by Karen Kelley
I quickly pulled on my clothes because now I was cold. Nash excused himself and headed toward the bathroom. He was just returning as I finished dressing. I glanced his way. He’d pulled on his jeans and t-shirt, but was still barefoot.
“If you don’t quit staring at me, I’ll think you want to have sex again,” Nash said.
My body began to grow warm with need.
“Nope, you hesitated too long.” He covered the distance between us with a few steps and scooped me up in his arms.
I reacted instinctively and wrapped my arms around his neck. “I’m quite capable of walking on my own.”
He paused at the bottom of the stairs. “Then that’s a yes, you do want to have sex?”
By now, my nipples had tightened to hard nubs as my need began to grow. “Yes, I want to have sex with you again. Once was just not enough.”
My hold around his neck tightened as he practically ran up the staircase and down the hallway to his room. He leaned forward just enough to turn the knob, turned sideways to go inside, then kicked the door shut with his foot.
“I’m guessing you want to have sex as well.” I clamped my lips together to keep from smiling.
He set me on my feet, then took my hand and placed it over his erection. I had no doubt about what he wanted. “Do you mind if I take a shower first?”
He waved toward his bathroom. “Be my guest.”
Except he followed me into the bathroom. He unabashedly watched as I pulled my night shirt over my head and tossed it on to the counter. It was kind of erotic having him watch me. I turned on the water and as soon as it was warm, stepped inside. He still hadn’t moved except to lean against the bathroom counter.
My back was to him. If he wanted a show, I’d give him one. I took the brown mesh sponge and poured a dollop of body wash on it. When I had a good lather going, I turned to face him. I leisurely began to run it over my arms, my neck, then my breasts. Then I did something I never would’ve thought I was capable of doing while a man watched me. I pinched one nipple, then bit my bottom lip.
Actually, it felt pretty good. I glanced at Nash. Sweat beaded his forehead, and I didn’t think it was from the steam coming off the shower. I slid the sponge over my abdomen, teasing, then dipping down between my legs. As soon as the mesh sponge touched my clit I began to tremble. Putting on a show for Nash had heightened my sexual awareness. I moved the sponge to my breasts again before dipping down once more.
Through veiled eyelashes, I watched as Nash straightened and pulled his shirt over his head, letting it fall to the floor. He pushed the button through on his jeans, and slid the zipper down before shoving them to the floor. In one fluid movement, he stepped out of them, then joined me in the shower.
“I’ve never met a woman quite like you,” he said as he turned me to face him. He lowered his mouth to mine in a deep sensuous kiss. His naked body pressed against me.
“You mean one who climbs mountains?”
“That, too. I’ve never had a woman that was so confident in her sexuality.”
He thought I was confident? He couldn’t be further from the truth. I shook my head. “I’ve never been this open with anyone other than you. I don’t think I can hold back with you.”
“I would never want you to.”
He moved to the built-in bench and sat down. His eyes were clouded with passion. Instinctively, I knew what to do. I straddled him, but before I could slip myself onto his cock, he took one of my breasts into his mouth and began to suck, rolling the nipple around with his tongue. I gasped as heat pooled between my legs. He released the nipple and moved to the other breast to gave it equal attention. I didn’t even realize I was pushing my pussy against his cock, rubbing against him, until he groaned and pulled me closer.
“I want to feel you inside me.”
He must’ve brought a condom into the shower with him. He quickly slid it on. I lowered my body onto him one... slow... inch...at a time until he was buried inside me. For a moment, we didn’t move. We only held each other and let the sensations swirl around us. Then, I slowly began to move. I rose up, then lowered myself on him once again.
Going slow was good. It was as if my awareness of him was heightened. I felt every breath he took as if it were my own. I opened my eyes and watched him as I began to move faster. He grasped my ass and began to move with the motion. My eyes drifted closed as he picked up the pace.
In and out. In and out.
My body tightened as I was enveloped in his heat. Something happened in that moment. I couldn’t describe it. There was some kind of connection.
I cried out when I reached orgasm. He followed right behind me. I laid my head on his shoulder as quivers ran up and down my spine.
“Did you feel it?” he asked.
I closed my eyes tight. “You’re only supposed to be a brief affair. Nothing more.”
“Then you did feel it.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
“I think it does.”
“I won’t let it.”
“How can you stop it?”
Dammit, I didn’t have the answer. Nash was only supposed to be a good time. I didn’t want anything permanent.
Fuck, I was in trouble.
Chapter 22
Nash
Makenna curled her body against mine. God, I loved the way she felt against me. Of course, there had been other women that felt just as good when their naked bodies pressed against mine. Yes, it had been damn good sex. That’s all it was.
So what had passed between us?
I wasn’t sure, but she was right. Neither one of us wanted complications in our life. I knew this was going to be more than a one night stand. She knew it, too. A few weeks at the most. We could always remain friends. Yeah, friends was good. Didn’t friends occasionally fuck? If they didn’t, we’d just make it a new rule.
I glanced at the clock on the bedside table. It was five thirty in the morning. I eased out of bed and headed for the bathroom. Makenna and I had been up most of the night. I grinned.
Actually, I had been the reason we were up most of the night. It was as if I couldn’t get enough of her. Just thinking about fucking most of the night gave me a hard on. Damn, she was a good fuck.
I paused, knowing full well it was more than that. For a moment, I closed my eyes, blocking out what I felt. It didn’t work. Whatever was going on between us was at least worth exploring.
I slipped on a pair of jeans, a black t-shirt, and a pair tennis shoes before going downstairs. I still felt groggy from being up most of the night, but I knew I wouldn’t go back to sleep. I needed coffee. I headed straight for the kitchen.
I was in the middle of fixing my coffee when a noise from behind alerted me. I glanced over my shoulder. “The usual, Sam?”
“That would be wonderful. Is Mac still asleep?”
“Like a baby.”
“Must be because you two fucked most of the night.”
I frowned. “I didn’t think we were that loud.”
“You weren’t. I’m just a good guesser.” She laughed lightly.
“It’s too early for this. I haven’t had my coffee yet.” I carried her cup of coffee to the table and set it down, then went back to fix mine.
She took a drink, then sighed. “You do make a wonderful cup of coffee.”
I finished making mine, then joined her at the table. There was something about that first taste of coffee in the morning. There was nothing else like it. Apparently, Sam felt the same way, because she didn’t say anything else until her cup was almost empty.
“You know, Eric was a real asshole. He was very good at manipulation and fooled everyone.”
“Even you?” I asked.
“Pretty much. I knew there was something off about him, but I couldn’t put my finger on it. Just about the time I had him figured out, he would switch gears. He confused the hell out of me.”
“Makenna doesn’t seem the type who would have fallen for a con artist.”
; “You would if you were hungry.”
“Hungry?” I took a drink of my coffee as I waited for her to tell me what she meant.
“Her parents were very loving. They constantly showed her affection. After they were killed, all she had was her aunt. Don’t get me wrong, her aunt looked out for Mac’s finances one hundred percent. She even convinced Mac that Eric had to sign a prenup. That was very smart.” Sam shook her head. “Her Aunt Carol isn’t a hugger. While Mac’s parents ran around the world digging up artifacts, Aunt Carol ran the business side of things. She continued to build up the company, and now it’s worth billions. It’s what she loves to do. What she lives for.”
“So Makenna was starved for affection. Ripe for someone like Eric to pick off the tree.”
“Exactly. He gave her everything she craved, until the honeymoon was over.”
My body tightened. “Did he abuse her?” If he did, I’d hunt the son of a bitch down and beat the hell out of him.
Sam shook her head. “Not physically. Mentally, he made little jabs that were starting to grow bigger. He made sure she knew all of her choices were wrong. He’d done it in a way that belittled her, but told her it was just constructive criticism, because he wanted her to be the best that she could be. While she was wondering how she could be a better wife, he was maxing out the credit cards she’d given him. Thankfully, they had a lower limits on them. Again, her aunt is a smart woman.”
I couldn’t imagine anyone ever treating Makenna like that. Even for money. He probably could’ve gotten it all if he hadn’t been such an ass.
Sam finished her coffee, then set her cup on the table and leaned forward. “Makenna has been my friend since high school. She would do anything for me, and I would do anything for her. I don’t like what Eric did to her.” She studied me for a moment. “You’re damn good looking, and I’m almost certain you’re charming enough that it wouldn’t be difficult for someone to fall in love with you, but I’m telling you now, if you hurt her, I’ll cut your balls off one night while you’re sleeping.”
I didn’t like the dangerous glint in her eyes. I had a feeling she would do exactly that. I cleared my throat and shifted in my chair. “It’s not serious between me and Makenna. We both know there will be no strings attached.”
“Just remember, you hurt her, I hurt you. It’s that simple.”
Chapter 23
Makenna
I paused for a brief moment in the doorway when I heard Sam and Nash’s voices. When I heard Nash say there was nothing serious between us, I breathed a sigh of relief. That’s exactly the way I wanted it. We talked about it briefly last night, and neither one of us wanted complications. Sure, there had been a spark of something between us. It just meant we were good in bed together. Nothing more than that. We’d have a brief affair, probably remain friends, then move forward with our lives. I definitely wouldn’t overthink it.
I walked inside the kitchen. “Got another cup of coffee?” I inhaled the wonderful aroma that filled the air, but my eyes strayed to Nash. My body grew warm just thinking about what we had done last night. I knew by the way Nash was looking at me, if Sam wasn’t here, my coffee would have to wait. Waiting for coffee wouldn’t be that bad.
I sighed. But she was here. The next best thing to sex was coffee.
As Nash got up to fix a cup for me, I slid into one of the chairs at the table. I avoided looking Sam’s way until I couldn’t stand it anymore. It was just a quick glance, but it was enough to see her I-told-you-so look. I stuck my tongue out at her. That only made her smile widen.
“Looks like you slept very well last night. You look...rested,” Sam casually commented.
I knew she was going to rub last night in my face. There was only one thing to do. Bring it all out in the open. “Yes, we had sex. Very good sex. Lots of it. We’ll probably have sex again. It’s not serious. We’re just letting off steam from the last few days. There, are you satisfied?”
Nash carried my coffee over to the table and set it in front of me. “You think it was good sex? Actually you said very good sex.” He was grinning from ear to ear.
I rolled my eyes. “Do you want a ribbon or something?”
His eyebrows rose. “You carry ribbons around with you to hand out? Wow, that’s awesome. So, I guess mine would be a first-place ribbon.”
When Sam snickered, I shot a glare in her direction. “No, I do not carry ribbons around with me. I didn’t say you were great. I didn’t say you were fantastic. I didn’t say the sun rose and set when we had sex. I only said it was very good sex.”
He sauntered over to the coffeepot and began making another cup. “But a first-place ribbon, right?” He paused for a moment. “Maybe even grand prize. That would be a white one with gold lettering, right?”
Sam’s snicker turned into full out laughter.
I turned on her. “Really? You’re supposed to be my friend.”
“I am,” she said as she stood, then carried her cup over to Sam. “Another one please.”
“It doesn’t sound like you’re taking my side in any of this.”
“He’s funny. What can I say?” Sam said.
They were ganging up on me. Two against one. I took a drink of my coffee. He did make a damn good cup of coffee. Maybe it would be a good idea to remain friends with him after whatever was going on ended. We could do friend fucks occasionally. We’d have the best of both worlds.
Nash’s phone rang. He pulled it from his pocket. Sam and I grew silent, hearing his side of the conversation. Then he said good bye. He brought his coffee and Sam’s to the table and took the chair across from us.
“They caught the guy who was dynamiting.”
I breathed a sigh of relief. I don’t think I realized at that moment how worried I’d been. “Who was it?” I held my breath.
“A teenager. His father works with explosives. He wanted to prove he was mature enough to handle dynamite.”
Sam’s cup stopped halfway to her mouth. “I hope he realizes he almost killed your group.”
“The sheriff said the kid will go up before a judge. Because he’s underage, they’ll probably give him community service. He said he never intended to hurt anyone. The sheriff thinks he’s sincere.”
I could feel myself relaxing. At least, I was until I caught Sam’s serious expression. She was watching Nash.
“You don’t think he was sincere?” Sam asked.
Nash looked between us. “No, I don’t think so. Something doesn’t seem quite right. I know this kid. He’s been in trouble most of his life. His father owns a construction company. The kid has a chip on his shoulder. He thinks his father owes him something, and his father thinks his son needs to work for what he gets. Maybe his father feels guilty about something because every time the kid gets in trouble, he bails him out.”
“Does the boy have something against you?” I asked.
“I took him to the backcountry once. Just me, Don, and the kid. It was a birthday present from his father. I think his dad thought I might be able to toughen him up.”
“But that didn’t happen,” I guessed.
He shook his head. “The kid was pissed off pretty much the whole time, and he complained the entire trip. He was fourteen but I had a feeling he would end up in jail. His father can only pay people off so many times. Jeff is sixteen. I hate to think what he’ll be like by the time he turns eighteen.”
“But he admitted to blowing things up?” Sam asked.
“That’s what’s strange,” Nash said. “If he hadn’t admitted to setting off the dynamite, we might not have discovered who was behind it.” He shook his head. “I don’t believe he would voluntarily come forward if he didn’t have a damn good reason.”
“If you tell the sheriff this will he leave the case open or question the boy more?” I asked.
Nash shook his head. “I doubt it. I’m sure Jeff’s father has paid a large chunk of money to put an end to this. I just don’t think he acted alone. Besides, the kid stayed los
t most of the time. I can’t see him going into the backcountry by himself just to shoot off dynamite. I doubt that he would know which end to light.”
“Do you think someone paid him to take the fall? You did say he didn’t like working for his money.” Sam finished her coffee and set it down on the table.
I looked between them. It made sense. This would be a way the kid could make easy cash, and he already knew his father would bail him out of whatever trouble he got into. “That still puts us back to square one. Who’s paying the kid?”
“I don’t know, but if that’s the case, I intend to find out. Maybe the sheriff’s men were getting too close to finding out the truth,” Nash said. He reached inside his pocket and brought out his phone, then punched in a number. “Raymond, this is Nash Hayes. Can we talk?” Nash was silent for a moment. “I don’t think he had anything to do with it, but I think he knows who did. Someone wanted me and my group to die out there. If something happens again who do you think they’ll blame?” Nash looked at his watch. “In a half hour? Yes, I’ll meet you there.”
“I’m going with you,” I told him.
He shook his head. “It will be better if I go alone. His father won’t want to talk about his son in front of strangers. No one ever wants to admit their child would do something like this. It’ll be easier on everyone if I go by myself.”
“He’s right,” Sam said.
I finally nodded. I just didn’t like being left in the dark. Sam carried the cups to the sink as Nash came to his feet. He took me into his arms and hugged me for a brief moment.
“I’ll let you know what’s going on as soon as I find out anything. It may be a while, though.”
“Be careful. If there is someone behind Jeff’s confession, then he may realize you’re getting close. He won’t like that, and you could be in danger.”
“I’ll be careful.”
And with that, he was gone. A cold chill washed over me. As soon as I heard the front door shut, I turned to Sam. “There’s something very sinister about all of this. I don’t like it. I don’t like it at all.”
