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

my weapon in my hand, ready to shove it inside my mouth?”

A cold chill slithered down my spine. I’d never seen him this way. Scorpion had always had a temper, but he maintained such control when it was needed the most. “I had no idea.”

“No. You wouldn’t because you fucking ran away. I get why and I don’t blame you. Thought about it several times myself, but that ain’t life. Life isn’t about harboring guilt It took me a hell of a long time, but I finally came to terms with what happened. That doesn’t mean I don’t think about the shit storm from time to time, but Caroline is always there to shove me back into reality.”

I dragged the beer closer, struggling to control my breathing. “Yeah, well, I don’t have that.”

Scorpion finally snickered. “You’ve always been such a fucking asshole.”

“Thanks. Makes everything better.”

“Yeah? Well, you know exactly what the hell I mean.”

His breathing was clipped, the anger cutting through me. “Mitch is a stranger. Nothing more.”

“One you fucked like she was the only thing that mattered to you and you know what? I think that’s the truth. Do exactly like Hawk advised you. Get your head out of your ass before it’s too late.”

The words rang in my mind, although I wasn’t entirely certain what the hell to do with them. As I closed my eyes, taking a long pull on my beer, Snake’s smiling face floated in my mind’s eye. And I could hear his boisterous laugh.

But as Mitch’s face replaced his, I was forced to face there was a ring of truth to what both men were saying. I didn’t know the girl. She’d pissed me off more than any other woman had in my entire freaking life.

But I adored her.

In fact…

There was a chance I could fall hard for her.

What. The. Fuck?

Chapter 13

Mitch

Darkness.

It had swept in quickly, the shadows making me jumpy as hell. I hadn’t been able to get what Jessica had said out of my mind or thoughts about the rugged, ruthless, amazing man. I’d remained by the window for the last twenty minutes, my gut churning. I should have called him.

I should have obeyed him.

Him.

A larger than life Marine.

A true cowboy in the Wild West kind of way.

A masterful lover.

Reaper…

Every part of me tingled, my lower lip quivering. I was forced to press my fingers across my mouth to keep from whimpering, giving my desire away. I had the distinct feeling that Caroline was watching my actions.

Reaper…

Just thinking about his nickname brought me some crazy kind of heated joy, as if the fact he could kill people with his bare hands was sexy. Or maybe that’s the kind of woman I’d become. Either way, I was nervous that he and Scorpion hadn’t arrived home.

Home.

This certainly wasn’t my home. I had no home to return to any longer. The sooner I faced that fact the better.

“Sit down. I grabbed a bottle of wine. I think you need a glass. I know I do.”

Hearing Caroline’s kind voice troubled the hell out of me. Why was she being nice to me? I’d invaded her space as well as Scorpion’s and I was a stranger. She’d remained with me even though she had a life of her own. I was grateful, the fear not nearly as crippling.

“Okay.” While I answered, I remained where I was.

“You like him.”

“Who?”

Caroline chuckled. “Come on. It’s written all over your face. Your body. My guess is you’re craving what the rugged cowboy can do.”

Her words finally made me laugh. I shifted in her direction, noticing the twinkling in her eyes. “What?”

“Oh, you heard me. There’s something about those bad boys that does the women in. They fawn over Scorpion at the bar he owns, draping their half-naked bodies all over him.”

Her laugh was infectious. “Scorpion owns a bar?”

“Believe it or not. It was left to him by his uncle. It used to be a rough place, but he’s cleaned it up.”

“Is that where you met him?” I studied Caroline. She was perfect for Scorpion, likely tempering his aggressive tendencies.

“Yes. I’m a concert promoter. It’s a very long story and one Scorpion likes to tell.” Her eyes sparkled as she tossed me a glance. “A glorious story we both can laugh about now. I wasn’t doing much laughing then.”

I couldn’t help but smile. “Well, I don’t think Reaper would ever laugh about how we met.”

“I think it’s adorable.”

“Not the perfect way to start a…” I almost said relationship.

“Well, if it’s any comfort, Scorpion wasn’t too thrilled with me at first either. Then I snagged his heart. They talk big, their actions like something out of a wild western movie, but they’re sweethearts deep inside. All the Montana bad boys are. Don’t get me wrong. There are days I want to beat Scorpion senseless because of his hard head, but then he can be so sweet. So loving. I just…” She sighed and poured two hefty glasses of wine, leaving the bottle on the table. “Let’s just say I still swoon over him.”

“Really?” I asked as I was unable to resist, inching closer and finally easing onto the couch.

“Oh, gosh, yes. He’s full of passion and I’ve never felt so protected. I assume that’s the way you feel too.”

Heat slipped up from my neck, crawling like fingers to my cheeks.

She laughed as she took a sip of her wine. “See. That’s what I mean. There’s nothing wrong with feeling that way. It’s amazing and well worth the fact they do things their own way.”

“Are they really dangerous?”

“Absolutely, but the kind of men you want on your side at all times. Just remember something very important.”

“Okay.”

Caroline took a deep breath before finishing. “Always be honest with Reaper. If he’s anything like Scorpion or the other guys, they take integrity and honesty seriously.”

I shook my head, biting back a laugh given the way we met.

“Oh, and they’re very dominating,” she continued.

As she shook her head, we both laughed, although another shiver slipped down