“Is it his girlfriend?” he teased.
“No. Absolutely not. He is forbidden from ever having a girlfriend.”
“Why?”
I shook my head. “Because I don’t want him to grow up and get married. I don’t want him to get hurt. I’m going to protect him forever.”
He laughed. “Do you actually think that is going to work?”
I shrugged. “Is it going to work for you?”
“What do you mean?”
“You are protecting me from Eli, right?”
He cringed. “What are you talking about?”
“I think you know. You scared him off.”
He grinned. “I asked him to stay away. How did you know that?”
“I’m not an idiot,” I told him. “I felt the tension. It was pretty clear you didn’t like him.”
“He was an asshole.”
“Yes, but do you plan on running off every possible boyfriend?”
He pretended to think about it. “Maybe.”
“You won’t be in the office all the time,” I said with a smile.
“I might be.”
We stared at each other. The heat between us was rising. Jace came into the kitchen and sat down at the table. It was exactly what we needed to cool things down.
“I should go,” Nash said. “You need to get to bed soon,” he said to Jace.
“I’m not tired,” Jace replied.
“But you will be,” I told him. “I’ll walk you out,” I said to Nash.
I followed him to the front porch. “I hope we can do this again,” he said.
“I won’t impose on you.”
“You’re not imposing,” he said. “I might just crash your party one of these days.”
“Crash all you want.”
He stepped toward me, his body crowding mine. “Is that an invitation?” he breathed.
“It could be.”
He reached up and touched my cheek. “Don’t tease.”
“I wouldn’t. I’m not.”
He stared at me for several seconds. I was hoping he would kiss me. I wouldn’t reject him. He leaned down and brushed a kiss over my forehead. “I’ll see you Monday.”
He walked away. I watched as he got in his car and drove away. I sighed and turned to go back inside. It was a wistful sigh. Jace was on the couch with his book. “Come on, buddy, it’s time for bed.”
I tucked him in and sat beside him. “Did you have fun today?” I asked him.
“I like Nash.”
“I’m glad you do. What did you think about the boxing?”
“I liked it,” he said. “It hurt my hands a little.”
I reached for his hands and looked at the knuckles. “I don’t see any bruises.”
“Are you going to let me go back?” he asked.
I laughed. He knew me very well. “I think we can work something out. I don’t want you to become violent.”
“I won’t, but I want to go back.”
I gave him a kiss on his forehead. “We’ll see. Get some sleep. You had a very busy day.”
“Goodnight, Mom.”
I locked up and shut off the lights. For the first time ever, I thought about what it would be like to have Nash stay the night. I knew Jace would be okay with it, but I had a feeling it would lead to a lot of questions. I wasn’t sure I was ready to answer those questions. I couldn’t do it. I needed to remember this thing with Nash wasn’t real. It was just a little fun.
Chapter 46
Nash
“Yes,” I said. “I know. I will. I have to go. I’ll be in next week.”
I listened to my assistant complaining before I eventually just hung up the phone. They were all pissed that I had been gone so much. I was neglecting my duties. At least that was how they saw it. I was keeping up just fine, but my lack of being in the office was causing some waves. I just couldn’t bring myself to leave the tax firm.
My phone rang almost immediately after I hung up. I expected it to be my assistant. She was getting ballsy. A little time away and they all forgot who I was. I needed to remind them. I would remind them, but not now.
“Yes,” I answered.
“Hello?” Davin said. “Is this Nash Aarons?”
“Shut up, you know it is.”
“Are you Nash Aarons, the big guy with a shit load of money?”
“What do you want?” I asked.
“I was calling to see if you were still alive. There’s a rumor going around that you moved out of the country. I was wondering if it was true.”
“Very funny. Shouldn’t you be working?”
“I am working,” he said. “Your bar is dead. I think people figured out that you moved out of the country. The women don’t come in here anymore because they know you won’t be here. You were the draw. They are all looking for a rich guy. They sure as hell don’t want any of the other losers that come in here.”
“I’ve been busy, but I think we’re in the clear now. Tax season is officially over.”
“What does that mean?”
“It means I don’t have to spend as much time at the firm,” I said.
“You made it through,” he said with a laugh. “Did you think you’d make it to the other side?”
I chuckled. “I really didn’t. I’m going over the quarterly reports and I have to say I’m impressed. I never imagined it would make this much money.”
“Oh good, the rich guy just got richer.”
“Yes, he did.” I laughed. “It is damn lucrative. I made a good decision when I bought this place. I knew it was going to be good, but I had no idea it could have this kind of return.”
“Congrats.”
“I wish I could say it was something I did. It was her. Saige made this happen. She is damn good at her job.”
“I hope you’ll reward her. And by reward I mean—”
“Don’t even say it.”
“You guys going to celebrate with a little office nookie again?”
“No,” I groaned. “Stop.”
“You know, if you like this girl, you should upgrade to the backseat of your car.”
I blew out a breath. “How did you possibly get your girlfriend to sleep with you? You are such a prick.”
“I’m smooth with the ladies. I don’t have to be smooth with you.”
“How is your girlfriend by the way?” I asked.
“She’s good. She’s got a nice round bump. I can’t wait to see her get big and fat with my baby growing inside her.”
“You’re weird,” I told him.
“Trust me, when it happens to you, you’ll see. It’s hot. It’s crazy to think you put a baby inside your girl’s body. It’s incredible.”
“It isn’t going to happen to me. I’ll take your word for it.”
“You say that now, but I bet it will one day.”
My office line rang. “I’ve got to go. Keep that bar spotless and figure out how to get some customers in there,” I told him.