Page 5 of Mine This Time

Chapter Five

Nash

Mari looked tired, a sense of unease and weariness clinging to her. I found myself wanting to scoop her up and take her away—anywhere where she could relax and forget about all this. No one deserved to be taken advantage of, but the sense of protectiveness she elicited was unusual for me.

With my energy focused on work, I studiously avoided getting caught up in messy emotional entanglements.

Yet, I found myself wanting to do whatever was necessary to hold Brett accountable and to tidy up whatever mess he’d created for Mari, which made no sense.

I mentally shied away from contemplating just what I was doing and why.

Mari sighed again. “I don’t know. I have no way to get home, and Brett seems to have maxed out every single credit card I have.

Before you go thinking I was too trusting, they weren’t even in his name.

I’m pretty sure he figured out all my logins and…

” Her words petered out, and she lifted a hand to brush a loose lock of hair away from her face.

I was torn between two impulses. On the one hand, I could simply buy her a plane ticket.

On the other hand, I knew when she got home, she was going to find out the situation with her apartment if she hadn’t already.

I’d had a friend who happened to be a private investigator do a quick check on her.

Among other things, he’d scouted up that she’d recently moved out of one place and had leased another.

Except the lease had been terminated two days ago after Mari had arrived here in New Orleans.

I wanted a little time with Mari. She got to me. I wasn’t thinking rationally, and I didn’t care. I shook my thoughts loose and repeated my question. “How can I help?”

“Honestly, I should probably just stay here until I figure out a plan. I already know from talking to my landlord that I have to find a new place.” Her mouth twisted in a bitter smile, although she didn’t add more to that explanation.

Ah-ha. So she did know. Well, at least I wasn’t the bearer of that news.

“No sense in paying for a plane ticket when I could use the money in other ways,” she finished.

Because it was my nature, I got practical. “Do you need to go back for work?”

Mari shook her head. “No. My job’s mobile. Not that it’s the most lucrative, but I’m a journalist.”

“Hmm. I recall Max mentioning that.”

“Do you know my brother well?”

“Our connections are business, but I trust him and consider him a friend.”

Mari lifted a hand and swiped away a bead of sweat rolling down her temple.

“I’d offer to buy your plane ticket, but I’m not sure that’s what you want. Why don’t we get out of this heat?”

Mari held my gaze for several moments, something flickering in the depths of her eyes.

After a beat, she looked away, staring blankly into the rows of cars parked beyond the entrance to the airport.

When she looked back, the only word I could think of to describe her was resigned. “Let’s definitely get out of the heat.”

“Come on.” I reached for her suitcase, and she yanked it out of the way.

“I can get it,” she snapped.

I eyed her for a second and then shrugged. “Mari, I would offer to help anyone with their luggage. It’s just manners.”

Her low laugh was like a light lash of the whip on the lust driving me ever since I laid eyes on her the other day. Although she was frazzled and frustrated and slightly wilting in the New Orleans heat, she was still breathtaking.

She was quiet as we walked. I flicked through the memory banks in my brain, trying to recall what Max had told me about his younger sister.

He spoke fondly of her, and her mentioning she was a journalist had jogged my memory on that detail.

I knew Max would be curious to learn what Brett had done.

It wasn’t the money so much. Given how much money Max had, he could easily remedy that situation.

But, he wouldn’t stand for the way Brett did this to Mari.

The air cooled as we walked into the parking garage.

My hand rested reflexively on Mari’s back and coaxed her in the direction of my car.

The subtle touch was a habit, yet I had to admit I liked being able to touch Mari.

I could feel the heat of her skin sifting through the thin fabric of her cream-colored blouse.

Being born and raised in New Orleans, my manners had been drilled into me by my mama. She always said manners were like butter—that they made every moment a little bit better just the way butter made food better.

“Right here,” I said, coming to a stop at the back of my vehicle.

Mari’s eyes swung to mine. “I suppose I might have expected something more ostentatious from you, Nash,” she commented as she eyed my sleek black sedan.

I glanced down as I hit the key fob, and the trunk popped open. “I might have plenty of money, darling, but I am at heart a very practical man. I also wasn’t raised rich. This car is reliable as hell, and that’s all that matters.”

“No?” Mari queried as I took her suitcase from her and put it in the trunk.

“My daddy was a shrimper. He made decent money, but it’s hard work. He always says a car is just something to get you somewhere.”

Rounding to the passenger side, I held the door for Mari. I didn’t miss the glimpse of her tan thighs when her skirt slid up as she sat down.

I could practically feel the wheels spinning in Mari’s brain as I drove away from the airport. Considering that I knew she was in a bit of a financial bind, and I knew she had nothing more than a temporary place to stay if she went home, I offered up the easiest thing.

“If you looked me up, you probably know I own a number of properties in and around New Orleans. You’re welcome to stay in one of the staff apartments at my main office building.

” I came to a stop at a stop sign and glanced sideways when Mari stayed silent.

Her cheeks were pink, and she was staring out the window.

It felt as if she were purposefully not looking in my direction.

After a moment, I prompted, “Mari?”

She turned quickly, her blue eyes colliding with mine. “Thanks for the offer, but I’ll figure something out, Nash. I’m going to call my boss and see if there are any stories I can work on while I’m here.”

A horn honked behind us, and I looked back at the road, turning and heading toward downtown.

“Mari, it might seem like an extravagant offer, but it’s really not.

At any given point, I have several empty places available.

It’s honestly no trouble for you to stay in one.

Plus, since I know your brother, I wouldn’t feel right leaving you without somewhere to stay. ”

I kept my eyes on the road. I thought perhaps if I gave her the privacy afforded by indirect conversation, she might be less defensive about the situation.

After several more quiet beats, she replied, “Okay. I do appreciate it. I just need a few days to get my bearings and figure out what my plans will be.”

“Excellent. Shall I go ahead and drive you there?”

Mari laughed softly, and I took that as a sign she was relaxing somewhat. “Seeing as I don’t know where to go, I’m entirely reliant on you to tell me where it is.”

When I took an exit leading to downtown New Orleans, Mari commented, “It sure is beautiful here. I’m glad I finally got to visit even if it wasn’t the best vacation.”

I slid my gaze sideways briefly and saw that she had unlaced her fingers over her knees, and her hands were relaxed in her lap now. “New Orleans is a wonderful city. Everyone should visit. I’m sorry you didn’t have a good trip. Perhaps we can remedy that. Where were you supposed to stay?”

“I spent three nights at Creek’s End Inn. It’s …”

“Oh, I know right where that is. Gorgeous place. I know the Grantham family and am friends with Hannah. She’s good people.”

“Of course you know them,” Mari said dryly.

“Of course?” I countered.

“You strike me as the kind of man who has connections everywhere. You know my brother, you know the Grantham family, is there anyone you don’t know?”

“That’s your brother and one family,” I said as I shook my head.

“Forgive me for being well-connected in the area where I live. As for knowing your brother, we have business connections. Because of my real estate business, I’m constantly in need of security.

I’d think you know that’s one of his specialties. ”

Mari looked my way with a slight smile. “I get it. I was just teasing.” After a pause, she added, “Here’s hoping I can enjoy my next few days in New Orleans.”

“Let’s make a deal.”

“A deal?”

“Yes, a deal. I was born and raised here. Let me show you the city I love. She’s a good friend.”

“She?”

I lifted a shoulder in a slight shrug. “Yes, she.” I forged ahead with my question. “Look, I don’t know much about the nature of your relationship with your ex. He is your ex, right?”

“Oh, most definitely,” Mari said firmly.

“I don’t know what you intended to do on this trip with him, but he left, and he was pretty shitty about it if you ask me.

I normally wouldn’t comment on this, but since you told me, I might as well point out that it doesn’t sound like things were all that great with y’all for the last few months.

Consider this an entirely fresh start. Leave Brett in the dust and enjoy yourself here in Louisiana. ”

Exiting off the highway, I slowed when I came to a stoplight and glanced in Mari’s direction. She was studying me, her gaze thoughtful.

After a moment, she let out a soft sigh.

“I always thought of New Orleans as such a romantic city. Obviously, I know better now, but I thought maybe Brett and I could get things back on track this weekend. Don’t go thinking I want him back.

I don’t. But it’s just…Well, you said it best. He was shitty to me. ”

“You can still have a romantic vacation here.”

I might’ve lost my mind, but I suddenly became bound and determined to make this trip far more than Mari expected.

Her cheeks flushed as she stared back at me. Just when I thought she wasn’t going to say anything, she did. “Okay then. Show me New Orleans.”

“So, that’s your tour,” I said.

I looked across the room at Mari, where she was standing by the windows, which looked out toward the harbor.

The Port of New Orleans was visible in the distance.

With this building located a few blocks outside of the French Quarter, it was a mix of offices on the lower floors with my company occupying the entire second floor, and residential condos on the two upper floors.

As we’d walked around the small condo, Mari twisted her hair up into a knot and tied it.

I was marveling at the fact that it was long enough to stay in place.

Mari turned and crossed the room toward me, her footsteps echoing on the hardwood floors.

She stopped beside me where I stood by the kitchen island that served as a divider between the small kitchen and the open style living room.

“Thank you, Nash. Now that I’m here, I can’t tell you how much I appreciate this. I really won’t stay long, but it’ll give me a few days to pull some kind of plan together.”

Having her stand this close revved my body’s engine. She was so damn beautiful. She also smelled a bit like flowers, the scent drifting up and winding around me. My body tightened in reaction as I looked down into her eyes.

I forced myself to try to think clearly. “Like I said, it’s no problem. I’m sure you can tell this place is empty.” I gestured with my hand toward the space. While it was furnished, it was sparsely decorated.

Mari followed the arc of my motion before her eyes came back to me. “I can see that.” Her mouth curled at one corner with a half-smile.

I was relieved to see some of the tension easing away from her finally.

As we stood there, it distantly occurred to me that I usually had more capacity to set the tone of an interaction.

I didn’t know exactly what it was about Mari, but my physical reaction to her was so elemental and so powerful that it knocked me off my game slightly.

Right about now, I should’ve been making my exit.

I had meetings and business to attend to.

Lydia had already sent me about ten texts since I should have already returned to the office.

As I stood there, I felt my phone vibrate in my pocket again and presumed it was Lydia reminding me of yet another thing I was probably running late for.

Yet, my eyes stayed on Mari, following the delicate line of her brow, down to trace over the clean angle of her cheekbone to her lush, oh-so-tempting lips.

I wanted to kiss her, something fierce.

I didn’t realize I’d taken a step and closed the distance between us until I heard the soft hitch of Mari’s breath in her throat and saw the blue of her eyes darken with desire. My heart was thumping a rough, wild beat inside my chest.

Just as I hadn’t been thinking when I stepped closer to her, I was almost surprised to feel her soft skin under my fingertips when it landed along the side of her neck. I traced my thumb along her jawline, pausing when I reached her mouth, right below that dimple in the center of her bottom lip.