CHAPTER SIX
Nash
The best part of the week passes without even one glimpse of Beth and I had been looking for her.
It isn’t until the elevator opens on the way out on Friday that I catch sight of her, I see as she falters when she steps into the car as if she was reconsidering whether she should stay or leave.
We ride in silence for another two floors; more people join the car which affords me the opportunity to step closer to Beth.
“How are you, Beth?” She ignores me, acting as if I hadn’t spoken at all. I wait until the car is clear before I reach for her hand, gentling pulling her into me. She crashes into my chest.
“What the hell?” I can see her frustrated expression reflecting on the closed doors. “You need to let go of me right now, Nash Gibson.”
Spinning around she raises her hand and it connects with my cheek. I think we are both just as stunned as each other, but I recover first. Grabbing both of her wrists I raise her arms above her head and hold them there against the wall of the elevator, trapping her body with mine.
Her pupils dilate and her breath comes out a little ragged.
“Does that passion carry over in the bedroom, Beth?”
“I guess you will never know.” Even at my mercy, her words shoot daggers like a venomous asp.
“So if I kissed you right now, you’re telling me that it would have no effect on you at all?”
“Of course not, don’t be ridiculous. Let go of me, or I’ll scream bloody murder.”
I bring my mouth crashing into hers, stopping any attempt of her screaming anything. I push my tongue into her mouth and it is rewarded with a little whimper from Beth. I release her hands I had imprisoned, and she brings one down against my chest and the other to the back of my neck, holding me closer to deepen the kiss.
I break the kiss and watch as her eyes refocus. “Well, Bethany, if that is you unaffected then I think you should come with me now so we can have some privacy and I can try again.” I had never had that kind of response from a woman before just because of a single kiss, and the thought of its effect because of Beth was a massive turn on.
“Are you insane?”
“Maybe I am a little crazy, but that doesn’t change a thing about how much I want you right now.” To show her how true my words are I pull her into my body so she would be able to feel just how turned on I was by her. “Come back to my suite, Beth, show me exactly how unaffected you are by me.” I watch her face change as she registers my proposition; the sudden desire there is unmistakable. I hold my breath, waiting for her response.
On our short ride in the taxi, it took all my willpower not to touch her. She sat quietly, as if completely impassive to the proposition she was willingly accepting. She could’ve been on the ride alone for all the interaction she incited from me.
Our ride in the elevator continues in silence, I begged for the car to rush us to my floor, worried that if too much time passed Beth will consider this a bad idea.
It wasn’t until the green light flashed on the card reader did I let myself relax again.
“Can I fix you a drink?”
“A scotch would be good.” She is wandering the expanse of the room, her arms wrapped around her as she takes it all in. Momentarily, she pauses at the door that leads out onto the balcony before she comes back to the middle of the room, to me.
I pass her a glass and she immediately throws back the amber liquid, apparent that I wasn’t the only one who had nerves to settle.
“If you are planning on continuing to drink like that, Beth, we will need to order you something to eat.”
I fix her another glass, which she nurses instead of taking it straight to her lips. I watch as she makes her way to the lounge, kicks off her heels and makes herself comfortable on the sofa.
“Purple today?”
“Huh?”
“Your shoes. They’re purple.”
“Violet actually.” Does she really feel the need to argue over everything with me?
“Are you nervous about being here, Beth?”
“What? No. Why would I be?”
“Because you seem on edge like I’m the fox on a hunt of my prey and you are the startled rabbit.” I do my best not to appear to be stalking toward her whilst joining her on the sofa.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Nash. I’m not some sacrificial virgin at your alter begging to be taken.”
“Well, I guess that is partially right. You will be begging soon enough.”
“What makes you so sure of yourself, Nash?”
“Honestly?”
“Sure, why not?”
“Every time I look at you I can see how much it is mutual, this attraction I have for you.” I trace my finger over her bare arm.
“Are you sure you aren’t just confusing it with repulsion?”
“No, sweetheart, I felt your reaction to our kiss and the body doesn’t lie. Do you need me to remind you?” I take the glass from her hand and set it down on the table in front of us, surprising me when she doesn’t protest. When I look back at her, her lips are parted slightly. I lean in close to her, I can feel her exhaling a long and shallow breath, the scent of the whiskey there, and I kiss the side of her neck as she swallows, “Beth, I’m not a bad guy.”
I kiss her again, this time on the other side of her neck, nipping at her with my teeth. “Just like you aren’t a good girl.” I plant a kiss on her collarbone. “Tell me you don’t want me too.” I move to her earlobe, “Tell me you don’t want me to take you right now on the couch.”
“Nash.” Her voice comes out breathless barely a squeak, I smile in spite of myself. “I don’t want you. I’m not one of your sluts waiting in the wings for you to crook your finger, it was a stupid mistake to come here with you, and I must have been out of my mind to agree.”
“Go then, Beth, you are not bound here, you can leave at any time, and of your own free will.” I stand up, moving away from her so she’s out of reach.
When she doesn’t move immediately a little bubble of hope fills me which bursts as soon as she reaches down to slip her shoes back on. Just before she stands she reaches for her glass I had placed on the table. Lifting the glass to her lips she watches me as she tips it up, swallowing the whole contents in one go. I see the defiance flash in her eyes. Fuck it was sexy.
“Goodbye, Nash.”