Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 75289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 75289 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 376(@200wpm)___ 301(@250wpm)___ 251(@300wpm)
Nicholas Stone is mine.
“Alright, ladies. Are you ready?” Bessy asks over the microphone.
A few of the girls squeal out their enthusiasm, but I can’t talk, I’m too focused. I’m in the fucking zone. The blonde directly to my right looks like my biggest threat, and I will take her down if I have to. But the brunette directly across from me, while she looks scrappy, I’m not willing to underestimate her. I bet she’s fast.
If I know anything about Nicholas Stone, it’s that he doesn’t settle for a consolation prize. There’s only one prize in his eyes, and I’m not about to make him wait any longer to claim what’s always belonged to him.
“GET YOUR FUCKING MAN!” Oxley hollers from the side, leaning over the boards that separate the wild animals from the masses.
Nick grins, and I can’t help but wonder if he appreciates Oxley’s encouragement, or if he just likes the sound of his cousin calling him my man. Not gonna lie, I like it too. More than he will ever know.
“On your marks,” Bessy’s voice booms through the cheap speakers. “Get set . . .”
There’s a long pause, letting the tension build throughout the arena, but if Bessy doesn’t say go in the next two seconds, I’m going to break all the rules and make a run for it before any of these bitches can even blink.
The arena is silent, everybody waiting on bated breath, Nick’s heavy stare locked on mine as a million silent messages pass between us.
“GO!”
The arena breaks into chaos as the lyrics to Big & Rich’s Save A Horse (Ride A Cowboy) blast through Blushing. Nick takes off at the speed of light as the nine other women break into a wild sprint, and realizing I’ve already wasted a second, I kick into gear and throw myself into the race.
The girls run after Nick like he’s their one shot at a Tiffany’s fifty percent off discount, claws out and ready to cut a bitch where needed. Two of the girls crash into each other and get into a scrappy catfight, and as Nick barrels past me, heading the opposite direction and effortlessly avoiding the chaos, I take a moment to take it all in.
They’re all coming for him from different directions, and suddenly, I don’t care about winning the race. Nick is already mine, and neither of us needs to be the fastest in a ring to prove that. What I suddenly care about are these women thinking they can treat Nick like a piece of meat, and just like that, my target shifts.
I aim for the blonde who cuts across the arena heading straight for Nick, and as she flies toward me with her focus on Nick’s toned back, my foot accidentally kicks out, and she goes down like a sack of potatoes, leaving only eight. Actually, make that six. The two in the catfight have taken themselves out.
A grin tears across my face, and as I glance back over my shoulder, looking for my next target, I catch Nick’s stare, and judging by the way he’s smirking at me with immense pride, he knows exactly what I’m doing.
I set my sights on the fiery redhead who seems to have a game plan of her own—catch him off guard. She slinks around the other side of the arena while the other five trail behind Nick. She plans to catch him head-on, hoping his attention is too focused on avoiding the women at his back.
She races toward him, mirroring his moves to always keep right in line with him, but that’s not going to happen. Not on my watch.
I cut through the arena, running up the center toward her as my heart pounds, but no longer from the thrill of the race. I’m just exhausted. This is more running than I’ve ever had to do in New York.
I’m going to need a good drink after this, and it better be strong.
My pace slows, and I try to push myself a little faster. Realizing she might just beat me to him before I get my shot at taking her out. I feel like I’m racing at a snail’s pace, but I ignore the way my lungs burn and push past it. Then just as she’s about to cross in front of me, I throw myself forward, tumbling over my own feet and skidding along the dirtied snow of the arena putting me right into her path.
Nick is only a few paces to my other side, probably having watched my spectacular downfall. I cry out in pain as my hip takes the brunt of my fall, but I have no time to even think about it as the redhead is on me.
It happens all too fast. Her eyes are locked on Nick, and she reaches out her hand, ready to grab him, but not getting the chance to adjust herself, she’s forced to try and leap over me, only her diamante studded cowgirl boots hit my shoulder and she tumbles over, face planting into the snow just as Nick sidesteps, quickly avoiding using her fallen body as a runway, leaving him no choice but to jump over me.