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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.