Loving Her Crazy (13 page)

“Hey, you two! What are you doing over there?”

“Shit. Let go, Iris. Security’s back!”

Adrenaline and fear shot through Iris, and she released her hold with a little “
Eep!
” Nash’s arms closed around her but neither took the time to enjoy it. He set her on her feet, and they each grabbed a bag and hauled ass back to the cab. This guy was a little more invested in catching them than the last guy had been. Iris and Nash picked up the pace. Nash wrenched open the cab door, and Iris scurried inside as fast as she could.

Nash and Clyde were still hanging out the door when Iris and Nash both yelled, “Drive! Drive!”

Chapter Fifteen

Nash slammed the door shut and collapsed against Iris, laughing his fool ass off. The driver was understandably startled but, bless his little heart, he stomped on the gas and peeled out of there as fast as that ugly yellow cab could carry them.

“Oh my God,” Nash said, trying to drag enough air into his burning lungs to calm his pounding heart. “He almost caught us.”

Iris held on to him, wheezing. “I seriously need to hit the gym more. I think I’m going to have a heart attack.”

That made Nash laugh harder, and they dissolved into hysterical laughter for a few seconds before calming enough to situate themselves on the seat. Once they’d gained some semblance of composure, Nash asked the driver to take them back to Millennium Park.

The cab driver didn’t even ask what they’d been up to. Nash wanted to know what he was on and if he could have some, because nothing seemed to faze the guy.

“Wait,” Nash said, pointing out toward the lake. “What are those?”

Several silver spiral-shaped kiosks sat along the shoreline, glinting in the fading moonlight.

“Lakefront kiosks,” the driver said. “There was some contest a while back. The architect who won built those.” He jerked a thumb at them.

“Want to check them out?” Nash asked Iris.

“Sure. We’ve got some time before we have to be back at the airport.”

His heart jumped in his chest at the chance to spend a little more time with her. He wasn’t ready to give her up just yet.

“You want me to wait?” the driver asked.

“No, thanks,” Nash said, glancing at Iris as they climbed out of the cab. He didn’t want to worry about some meter running while they spent their last private moments together.

The lakefront was deserted as they made their way to one of the kiosks.

“Wow,” Iris breathed. “These are seriously cool.”

Nash nodded, just as affected as she. The kiosks sat, spread along the beach, little spots of modern art along the water’s edge. Each one resembled a thick, silver, spiral staircase. He supposed that’s what they actually were. They surveyed the one closest to them. An area beneath it offered a sheltered place to stand and look out at the water, and a spiral ramp curled around leading up to an observation deck.

“Want to go up top?” he asked.

Iris glanced at him and smiled. “Sure.”

He guided her to the top with his hand on the small of her back. When they reached the top he released an appreciative sigh. They had the area to themselves. Not surprising, since it was the crack of dawn and still frigidly cold out. But the view before them, with the lake and the Chicago skyline, was worth braving the chill.

Iris leaned against the edge of the kiosk, gazing out over the water. He stood behind her, wrapping his arms around her to shelter her from the cold morning air. The sun would rise soon. The pitch black of night had lightened to a murky dark purple that promised light, though none was visible just yet. Still, it wasn’t far off. And then they’d need to go back to the airport, get on their plane, fly to Miami, and then go their separate ways.

He rested his cheek on her temple, and she leaned back in to him with a sigh.

“Thank you,” he said.

The words seemed so inadequate for what she’d given him. For the utter magic of the night they’d spent together. For the laughter and the memories and the sheer energy she’d brought into his life.

She tilted her head back to look up at him. “For what?”

He tightened his hold on her and looked back out over the water. “At the risk of sounding like a complete cheesefest chick flick—for being you.” He smiled down at her. “Have you ever met someone who maybe you might have only bumped into or spoken with once or had just a brief encounter with, but that person did or said something that affected you so much you knew you’d never be the same?”

Iris was quiet for a moment, long enough that he started to wish he hadn’t said anything at all. She must think him a philosophical fool.

“Yes,” she finally said.

“You’ve changed me, Iris. I don’t even know how to explain it. But everything just seems different now. In a good way,” he added with a smile.

She shifted, remaining in the circle of his arms but turning so she faced him. She smiled up at him with a look so caring and tender his heart ached. “If someone had told me before tonight that such a thing was possible, I’d have said they were insane. I don’t know what this is between us. If it’s anything at all or just some residual lust that can’t figure out where to go.”

He smiled at that, though he knew his face echoed the sadness that creased her eyes.

She drew a hand down his chest, tugging a bit on his shirt. “Even if we never speak again, I know I won’t ever forget you. You’ve changed some part of me, too. I walk around with a cynical little shell around my heart. No one’s ever cracked it before.”

“And I have?” he asked, trying to be lighthearted, though she was tearing him apart inside.

She shook her head. “You’ve shattered it, I think.”

Her words struck him like a blow to the chest. She looked down at her feet and leaned her head against him. He hugged her to him, his heart pounding, and kissed the top of her head, though she probably didn’t feel it through the massive fur hat she wore.

A deep shuddering sigh ran through her, and she raised her face back to his, a sad smile on her lips. He pulled off his gloves, wanting to feel her on his skin, and brushed a thumb across her lower lip, trailing his hand up to cup her face.

She leaned in to him, squeezing her eyes shut and he bent down to kiss her. What started out slow and gentle quickly turned urgent. Their lips feverishly moved together, their hands gripping each other tight. He couldn’t get enough of her, couldn’t feel enough, taste enough. He wanted to memorize every line of her, touch every inch of her that he could so that he’d never, ever forget. He pulled her close and sank to the floor, bringing her with him. She straddled him, wrapping her arms and legs around him.

“Iris,” he murmured.

She wriggled against him, waking up parts that he’d thought had had enough use for the day. Apparently not.

Her lips found his neck, and he sucked in a breath. The urgency in her increased, a frantic energy in the way her hands roamed over him that dragged him along with her.

“No one’s around,” she said. “We’ll hear them crunching through the snow if they do come. We only have a little time left.” She sat up and looked into his eyes. “Once more. Make love to me once more.”

Once more
. The words tore a hole in Nash’s heart. He threaded his hands through her hair and hauled her back to him, kissing her until his lungs screamed for air. Their hands fumbled between them, yanking on zippers, ripping at buttons. She kicked off her shoes, removing enough bottom layers so he could touch her.

This would have to be fast. She’d freeze to death if they made it last too long. But he couldn’t not touch her, couldn’t give up one last opportunity to be with her. He dug the last condom from his pocket and rolled it on, and then he was inside her and she was moving. She held onto his shoulders, her eyes staring into his. His hands gripped her waist, his heart jackhammering in his chest. The cold air hit him only to be replaced by the hot walls of her flesh as she rose and fell on him.

And still, their gazes remained locked. He could see the pleasure building in her, her mouth open, her eyes glazed though she never looked away. He thrust into her as she rode him, the tempo increasing until they were both panting. She rocked on him, her breath escaping in little moans that came faster and faster until she tensed, her nails digging into his shoulders as her inner walls convulsed around him. One more thrust and he found his own release, his gaze burning into hers.

She collapsed against him, her head on his shoulder snuggling against his neck. They held each other for a moment, breath mingling in the cold air, hearts frantically beating together. Slowly they calmed, and his lips found hers, the brush of their mouths together as soft as their lovemaking had been frenzied. It was all the more intense with the knowledge that it had been the last time they’d be together like that. One short plane ride, and it would be time to say good-bye.

Iris dragged her clothes back into place and put her boots on while Nash quickly cleaned up. Just minutes after they’d begun, they were back at the railing, Nash cradling Iris from behind, their arms locked around each other as the sun rose over the lake, its rays glinting off the placid water and snowy shoreline.

The soft morning light crept along the beach, reflecting off the silver of the kiosks. They stayed until the sun had fully risen, bathing them in its radiance, if not its warmth.

“You remember when I said that the sunrises at the ranch made every other sunrise pale in comparison?”

She nodded, her head pressed against his chest.

“I was wrong.”

She turned in his arms, her eyes searching his.

He stroked a thumb across her cheek. “All my sunrises will pale compared to this one.”

The sun painted her hair in a halo of reds and golds. She rose on her toes, pressing a gentle kiss to his lips, sealing the moment into his heart forever.

Then without a word, Nash took Iris’s hand and they descended, slowly making their way back to the road, Clyde and the Sloane Ranger making tracks in the snow behind them.

Chapter Sixteen

They made it back to the airport in time to catch their plane, which was thankfully on time and ready to fly. Depositing their temporary threads into a donation bin outside the airport was excruciating. It was more like she was feeding little pieces of her heart into the bin instead of articles of clothing. When she got to the coat, she couldn’t do it. She wanted to keep something of this night. She’d never see hot pink and blue fur again without every moment roaring back to life in her mind. Sloane was packed to bursting, so she just carried the coat with her, only barely resisting the urge to rub her face in the fur for comfort.

When they checked in they were able to get seats next to each other, a bittersweet consolation. They’d have more time together. But it was more time to say good-bye. It was almost too cruel.

They settled into their seats, immediately raising the armrest so they could wrap their arms around each other. Iris didn’t even notice when the plane took off.

“Hey,” Nash said, gently tapping her chin to get her to look up at him. “This doesn’t have to be good-bye, you know. There’s no reason we can’t keep in touch. It is the twenty-first century.”

Iris gave him a sad smile. “Sure. We can text.”

“And call.”

“And Skype.”

“Or FaceTime,” he said, returning her sad smile.

“Maybe we could visit.” She laid her head back against his arm, just far enough that she could gaze into his tender hazel eyes without everything blurring.

“I’d love to show you my spread. I think you’d like it.”

“Yeah? Tell me about it. What would you show me?”

His arm tightened around her, and she swallowed past the lump in her throat.

“Oh, I’d give you the grand tour. The house was built by my great-grandparents. We’ve added to it since then. It’s all modern, so you don’t have to use an outhouse or anything,” he said, laughing.

“Ah, too bad. That would be an interesting experience.”

“We still have it, actually, so you can use it if you want to. In fact, my dad drinks his first cup of coffee out in the outhouse every morning with his paper.”

Iris laughed and sat up a little, searching his face to see if he was teasing. “You’re not kidding, are you?”

He shook his head. “Nope. Dad loves using the outhouse first thing in the morning. Out there in nature, breathing in the cool morning air. He said there’s nothing better to get the pipes working for a good and proper wake-up.”

“Oh my God.” She giggled. “I think I’d like to meet your dad.”

Nash’s smile turned sad again. “He’d like you.”

“Really?”

“Oh yeah. He says there’s no better woman in the world than one who knows her own mind and doesn’t bother with the rest of the world when it comes to living by it. He means my mom. But it describes you, too.”

The lump in Iris’s throat grew larger, and tears burned behind her eyes. She blinked, trying to keep them at bay.

“What else would you show me?” she asked, knowing nothing of what they were saying would ever happen, but not wanting to dissolve the fantasy just yet.

He kissed her forehead and then laid his cheek against her hair. “
Hmm
, I think the orchard next. One of my favorite places as a kid. My brother and I even built a treehouse up in one of the trees. I still go there sometimes when I want a quiet place to sit and think. I’d like to show you that. Though I don’t think we’d do much sitting and thinking.”

She nuzzled closer to him. “Oh really,” she murmured, knowing where this line of conversation was going and loving it. Even though it made the fact that it would never happen that much worse.

“I’d love to see you lying back on a blanket, the setting sun lighting up that beautiful body of yours.”

She shivered with the promise of pleasure and lifted her face to him. His lips met hers, moving over them slowly, sweetly, every brush burning an irreparable hole in her heart that she’d cherish forever. A tear escaped through her tightly squeezed eyes, trailing down her cheek to land on his hand that still cupped her face.

His thumb caressed her cheek, drying the tears as he kissed her.
God, how am I going to let this man go?

When he sat back he drew her into his chest, tucking her head beneath his chin.

“Where will you take me when I come visit you?” he asked quietly.

She released a shaky laugh and continued playing the game.

“One of my favorite places in North Carolina. The Biltmore Estate. Have you heard of it?”

Nash shook his head.

“It’s this gorgeous, insanely extravagant mansion built by the Vanderbilts. It’s just so…unbelievable, I guess. The beauty of the place is surreal. At Christmastime they bring in this massive tree, and the entire mansion is decorated. I could wander around for hours. My favorite part is the grounds. There are gardens and fountains and flowers. It’s so peaceful there, and so incredibly beautiful. Sometimes I imagine what it would have been like if I lived in a place like that. Silly, I know.”

“Not silly at all.”

“No?”

“No,” he murmured, kissing her head again. “Tell me more. What’s your home like, your family?”

She smiled. “My family. They’re all crazy.”

Nash laughed and Iris closed her eyes, committing the sound to memory. “Ah, they can’t be that bad,” he said.

“Don’t get me wrong. I totally love them. But yeah, certifiable, no joke. My mom’s a romance writer. Like those novels you see in the supermarket? Yeah. Well, hers aren’t in the supermarket, but that’s what she does. Do you have any idea what it was like growing up with a mother who writes sex for a living?”

Nash shook with laughter beside her. “No. Awkward, I’d imagine.”

“Oh, you have no idea. I mean, sometimes it was great. If I ever had any questions, she certainly answered them. But the depth and detail was sometimes a little too much.”

He laughed out loud at that one.

“Plus,” she continued. “When my friends found out what she wrote…”

“Tortured mercilessly, I’m guessing?”

She snorted. “Oh yeah. Well, most thought it was pretty cool. But the boys… They tended to think I had some insider knowledge. And was willing to use it.”

“Ah.” His arms tightened around her. “Guys can be dicks.”

That startled a laugh out of her. “Yeah. Some of them. Some are surprising,” she said, squeezing his hand.

He drew in a ragged breath. “You know, I’m sure Montana could use a few good nurses, if you ever wanted to consider moving out my way.”

She glanced up at him. “Oh yeah? Think I’d fit in out there?”

“
Hmm
, let’s see.” He leaned a little to look her up and down. “Well, we’d need to change those awful biker boots for a pair of real boots. Squeeze this luscious backside of yours into a nice tight pair of Wranglers,” he said while his hand wandered down to give the body part in question a good squeeze. “And you need a hat for sure.”

“Oh, of course,” she said, a smile playing around her lips.

“But other than that, I think you’d fit in perfectly.” He raised her hand to his lips and pressed a tender kiss to the back.

She bit her lip and looked down at their entwined fingers. She wished she could believe him. But would she really be okay out there? It sounded wonderful. But isolated. And so far from everything and everyone she knew and loved. What about Lena? And Tyler? But Nash would be there. That was a perk that might just make up for the rest. Then again, she’d only known him one day. She couldn’t uproot her whole life for a guy after one day. That had disaster written all over it.

So why did the thought of doing just that fill her with happiness and excitement and the thought of going back home to never see him again make her so damn depressed?

“You know, you’d fit in pretty well in North Carolina, too.”

“I would, huh?” he asked, his voice amused but with that hint of sadness she knew colored her own.

“Sure. We’ve got horses and everything.”

He laughed and hugged her. “Horses and you. What more could a guy ask for?”

“I hope I rank slightly higher than the horses,” she said.

“Oh, most definitely,” he murmured against her ear, sending tingles up and down her spine. “No one outranks my Cookie. Even my horses. You’d always be first with me. Always.”

Those words made all the emotions battering her far too intense. A few more lines like that and she’d follow him home like a little lost puppy.

She sighed again and draped her legs over his lap. He wrapped an arm around them, drawing her in to him. “Why don’t you close your eyes for minute? We haven’t slept all night. You’ve got to be tired.”

His words triggered a yawn and she gave in to it, but then shook her head. “I don’t want to sleep. I can sleep later.”

When you’re gone…

The words hung unspoken between them, but he seemed to know what she meant.

“Then we can just sit and talk.”

She nodded. “Tell me about the treehouse again. What kind of tree is it in?”

He chuckled and started telling her all about his ranch. She relaxed against him, her eyes growing heavier. The last thing she heard was how his father had surprised him with a big brown suitcase for his fifth birthday…

“
L
adies and gentlemen, we’ll be making our descent into Miami in just a few minutes. If you’ll return your seat backs…
”

Iris nearly cried out. How had the plane ride passed so quickly? She wasn’t ready yet. How could she have fallen asleep and wasted what time they had left?

“I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sleep,” she said, angry with herself for giving in to her fatigue. Though it had been wonderful to sleep curled in his arms. Another memory to treasure.

“No apologies necessary. Holding you while you slept was the perfect end to the perfect day.”

“I don’t want it to end,” she murmured, her voice cracking.

Nash seemed to agree with her. He hugged her even tighter, leaning his head down to rest against her shoulder. She wrapped her arm around his head and held him there, the tears that had been threatening to spill for the last several hours finally breaching her control. A small sob escaped her tightly clamped lips, and Nash sat up, undoing her seat belt so he could pull her into his lap.

“
Shh
, darlin’,
shh
,” he murmured to her.

She clung to him, trying desperately to rein it in. His thumbs brushed across her cheeks, wiping away her tears, though more spilled out to replace them.

He cupped her face and drew her to him, kissing her slowly and thoroughly, whispering gentle nonsense to her until the stewardess cleared her throat, looking almost apologetic when she asked Iris to put her seat belt back on as they were landing.

Iris slid off Nash’s lap and buckled up.

He took her hand, entwining his fingers through hers as he leaned over to whisper something in her ear again. “Do you think we’ve got time to join the mile high club?”

The question startled a laugh out of her.

“That’s better,” he said, touching her smiling lips.

She puckered up and pressed a quick kiss to his finger and then laid her head on his chest as the plane touched down.

They took their time gathering Clyde and the Sloane Ranger, letting everyone else deplane before they did. They held hands as long as they could, walking slowly until they reached the spot where they needed to split—she to her connecting flight, he to where his brother would be waiting to pick him up.

“Well,” she said, turning to him, holding her breath to keep the volcano of emotion in her chest from escaping. “I guess we gave the term
layover
a whole new meaning, huh?”

It was a horrible joke, not remotely funny. But he smiled at her, an expression that was somehow loving and tender and exasperated all at once.

“Thank you. For dragging me around with you and showing me how awesome life can be.” His smile stretched wider and he let go of Clyde so he could take her face in both hands. “My sweet, funny, absolutely crazy girl.”

He kissed her again, one last time. The moment seemed to last forever, yet was over far too soon. He pulled away, leaving her reeling, shattered, and completely his.