Nash: A Rough Romance by Piper Stone (book series for 12 year olds txt) 📕

my hand. Stunned, I saw a flash as whoever the asshole was took off running toward the bank of trees. It was obvious the idiot had no freaking clue where they were going. I picked myself up, taking my time to brush the snow off my ass before trudging in their direction.

Whoever was responsible was going to find themselves hurting something fierce. No one bested me on any level. Period. I took long strides, used to the thick snow and crackle of ice beneath my feet. Whoever had been hiding in the woodshed obviously wasn’t. I was able to catch a glimpse as the person fell to the ground several times, even though I was shocked to see the asshole had made pretty good time in his attempt to get away from me.

The poor bastard didn’t know that he was nearing a dead end.

Either that or his jumping skills were legendary.

I grinned as I continued on, taking my time until I heard a solid bellow. Sniffing, I thought about the sound and bristled. “You have to be kidding me.” The asshole refused to stop. What the fuck did he think he was doing?

Within a minute, I moved to within a few yards of the jerk, the poor chump tumbling back from the precipice, falling not once but twice in the snow.

“I don’t think you’re going anywhere, and I don’t suggest jumping unless you’re ready to die. The impact will bury you several feet into the ground.”

The asshole dared take two long strides away from me.

Motherfucker.

“You might as well give up, my friend. I’m a reasonable man, at least to a point. If you put your hands up and turn around, we can talk about this nicely. If not, my original promise still stands.”

The gruff voice ignited the fuel burning deep within.

“Fuck you!”

Okay, I was finished with playing games.

When the asshole took off running again, attempting to backtrack in order to head back toward the cabin, I lunged forward, managing to catch the jerk by the scruff of his neck. “You ain’t going anywhere, buddy.”

“Let go of me, you worthless prick.” The intruder flailed, actually managing to jerk out of my arms.

And face down into the snow.

I took a deep breath and shifted my gaze toward the sky as the first few flakes of snow began to fall. I had a feeling the idiot was pretending to be hurt, which pissed me off even more. “Get up.” When there was no movement, I crouched down, turning him over.

Only he was a she. I’ll be damned.

“I said, get up.”

When she opened her eyes, staring into mine, I had a flash of visions rush into my mind that were entirely too filthy, especially for the situation at hand.

However, even with snow covering a portion of her porcelain skin, I could tell she was absolutely gorgeous.

Yet her blue-eyed stare was ice cold, her gaze full of venom and hatred. What the hell had I done to this girl?

“Are you all right?” I finally asked, offering a hand.

That’s the very moment she punched me square in the face, the force just enough to pummel me backwards and into the snow.

Again.

She scrambled to her feet, once again taking off.

I eased onto my elbows, staring after her, both amused as well as shocked at her behavior. I still didn’t know what to think given the fact I was miles away from anyone else. I hadn’t seen or heard a vehicle, the road leading to my place likely treacherous given the recent snows. What the fuck could she be doing here?

After shaking my head, I rose to my feet, watching as she swerved through the trees, darting her head over her shoulder only once. She really didn’t think I’d be able to catch her? I retrieved my gun, surprised that she hadn’t taken it with her, then proceeded to follow. I was able to catch up with her easily, only I had no intention of shooting her.

However, she was going to talk.

After she faced my wrath.

She finally slowed, bending over and taking several deep breaths, jumping when I came within a couple of yards. After she stuck her hand into her pocket, she gave me a defiant look. “Stay the hell away from me. I have a gun.”

“Uh-huh. Then why didn’t you use it before?”

“Because I didn’t know who you were.”

“And you do now?”

Her jaw clenched, her lips pursing. I finally took the opportunity to get a good look at her. She definitely wasn’t dressed for the elements, at least other than the boots. The jacket was thin and she wasn’t wearing any gloves.

“You’re a bad man,” she said without reservation.

I slipped the weapon into my jacket and folded my arms, my amusement turning to curiosity. Maybe she’d heard about me from down in the valley. No, that wasn’t possible. “Yeah, you’re right on that point. I’m a very bad man with an even worse demeanor. That doesn’t give you the right to trespass on my property.”

“I wasn’t trespassing!” She shifted from foot to foot, darting glances to her right.

“Oh, yeah? Then what were you doing hiding in my woodshed?”

She opened her mouth then snapped it shut as she glanced down the length of me, contempt remaining in her eyes.

“Cat got your tongue? Who are you?”

Her silence was yanking my last amount of patience. I didn’t need this shit.

“I’m going to count to five one last time. If you don’t answer, I’m going to be forced to punish you.” While I wasn’t entirely certain where the statement had come from, I meant what I said. I didn’t need a foul-mouthed woman to act as if I was in the wrong.

“Over my dead body,” she snapped, backing away another few feet. “No man will ever touch me again.”

“One. Two. Three. Four.” I hesitated, amazed at her rebellious bullshit. I also had the feeling she was running away from something or somebody. Either that or she was some kind of reporter sent to find a scoop on a story. Montana