Unleash the Passion

by Karen Kelley

  “Let me see,” Nash ordered.

  Damn, he was bossy. “I said they’re not that bad.”

  He quirked an eyebrow upward. I knew I had no choice except to show him my hands. I brought them from behind my back and opened them, palms up.

  His frown darkened.

  “They’ll be okay until we get back to town. I promise.”

  “Nope.” He called one of the medics over.

  The medic quickly cleaned my hands with water. They burned like hell. Then he applied a soothing salve and bandaged them.

  With everything loaded and my hands bandaged, we were ready to start back. We didn’t return the same way we came. Brad knew of a road not too far away. At least, he called it a road. I called it two ruts in the dirt, but he swore it would get us to a main road in a fraction of the time.

  Of course, I was seated right beside Nash. Every hole in the road bounced me against him. After the fourth time it happened, I couldn’t help myself, I groaned. My body hurt in places I didn’t know it could hurt. I protested when he pulled me onto his lap.

  “Shh, just relax. This will be a lot easier on you than bouncing all over the seat. Besides, you might be feisty as hell, but I’m still stronger, and you can’t win.”

  I was too tired to even try and move off his lap. He was right. His lap was a lot more comfortable than bouncing all over the seat. I rested my head against his chest, listening to the sound of his heartbeat. When the vehicle hit a major road and there were no more potholes, I didn’t attempt to move. I liked the way his arms wrapped around me. It just felt right.

  Chapter 15

  Nash

  I knew the moment she dozed off. I brushed my lips across the top of her head, careful not to wake her. I wasn’t sure why I cared so much. The group I took out was always a top priority for me, but I knew it was more than that with her. There was something about this woman that drew me closer to her. As if I had no choice. She was like a magnet, pulling me nearer and nearer.

  I frowned. She wasn’t even the type of woman I usually dated. Oh, she had all the outer qualifications. She was petite and sexy as hell. She was softness and curves. The kind of woman who would fit nicely against me.

  Yeah, that was why I was initially drawn to her, but she wasn’t at all like the women I dated. They were more...compliant. They also knew what they wanted. A good fuck. Most of the time they knew the score, and they knew there were no strings attached. We were both out for a good time, and we made sure we achieved our goal.

  Makenna was different. I wasn’t even sure why I liked her. Her temperament was the exact opposite of the women I dated. She was stubborn, and she was constantly challenging me. What the hell was all that about? Like climbing up the side of that damn mountain after I ordered her not to. She hadn’t listened to a word I’d said. My words went in one ear and out the other. When she’d nodded her agreement after I told her not to even attempt it, I thought we had an understanding. Apparently, I was the only one with the understanding. In fact, I planned to tell her exactly how I felt.

  She snuggled a little closer. I didn’t move, careful not to wake her. She sighed deeply, then began to breathe evenly once more.

  Tomorrow. I would confront her tomorrow and chew her up one side and down the other. I almost groaned at that thought. Oh yeah, I’d like to chew her. Fuck! Now I had another hard-on.

  “Looks like she’s done for,” Don commented, keeping his words low.

  Maybe concentrating on Don’s words would take my mind off wanting Makenna. “I still can’t believe she did what she did,” I said.

  “We definitely misjudged her.”

  Cody was driving, and Brad was sitting in the front seat on the passenger side. He swiveled around and looked back at us.

  “You mean she actually climbed up the side of that mountain without any gear?” he asked, keeping his voice low so as not to wake Makenna.

  “She sure did,” Don said sounding like a proud father, even though he wasn’t old enough to be Makenna’s father. “Didn’t listen to anyone. I don’t think I’ve met anyone more brave than her. She’s got serious grit.”

  “Or stupid,” I muttered.

  “When she told us, I figured it wasn’t very high and that she was with a group of amateurs out for a day hike.” He shook his head. “She tried to tell us you were experienced, but well, we didn’t really listen. I mean, look at her. I guess she proved all of us wrong. She’s damned gutsy.”

  “That she is,” I said.

  Brad cleared his throat. “Someone will have to come in and make a statement. I know everyone is tired, but it would really help. We need to find out who wanted to seal everyone up in the canyon. And if I were you, I’d be damned careful in case someone has a vendetta against one of you.”

  I didn’t like the thought of someone out to hurt anyone in our group, and if they were after Makenna, I’d send them straight to hell before I let them get near her.

  “Don, if you don’t mind, can you give a report? I’m going to take Makenna home with me.”

  Don raised his eyebrows in question.

  “If her ex-husband is out to settle a score, then I can protect her better if she’s at my house.”

  “You got it, boss.”

  Now all I had to do was convince Makenna that my house was the best place for her.

  Chapter 16

  Makenna

  “This is not my hotel.” I rubbed the sleep from my eyes. I must’ve dozed for a few minutes after we got inside Nash’s truck.

  “You’re right, it isn’t,” Nash said. “This is my cabin.”

  I sat a little straighter, looking around. Cabin? Really? I would not consider this a cabin. The damn place was huge. At least two stories. A mansion made of logs. The setting was stunning, though. It was nestled amidst tall pines and surrounded by mountains. It looked as if the covered porch wrapped around the house, so you would have a view anywhere you stood.

  “It doesn’t look like a cabin to me. Apparently being a guide must pay pretty well.”

  He shrugged. “Not great. It helps that I’m the boss. I’m a guide because I love taking experienced hikers to the backcountry. My brothers and I also own a few coffee shops.”

  “Are they all like you?”

  “For the most part.”

  For a moment, I imagined three more Hayes brothers running around in this world. I bet there were a bunch of broken hearts scattered all over Texas.

  His expression turned thoughtful. “We’re not that much alike. Maybe in looks we resemble each other, but we have different interests. Jaxson is the oldest, Ryder was next, then me. Layne’s the baby. Even though we’re not that much alike, we are always there for each other.” He pushed the button that would raise the garage door and as soon as we were inside, he lowered it.

  I turned in my seat. “Why did you bring me home with you? I’m not a puppy. I have a hotel room. That’s where all my things are.”

  “I can’t protect you if I’m here and you’re in a hotel room somewhere.”

  My eyebrows shot upward. “Excuse me? I would have thought by now you would realize I can take care of myself.” I didn’t need a man taking care of me. Most of the time, they usually got in my way. “If you don’t mind, I’d like to go back to my hotel room.”

  “Nope.” He pulled the keys out of the ignition, opened his door, and got out.

  Nope? What the hell did that mean? I got out of the vehicle, slamming the door behind me. “Nope? What the fuck do you mean, ‘nope’? This is kidnapping. I could have you arrested.”

  His expression turned thoughtful. “Yes, exactly what I said, yes.” He nodded. “And yes.”

  Maybe he was on drugs? “What the hell are you talking about?”

  “I was just answering your questions. “I meant exactly what I said, when I said nope I wouldn’t take you back to your hotel. And yes, you might technically say I was kidnapping you. And yes, you could have me arrested.” He turned and went inside the house as if
he expected me to follow.

  I crossed my arms in front of me. If he thought that I would trail after him like a faithful dog, then he was wrong. My brow creased. Actually, he hadn’t really given me a choice. I clamped my lips together and strode inside behind him.

  “I don’t know about you, but I’m starving,” he said over his shoulder, never slowing down.

  I shut the door behind me, glancing around. It was a small mudroom. I followed him to the next doorway. This one opened into a large kitchen. The cabin might look outdoorsy on the outside, but the inside had all the modern updates. The appliances were stainless steel and the counter tops granite.

  The freezer was on the lower half of the refrigerator. I watched as he leaned over and slid it open. Great view, I thought to myself. I rolled my eyes. I must be more tired than I thought. Then again, maybe not. The guy did have a great ass.

  He suddenly looked over his shoulder, then grinned.

  “What?” I asked.

  “You were checking out my ass, weren’t you?”

  “No I wasn’t.” I wasn’t about to admit he was right. “I’m starving. I barely ate anything at all today. In fact, half a protein bar. I’m hungry. I only wondered what you were getting out of your freezer.”

  He turned back around. “Nope, you were definitely checking out my ass. Is pizza okay?”

  I opened my mouth to refute his words once more, but then decided against it. He wouldn’t believe me anyway. “Supreme?”

  “Of course. Is there any other kind?”

  My mouth began to water. I could live on supreme pizzas.

  He turned the oven on, then got the pizza ready to put it in the oven. He returned to the refrigerator and opened the door.

  “Wine? Beer? Soda? Water?” he asked.

  “Bud Light?”

  “The only kind of beer worth drinking, in my opinion.” He took out two beers, popped the top, and then handed me one.

  I gingerly took the bottle. The palms of my hands were still sore, but the cold actually felt good, even through my bandages. I took a long drink. “This is delicious.” I suddenly felt really gross and in desperate need of a shower. Since I was stuck here, at least for the night, then he shouldn’t mind if I used one of his bathrooms to clean up. If he did, tough shit. I’d use one anyway.

  “I need a shower,” he suddenly said as if our thoughts were in sync.

  “Me, too.”

  His gaze drifted over me. “I don’t suppose you’d want to save water and share one?”

  “If you think you can get me drunk and have your way with me, then you’d better think again. I can drink you under the table any day of the week. I’ll take a shower by myself, if you don’t mind.”

  “You can’t blame a guy for trying.” He grinned.

  My heart did a little flip-flop. The guy had a devastating smile. I bet he used it on all the women. Well, I hated to tell him, but it wouldn’t work on me.

  Okay, maybe a little. I still wasn’t going to jump in the shower with him. I glanced at my clothes. That did raise another concern. “Do you have anything I can wear? I really don’t want to put these clothes back on.”

  “Follow me.”

  Since I still didn’t have a choice, and I did want to change out of these nasty clothes, I followed.

  He led me up the stairs and down a long hall, then opened the door at the end. His bedroom. He better not get any ideas. I had a beer bottle in my hand, and I could use it as a weapon if needed.

  Except he didn’t try anything. For just a second, I felt a twinge of disappointment. Which was stupid.

  My gaze skimmed over him. Maybe not that stupid. He was sexy as hell.

  He went to his closet and opened the door. “Just a minute and I’ll see if I can find you something to wear.” He disappeared inside. A few minutes later he came back out and handed me a pale blue, silk robe.

  I took it, studying it for a moment. “It doesn’t look like your color.”

  “It belonged to a...friend. She left it here.”

  You don’t think she’ll mind if I use it?”

  He gave me that sexy ass grin again. “I don’t think she’ll be back, or that she would mind.”

  “Okay then, thanks.”

  He continued to stand there.

  “The bathroom? Shower? Remember?” I reminded him.

  He stepped to the side, waving his arm. “Through that door,” he said.

  I quirked one eyebrow up. “That’s your bathroom.”

  “I’ll use the one in the guestroom.”

  No way was I going to let that happen. Now that we were back in civilization, I could think a lot clearer. I didn’t want to get involved in another relationship. It was too soon. Maybe in another few months I would feel differently. Just not now.

  “How about you use your shower, and I’ll use the one in the guestroom,” I told him. “I like that idea even better.” I was definitely not going to get comfortable in his bedroom.

  “If you insist, but I have a better shower. Lots of jets and an overhead rain thing.”

  It sounded tempting, but I would remain strong. “I do insist, and the guestroom shower will work just fine.”

  I followed him once more as he led me to the door next to his and opened it.

  “I still have a better shower for soothing aching muscles...”

  “No thank you.” I stepped past him, then turned back around and smiled. When he took a step toward me, I shut the door in his face. As I walked toward the door at the far end of the bedroom, I was shaking my head. Nash was way too full of himself.

  I smiled as I went inside the bathroom. But definitely hot. I would have to watch myself around him. I had a feeling he was a one-night-stand kind of guy. Not that I wanted a long-term relationship with anyone. Absolutely not! But yeah, a one-night-stand with him was tempting.

  I set my beer on the counter, turned on the water, then stripped out of my clothes. The bandages would have to go as well. I unrolled them, then examined my palms. They didn’t look that bad.

  By the time I stepped under the spray, the water was warm. Oh God, this was so nice. It felt as if I wore two or three pounds of dirt and dust. I stuck my head under the water, getting my hair wet.

  Nash was right when he said I would have everything I needed. On a shelf in the shower was shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. I carefully lathered my hair, then rinsed the soap out and massaged in a dollop of conditioner. It stung, but was so worth it to have my hair washed. The body wash smelled like peaches. I inhaled the aroma as I lathered my body. By the time I turned off the water and stepped out of the shower, I actually felt human again.

  And starving.

  The fluffy white towels were wonderfully soft. I dried off, then towel dried my hair. There was a brush on the counter so I dragged it through the tangles, getting them out. One of the disadvantage to having long hair. It could be a pain in the ass to deal with. My mother had always loved my long hair. She used to sit at her dressing table. We would talk for hours on end while she brushed my hair. I always felt if I cut my hair, I would lose that memory. I know, borderline crazy, but I didn’t care. I set the brush down, then pulled on the robe before bandaging my hands again.

  My stomach rumbled, calling out to be fed. I grabbed my beer, took a drink, then left the bathroom. As I neared the kitchen, I could hear Nash moving around. I stood at the doorway for a moment and watched him. He looked fresh and clean from the shower. He wore a pair of plaid red and black PJ bottoms and a white t-shirt.

  I watched as he bent over in front of the stove to check on the pizza. When he turned to grab a potholder, he noticed me in the doorway and grinned. I knew what he was thinking. “No, I was not checking out your ass. I was inhaling the aroma of the pizza.”

  His grin widened. I just shook my head.

  “Do you want me to do anything?” I asked as he pulled the pizza from the oven.

  “You can grab us a couple of more beers if you want.”

  I nodd
ed, then finished the last drink in mine before going to the refrigerator. I grabbed two more bottles of beer, but I couldn’t twist the damn lids off. My hands were still too sore.

  “Here, I’ll get that,” he said and took the beers away from me. He easily twisted off the tops before setting them back down on the counter. “If you want to take them to the living room, I’ll bring some pizza. I hardly ever eat in the kitchen at the table. Unless you want to.”

  “No, I rarely eat at the table either.” As I walked toward the other room I realized how much our tastes ran in the same direction. We never ate at the table, we both loved the outdoors, we preferred supreme pizzas, and Bud Light beer. Definitely weird.

  I found coasters to set our beers on, and put them on the coffee table in front of the sofa. That’s when I noticed he’d started a fire in the fireplace. Hmm. Alcohol and a glowing fire. All he needed was soft music to set a romantic atmosphere.

  Was he seducing me?

  He strolled into the living room carrying two plates with a slice of pizza on each, and a handful of napkins. He set the plates on the coffee table and picked up a remote. After he pushed a button, a moment passed before the room was filled with soft music.

  “It won’t work.”

  He sat near me on the sofa and picked up his plate. “What won’t work?”

  I waved my arm around the room. “Alcohol, a roaring fire, and romantic music. You’ve set quite the seduction scene, but I won’t fall for it.”

  He smiled that disarming smile again. “You think that’s what all this is?” He shook his head. “The alcohol is because I prefer beer with pizza. It just goes together. Nothing else will do. The roaring fire is because it was a little chilly. We’re higher up in the mountains, and it gets colder. And the music? I like music. Did you think I was trying to seduce you?”

  I could feel the warmth creep up my face, and it wasn’t from the fire. Had I misjudged him? I thought about it for a moment. Now, I wasn’t so sure. “You asked me to share your shower,” I reminded him.

  His grin only widened. “No, I asked if you would like to use my shower. I was going to use the guest shower.”