Free Carrying the Lost Heir's Child by Jules Bennett Page B

Whatever you want.”
    Encircling her waist with both arms, Nash pulled her close where her hands were trapped between them. “I’ll go soon. But right now, I want to embrace the fact the mother of my child is in my house where there are no interruptions, no schedules to keep. You’re supposed to be relaxing and I have the perfect spot.”
    She eased back, looking him in the eyes. “Don’t keep the truth from me again. We’re in this together and I can’t be with someone I don’t trust.”
    Those bright eyes held hers, the muscle in his jaw clenched and for a second she thought he was about to say something, but he simply nodded.
    “Was that our first fight?” she asked.
    Nash nuzzled his lips against her neck, his beard tickling her sensitive skin. “I guess so. We better go kiss and make up.”
    He walked her backward and Lily couldn’t help but laugh as she found herself being drawn more and more into his world. Yes, he’d kept something monumental from her, but in his defense he was still working through the new information himself. She couldn’t imagine finding your father at this stage in life and she couldn’t blame Nash for being confused on how to respond and what steps to take. This was all new territory and they had to wade through it together.
    They headed down the hall, his hands cupping her bottom as he led her into the bedroom.
    “This is where you’ll stay while you’re here,” he told her as he trailed his lips across her jawline and to her ear. “Clothing is optional.”
    A thrill shot through her. Being claimed shouldn’t be so arousing, yet she found herself wanting Nash more and more each time he threw down that dominance gauntlet.
    With a kick of his foot, the bedroom door slammed shut.
    * * *
    Nash jerked another bale of hay from the stack and moved it into the stable. Frustration and guilt fueled each aggressive movement. He’d lied to Lily, was still lying to her and had worked his way back into a corner he may never find the way out of.
    He’d never forget the look on her face when she’d discovered he was Damon’s son. But she only knew part of the truth. The rest of his secret wouldn’t be so easily defended and the damn last thing he’d ever intended on doing was hurting her.
    His plan was to reveal himself to Damon, figure out how the hell to get those horses and get back to his own estate. He was done living these lies, done hurting people he had been around for the past few months.
    As much as the guilt ate at him, he still wouldn’t leave without what he came for. Otherwise this whole journey would be in vain.
    Sweat poured down his back as he stacked the last bale against the far wall. He’d called and checked on Lily several times today and each time she assured him she was fine and if she needed anything she’d call him. Still, he couldn’t help but worry. Would he be like this the entire pregnancy? Always worrying?
    Nash knew it wasn’t just the pregnancy. Everything was closing in on him at once. He needed to confess now that the racing season was over and Cassie and Tessa were focusing on Cassie’s new school. He couldn’t wait for Damon to sell those horses to someone else.
    Nash’s assistant should’ve already proposed the next offer, now Nash just had to wait.
    Waiting was about the dead last thing he wanted to do, but he hadn’t gotten this far in life by being impulsive. Timing was everything in reaching your goals.
    And timing would definitely play a major role in the next steps he took with Lily. It was like walking through a minefield. One wrong move and every plan, every unexpected blessing could all blow up in his face.
    He’d spoken with his mother this morning and she was still worried about him exposing the truth, but Nash assured her he wasn’t going to disclose everything, only that Damon was his father. Everything else...hell, he had no clue when to drop that bomb. Would Damon look closer and see the man who had been his rival for so