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

my spine. Could I handle something like that in a relationship? Could I obey him at all times? Wait a minute. I wasn’t even certain we could tolerate each other even if the passion was off the chain.

“I’m not certain I can handle that,” I said after a few seconds.

“I didn’t think so either, but what I realized is that there’s a part of me that hungers to be taken care of, to have a man provide tender loving care while allowing me to explore whatever desires in life I need to experience. All while keeping me from making the wrong decisions, or at least reminding me when I do.” Caroline gave me a knowing look, the kind that furrowed deep into my psyche.

Maybe that’s exactly what I’d been searching for all these years, the single reason I’d fallen for Dante’s bullshit for more than thirty seconds. However, I refused to make the wrong choice again.

If I lived to make that choice.

Headlights streamed into the windows and a wave of heat spontaneously erupted all through every muscle and cell, excitement building. My God. I’d missed him. The thought was crazy and wonderful, maybe debilitating on more levels than I could comprehend. But I had missed him. The rugged and sullen man.

“One last thing,” Caroline advised. “Follow your heart. I know it’s tough, especially after what you’ve been through but trust me. It’ll be the best gift you give to yourself.”

I bit my lip as I glanced in her direction. She seemed so damn happy, her entire face lit up from the realization that her man was walking through the door in just a few seconds. I wanted to share in that feeling almost desperately, my nipples aching and my panties already soaked. Either I was out of my mind or I’d found the right man.

One I could care for.

One I could fall hard for.

One I could… love.

When the door opened, the cold air wafting in, I craned my neck in search of Reaper. He took his time coming inside, his arms full of what appeared to be groceries. He gave me a single hard look before stomping toward the kitchen.

The man was pissed.

I hadn’t obeyed him.

I’d disappointed him.

Why the hell did that bother me so much?

Caroline jumped to her feet, a single squeal erupting from her lips. “I thought you’d gotten lost.”

“You know me better than that. I see you’ve been able to amuse yourself,” Scorpion said as he winked.

She laughed, the sound jittery. Every action she made was provocative, forcing my throat to close. I wanted that closeness. Damn, I could barely look at them.

“Reaper, this is my Caroline, but she is totally off limits,” Scorpion said with a husky growl.

Caroline growled back at him before smiling. “I am my own woman, darling snookie,” she teased before turning her attention toward Reaper. “Mitch is quite entertaining,” Caroline said as she took a bag from his arms. “I think we might become friends.”

Friends.

I had one in my life and I’d placed hers in danger. How the hell could I be a friend to anyone?

“From what I hear, you’re just as bratty as Mitch,” Reaper said, keeping a straight face for a few seconds.

Caroline rolled her eyes before giving Scorpion a harsh look. “You two are just alike.”

For some reason, the lively banter was too much, creating a dull ache in the pit of my stomach.

“Are there more bags?” I finally asked as I stood, my legs shaking.

“The rest of the supplies are for you guys,” Scorpion said before heading toward the kitchen. “You have a place to stay as long as you like.”

Both Caroline and I trailed behind, Caroline taking charge of putting things away. A place to stay? I searched Reaper’s eyes for any answers, unable to read anything in them.

Caroline hummed while she put groceries away, the buzzing sound creating butterflies in my stomach. What had the sheriff told them?

Scorpion nodded as he read whatever was on his screen, finally turning his attention toward Reaper. “I have the directions to Bryce’s house. He wanted you to know there’s plenty of wood outside and the cabinets are stocked with liquor and wine. You can find some clothes in the closets as well. Guess Hawk figured you might need a drink after this afternoon.”

I studied the two men, the odd look that occurred between them. Whatever had happened, they both remained tense.

“We’ll get out of your hair,” Reaper said quietly.

“You can stay for dinner,” Scorpion said in passing.

Another moment of tension shifted between them. It was all I could do not to poke and prod them into telling me what they’d found out.

“Maybe the two lovebirds should be allowed to be alone,” Caroline added, giving me another one of her saucy looks.

Finally, Reaper turned his heated gaze in my direction, studying me as if he’d never met me in his life. “Oh, we definitely need to spend some time alone.”

“Then let me grab the keys to my other truck and I’ll help you load the groceries.” Scorpion shifted out of the room, not bothering to look in my direction.

Reaper nodded as he looked at Caroline. “You’re good for the old man.”

Caroline’s laugh was infectious, filled with such freaking happiness. Jealousy wrapped itself around my system. Would I ever be able to feel that way?

“I’m just the woman who wrangled his heart. I think you might have found that person yourself,” she answered.

“No woman can do that. Not into relationships,” he huffed.

And there it was.

I knew exactly where I stood in his life.

Nowhere.

I was merely an inconvenience, an intruder in a life that he’d yet to live.

Well, fine.

Whatever.

Fuck him.

Bristling, I walked back into the living room, trying to wrap my mind around what I’d just heard. I didn’t need this shit. I had plenty of my own. He meant nothing to me. Nothing.

Then why was my heart aching?

Why had tears formed in my eyes?

I heard the solid thud of heavy boots, could feel his heated presence behind me. He stood silently,