Page 20 of Mine This Time
“Between your brother and me, we’ll chase down what’s going on with Brett. This building is completely secure. Not sure how he found out you were here, but I’m going to double-check with security. It’s staffed twenty-four-seven already, and the building locks automatically after eight p.m.”
I heard Mari’s breath escape in a slow sigh when she turned to look up at me. “I feel like I’m turning out to be an awful lot of trouble for you, Nash.”
“You’re no trouble, none at all.”
She looked away, out to the skyline again. My eyes traced the elegant arch of her brows and the angle of her cheekbone. They snagged on her plump lips, and the urge to kiss her was piercing and sharp.
When she looked back toward me, her brow was knitted with worry, and her eyes were troubled. “I feel like an idiot.”
“You’re not an idiot. There’s nothing wrong with trusting someone. It’s just that untrustworthy people take advantage of our trust. You already knew things weren’t going well with Brett, but you gave him a chance. The way others treat us only tells us something about them. Brett’s the asshole here. You’re not an idiot. Let Max and I see what we can do. We’ll make sure he can’t keep screwing with your money.”
Mari murmured something indecipherable under her breath. I didn’t realize I’d stepped closer until my eyes landed on the rapid flutter of her pulse in her neck. Her eyes met mine again. “I hate when I can’t clean up my own messes.”
“Someone taking advantage of you and screwing you over isn’t your mess.”
With Mari’s bright blue gaze holding mine, I let my fingers trail through the ends of her silky dark curls. She had this way of snatching my thoughts from me. Perhaps, it was more that she wiped out my ability to think clearly.
Without a single conscious thought passing through my mind, I dipped my head and brushed my lips over hers.
Chapter Ten
Mari
The feel of Nash’s lips on mine sent flames licking through my body. I sighed against his mouth and pressed closer. I craved the feel of his strength and warmth encompassing me. He murmured something against my lips, and I slipped my hand around his nape, my fingers teasing along the edge of his collar.
With a muttered imprecation, Nash’s hand slid down my back, and his tongue swept inside my mouth as he angled his head to the side. In a matter of seconds, I was swept into our kiss—the sensual glide of his tongue against mine, the way he held me strong and sure in his grip.
Just as the fierce fire was pulling me in, Nash drew back swiftly. A moan of protest slipped out. I wanted to yank him back, but he broke away entirely and took a few steps away.
“Fuck,” he muttered as he ran a hand roughly through his hair and stuffed the other in his pocket. Turning away, he stared out the windows for a moment. When he looked back toward me, his eyes were dark. “I promised myself I wasn’t going to do that.”
“Why?”
Argh! I hated how much I wanted to know. Why couldn’t I play this cool and simply dismiss him?
“Because I respect you, and your brother?—”
“Oh my God! Don’t you dare tell me you mentioned our kiss before to Max.”
Nash shook his head sharply. “If you’d let me finish my sentence, you would’ve heard that it’s just that I respect your brother, and I don’t think he would appreciate me doing this. Not now, not after what just happened to you.”
“Max has no say in my sex life,” I said, my voice coming out with a high pitch.
Nash eyed me with trepidation. “Mari, I’m not saying your brother should have a say in this. It’s that, well, you just came out of a relationship. Max might think I’m taking advantage. Not to mention, I don’t want to be your rebound.”
Anger laced through me, tangling up with the tumult of desire still humming in my veins. “You’re not a rebound,” I murmured. “Like I told you, Brett and I were practically broken up.” Again and again, I wondered why the hell I said yes when Brett called and asked me about this trip. Maybe it was my pride, maybe it was me wishing there was something more for me with anyone, and Brett happened to be convenient.
“That’s not my point,” Nash said.
We stared at each other, and the air felt charged around us. After a long moment, Nash took a step closer. “I didn’t expect this, but whatever happens between us, I don’t want you to think it’s just a quick thing for me. I’ll see you tomorrow. Let me take you to lunch or dinner.”
“Shouldn’t you be at work tomorrow?” I was being stubborn, and I knew it, but whatever.
“If I feel like taking time off, I will. See you tomorrow. I’ll be in touch about when.” At that, Nash bent low once more and brushed a brief kiss across my lips. It felt as if I’d literally been shocked as the electricity spun through my system when he stepped away.
“Good night, Mari,” he said when he reached the door.
Flustered, hot, and frustrated, I simply nodded. I sensed the beat of hesitation in him, but he moved decisively after a moment. The door shut behind him, and I heard the lock automatically click.
