"I'm trying to destroy your incredible restraint."
He cupped her face, gazing into her eyes. "I've been marshaling it whenever you're around."
"I know. Let's just face it, Nash. No matter what happens between us, in this—" she wiggled and loved that he shuddered and closed his eyes "—we were good together."
He stared for a moment longer, then without a word, strong hands gripped her waist, and he maneuvered her to face forward.
"Well, this is no fun."
"Wanna bet?"
He cupped her breasts, loving it when she moaned and covered his hands. It only made him want to touch more of her. Right now. And as the horse headed toward the house, Nash slid his hand downward, beneath the band of her shorts. The muscles of her stomach contracted, her hips shifting in open invitation.
"I need to touch you," he said in a frantic tone. "I need to." Hurriedly, he flipped open the button of her shorts, peeled down the zipper and drove his hand beneath the layers of fabric.
He found her, wet and warm, and she cried out in pleasure.
"See what fun this is?"
She laughed shakily, then he drove the breath from her lungs when he parted her and plunged two fingers inside.
"Nash," she chanted, her knees drawing up in response. She laid her head back on his shoulder and reached up to push her fingers into his hair.
He tasted anything he could reach, her mouth, her throat, his words hot in her ear. "Do you know how long I've waited to touch you?" He didn't expect an answer. He felt her tighten and tense with the rush of her desire, and he stopped the horse on the edge of the patio and stroked her into heaven, absorbing her shudders, hearing her short gasps for air. He spoke to her, heightening every sensation careering through her body, telling her how moments like this haunted him, how much he'd longed to be with her, naked and putting his mouth where his fingers were. She cried out, covering his hand and pulsing on the threshold of glorious pleasure before she sank limply against him.
He held her, wrapping his arms around her waist.
"Hayley, baby, I—"
She silenced him with a kiss, curling into him like a contented kitten. She didn't want words to break the spell, but then it was broken by the ringing of the phone in the house. His face tucked close to hers, he tipped his wrist to see the time on his watch.
"Who could that be at this hour?"
Hayley instantly pushed his arms away and slid from the horse. "This late, it can't be good."
Running across the pool deck, she yanked open the French doors and dashed to the phone. "River Willow."
"Hayley, it's Grace. Thank God I finally reached you. Kim's hurt and she's hysterical. I can't calm her."
Hayley questioned Grace, and when Nash stepped inside, she held her hand out to him. He came to her. "Apply pressure and we'll be there as soon as we can."
She handed Nash the phone, then dashed to her room. She washed and changed into a pair of jeans, then grabbed her small red duffel bag. She was jamming her feet into her sneakers when Nash met her in the front foyer.
"How long will it take?" she said as they trotted down the front steps.
"Ten minutes if I speed." He helped her in on his side of the truck and climbed up after her.
"Then speed," she said as he started the engine. "Your mother didn't tell me how bad it was."
Nash paled and Hayley reached out, rubbing his shoulder as he tore down the drive to the highway.
They walked in without knocking, calling for Grace.
Hayley could hear Kim's sobs and panicky shrieks. They followed the sound and Grace rushed out of the spare-bedroom door.
Nash went around the left side of the bed, talking to Kim, but nothing seemed to help. Her mouth and chin were bloody and even he couldn't comfort her.
"It's not that bad and I've tried everything," Grace said in a low voice, the two women out in the hall. "But the sight of her own blood keeps scaring her."
Hayley gripped Grace's shoulders and held her gaze with her own. "Go make some decaf and take Kate with you. I'll take care of this, Grace. Okay?"
Grace nodded and called to Kate. Hayley kissed Kate's head, then moved to Kim on the bed.
"Hey there," she said, sitting down on the side of the bed. "See? One day out of my sight and look what trouble you get into." Hayley smiled and Kim's crying faded to sniffles and pitiful whimpers. Hayley blotted her eyes with a tissue, lovingly pushing her damp hair of her forehead. "You're going to be fine, baby, I promise."
Kim calmed and let out a long tired breath.
Hayley reached for a cloth, inspecting the wound. "Nash, I need cool water, a bowl and more light." He nodded and stood, flicking on the overhead light as he left.