Page 66 of The Lyrics of Love

They all headed to their vehicles. Nash made certain Rylie was tucked in and drove directly to her house. He had tossed his wetsuit and SUP gear into the back of the truck since he wouldn’t be heading home tonight, and brought it in, leaving it in her living room.

Rylie kicked off her shoes as he pulled her into his arms and gave her a deep kiss, liking the little sounds in the back of her throat as his hands began roaming her body. She returned the favor, unbuttoning his shirt and pulling it from him, her palms flattening against his bare chest, moving in slow, tantalizing circles.

“You keep doing that and I’ll come right here,” he warned. “I want this to play out.”

Nash unbuttoned her blouse and pulled it from her shoulders, dropping it on the living room floor. He unhooked her bra, tossing it over his shoulder, his hands capturing her waist and backing her against the wall. Capturing her wrists in one hand, he raised them over her head, pinning them to the wall, allowing his free hand to trail down her throat and play with her breasts.

He pressed his body against hers as she wriggled against him, his tongue thoroughly exploring her mouth as his hand tweaked her nipples playfully. She gasped, tugging on her hands, but he kept her wrists high. Then he slipped his hand between her legs, rubbing against the pants she wore. A garbled noise escaped her, and he smiled against her mouth.

“If I let go of your wrists, you have to pay a price,” he told her.

“Okay,” she said breathlessly. “I win even if I’m paying.”

“I want those pants off you within ten seconds. Think you can manage that?”

“Watch me,” she bragged.

Nash released her and took a step back. Rylie unbuttoned the single button and unzipped the pants, pulling them quickly to her ankles as he counted slowly to ten. By seven, she had one leg freed and moved to free her other one.

She made it. Barely.

In response, she flung herself at him, her arms wrapping around him, her kiss desperate, full of need and heat. He slipped his fingers inside her panties and yanked as hard as he could, tearing them off her. She broke the kiss.

“You mean business,” she said, her gaze locked on his.

“Yes, ma’am, I do.”

He knelt and rolled down the trouser socks she wore, the only thing she wore. She rested her hands on his shoulders as he removed them, leaving her naked and him still dressed to the waist.

“I think you’re wearing far too much, Mr. Edwards,” she purred. “Let’s remedy that.”

Rylie nudged him to the couch, and he dropped onto it, allowing her to remove his boots and socks. He stood and she tackled his jeans, pulling them and his boxer-briefs off, discarding them on the floor.

“I think we have to make up for lost time,” she told him. “A lot of lost time. Like this whole week.”

Threading his fingers through hers, Nash said, “Come on, darlin.’ Let’s do just that.”

CHAPTER 22

Rylie awoke, blanketed by Nash. Contentment filled her. She had missed their nights together and their lovemaking during the time Pops had been here. She adored Nash’s grandfather, though, and did not begrudge giving the old man time with his beloved grandson.

She loved this man. She may have thought she had been in love before, but it was nothing like the powerful emotions that ran through her, whether she was in Nash’s presence or away from him.

Rylie yearned to tell him of her deep feelings but held back. She had been the first to express those words to two different men. One had been her college sweetheart, who cheated on her, then made her feel small and worthless, blaming her for his cheating because she hadn’t been enough for him. The second had been a man she dated a couple of years out of college. She had pictured a future with him until she didn’t, once again finding out he had stepped out on her, telling her he thought they were on a break when she had gone to visit Ainsley.

Because of those two failed relationships in her past, Rylie had kept silent regarding the way she felt about Nash. She wanted desperately to commit to him—to them—but fear held her back. He had arranged to stay in the Cove two months, and that time was almost up. He hadn’t talked about what he would do when he left the Oregon coast and certainly hadn’t mentioned her being a part of his life away from here. Even if he did ask her to go with him, could she leave everything behind and travel across the entire continent to Tennessee? If Nash did want her in his life, it would have to be there. She would have to start from scratch, building a new business. And then there were her relationships with the people she loved who lived in the Cove. Rylie couldn’t imagine not being able to text Ainsley and her other friends and within ten minutes be with them, laughing over a glass of wine and sharing their day with one another.

But if Nash asked?

She would give up everything for this man.

There was still so much she did not know about him, however. What was he like when he was back in Nashville? Or on the road? She couldn’t imagine leaving her home base and traveling for a year or more, accompanying him while he was on tour. She also didn’t think flying out to meet him on weekends would be the answer. Confusion filled her. That confusion told her to stay silent and not reveal how she truly felt. She must protect her heart. She told herself she had made the choice to become involved with Nash, knowing it was for a limited time. When he finished recording his new album, nothing would tie him to the Cove.

Nash’s breathing changed, and she knew he was awake. “Good morning,” she said softly.

He brushed warm lips against her nape in reply, sending incredible tingles rushing through her. Rylie didn’t know if she would ever be able to get enough of this man, much less in the short time that remained.

“We’re meeting Gage at the lake at eight?” he asked, his voice low and husky.

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