Page 27 of Wicked and Ruthless

When she began digging her nails into her palms and pleading, Nash delved inside her again—and lost himself. Before he went under completely, he had one realization: when it came to Haisley, all bets were off. After the years of insane tension between them, the dam of primal desire had burst and swept them both away. There would be no sparing her the kind of searing, possessive bliss he intended to lavish on every lush inch of her body every chance he got.

As their passion ratcheted up to another feverish climax, Nash silently vowed that this night with Haisley wouldn’t be his last. He was staking his claim. He would be the only man plowing her sweet pussy and reaping the rewards of the soft heart she hid under her barbed-wire exterior.

From tonight on, Haisley would be his. He just had to convince her.

CHAPTER SIX

Present Day

Dreams both erotic and heartbreaking starring Haisley plagued Nash until he gave up on sleep. After a handful of hours, he vaulted out of bed, took his usual five-mile run and lifted weights before he grabbed a shower and a cup of coffee. Then he sat down in front of his computer.

Today began a new fucking year, and he’d be damned if he started it with regret. He’d get Haisley to speak to him again and tear down the barricades around her heart—no matter what he had to do. Thankfully, Matt had given him the means.

“Dude…” Ethan stumbled into the kitchen bleary-eyed. “What time did you get up?”

Most days he didn’t mind sharing a house with Ethan Garrison. His fellow operative could be loud. He didn’t always have a great filter, so he ran his mouth more than he should. But the kid was smart, and he had a good heart. Besides, someone had to watch out for him.

“Six. Just brewed a pot of coffee.”

Ethan sighed as he poured a cup. “If I was into dick, I’d marry you.”

“No, you wouldn’t, because I’d never say yes.”

“I can be persuasive.” He winked as he poured a dash of creamer into his java.

“I’ve seen.” Ethan got laid a lot. Must be the kid’s flash, tattoos, the bad-boy vibe, and snark.

“But you’re not my type.”

Nash scoffed. “Ditto in double for you, asshole. Your…date still here?”

“Yep. Out cold. When I was done with her, she rolled over with a happy sigh and hasn’t moved a muscle since.” As he crossed the room, he grinned like he was damn proud of himself. “Orgasm overload can do that. Hey, since Haisley seemed so pissed off last night, maybe you should take notes. I can’t believe you were stupid enough to flatten her against a wall and drunk kiss her.”

“Fuck off.”

“No, thanks. What’s your plan?” He bumped Nash’s shoulder. “You do have one, right?”

“I’ve been piecing a plan together all morning. I’m getting Haisley back.”

As Nash filled Ethan in, he clicked the link Matt had sent him. Since she’d said she couldn’t do “this” with him again…maybe she could do it when he was someone else. At the very least, maybe he’d get answers.

Using the name of his childhood dog, Jasper, he went through the approval process to join Crime Solvers International. Once in the group, he scanned various cases the members were trying to solve. Not surprisingly, there were subgroups working on infamous murders—Jack the Ripper, JFK, the Black Dahlia, JonBenét Ramsey, Tupac…all the usual suspects.

Other subgroups were hard at work on more recent murders and disappearances. He glanced through a few, happy to see that a couple of their theories had been proven true. One even led to an arrest and conviction in Florida. Good for them.

“Let me get this straight.” Ethan scowled. “She’s into solving cold cases with people online, and you’re going to connect with her again through a shared love of murder?”

“No.” Nash rolled his eyes as he found the handles of all the members and started scanning for a familiar redhead. Among a few thousand people, this could take a while. “I’m going to connect with Haisley through a common interest. Of course I’ll flirt with her, too. Let her get to know me again while I regain her trust.”

“By lying to her?” Ethan shook his head. “Dude, once she finds out you’ve been chatting her up using a pseudonym, she’s not going to appreciate the subterfuge any more than she’s going to welcome you invading her online space.”

“It’ll be fine.” Nash hoped.

“Youre funeral,” Ethan quipped.

“Okay, dipshit, if you were in my shoes, what would be your smooth move?”

Ethan tossed up his hands. “Off the top of my head? I don’t know, but it wouldn’t be lying to her.”

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