Ranch.

“May I come in?” I ask, though I’m already walking toward his desk.

“Please, have a seat, Bailey. I was expecting a visit from you. Thought maybe you’d come by tomorrow since you’d already headed to bed. "

The room smells of the cigar’s burning ashes on the tray atop his desk, the cloud of smoke still lingering in the air. “Why were you sure I’d come by?”

“Sweetheart, please don’t patronize your old man. I know you overheard my conversation with Nash Bishop.” He says his name as if he’s disgusted by it, by him. I knew he held a strong hatred toward his family, but this is personal. It can’t only be because of his suspicion that there’s something going on between Nash and me.

I don’t act coy, figuring it will get me nowhere to pretend if my father already suspects there is something bigger with Nash and I. “I’m not sure what I heard. All I know is it didn’t sit right with me to see the two of you in here arguing. Why was Nash in here with you alone?”

Bringing the glass in his hand to his lips, he takes a sip before answering me. “Nash and I have some unfinished business we need to attend to. It doesn't concern you.”

“It does if it’s about me. Tell me the truth dad, are you the reason Nash left Crossroads ten years ago, after he—” I pause, unsure if I should say anymore.What if my father is unaware of what Nash and I did?The real reason he and Jase stopped talking.

---