Chapter Nineteen

Nash

N ash wasn’t sure how to address the elephant in the room—or rather the strained silence between them in his truck. He pulled into her apartment complex.

“I need to go to work,” Dolly said.

“I told Shelby you were taking the day off.”

“You had no right,” Dolly began, but then trailed off. “Is she going to fire me?”

“What? No.”

“But the morality clause…”

“She doesn’t give a shit about that. The morality clause is there for people who try to do illegal things in the rodeo’s name. Like our buddy Jackson Blevins. Can I come up?”

“Yeah,” Dolly said and got out of the truck. Once they were in the apartment, Dolly said, “Can I get you anything?”

“Just this.” He pulled her into his arms and kissed her. After a surprised moment, she hugged him tight and kissed him back. He would have loved to take this further, but he still had to tell her about Dr. Lance’s statement, which was now being reviewed by the UPRC board. It was only a matter of time before his own morality clause bit him on the ass and he was ousted, leaving Shelby as the sole CEO.

Reluctantly, he broke off the kiss.

“So I didn’t ruin things?” she asked.

He shook his head. “No.”

“I was going to tell you last night. Loretta and I had a long talk. I was just so afraid you’d think less of me. I can call Jefferson Laker and you can talk with him.”

“Who’s Jefferson Laker?”

“Finn’s father. He had hired me as an escort, but I couldn’t go through with the sex part.”

“I’m sure the last thing Jefferson wants to do is talk about hiring escorts with me.”

Dolly stifled a chuckle. “Yeah, I guess you’re right. But he can at least tell you I never went through with it. I never slept with anyone for money. He can vouch for me.”

“You don’t need to prove anything to me. The choices you made, the things you had to do to get where you are. I can only imagine the strength that took. The grit. I know you’ve worked your ass off to build yourself up from nothing. So don’t sell yourself short. You’ve been through a lot, and you did your best. That’s all anyone can ask for. You’re strong. Stronger than you realize. And I’m proud of you.”

“That means a lot.”

“Even if you had been a full-service escort, it doesn’t matter to me.” He tilted up her chin so she could look into his eyes.

“But you’re a rule guy and sleeping with people for money is illegal.”

“I know. But maybe I’m learning that if it doesn’t hurt someone else, it’s sometimes okay to break a rule. You being an escort only hurt you. And I hate that. But at the end of the day, you were doing what you thought was right and what you had to do. That’s none of my business, especially since it happened long before I met you.”

“So you’re really okay with this?”

Nash nodded. “I’m not okay that Jackson Blevins sent you that gift and got you upset.”

“I’m sorry I didn’t tell you.”

“I understand why you didn’t. But in the future…”

“You’ll be the first one I come to.”

“I’m going to hold you to that,” he said. “And now it’s my turn to tell you something about my past.”

“Were you a hooker too?”

He gave a half-laugh. “No.”

“Let’s sit down,” she said and sat next to him on the couch.

“Miles Garrett was my partner when we worked at the FBI. It ended badly between us.”

“Badly how?”

“Miles wasn’t following the rules. I reported him. More than once. He got his wrist slapped and then requested a transfer, which was granted. And I was encouraged to retire or get used to riding a desk.”

“That doesn’t seem fair,” she said.

“It wasn’t. So Miles and I have history and I’m having a hard time trusting him because of his past. I know the world isn’t black and white, but operating in the gray still seems wrong to me.”

“What’s he investigating? Is it Blevins? He can’t screw this up for us.”

“Forget Blevins for a moment. He’s a nonissue.”

“How can you say that?” she asked, staring at him incredulously.

“Because this is more important. You and I are more important. I’ve spent so much time trying to pin something on Blevins, I missed out on a lot of opportunities. Opportunities to be with you.” Nash stroked her hair. “I lost everything once because I couldn’t compromise. I don’t want to lose you too.”

“Fat chance that’s going to happen.” Dolly took a deep breath. “I think I love you.”

Nash wasn’t sure he’d heard that correctly. “What?”

She slugged him in the arm. “Your turn.” And then she looked more vulnerable than he ever wanted her to look.

“I’m falling in love with you too,” he said.

“So, what now?” Dolly asked, looking like she was holding her breath.

“Maybe it’s time we see where this goes,” he said, his gaze never leaving hers.

“It’s a relief, you know,” she said. “That you know my past and you’re okay with it. I’ve been so ashamed for so long, but maybe I can start forgiving myself.”

“There’s nothing to forgive.” His free hand came up to cup her cheek, thumb brushing the corner of her mouth. Rational thought fled. All that remained was sensation. Need.

Nash felt the world slow down as their lips met, a tender, unhurried kiss that seemed to promise a future beyond the chaos of their present. Dolly’s warmth seeped into him, grounding him even as his heart hammered in his chest. He lost himself in the taste of her, the softness of her lips against his, and the firm pressure of her body pressed to his. This was where he needed to be.

His tongue slipped past her lips, exploring with a hunger that mirrored his own longing. Dolly’s moans, muffled by their kiss, vibrated against his mouth. Her hands roamed over his muscular back, pulling him closer, urging him on. She arched her back, pressing her breasts against his hard chest, and their mouths collided in a desperate frenzy of need and desire.

Nash let his lips trail down her neck. Dolly’s fingers tangled in his hair, guiding him lower, a silent plea he was all too happy to answer.

“Nash,” she gasped, her voice raw with want.

He didn’t respond with words. Instead, he answered her with action. He pulled off her shirt and bra, and his mouth found her aching nipple, teasing it with his tongue. He sucked on the peak of her breast, feeling her quake beneath him. His hand roamed up her thigh, hiking up her skirt to find her panties already drenched with anticipation.

“I like how wet you are,” he murmured against her skin.

His fingers slipped inside her panties, brushing against her swollen folds. Dolly’s head fell back, her breath coming in short, ragged gasps as she clung to him.

“Right there,” she moaned, her voice trembling.

Nash grinned wickedly, dipping his head to tease her other nipple with the same intensity. Her moans grew louder, and he reveled in the way her body responded to his touch. “You’re perfect,” he said, his voice raw with sincerity.

“Nash, I can’t… I’m going to…” she panted.

He held her tighter, his fingers working her faster until she cried out his name, her body shuddering against his as her orgasm crashed over her. He soothed her with gentle kisses along her neck, holding her close as her tremors subsided.

“Shh, I got you,” he whispered, his voice a soothing balm to her still-quivering form.

Dolly fumbled with the buckle of his belt, her need for him as urgent as his own. Nash’s hands joined hers, quickly undoing the belt and tossing it aside. The sound of zippers and rustling fabric filled the air as they stripped off their clothes.

When they were finally naked, Dolly shivered, her eyes hungrily roaming over his body. Nash’s gaze mirrored hers, taking in every curve, every inch of her. He could see the desire in her eyes, matching his own.

“Like what you see?” he asked, a playful edge to his voice.

“I think I’d like it better if you were inside me,” she replied, her voice breathless.

“Your wish is my command.” With a heated grunt, Nash scooped her up and carried her to the bed, lowering them both until they were entangled together. The sensation of their slick, heated skin sliding together sent shivers down his spine, and he couldn’t stop himself from groaning in pleasure.

“God, Dolly,” he said, his voice a mix of awe and desire. “You’re gorgeous.”

He stroked her body, playing her like an instrument. As his fingers danced over her, Dolly teetered on the edge of delirium. He kissed down her body, his stubble grazing her inner thighs as he nuzzled between them. His tongue flicked and licked, bringing her to another orgasm with steady strokes around her clit.

“Are you ready for me, sweetheart?” Nash asked, his words a heated whisper.

“Please,” she begged. “I can’t take it anymore. I want you more than anything.”

He pinned her arms above her head and parted her legs with his thigh. Slowly, he eased inside her, the sensation drawing a blissful sigh from her. He held there for a moment, savoring the connection.

“Look at me,” he said, brushing light kisses over her eyelids. “I want to see you come apart.”

Dolly forced her eyes open, wrapping her legs around his waist. As they moved together, their passion cresting higher and higher, Nash lost himself in the torrent of sensation. He rocked into her faster, each thrust bringing them closer to the edge.

“More,” she whispered, her voice filled with delight and need.

He gave it to her, driving them both to the brink and beyond. With each deep thrust, Dolly’s past seemed to crumble away, leaving only the present, the intensity of their connection. She clung to him, nails digging into his back as wave after wave of pleasure cascaded over her.

Finally, as the last shudder of their climax subsided, they lay entwined, their breaths mingling. Nash brushed a stray tendril of hair from her cheek, his touch tender. He had a few moments of peaceful bliss and then she turned on her side and asked him, “What is Miles Garrett investigating?”

“First of all, Dr. Victor Lance wrote up a statement that Jackson Blevins threatened to kill him if he didn’t dope up bulls. He said that Blevins was using enforcers to beat people up if they didn’t do what he wanted.”

“Is that enough?” Dolly asked, leaning up on her elbow.

“We’ll find out. Shelby called an emergency board meeting.”

“We got him,” she said, squealing and hugging him.

“It looks like it.”

“What if it’s not enough?” she said, pulling back and biting her lip nervously.

“That’s where Miles’s investigation comes in. Hector Ortiz is an undercover agent. They think the Jaripeo Ranch is smuggling drugs into the States using the rodeo as a cover.” Frustration simmered through him. “I should be on this case, not sitting on my thumbs waiting for scraps of intel. If I was still active…” He trailed off, shaking his head. “It’s difficult, you know? Losing control over the investigation to Miles. Not being an agent anymore.”

She rubbed his arm. “He’s a bit of a prick. I’m glad you reported him.”

Nash gave a half-laugh. “Didn’t seem to harm his career any.”

“Does he think Blevins knows about it?”

“It’s Blevins’s stock contractor. And Miles just told me that they found traces of cocaine in Blevins’s office. I think it’s a good bet that Blevins is done for. Financially, though, it’s still a mess. Even if Shelby becomes the sole CEO, the rodeo’s taken a huge loss in profit. It’ll be a long climb back for the rodeo to get solvent and out of debt.”

“So even if Blevins gets kicked out, the rodeo still could go under? That’s not fair. Not at all.”

“Yeah,” Nash said quietly.

“That sucks.” Dolly sat up, her sheet falling to her waist. “I can fix this. I can work on more promotions.”

Nash yanked her back to the pillows. “This doesn’t all fall on you. You’re brilliant and you’re a valued asset to the company. But you can’t fix this alone and no one expects you to.”

She was silent for a few more blissful moments and he considered starting up round two, but just as he was about to roll on top of her, she said, “What if we brought an investor on board? Someone with deep pockets who cares about keeping the rodeo alive?”

“Do you have someone in mind?” he asked, resigned to the fact that once Dolly got started, there wasn’t any stopping her.

“Maybe Jefferson Laker.”