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

“Damn you! I’m not some master criminal. I was terrified. I had about ten minutes to figure out a plan.”

He smiled. The fucker actually smiled at me. “You did all right. Now, I know what we’re dealing with. Still, something is off about this.”

At this point, I was exasperated, more exhausted than I’d ever been in my life. “Stop. Just stop! I’ve told you everything I know. Okay?” I huddled closer to the fire, praying the warmth would stop me from shivering.

“I believe you; however, our DA made a fatal flaw, although it was one you couldn’t have known about. There is no internet connection on the mountains.”

“What does that mean?” I wasn’t following him.

At least at first.

Then it dawned on me.

“Oh, God. He was the one who betrayed me.” I issued the words with no emotion. Perhaps I’d known it all along.

“That’s what it would appear.”

“He wanted me in a location where no one would hear me scream and I couldn’t contact anyone for help. I am a fucking idiot.” When he took my hand into his, I shuddered, but the warmth was exactly what I needed.

“You’re not an idiot. You are a brave and brilliant woman. Where did you hide this information in your vehicle?”

“It’s on a jump drive. I found a little pocket behind the seat. I wasn’t that stupid to leave it in plain sight, Nash, but I couldn’t take the time to grab it before I ran.”

“Which means you knew the assassins were out there.”

I rubbed my eyes. “I noticed the damn vehicle you damaged in the rearview mirror more than once. My gut told me I’d been located. The best I could do was try and get away without leading them to the cabin. When I crashed the truck, I had no recourse but to try and find some help. I had to leave the drive hidden. Even if the truck was tossed, I doubt anyone would find it. Unless they had some electronic method of finding it.”

The moment I said his real name, he narrowed his eyes, an emptiness settling in. I shrank back, unable to look him in the eyes. When he moved to the floor, settling beside me, I was no longer shocked how my body reacted.

Tingling with anticipation.

Hungering to the point of losing my breath.

Longing to reach out and yank him closer.

When he reached out, grasping my fingers, slowly intertwining them, a strangled moan slipped past my lips.

He exhaled, bringing my hand to his lips and pressing them against my fingers. “While I don’t know if it’s possible, I do think it’s imperative that we find your truck.”

“How can we do that given the snowstorm?”

“Where there’s a will, there’s a way.”

A quiet settled between us, as well as an odd sadness. We were in this together whether we liked it or not.

“I knew I was heading into danger, Reaper. I also realized my chances at surviving were slim to nil. But you know what? My parents didn’t raise either a stupid woman or one who would ever back down from danger. So, I fucked up, not anticipating a freaking snowstorm. It doesn’t give you the right to treat me like an enemy. I’ve been through some shit myself these past few weeks. Why don’t you give me a fucking break?”

Now the silence between us was deafening.

A minute passed.

Two.

Three.

The glass in my hand shook given my increased anxiety.

“You took a significant risk,” he finally said.

“Yes, I did.”

“To do the right thing.”

His tone of voice had softened. “I didn’t set out to deal with a monster.”

Reaper laughed, lifting his glass toward the fire. “Yet you found two.”

The words were far too haunting.

When he let go of my hand, using the tip of his finger to lift my chin, I saw something entirely different in his gorgeous eyes.

Admiration.

“Now, you’re going to need to learn to trust me. Can you do that?” he asked in such a quiet voice.

“I don’t know. I just don’t… know.” The words felt strangled in my throat.

“Fair enough. However, I’m the only help you have. Fortunately, I have some pretty amazing friends who are more than willing to try and get you through this mess, but you’re going to have to follow my directions. No bullshit. No more lies or holding anything back. And no more attempts at running. Can you do that?”

I swear it was like making a deal with the most gorgeous devil on earth, but he was right. The man was my hero, whether he liked it or not. “Okay.”

“Okay?”

“If you’re looking for sir, you’re sorely mistaken.”

His laugh was full of the rough and tumble vibe I’d come to adore, making me swoon all over again. My nipples immediately hardened, my legs trembling like I was some high-school girl. “What I’m looking for is a promise.”

I bit my lip before I said anything. “Okay. I promise.”

He eased his hand around my head, entangling his fingers in my hair. “Better, although there’s still an infraction that we need to deal with.”

“Meaning?”

Tugging on my head, he brought me closer to the heat of his body. Between the weight of the hulking man and the electricity soaring between us, stars floated in front of my eyes, my heart racing.

“Meaning, little brat, you’re going to get one hell of a spanking.”

Before I had time to object or say a single word, he crushed his mouth over mine and within seconds, I melted into him, unable to stop my pulse from skyrocketing.

Or my pussy from quivering.

I wrapped my arm around his neck, tugging him as close as possible. He tugged my legs around his hips, easing me onto his lap. Very slowly I crawled the tips of my fingers down his chest, stroking his jean-covered cock. I couldn’t stop the moan from erupting around the kiss, the way his shaft throbbed against my hand reigniting the embers. Everything was a fabulous blur, even though what was left of my rational brain knew this wasn’t a good idea.

But I