Page 28

Charley had spent the last three nights at Nash’s house.

She usually went home during the day but came back at night.

Nash always arrived past midnight, but he’d given her the code with instructions to make herself comfortable.

He’d texted her that he’d be later than usual tonight, and she shouldn’t wait up, so she’d retired to his bed about twenty minutes ago.

She was propped up on the pillows watching video reels when the call came in.

Charley intended on dismissing it but inadvertently hit the wrong tab. Shit! There was no going back now. She wiggled on the bed to an upright position and matted down her hair. With the dim lighting maybe Keely wouldn’t notice.

Wrong!

When the call connected, Keely popped up on her screen. “Hey, I was just…” She stopped in mid-sentence, and her face became magnified as she moved closer to the screen. “Where are you?”

Dammit!

Charley and Nash hadn’t had any conversations in regards to their relationship. Is it even that? She had no idea. They were in the weird space of enjoying each other’s company without defining it.

“I’m in bed.”

She’d hoped the vague response would be an acceptable answer.

Nope.

“Yeah, I can see that.” Keely squinted, and her eyes darted over the screen. “Whose bed?”

Charley clamped her lips. It was as if she was face to face with Keely. There was no masking her reaction. Charley racked her brain for a plausible lie, but Keely was onto her.

“We are best friends. You have to tell me!”

Keely always resorted to elementary school tactics when she sensed resistance.

Charley drew in a breath. “I’m at Nash’s house.”

Keely’s jaw dropped, then she slapped her hand over her mouth, mumbling, “Girl, stop! Are you serious?”

Charley felt the warm heat race up her neck, covering her face. She’d always been uber private and never once discussed her sexual escapades with anyone, not even a friend. But I’ve never had a friend like Keely.

“We’ve been spending time together.” It was an honest and plausible answer.

“In his bed!”

Jesus, Keely!

“It’s more than that. We’ve been hanging out, getting to know each other. He took me for a ride on his motorcycle.”

Keely lowered her voice to a whisper. “Is he there now?”

Charley shook her head, immediately regretting her honest response. Had she told Keely he was in the house, she might’ve avoided the next barrage of questions.

“I date guys who need a map to find my clit, and you’re dating a hot guy who runs the biggest club in Lawry, and he rides a motorcycle?” Keely dragged her hand over her face. “Life is so fucking unfair.”

Charley chuckled at her friend’s theatrics and was relieved when Keely peeked up with a smile.

“I am so stoked for this, Charley. You two are like fucking fire together.”

I have no idea what that means . From Keely’s excitement, she figured it was positive.

Keely shimmied her shoulders, moving closer to the phone. “I have to ask, and you have to tell me.” Her smile spread into a grin. “Is it the best sex you’ve ever had?”

This was beyond her comfort zone. “Keely, I don’t…”

“A fucking map, Charley” —Keely raised her brows, widened her eyes, and tapped her chest— “and I have to draw it. And even then I’ve only got a twenty-eighty shot at coming.” Keely groaned dramatically. “Men don’t read maps anymore, Charley.”

Oh, the guilt and suffering. Charley turned her head, trying to mask her amusement. Where was the harm in sharing?

Charley bit her lip, shrugging. “Yes. Best sex ever. I came twice.”

Keely popped her head up with her mouth gaping open. “Twice? Oh my God, you’re my fucking hero! I’m a little jealous, but if it can’t be me, I’m so damn happy it’s you!”

Charley burst out laughing, covering her face with her hand.

Friends. The good ones who celebrated… every single orgasm… even when it wasn’t their own .

****

Nash rolled his shoulders, watching the coffee maker heat up. He’d gotten home late and up too early. His only saving grace was Charley in his bed. It was an odd 180 for him. Nash never brought women home. It was too intimate to have them in his space. This was his private domain. Until Charley.

He glanced up at the ceiling, hearing her stir in his bedroom. They’d only have a short time to spend together before he was expected back at the club. Nash would spend his time wisely and make it memorable.

The coffee was just about ready when he heard his doorbell.

It put Nash on high alert. He didn’t live within gates, but it was extremely rare anyone ever ventured up his driveway.

He grabbed his phone, pulling up his security surveillance.

It was state of the art. He saw two men standing at his door.

Fuck!

Dressed in only sweatpants was not how he wanted to greet his security, but he needed them gone as quickly as possible.

His relationship with Charley remained undefined other than his internal thoughts.

She’s mine. Nash wasn’t about to give her up and let her go.

He was still trying to work out the logistics in his mind how this would work out.

His life in the Underground had always consisted of solitude.

This was new territory for him. Until he figured it all out, he needed to keep it private.

He walked to the stairs and down. It wasn’t lost on him that security were at his house and not at his request.

Nash opened the door. Caine and Cyrus were standing on his landing a few feet away. It wasn’t unheard of for them to drop by his house, but it was usually preceded by a phone call.

“Something wrong?” He eyed both men.

“Oz asked us to swing by. He messaged you and hadn’t heard back,” Cyrus said.

He silently cursed. Nash had made it part of his hourly routine to check his messages. When he’d gotten home to Charley, he’d abandoned that routine. He’d charged his phone, curled into bed with her, and hadn’t given anything else another thought.

“My phone died.” For anyone else, it would’ve been an acceptable excuse. Not Nash.

Cyrus shrugged. “Okay. Sorry to bother you, Nash.”

That’s right, Cy. Let’s end this. Nash was seconds from a clear getaway until the elevator bell sounded, and the doors opened. Her soft giggle echoed through the garage. Fuck!

“I couldn’t help myself. I had to use the elevator.

” Charley laughed, draping her hand over his back.

“Unfortunately, I hit lower level not realizing that was the garage.” She moved to his side.

The second she clocked the men at his door, she gasped and ultimately froze.

She was standing by his side in a T-shirt barely covering her ass.

Was she wearing panties? I have no fucking clue .

Charley grabbed his arm and skittered behind him. He felt her face press into his bare back and heard a small groan.

“Alright, well,” Cyrus said, fighting against a smile.

He looked at Caine, raising his brows. “We should head out. We’ll catch up with you later, Nash.

” Cyrus backed up with Caine following. But he wasn’t done.

He glanced over his shoulder with a small smile playing on his lips. “And, uh, bye Charley.”

She melted deeper into his back, muttering, “Bye.”

Fucking Cyrus!

Nash closed the door and turned. He wrapped his arm over her shoulder, walking her up the stairs. Her face was in her hands, clearly to hide her embarrassment. Nash rubbed her arm and walked her over to the couch.

“Sit down.”

She wiggled on the couch, her face strained.

“I’m so sorry. I messed up the buttons, thinking lower level was this floor.

Then I saw you at the door, but I didn’t realize you were talking to someone.

” Her stress level was at an all-time high when it shouldn’t have been.

He grabbed her arm, pulling her over his chest.

“It’s fine.”

“We’re failing at discretion,” she said.

Nash smirked. He couldn’t agree more, but on his end, he knew Caine and Cyrus wouldn’t repeat what they’d seen. She’d briefly mentioned her conversation with her friend, but he wasn’t concerned.

“You and I aren’t a secret, Charley. But considering you work for Elle and I work with Oz, it’s a delicate situation.”

The corner of her lips tugged down. “You don’t think they’d approve?”

He slid his finger over her forehead brushing her hair from her eyes.

“I have a feeling Elle would happily approve.”

Charley smiled and cocked her head. Thankfully, she’d ignored his omission about Oz. Nash had worked for him for years, almost decades, and he had no idea what he’d think. Nash had solely dedicated his time to the Underground and been about the organization without any distractions.

“So,” Charley paused. “No one ever randomly shows up at my apartment. If you want, you could come over and stay at my place tonight.”

No, I don’t. He’d have to put a little finesse on his response so as to not offend her.

He slid his hand over her cheek. “Getting tired of my house?”

Her eyes widened. “No, I love it. I just thought maybe you’d want to see where I live. I mean, you know the complex, but you’ve never been inside my apartment. And all my stuff is there.”

Without thought, he said. “Then bring your stuff here.”

She knitted her brows. “What kind of stuff?”

“Whatever you want to bring.”

Nash knew this was moving fast. He should’ve been cautious. But he wasn’t.

I want her in my space.