Page 23

Charley bent down behind the counter, retrieving the last few. The front doorbell rang, and she heard the warm greeting from Elodie.

“This is an unexpected surprise.”

“I could say the same.”

Charley’s heartbeat seized, and she froze hunched down behind the register. The smooth drawl was so familiar. It had been the highlight of many nights over the last few months. Nash.

“Did Oz send you?” Elodie asked.

“Why would he do that? After all, you told him you’d only be coming in for a few hours.” There was a definite tone of disapproval.

“Don’t you dare start with me, Nash.”

His warm soft chuckle echoed through the room, and Charley caught herself smiling. They obviously had a great rapport. A friendship. There was an ease to the way they spoke to one another.

“I won’t say another word, nor will I mention this to Oz, if you leave now.”

Charley heard a gasp. “Kicking me out of my own store?”

“Yes, and I think we can both agree the alternative of dealing with Oz is much worse.”

Elodie laughed as Charley remained crouched down behind the register stand.

“Fine. Let me just grab my bag and say bye to Charley.” There was a long pause. “Wait, where did she go?”

Charley squeezed her eyes, fighting against the crimson heat invading her cheeks. I’m a twenty-nine-year-old woman hiding behind a display.

“Alright, well, let me just finish this, and I’ll leave.”

Charley heard their footsteps veer toward the opposite side of the store. This was her opportunity to make a beeline for the storage room. She’d send Elodie a text saying she had to leave, and she’d see her tomorrow. It was a little irrational and out of character but hopefully believable.

She slowly peeked up behind the counter, careful not to draw any attention.

Apparently not careful enough. Elodie was hanging some blouses on the rack, and Nash was standing beside her…

staring directly at Charley. She quickly ducked, basically crawling to the hallway opening and racing into the back room.

She grabbed her phone off the desk and quickly typed.

Charley: Just stepped out to pick up something. I’ll see you tomorrow.

She cupped the phone and rested it against her chest.

When Charley heard the footsteps heading to the storage room, she slipped into the small closet. She gingerly closed the door. The entire store had major renovations, but this small thing was missed. It had never fully closed. And it still didn’t. Shit.

“Cy is out back. He’ll follow you home.”

“Thanks, Nash.”

“My pleasure.”

Charley’s shoulders sagged, and she leaned against the wall in the small darkened space. My pleasure. She’d come to claim it as something Nash said only to her. Apparently, he said it to everyone. It didn’t make her special.

“Night, Nash.”

“Goodnight, Elle.”

Charley leaned closer to the crack in the door and saw one shadow pass.

A few seconds later, she heard the door open and close in place.

Elodie was gone. But where the hell is Nash?

Maybe he’d left with her? Charley could’ve sworn she only saw one shadow.

It was possible her mind was playing tricks on her.

She inched closer to the door and breathed in a familiar scent. His. It could’ve been lingering. But…

“How long do you intend on hiding in the closet?”

Her racing heart stopped, and she slapped her hand over her face, cupping her mouth.

Shit!

Three slow taps on the door had Charley squeezing her eyes shut with her heart threatening to beat out of her chest.

“I have all the time in the world, Charley.”

There was no escape.

It was time to wave her white flag. She tucked her phone in her pocket, drew in a breath and slipped out of the closet.

She ran her hand over her head when her hair got tangled in a hanger.

Great. Not only did she look like a fool but an unkempt, messy one.

She smoothed her hair, staring at the floor.

His shoes indicated he was only a few feet from her.

If ever there was a moment she wished she could disappear into obscurity… this was it.

“Did you find what you were looking for in the closet?”

She pressed her lips together. He didn’t seem the least bit upset with her. If anything, he appeared amused. It was the polar opposite of how she was feeling.

“I was just, um” —She hooked her thumb over her shoulder— “There was a” —She paused, racking her brain— “Thing, and I was looking for it.”

His slow deep hum sent a spark through her veins. The only thing better would’ve been hearing him groan. I’m also curious about his grunting. He did that a lot in her fantasies right before he…

The faint scent of his cologne became stronger as he leaned closer, whispering. “You’re blushing.”

Dammit! She dropped her chin to her chest, shielding her face.

Nash took a step back, and she gauged his distance by his shoes.

Only a foot away. She was internally struggling between wanting him closer and crawling to the ends of the earth for separation.

Although she had no memory of the events at the club, Penny’s small details were enough. They were too much.

“I was hoping I’d get the chance to speak with you,” he said.

Maybe if she played it off, he’d leave. Highly doubtful but it was worth a shot.

She dug her hands in her pockets, peeking up through her lashes. God, he had the most amazing blue eyes. Focus!

“About what?”

Charley was giving her best effort to avoid talking about her visit to the club and everything that followed.

“Friday night at the X-Lounge.”

“Oh.” She feigned surprise. “I don’t remember too much.”

His lips twitched. “How convenient.”

Shit! Her shoulders sagged. There was no escaping this conversation. He wouldn’t let her, and in fairness, he shouldn’t. If a man had tried to kiss her without her consent, she’d be horrified. Charley needed to accept responsibility for her outlandish behavior. He deserved an apology.

“While it’s true I don’t remember everything from that night, I’ve been enlightened to some details of events that occurred.”

Nash cupped his mouth, and the corners of his eyes crinkled. It was hard to get a read on his expression. He didn’t seem upset, but maybe he was better at masking his emotions.

“Which ones?” There was no missing the tease in his tone. He knew exactly what she was referring to.

She clasped her hands and shrugged her shoulders to her ears.

“I’m so sorry I tried to kiss you. I don’t know what I was thinking.

Actually, that’s a lie. The truth is I obviously wasn’t thinking.

” She inhaled a breath. “I don’t going around kissing people.

I swear, that’s not the kind of person I am. It put you in a horrible position.”

“Horrible?”

She quickly nodded. “It was so inappropriate of me. Improper.”

Nash hummed again, and she felt it to her core. He had to stop doing that. Nash unfolded his arms and stepped closer. “I agree. Not a proper kiss.”

“No.” She shook her head.

Improper was putting it mildly. She’d forced herself on him. People were arrested for acts like that. Oh my God, is he going to press charges?

“Let’s rectify that.”

Charley froze as blood rushed through her veins. What did he say?

Nash closed the gap between them, grabbed her neck, curled his fingers into her hair, and angled her head.

His breath fanned over her face seconds before his lips crashed over hers.

She gasped, virtually stealing his breath, but it didn’t slow Nash down.

He dug his fingers into her flesh and looped his arm around her waist, pulling her against his chest.

Oh. My. God.

Charley had fantasized about this moment since the day she’d met him.

Ironically, in the store. She couldn’t put into words what exactly attracted her to him first, but it was instant the minute she laid eyes on him.

And now she was kissing him. That might not have been fully accurate.

Nash is kissing me. His short nails trailed over the back of her neck, and she curled deeper into his chest.

His lips were softer than she’d expected, sliding over hers. She parted her lips, and his tongue dipped inside her mouth. Without thought, Charley let out a soft moan and rested her hands on his arms. Even through layers of clothes, she traced the outline of his muscular biceps.

This kiss would forever be ingrained in her mind. Years down the road when small moments faded, she was sure this was one she’d remember. I hope.

While Charley was taking liberties, she was also cautious not to overstep with Nash.

He, on the other hand, had no boundaries.

His hand slid over her throat and down to the top of her chest. So close to her breasts.

Charley found herself lifting up on her toes in hopes his hand would shift downward.

I want this man’s hands on every part of my body.

Nash’s teeth grazed her bottom lip, then sucked it before sliding his tongue into her mouth.

It was a move she hadn’t experienced before, but she wanted more.

She squeezed his arms, feeling zero ounce of fat or softness.

God, I wish I could see his arms. Most women had a particular part of a man that was her undoing.

For Charley, it was arms. There was something symbolic and sexy about muscular arms. It served as a sign of protection. At least, in my eyes.