Page 50 of Defending her Heart

The few times I’ve seen him at an after party, he’s serious. Now I understand it’s the lack of sex. And the guilt. When he’s with Paisley is the only time I’ve seen him truly smile. Totally at ease.

I want to capture the sparkle in his eye and the adorable grin he wears when he’s with her, but I don’t want to share that side of Nash with the world. Or the side I’m hoping to get a glimpse of tonight.

I take a screenshot of the picture and save it to my phone, then respond to his text.

ME: Sure. Anything I can bring?

He responds immediately.

NASH POTATO: You.

Those fluttery butterflies are meant for someone like Rowan, not me.

I don’t need the sweet talking, the romantic dates, or the gifts. I had those before, and they were all lies. It’s the sex I’m after. Basic biology. Sex therapy. Release.

Like Nash, I don’t need it badly enough where I’m willing to hook up with anyone just to get laid. I mean, I did need that after the Jason shitshow. But I have standards now. Luckily, Nash more than exceeds any standard I could ever create.

As tempted as I am to flirt back, I know that’s not what this is between us. It’s transactional, even if there is chemistry and mutual attraction. He left me hanging for four days, I can leave him hanging for three hours.

Hopefully his dick isn’t hanging in three hours though. I snicker at my joke and head home to shower. Since it’s been so long for both of us, I take my time exfoliating, shaving from my toes to my landing strip, then rub my favorite body butter everywhere I hope Nash’s lips and fingers will touch.

Well, noteverywhere. My own natural lubricant is taking care of my much neglected vag. I’m so wet, the cobwebs must have washed away by now.

“Heading out so late?” my mom asks as I come down the stairs dressed instead of in my usual pajama pants and hoodie.

“I want to go with you,” Dani says.

“Sorry, sis, not tonight. Pick a day this week and we’ll go on a sister date.”

“Can we get ice cream?”

“It’s freezing out, honey,” my mom says.

“I want ice cream.”

“What my date wants, my date gets.” I lean down and kiss my sister’s forehead. “Do you still want to go to the grocery store with me tomorrow after work?”

“Yeah. I like food.”

“You and me both, Dani.” I give my mom a hug. “Night, Mom.”

“Are you going out with the girls?” She gives me a once over.

I’m not wearing anything provocative. At least, not that one can see. Underneath my jeans and beige sweater, I’m wearing my favorite lavender lacy thong and matching bra. My makeup isn’t overdone, and my jewelry is minimal. I didn’t want it to look like I was trying too hard to get laid.

I’m sneaking in after Paisley’s asleep, stripping down, having sex, then leaving. No need to overdo it. At least, that’s what I told myself during the last hour while I was getting ready for this sex date.

Not that it’s adatedate. Scheduled sex with a gorgeous man without the expectations of anything more. My heart is protected, and Nash doesn’t have to worry about me wanting anything more than something physical.

It’s a win-win.

“I won’t be out late.” I don’t want to lie to my mom, but I don’t want her to think I’m dating anyone either. We’re close, and I told her almost everything about Jason. Everything but the secret family. She’s worried about me, and I don’t want her to get her hopes up that I’m venturing back into the dating world.

It takes less than twenty minutes to get to Nash’s house. Most of the lights are off. I glance up at Paisley’s window and see the faint glow of her nightlight. Where I know Nash’s room to be is dark, as is most of the downstairs, except the light from the television and what I assume is the light from the kitchen.

As soon as I turn off my car, the front door opens. Nash stands in the doorway, clad in jeans and a tight Henley. He’swearing socks and no shoes, and for some reason, I find it incredibly sexy.

Hell, he could be wearing the bulkiest sweatpants and an ugly sweater and he’d still be God’s gift to the female population. Scratch that. To all humankind.

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