Page 57 of Shattering Nash

“I was hoping I’d get the chance to speak with you,” he said.

Maybe if she played it off, he’d leave. Highly doubtful but it was worth a shot.

She dug her hands in her pockets, peeking up through her lashes. God, he had the most amazing blue eyes.Focus!

“About what?”

Charley was giving her best effort to avoid talking about her visit to the club and everything that followed.

“Friday night at the X-Lounge.”

“Oh.” She feigned surprise. “I don’t remember too much.”

His lips twitched. “How convenient.”

Shit!Her shoulders sagged. There was no escaping this conversation. He wouldn’t let her, and in fairness, he shouldn’t. If a man had tried to kiss her without her consent, she’d be horrified. Charley needed to accept responsibility for her outlandish behavior. He deserved an apology.

“While it’s true I don’t remember everything from that night, I’ve been enlightened to some details of events that occurred.”

Nash cupped his mouth, and the corners of his eyes crinkled. It was hard to get a read on his expression. He didn’t seem upset, but maybe he was better at masking his emotions.

“Which ones?” There was no missing the tease in his tone. He knew exactly what she was referring to.

She clasped her hands and shrugged her shoulders to her ears. “I’m so sorry I tried to kiss you. I don’t know what I was thinking. Actually, that’s a lie. The truth is I obviously wasn’t thinking.” She inhaled a breath. “I don’t going around kissing people. I swear, that’s not the kind of person I am. It put you in a horrible position.”

“Horrible?”

She quickly nodded. “It was so inappropriate of me. Improper.”

Nash hummed again, and she felt it to her core. He had to stop doing that. Nash unfolded his arms and stepped closer. “I agree. Not a proper kiss.”

“No.” She shook her head.

Improper was putting it mildly. She’d forced herself on him. People were arrested for acts like that.Oh my God, is he going to press charges?

“Let’s rectify that.”

Charley froze as blood rushed through her veins. What did he say?

Nash closed the gap between them, grabbed her neck, curled his fingers into her hair, and angled her head. His breath fanned over her face seconds before his lips crashed over hers. She gasped, virtually stealing his breath, but it didn’t slow Nash down. He dug his fingers into her flesh and looped his arm around her waist, pulling her against his chest.

Oh. My. God.

Charley had fantasized about this moment since the day she’d met him. Ironically, in the store. She couldn’t put into words what exactly attracted her to him first, but it was instant the minute she laid eyes on him. And now she was kissing him. That might not have been fully accurate.Nash is kissing me.His short nails trailed over the back of her neck, and she curled deeper into his chest.

His lips were softer than she’d expected, sliding over hers. She parted her lips, and his tongue dipped inside her mouth. Without thought, Charley let out a soft moan and rested her hands on his arms. Even through layers of clothes, she traced the outline of his muscular biceps.

This kiss would forever be ingrained in her mind. Years down the road when small moments faded, she was sure this was one she’d remember.I hope.

While Charley was taking liberties, she was also cautious not to overstep with Nash. He, on the other hand, had no boundaries. His hand slid over her throat and down to the top of her chest. So close to her breasts. Charley found herself lifting up on her toes in hopes his hand would shift downward.I want this man’s hands on every part of my body.

Nash’s teeth grazed her bottom lip, then sucked it before sliding his tongue into her mouth. It was a move she hadn’t experienced before, but she wanted more. She squeezed his arms, feeling zero ounce of fat or softness.God, I wish I could see his arms.Most women had a particular part of a man that was her undoing. For Charley, it was arms. There was something symbolic and sexy about muscular arms. It served as a sign of protection.At least, in my eyes.

If this kiss was a one-time deal, she had no plans of missing out on this opportunity to touch Nash. As hard as it was, she released her hold over his biceps and caressed her hands over his shoulders and down to his chest. She snuck her hands under his suit jacket and over his pecs. Only one layer of clothing separating her from his skin. So close, she moaned against his lips, allowing herself to do something she hadn’t in years.Live in the moment.Charley clawed his chest, wanting as much intimacy as she could get while stilled clothed. It was that thought alone that sparked her next statement.

“I have the key to the apartment upstairs,” she blurted through a heavy breath against his lips. The second the words left her lips, she squeezed her eyes shut. She’d never been so forward with anyone in her life. Not to mention presumptuous. A kiss didn’t mean Nash wanted to sleep with her.

Does an erection?

---