Total pages in book: 34
Estimated words: 31942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 160(@200wpm)___ 128(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 31942 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 160(@200wpm)___ 128(@250wpm)___ 106(@300wpm)
Eighteen-year-old me tried to pour out her feelings right there in the elevator. I mean, he’d kissed me back. He’d pinned me against that elevator door and grinded his hardness into me. He was clearly into it.
But he’d laughed and said it was just a guy response, that any woman could provoke that reaction. You’re nothing special. You’re not good enough anyway.
I wouldn’t have believed him but the look on his face told me everything I needed to know. I was about as appealing to him as the idea of licking used kitty litter. Well, message heard loud and clear.
I haven’t seen Brody since that day. Sure, I know that he’s moved out to a ranch in Courage County. He’s running it with two of his Army buddies, Colt and Ryker. But the only reason I know this is because of Elliot. He always keeps me updated on what his friend is doing. Then he tells me the same thing each time, “If you’re ever in trouble and I’m not there, go to Brody. He’ll help you.”
I used to roll my eyes. Now I can only hope that Elliot was telling the truth every time he said that. Because if Brody can’t help me, I don’t know what I’ll do.
Brody
Another one bites the dust. The victorious feeling flows through my veins as I drive down the dirt road toward the ranch I share with Colt and Ryker. The three of us bought the place together after retiring from our service. We each live in separate residences, but we share the farm and the chores that come with it.
During the day, I’m learning to be a cowboy. I even have a horse now. Granted, the thing bucks me off at every turn while Colt and his wife laugh at me. But I’ll get this cowboy thing figured out.
At night, I’m a skilled hacker who can break through the world’s toughest encryption. With a skillset like mine, I could make millions mining data or stealing cryptocurrency from online thieves.
Instead, I spend my time going through forums where pedophiles trade pictures of kids. I gather the data and turn it over to my contacts at the FBI. A new ring went down today thanks to my sleuthing. Ten pedophiles across the country are being charged with sex crimes.
I hate the things I’m exposed to. But if I don’t fight this evil, who will? That’s why I work to uncover the real identities of these posters. Most of them are smart enough to use software to cover their tracks. They’re too stupid to realize that nothing is truly anonymous on the internet.
Hell, maybe if there’d been someone like me around, my mom wouldn’t have suffered the way she did. The thought stirs up all the old feelings that I try to keep shoved down. It’s getting harder since her funeral. I thought it’d be easier to let things go now. Forgive and forget, all that self-help bullshit.
Before I can get lost in memories of my troubled past, something on the road ahead catches my attention. It’s a blue Cadillac from the eighties that looks like it hasn’t had an oil change since the turn of the century. The front door is open, and the hazard lights are flashing. The driver’s seat is empty, and the hood is popped.
My gut tightens when I don’t recognize the car. It’s rare to get visitors out this far into Courage County. We’re a rural place as it is, and our ranch is definitely off the beaten path. Whoever is here clearly got turned around.
I pull my new Chevy, a retirement gift for myself, to the side of the road. Walking around to the car, the first thing I spot is a pair of shapely tan legs tucked under a miniskirt. It’s so short that I force myself to look away. What the hell is the matter with me? I’m here to offer assistance to the hot stranded motorist, not fuck her.
Clearing my throat, I watch as the petite figure hunches her shoulders. She spins around in a blur of brown ponytail then pins me with a gaze that steals my breath away.
For a second, I’m not here on a dirt road in Courage County. I’m back inside a steamy elevator, sliding my big hands around the curves of the only woman I’ve ever wanted. I’m pressing her back into the wall and feeling her wrap her legs around my waist. I’m grinding my hardness against her and moaning into the mouth of my best friend’s little sister.
Charlie’s shoulders relax and she lets out a soft sigh. “It’s just you.”
Why does she sound so relieved? Who did she think it was? How the hell is she even prettier than she was last time I saw her? A thousand questions all bubble up inside of my brain and I want to bark them all out at once. I settle for the most obvious one and try not to wince when my tone comes out too harsh. “What are you doing?”