Stripped by Lauren Dane Page A

hadn’t had any real idea of just who Dahlia was. Part of that was Nash’s fault for not having her around William more socially so he could get to know her better.
    Worse, Lara Warner had been talking shit around town. Though she did have a point. Nash did have a responsibility to his station in life—a responsibility to make it one-hundred-percent clear that he was with Dahlia Baker. Not as a fling. Not as a pretty bit on the side. But for good.
    He’d been on the verge of interrupting his brother to reiterate just how deeply he felt for Dahlia, to tell William why he trusted her, when they’d heard Dahlia’s name being called. Time had slowed as he’d turned to see her standing there in the hallway.
    Nash would never in a million years forget the look on her face as she’d stood there, obviously hurt and humiliated. He’d jumped up to explain, but her hand had flown up, cutting him off, and she’d stalked in, told William off and stormed out.
    He’d been so stunned by the whole thing, that lapse of time had given her a head start. He stood there, watching her taillights, his stomach sinking. Grabbing his phone, he called hers and got voice mail as he got into his car and raced toward her place. Arriving first, he thanked his forethought to take the back way.
    Using his charm and a hundred-dollar bill, he managed to convince the manager to let him inside her apartment. Nash had been there often enough that the guy knew him by sight.
    And then he waited.
    After her mailbox filled up he called William and chewed him a new one.
    â€œI didn’t know she was standing there!” At least his brother sounded guilty.
    â€œWilliam, how can you work with these women and think about them the way you do? She’s a good person. Do you know I have to talk her into taking presents from me? She could have worked me for tens of thousands of dollars by now, but she goes out of her way to pay every bit she can. I love her. I mean to be with her and if I can get her to take me back after this mess, I’m asking her to move in with me and marry me by the end of the year.”
    â€œI think she’s out of your comfort zone, Nash. I think being with a woman like Dahlia is going to be a big test for you.”
    â€œA test? What the hell are you talking about? We’ve been together for six months. It’s not like I’m nineteen years old and I met her yesterday.”
    â€œYou’re going to bring her to social functions and she’ll be uncomfortable. Your friends and family will be uncomfortable because she’s not one of us. It’ll eat away at both of you.”
    â€œThis isn’t about you and Leah, William. Or is it? Is that why the two of you broke it off?” Leah had been William’s fiancée of two years. They’d broken off the engagement suddenly, and William had refused to talk about it. Nash began to wonder just how much of William’s feelings about Dahlia, about women in general, had to do with Leah.
    â€œNot your business at all. When it comes down to it, Nash, you can’t trust this woman because you have something she doesn’t. Money.”
    â€œThis is about Leah, isn’t it? Was Leah a gold digger?”
    â€œWe’re done with this subject. If you love Dahlia, fine. That’s enough for me, but I want you to remember this is not going to be a bed of roses. It’s easy for you to downplay the class thing, but she’s the one who has to suffer for it.”
    â€œI’m not asking you to name a hospital wing after her, William! What I’m asking is simple—accept her because I love her. It’s not a hard choice for me and it’s a bullshit ultimatum.”
    William sighed and Nash wished like hell he’d known more about the breakup between his brother and his ex.
    â€œYou’re right. I’m sorry. I’ll do whatever I can to make her feel welcome. I’ll even call her