But I’m not. Marissa has the monopoly on that. Well, Marissa and my mother.
If I ever become a thief, Nash will be the first thing I steal.
I can hear his deep voice as he talks to Marissa. No doubt they have exciting plans for the night. Their jet-set lives are the stuff fairy tales are made of. Unfortunately, my life has been anything but a fairy tale.
With a resolute jerk that makes my eyes water, I tighten my pony tail. I eye myself in the mirror. Marissa’s work uniform is a thousand dollar suit and Jimmy Choo shoes. Mine is black shorts and a black tee that says Get a little at Tad’s. A girl like me will never have a life like that.
I’m glad when I hear the front door shut. At least now I don’t have to pass the dynamic duo on my way out. It’s already a shitty weekend and it’s only just begun. Seeing them drool all over each other is the last thing I need.
I give them a couple minute lead before I grab my purse and keys, sling my overnight bag onto my shoulder and head for the door. I’m thinking to myself that I should’ve used the bathroom before I left when I look up and see Nash sitting in his sleek black car, talking on the phone. Not watching where I’m going, I forget to step off the curb and end up falling off it instead.
I probably would’ve been able to keep my balance had I not been loaded down with my stuffed overnight bag. Once it got going in the wrong direction, there was no stopping either of us.
I fall ass over teacup into the parking lot. In my head, I envision myself as a comical cartwheel of flailing arms and legs.
Yep, I’m making a fool of myself. Again. Right in front of Nash.
Is there no end to my embarrassment with this guy?
I’m thinking that as I try and right myself as quickly as possible. Before I can get untangled from my purse and duffel straps, however, strong hands are gripping my arms and hauling me to my feet.
I’m face to face with Nash. His dark-chocolate eyes are full of concern and he smells lightly of expensive cologne, something musky. Dark. Sexy.
“Are you all right?”
I’m discombobulated. “I’m just glad I didn’t pee all over myself,” I blurt. I see his mouth drop open a tiny bit and I feel my cheeks go up in flames.
Oh sweet Lord, what did I just say?
And then he laughs. His perfect mouth spreads into a wide smile, revealing equally perfect teeth. His face is transformed from gorgeous into just plain breathtaking. And the sound—it’s rich and rumbly and slides over my skin like satin.
I know I’m staring, but I can’t seem to keep my eyes off the lips that are so close. They look so much like his brother’s. So delicious. So forbidden. And, despite all the reasons I shouldn’t, I want him to kiss me just as badly.
What the hell is wrong with me?
“I am, too.”
My brain is utterly scrambled.
“What?” I ask, dazed and confused.
“I am, too,” he repeats.
“You are too what?”
“I’m glad you didn’t pee all over yourself, too.”
Oh yeah. That.
Apparently, it’s the rule of the universe that I make an ass of myself at every possible opportunity with this guy. And his brother, too!
Stepping away from him so I can think, I smile sheepishly and shake my head. “Oh, God! Sorry about that. I, uh, I was just thinking that I should’ve used the bathroom before I left. I had lots of water today.”
I laugh uneasily. He continues to watch me in amusement. It’s horrifying.
“Where are you headed?”
“To work.”
“Ah. And where’s that?” he asks, pushing his hands into his pockets like he’s settling in for a long conversation.
“Um, Tad’s Bar and Grill in Salt Springs.”
“Salt Springs?” He frowns. “That’s, what, just over an hour from here?”
“Yep, which is why I need to get going.”
I have to get away from him before something more embarrassing happens. Like I reach out and touch the rounded pecs that I can just make out beneath his expensive dress shirt.
“Right. Well, drive carefully.”
With a nod and a polite smile, he turns and walks back to the car that’s purring quietly a few feet away.
I all but run to my beat up Honda Civic. It has never looked more welcoming. Or more like an escape pod. I hop in and slam the door, exhaling in relief.
But then, much to my chagrin, I turn the key and hear only a sluggish whine. The engine won’t start.
I look at the gas gauge. Half full. It’s not an empty tank. I look at the dashboard lights. They’re nice and bright. It’s not a dead battery. Beyond that, I have no idea what to check.
I’m sitting helplessly behind the wheel, wondering what the hell I’m going to do, when I see Nash cross in front of my car and approach my window. I roll it down.
I try to smile when I feel like crying instead.
“Car won’t start?” he asks.
“Nope.”
“What seems to be the problem?”
“I have no clue. I have ovaries; therefore I repel all things mechanical.”
He chuckles. “The put-gas-in-it-and-get-the-oil-changed-and-that’s-it type, huh?”
“Pretty much.”
“Let’s take a look. Can you pop the hood?” he asks, rolling his sleeves up to his elbows.
Good Lord, he even has sexy forearms!
I look down and to my left. I see the little symbol for the hood. I’m thankful I at least know where that is.
I pull the lever.
I don’t know whether I should get out or stay put. For self-preservation purposes, I go with staying put. Remaining in the car, far from Nash, exponentially decreases the likelihood of me doing or saying something stupid. That’s always a good thing.
Through the crack where the hood hinges, I can see Nash fiddle with several things, tugging hoses and wires and tightening something down. Then I see him brush his hands off and close the hood.
He walks back to the window. “I don’t see anything obviously wrong, but I’m no mechanic. Looks like this car’s not going anywhere for a while. Do you want me to call a tow truck?”
I can’t help the deep sigh of frustration. “No, that’s okay. I can call one after I call in to work.”
“Are you sure?”
I muster the brightest smile I can, which isn’t very bright at all, I’m sure. “Yeah, I’m sure. Thanks, though.”
“Do you want me to wait with you?”
My laugh is bitter. “That’s okay. I’d rather get chewed out in private if you don’t mind.”
His brow wrinkles. “Are you going to be in trouble?”
I wave my hand dismissively. “Ah, no more than usual.”
He nods and starts to walk away but pauses. I see him glance at his watch then look up, like he’s thinking. It’s obvious the wheels of his mind are turning.
“Why don’t you let me drive you to work?”
“Absolutely not! You’ve got plans with Marissa and it’s way out of your way. Salt Springs is way out of everyone’s way.”
“We were just going to hang out with some coworkers. I can be a little late. It’s not a big deal.”
“Well, it is to me. I’ll be fine. I appreciate the offer, but I’m gonna have to decline.”
“Decline?” he says, his eyes twinkling mischievously. “What if I insist?”
“Insist all you like. My answer won’t change.”
Nash narrows his eyes on me and his lips curve up at the corners. He walks slowly to my window and bends down, resting his forearms along the open space. His face is inches from mine.
“I could always make you.”
The way he says it sounds dark and dirty and infinitely pleasurable. All I can think of is what I’d like for him to make me do.
There’s an unsavory term for that—a guy forcing a girl to do sexual things. But what is it they say? You can’t rape the willing. And I’d be willing. Oh, how I’d be willing.
My mouth is so dry, my tongue sticks to the roof. All I can do is shake my head.
Like the strike of lightning, Nash reaches in and snatches the keys from the ignition. His smile is smug when he stands and walks around to the passenger side. He opens the door and collects my overnight bag and my purse from the seat. Before he shuts the door, he says, “It’s either come with me or sleep in your car that won’t start. Your choice.”
With that, he slams the door shut and walks casually away, toting my stuff to his car and dropping it into the back seat. He leans against the driver’s door and crosses his arms over his chest to watch me. The challenge is clear.
I’m just stubborn enough that if I really didn’t want to go with him, I would find a way around him. But therein lies the rub. I do want to go with him. Just to spend a little more time with him, without Marissa around, sounds like heaven. I mean, it’s not like I have any plans to try and steal him. Or that I even could. Marissa is the total package. She’s a whiny bitch, but still, she’s gorgeous, wealthy, successful and she has hella good connections in the Atlanta world of law.
Then there’s me. I’m an accounting student slash bartender slash farmer’s daughter. Yeah, stealing Nash isn’t an option, even if I was the type to attempt it.
Fortunately, that makes a car ride with him even more harmless.
After rolling up the window, I climb out of the car and lock the door before heading for the plush, cool interior of Nash’s BMW. I say nothing about the satisfied smile he’s wearing when he slides in beside me. It’s better if he thinks he won.
“Now, was that so hard?”
I try to keep my smile slightly on the tolerant side, squashing my exuberance. “I guess not. You drive a hard bargain.”
“So I’ve been told.”
“I’m sure you have,” I mutter. When Nash’s head whips in my direction, I smile innocently. “What?”
He looks suspicious. “I thought you said something.”
“Nope. Not me.”
I smother my grin as he backs out of the lot.
CHAPTER SIX - Nash
I watch Olivia from the corner of my eye as I steer the car toward interstate. I know I’m asking for trouble, going to such lengths to spend a little more time with this girl.
It’s not that I wouldn’t help any female stranded in a similar situation. But would I go this far? Probably not. And would I insist upon it? Definitely not.
Why couldn’t you just wait with her until a tow truck showed up and then leave?
I don’t know the answer to that, but it seems like there’s just something about her…
She’s great looking, no doubt, even though she’s not necessarily my type. She’s the complete opposite of Marissa in practically every way, physical and otherwise. And, even though Marissa fits everything in my life to perfection, I don’t feel drawn to her like I do this girl.
And that’s not good.
And I know it.
Yet here I am. Driving her half way across the state to drop her off at work. While my girlfriend is waiting for me.
Oh, shit! Marissa!
As I accelerate up the entrance ramp, I turn to Olivia. “Do you mind if I let Marissa know?”
She smiles and shakes her head.
I click a couple buttons on the console to turn off the Bluetooth. I don’t want Olivia to hear my conversation with Marissa.
“Where are you?” Marissa asks as she answers the phone.
“Olivia’s car wouldn’t start. I’m taking her to work and then I’ll be there.”
“Olivia? My cousin, Olivia?”
“Of course. Who else?”
“And you’re taking her all the way to work? In Salt Springs?”
“Yes.”
Silence greets me. I know what Marissa is like to others. I’m fully aware of the comments and the tantrum she’s suppressing for my benefit. She’s very good at maintaining her carefully forged façade. She knows our relationship would cease to be if she didn’t. For that reason, she doesn’t speak until she has her temper under control.
“That’s awfully nice of you to do that for her. Just know that I don’t expect it. She’s related to me, but I would never ask you to go out of your way like this.”
“I know you wouldn’t. I don’t mind. Really.”
Another pause.
“All right. I guess I’ll see you in a couple hours then.”
“See you soon.”
When I lay my phone in the cup holder, I see Olivia watching me.
“Something wrong?”
“I was wondering the same thing. Is she mad?”
“No. Why would she be mad?”
“Do you even know who you’re dating?”
I can’t help but laugh. “She’s not all bad. She was fine with it.”
“Hmmm.”
“Obviously there’s no love lost between you two. So why are you living with her?”
I glance at Olivia and I see her face crumble.
“I sound like an ungrateful witch, don’t I? And she is your girlfriend. I’m so sorry!”
Damn, I’ve made her feel bad.
“Please don’t apologize. It wasn’t my intention to make you feel bad. I was just curious how it all came about.”
“Marissa didn’t tell you?”
“No. She doesn’t talk much about it.”
“Figures,” she murmurs. I act like I don’t hear her. But it makes me want to smile. “Well, the roommate I’ve had for the last two years up and followed her boyfriend to Colorado without telling me. It was time to renew the lease and I didn’t have the money to continue it on my own, so I had to make other arrangements. My best friend offered me her couch, but she’s getting married next month, so that’s just not gonna happen. That left me with the dorms. Until Marissa’s father offered to let me stay with her. He isn’t charging me as much as I’d have to pay for room and board at school, which is great because that would’ve been a huge problem for me. I’m on a pretty tight budget, even though Tad pays me really well to bartend.” She looks to me and I nod my head in understanding. “It doesn’t sound like it, but I really am grateful. I’ve just had a rough week.”