Page 45 of Nash

He whispers, “I kinda love holding you in it.”

“I don’t want to leave.”

“I won’t give you a choice.”

For minutes, we don’t speak. He holds me, and I hold him back. Finally, he’s the one asking a question. “How do we do this?”

“Cherish it while it lasts?”

“Yes,” his voice is deep and soft. “But I mean …this.” He wraps his leg over mine. “How do we sleep together tonight? I’ve never slept with a woman.”

I giggle. I can’t help it. “So you’re a virgin with miraculous fingers and a transcendent tongue?”

He laughs, too. “Must be all those pussy books of yours I read.”

“Are you serious?” I pop up, my hand braced against his granite pec. “You’ve never shook the sheets with a woman and then slept with her? Likeslept?”

“Why would I?”

“Because, in the least, you were fucking exhausted. I mean … got exhausted fucking, but at the most,” I kiss his chest, “it’s romantic, like a movie.”

His fingertip traces over the bow in my lips. “I’m beginning to see that now.”

It tickles. It makes me smile. “You need to stop making this go from an X-rated movie night to a G-rated one where I’m feeling all gooey inside.”

Too late. I’m a goner. He smiles and slings sunshine everywhere.

“Then just answer me,” he insists. “How do we sleep? Back to back as usual? Back to front? With your head on my chest?”

“Or your head on mine.”

“Poison, I won’t sleep with your breasts in my face.”

“Fine.” I lean over and click off the lamp before I suggest, “Let’s just sleep like this.” I nestle back into the spot that’s mine now. I’ve claimed it. It’s the one over his tiger while I caress his lion.

Silently, he holds me. His legs intertwine with mine, but then I remember, “I’m dress shopping with Alena tomorrow.”

“Okay, shhh.”

“But, what will I say?”

“Words. Lots of them, I’m sure.”

“But, Nash.

“Vale,” he softens his voice. “Shut up.”

“But—”

“Shut up,” he cups my head on his chest, his voice even softer, “and let me finally sleep withmywoman.”

Oh…

My heart flutters.

Okay.

“Now, this is Givenchy couture.”The owner of the wedding boutique presents a stunning gown to Alena. “Ivory Alecon lace bodice, off-the-shoulder neckline…”

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