"Tell me when it's too far," he whispers, his hands unbuttoning my shirt.
I nod, pleased that he said that. Most guys just take without asking, or even considering they might be pushing it too far. Right now, I'm not even sure where to draw the line. I'm so into this, I'm ready to go all the way, desperate to feel that type of intimacy again.
My shirt is now off and Nash's eyes drop down to my bra, a pink lacy demi-bra I haven't worn in years but for some reason felt the need to wear tonight.
"You're beautiful," he says, his mouth back at my ear. Then he kisses my neck, his hand moving softly down the length of my arm, then to my waist, then up to my breast. My head drops back as he slips my bra strap off my shoulder, then pushes the fabric down to expose my breast. As soon as I feel his mouth there, I moan and dig my hands in his hair, holding him in place because I don't want him to stop. It's been so long since I've felt this way, and this is even better than I remember. Nash has my entire body responding to his touch, wanting more.
When I reach down to undo his belt, he puts his hand over mine and looks at me. "What are we doing here?"
"No questions, remember?" I kiss him.
"Callie, I'm serious." He takes my hand from his belt and holds it, gently rubbing it with his thumb. "I don't want to do something you're not ready for."
"Nash, I've done this before. Many times." I could've left off that last part. Makes me sound like a slut. Oh, well. Too late now.
"That's not what I meant. I just wanted to make sure you—"
My phone rings, interrupting him. It's sitting next to him on the counter. He picks it up and hands it to me and I see it's Lou calling.
"I have to answer this," I say to Nash, putting my bra back in place. "He never calls this late. It might be an emergency."
Nash nods. "Go ahead."
"Hey, Lou," I say as I answer. "What's going on? Why are you calling so late?"
"I wondered if you could come in a couple hours early tomorrow? I know it messes up your schedule but I got a last minute order for a hundred cupcakes and she's picking them up at noon. I really need some help getting them frosted."
"Who would place an order that big on such short notice?"
"If I tell you, you won't show up."
I roll my eyes. "Katie?"
"She's having a baby shower for one of her friends and forgot to order the cupcakes."
"She needs that many cupcakes for a baby shower?"
"Apparently she does, because that's how many she ordered. If you can't come in, I'll have to see if Deloris would be willing to help, but I'd rather have you, if you're available. I'll pay you double for the extra hours."
"You don't have to do that. I'll just come in."
Nash turns away from me and sneezes.
"Who's that?" Lou asks.
"Me," I lie. "I sneezed."
"That wasn't you. That was a man's sneeze. Who do you have over there?"
"No one." I hop off the kitchen counter and walk into the living room.
"You got a date tonight?" I hear the smile in his voice.
"It's not a date," I insist.
"Then what is it?"
"Just dinner. I invited someone over for dinner." I glance at Nash who's watching me from the kitchen.
He smiles at me, then yells, "Hey, Lou."
I scowl at him and put my finger to my mouth, telling him to keep quiet.
"Was that Nash?" Lou asks.
"Yes," I say, still scowling at him.
"You're dating Nash? When did this happen?"
I turn my back to Nash. "I'm not dating him. We're just neighbors. And actually, I didn't invite him. He invited himself to dinner. He's really pushy that way." I glance back and see him eating another cookie, shirtless, and looking way too good.
"Well, I'll let you get back to your date," Lou says. "Thanks for helping me out. See you in the morning."
"Yeah, okay, but it's not a—" I stop, realizing he's already hung up.
"It's not a what?" Nash asks, a grin on his face as he comes up to me and wraps his big arms around my waist.
I sigh. "Now Lou thinks we're dating."
"Should we?"
He's serious now and I'm not sure how to answer. I'd like to be in a relationship with him, but then remember all the reasons I shouldn't.
"No," I blurt out.
"Why not?" He cups my chin and leans down to give me a barely-there kiss. "I make a good boyfriend. Cards, flowers, sexy texts, romantic evenings. I do all that stuff and more."
For some reason that makes me smile, probably because I believe him. I think Nash would be a really great boyfriend. Just not for me. For someone who's normal, and lives in Chicago.
"I'll take care of you when you're sick," he says. "Or injured. I'll fix your car, your house, whatever you need. And foot rubs." He smooths my hair. "I know you like my foot rubs."
I nod. "Yeah. You definitely have a talent in that area."
"I have other talents you might find appealing." He kisses me and I kiss him back, wanting to return to the place we were at before Lou interrupted us. But then we're interrupted again by loud purring coming from Nash's feet. The disruption makes me come to my senses and I pull away from him.