“He’s hot.”

“Huh?” They were stopped at a red light, just before the bridge, and she glanced at Brooke. The teenager looked good. No dark circles under her eyes. There was color in her cheeks. No bruises either. The young girl had come a long way in a few months. She’d gotten out of a toxic relationship with a boy who hit her and abused her verbally and emotionally. But more importantly, her mother had agreed to get counseling for her problems with drugs and alcohol, and for once, where there had been darkness, now there was light.

“Nash,” Brooke said with grin. “I get it. Like, he’s really hot.”

Amused, Honey accelerated over the bridge. “Twenty minutes ago, you were grossed out by him.”

“Not him. Geez. The kissing. It’s kind of awkward watching two adults basically having sex in front of you. Pretty sure that’s against the law.”

“Okay, now you’re exaggerating. We were not having sex.”

“No, but you were putting on a pretty good preshow.”

Honey zipped her lips. She so wasn’t having this conversation with a sixteen-year-old. “Did you have fun today?”

“Not as much fun as you’re going to have tonight.” At Honey’s look Brooke laughed. “I know. I’ll drop it. I guess it’s just the little girl in me who used to like watching Disney movies, you know? He’s like the ultimate prince. Totally hot with rock-hard abs and a butt to die for.”

Okay. This kid was only sixteen, right?

“And oh my God, do you see how he is with his little nephew? Like, seriously? I hope I can find someone like that one day. There’s something so sexy about a guy who pays attention to little kids.” She paused. “And he’s hot.”

“You already said that.”

“I know. I just like saying it. I bet he’s a really good kisser.”

“Brooke.”

“I mean, it sure looked like it.”

Honey pulled into the girl’s driveway, which hadn’t been plowed, but she had no problem navigating it since Nash had gone ahead and installed winter tires on her car the first week in January. She paid for them, of course, but the simple gesture meant a lot. She wasn’t used to people doing nice things for her simply because they cared. A lump formed in her throat, and she gave herself a mental shake. She was becoming too soft.

Brooke lived in a modest bungalow on a quiet street not far from Nash’s parents. The house had seen better days, with a few missing shutters, and the front stoop was a little off-kilter, but the place was tidy and there was a warm glow coming from the front windows.

“Thanks for today. I’ve lived in Crystal Lake my whole life, but I’ve never been snowmobiling or gone to a sugar shack.”

“I’m glad you came. We’ll have to do it again. I think Nash said the sap runs for another month or so.”

“Sounds good.” Brooke smiled wickedly as she jumped from the car. “Have fun at the gala tomorrow night.”

“How do you know about the gala?”

“Please.” Brooke made a face and giggled. “Everyone knows about the gala.” She slammed the door and waved before heading to her house. Honey waited until the girl was inside and then sped to the Coach House so she could grab a few things from her apartment. She waved to Tiny, who told her everything was ready for the following night, and said hello to a few regulars seated at the bar.

Once she watered Earl, she headed to her room and grabbed the overnight bag on her bed. She’d packed it this morning after Nash had left, and hiked it over her shoulder. A tattered pink bear sat in the window, and she stared at it for a long time. She took a step toward it, wondering if it was time to toss it, but something held her back. She flipped off the lights and headed into the night, eager to get to Nash.

The house was empty when she arrived, but the table was set for two and the kitchen smelled divine. She sniffed the air. Prime rib? Her favorite. Chilled wine. Candles. Flowers. Her heart swelled. When had Nash had time to do all this?

She ran up to the loft and his bedroom, but he wasn’t there, and she realized he was outside, most likely in the hot tub. A wicked smile curved her mouth as she headed for the back deck, and when she found him, that heart of hers constricted so tight, tears sprang to her eyes.

Nash was in the hot tub. His bare chest shone from the torch lights burning behind him, and his head was thrown back. She thought at first he was asleep, and she was quiet as she made her way toward him.

“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” His voice was husky and low.

He wasn’t asleep. Nash was looking up at the night sky, and when he turned to her, Honey felt as if he could see into her very soul. Her mouth was dry, as dry as the desert, and she smiled wanly, overcome with an emotion she couldn’t name. It clung to her. Seeped into her skin and bones until she was warm from the strength of it. Until every nerve in her body hummed with an energy that made her feel as if the world was at her feet.

Her.

Honey Harrison. The little trailer park girl.

“It is,” she replied, moving forward. “It’s incredible.”

Nash nodded but remained silent as if aware that something was different. In this moment, something tangible had happened. A hard, erotic, and moving moment where it felt she’d never been so connected to another human being in her life. She thought that maybe she’d been moving toward this for some time now, and smiled at the idea.

It was cool, but steam rose from the hot tub, surrounding Nash in a mist that made him look dark and dangerous. Honey reached for her clothes and slid them from her body, never taking her eyes from him. She didn’t want to break the connection. Not yet.

Maybe not ever.

She was fully aroused by the time her toe hit the hot water, and she went to him immediately, her body sliding across his until she straddled him. He grabbed her, and their mouths met in a fury of passion. Honey kissed him, and their tongues danced, their teeth gnashed, and every bit of emotion she possessed, she could taste. She wondered if he could as well.

There were no words. No uttered phrases meant to inflame and arouse. There was no need, because they were on a different plane altogether. Nash’s hands held her steady while he plundered her mouth with his, while his hardness teased her aching center. When he kissed his way down to her breasts, she groaned and threw her head back, eyes on the Milky Way, while he pleasured her as if she were his queen.

She rocked against him, and as if on cue, Nash entered her, his long, hard length stretching and filling her like no one else could. Quickly, they found their rhythm, and she matched his fervor, his passion and desire, with an aggression of her own. Her fingers dug into his shoulders, and she kissed him hungrily while he grabbed her hips and thrust deeply.

He owned her in this moment, and her heart sang a song she’d never felt before. The pressure began to build, that sweet spot between pleasure and pain, and she felt tears sting her eyes as she met his gaze and held him there.

Still no words.

Still no need.

They raced toward an end that was explosive and mind-bending. The hardest orgasm she’d ever had shook Honey to the core, and she collapsed onto Nash, her body shuddering with aftershocks as her mind raced to catch up.

“I love you,” she whispered hoarsely.

Nash stilled. His body tight was tight, and she felt his heart hammering against her own. He was still inside her. Still hard. He moved her so he could see her face, and he cupped it gently.

“I love you,” he replied.

Three words spoken. And it was enough. She smiled tremulously and began to move again.

It had to be enough.