“I’ll call you this afternoon when I come home to eat before work.”

“Why don’t you come to my place for a change? We can eat there and I’ll go to the club with you. Spend the night, Dahlia.”

She eyed him suspiciously. “You sure?”

“Why do you ask like that? Of course I’m sure or I wouldn’t have asked. I want to see you later. I like having you within reach when I wake up. That’s very handy.”

She rolled her eyes. “Okay, then. What time should I be there?”

He told her where to park and that he’d be home after three, and she kissed him once more and left.

CHAPTER SIX

Dahlia looked out the window as she used the StairMaster. StairMaster time was what she imagined hell to be. Every second felt like a year as her thighs burned.

Still, she didn’t lack for things to think about. Her interview had gone really well, and this job could totally change her life.

She’d miss The Dollhouse, but she’d have a regular schedule and be doing something exciting and challenging. And she certainly had no complaints about the salary and benefits. Not living like a student had a lot of appeal after six years.

Still, if she did get the job it wouldn’t start full-time until toward the end of next semester. It was all theoretical at that point, so Dahlia didn’t want to get her heart set on anything until she knew more.

The winter break was approaching and she had to decide what to do. Her mother wanted her to come back home to visit for Christmas, and she did miss everyone.

But that led into the other big thing she’d been thinking about. Nash. She’d been seeing him for a month. If he was in town, they were together. He kept in regular contact if he was gone. He’d become a part of her life before she’d realized it. Maybe she needed the time away to figure it out.

Or maybe not. Gah! She thought too much, she knew that. If she overthought the thing between them, she’d ruin it.

* * *

“So how are things with Dahlia?”

Nash looked up into his personal assistant Amy’s face and shrugged.

“Don’t tell me you’re dumping the poor woman! Nash, you shouldn’t have pursued her if you didn’t mean it. From your stories, she seems too sensitive for you to toy with.”

“Does everyone think I’m a total cad or what?” He stood up, scrubbing his face with his hands. “It’s been a month. I’ve never been with a woman this long before, not on an exclusive level. And I like it. I like having her in my life. I like waking up with her. If I’m not here I like knowing I’m going back to my hotel room and calling or e-mailing her. It’s a completely new thing for me.”

“I don’t think you’re a cad. But I do think you go through women like potato chips. But in your case, most of them seem to be okay with that. I have to say it cheers me to hear this one is different.”

Sitting next to her, he squeezed her shoulders briefly. “She’s smart and funny and sarcastic as hell, and, well, I’ve told you what she’s like onstage. But she’s also shy and so scared of herself. Of all her power. She doesn’t trust me like I wish she would.” He told her briefly about the situation with Warner.

Amy sneered. “Bill Warner is an ass. But, Nash, honey, you have a reputation. And it’s well deserved. I know you’re a good person beneath the trail of discarded women, but she sees those women and imagines herself as one of them. It hurts to be tossed aside. And she has this history of being misjudged. You can’t avoid that.”

“I don’t want to toss her aside, Amy. I think I’m falling in love with Dahlia. I had this moment this morning when she told me to lock up behind myself at her place. It was so normal. My body started to freak, but then my heart realized how good it felt to belong to someone like that.

“She’s got class issues and I don’t know how to handle it. She’s concerned that she’s not in my circle. But I couldn’t care less about that! I want her, not her bank account or the tag in her clothes.”

“Which is easy for you to say.”

“Why does everyone say that?” Nash moved off the couch and began to pace. “I’m not a snob.”

“No, you’re not. But you are a man who vacations in Italy. You think nothing of the class issue because why should you? You’ve never struggled. I know you work hard. You’ve built this business up from nothing and made Emery Incorporated into something your father would be very proud of. But she’s working from nothing. She’s on the outside, Nash. You’re inside wearing Gucci loafers and lounging on a leather couch. Cut the girl some slack. And it’s about time you fell in love. It sounds to me like she’s worthy of you. And I know you’re worthy of her. When do I get to meet her?” Amy stood up and began to gather her paperwork.

“Stay for another few minutes. She’s coming over for dinner before work.”

Amy smiled. “Oh, good! And how does William feel about it?”

Nash sighed. “He likes her well enough. She’s one of the big draws at the club. But he’s a product of our household and while I may not be a snob, my mother is and so is William. He sort of thinks it’s just a fling and as long as he thinks I’m just having a fling, he’s fine. I need to talk to him more seriously about her and soon.”

“Are you going to your mother’s for Christmas and New Year’s?”

“Yeah. Since Dad’s been gone, it’s become really important to her. She may be totally demanding and manipulative but I believe how lonely she looks. I don’t want to leave Dahlia for that long, and I don’t think she could handle my mother for a week. God knows I barely can.”

“She’ll never be ready for Leticia. Who would be? But you’re wise to hold off until next Christmas. Let the girl get to know you better. Build a track record with her first so you have ammunition with your mother. Because she won’t be pleased you’re with a woman with no pedigree.”

When the valet called to say Dahlia was on her way up, Nash met her at the elevators.

Stepping into the foyer she stopped and gaped. “Holy shit, Nash. This is a palace. My place must seem like a dark little closet by comparison.”

Kissing her quickly, he took her bag and then her hand. “Don’t be stupid. I love your apartment. It’s vivid and colorful, just like you. Now come on in and meet Amy.”

A look of panic flashed across Dahlia’s face and he caressed her cheek. “She’s a very nice person and so are you.” He tugged her into the living room where Amy was straightening up.

* * *

Dahlia’s mind couldn’t quite let go of the fact that Nash lived in what had to be the most luxurious place she’d ever seen in person. And then he sprung the personal assistant on her.

She knew Amy was important to Nash. He spoke of her with great affection and respect, and hers was one of the few rings Nash always answered on his cell phone. If Amy didn’t like her it might well be the kiss of death in her relationship with Nash.

A tiny woman with silver hair pulled up into a ponytail grinned at Dahlia as she came toward her. “Finally! I’ve been nagging Nash for weeks to introduce us. I’ve heard so much about you. It’s nice to meet you at last. I’m Amy Freeman.”

Dahlia smiled, responding to the other woman’s warmth. Dahlia took her hand but Amy tiptoed up and kissed her cheek instead.

“It’s nice to meet you, too. Nash speaks of you often. I’m glad to know he’s got someone to keep him in line when he’s out and about.”

“Oh, I just remind him where to be and mail things for him. It’s not that hard. Nash is a pussycat.” Amy put her bag on her shoulder. “I’m off. My husband is taking me to dinner. You two have a nice evening and I’ll see you again soon, Dahlia.”