Nash Brothers Box Set - Carrie Aarons Page 0,195

any more children.

I found it ironic that he was gone now … because even if I wanted more children with Travis; the surgery wasn’t the thing preventing it.

Lily can’t even contain the giggle that pops out, and a couple people at the dinner table look at her. She leans across the table, whispering back.

“You are so vulgar.”

I keep my voice low. “Oh, I’m sorry, did you want me to call it a muffin? Or maybe a lady basket. Either way, your mother-in-law wants a sire for the Nash name, so you better tell her you’re with child soon. Or the Earl of Fawn Hill won’t be awarded his kingdom.”

Now my best friend nearly chokes on the bite of potatoes she just took. “Don’t tell me … you’re reading more historical romance?”

My attention goes back to my steak. “I enjoy a little society and English countryside with my smut.”

“Who is talking about smut?” Fletcher asks, his eyes dancing with amusement.

“Fletcher, mind your mouth at the dinner table,” Eliza scolds him.

“Or she’ll put soap in it,” I joke, winking at Mrs. Nash.

“God, she used to do that shit to me all the time.” Forrest snorts and they’re the first words he’s spoken to me since I entered the house.

I chance a look at him. God, he looks good. He’s rocking the dark-rimmed glasses again, and a short beard that wasn’t there last week. His blue eyes dance in the candlelight Eliza provided from her crystal sticks on the table, but they look tired.

It makes me wonder what he’s been up to. Has he slept with anyone else? Does he miss talking to me after our romps?

I miss it … maybe because it was the one adult activity in my life that was sacred to me. I didn’t have to share it with anyone else.

Dinner is finishing up, and meanwhile, I’m still trying to sneak sidelong glances at Forrest without being caught. But two seconds later, I feel the heat of his hand on my leg. He’s touching me, just the slightest pressure of his fingertips, but even that small point of contact sets goose bumps skittering over my skin.

Forrest isn’t looking at me, it’s just as before like we’re sitting next to each other eating dinner. And it’s only his palm squeezing my thigh the tiniest amount over my jeans … but it’s the most illicit act I’ve ever been a part of. He shouldn’t even be touching me, what with the way we fought last week. It’s arrogant, what he’s doing. Claiming me silently even though I told him I never wanted to see his face again.

My breathing is labored, and I clamp my lips shut so the people around the table are none the wiser to what’s going on just beneath it.

Lily and Bowen, Keaton and Presley … they can all hold hands and put their relationships on display. This is what Forrest and I have, though. Stolen moments in secret.

Forrest looks like he’s about to say something when the boys come running in.

“Forrest! Forrest! We got a new version of Mario Kart on our Nintendo Switch! Wanna play?” Travis asks him, all but thrusting the handheld gaming system at Forrest.

Immediately, he removes his hand from my leg, and I shiver from the loss.

“Of course, dude. But only if you want to get your butt kicked.” He jumps up and follows the boys into the living room, where they all flop on the couch to play.

“Did you finish your vegetables?” I call after them, my mom-voice kicking in.

“Are you asking Forrest? Because we have a hard time getting him to finish his veggies, too.” Fletcher snorts at his own joke.

Presley stares after them. “I didn’t realize Forrest liked kids. Or even knew yours.”

Keaton answers her first. “He doesn’t. I’ve never seen him … be so good with anyone.”

The whole table looks on as he jokes around with Travis and Matthew as they trade the Gameboy back and forth. Ames moves to sit on his lap, and Forrest even ruffles his hair. Ruffles his damn hair … and my stupid heart melts into a cliché puddle.

Mere nights ago, I’d watched Corey help out with the boys, and I’d felt a resigned appreciation. But there were no flutters low in my belly, no blush creeping up my cheeks.

And after he asked me out, I’d felt nothing but pity.

Watching Forrest with my children, however … it makes me think that, someday, I could actually have a complete family again.

How strange that a man