Nerdy Deeds: Talk Nerdy to Me, #3

By Ariel Storm

Quinn Whiteeagle, Nerdvana co-owner and burlesque performer, is falling for Jonah Stavropoulos, and that's a huge problem. Not just because Jonah's a customer and is developing the bar's app. There's something else about Jonah that makes a future with him a non-negotiable. It's his dominant nature.

When it comes to Quinn, Jonah can't help himself. He'll forgo his safety, put himself in harm's way, and make any sacrifice in order to have her in his life. Quinn resists his pursuit and that just makes him more determined to win her over.

After several dangerous encounters with a stalker, Quinn puts her pride and reservations aside and runs to Jonah's waiting arms. He offers Quinn a safe place to stay, but makes no qualms about wanting to give her more than just temporary safety and shelter. Every protective instinct he has is activated and Jonah will fight like hell to keep Quinn in his life and in his care forever.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Ariel Storm
• Release date: Mar 17, 2022
• ISBN: 9798201938055

Ariel Storm

A self-professed bookworm, Netflix junkie and all around story geek, Ariel Storm started writing as an adolescent and hasn’t looked back. In her late teens she picked up a paperback romance and was hooked. Her obsession with love stories stems from her desire to shine light and positivity into a negative, dark world. Although she’s held almost every job imaginable, from working in a restaurant, a call center and public libraries, ‘writer’ is her favorite job title, and one she feels blessed to have.

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Ariel Storm

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All characters appearing in this work are fictitious. Any resemblance to real persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental.

Copyright 2022 Ariel Storm

Nerdy Deeds

Quinn Whiteeagle, Nerdvana co-owner and burlesque performer, is falling for Jonah Stavropoulos, and that’s a huge problem. Not just because Jonah’s a customer and is developing the bar’s app. There’s something else about Jonah that makes a future with him a non-negotiable. It’s his dominant nature.

When it comes to Quinn, Jonah can’t help himself. He’ll forgo his safety, put himself in harm’s way, and make any sacrifice in order to have her in his life. Quinn resists his pursuit and that just makes him more determined to win her over.

After several dangerous encounters with a stalker, Quinn puts her pride and reservations aside and runs to Jonah’s waiting arms. He offers Quinn a safe place to stay, but makes no qualms about wanting to give her more than just temporary safety and shelter. Every protective instinct he has is activated and Jonah will fight like hell to keep Quinn in his life and in his care forever.

Listen to the Nerdy Deeds playlist on Spotify

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Find other books by Ariel Storm at authorarielstorm.com/books

CHAPTER ONE

Jonah

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When the opening strains of Wicked Games by The Weeknd started, I shifted in my seat. The woman on the stage moved her body in leisurely undulations in time to the slow, grinding beat. Quinn ran her hands down both sides of her body, letting her fingers skim the hemline of her black and silver dress. Her moves were deliberate, and they went along the lines of the song, full of raw emotion with a dark edge.

Her gaze connected with a few people sitting in the front row, and I was happy I’d taken a seat a few rows back and off to the side. I didn’t want her to know I was here. When Jamie, my favorite bartender at Cascade Falls’ geek-themed bar Nerdvana, had let it slip a few days ago that Quinn was a burlesque performer at Lettie’s Juke Joint, I knew I had to see her dance. I’d been flirting with Quinn for a couple months now. Or at least, I’d been trying to. She always regarded me seriously and shot me down.

But, watching her move on stage, I guess it made sense that her act was more angsty than playful. She unbuttoned her dress and slid it off one shoulder, then the other. The crowd let out hoots and whistles, myself included. Hell yeah. I wanted to see her take it off, obviously, but I was equally enraptured by the way she moved. She utterly commanded the stage, as if she were born to perform. The dress slid to the floor, but Quinn wrapped an arm around her breasts. My gaze roved over the slender waist and flare of her hips. When the lyrics of the song commanded to let me see you dance, she spun and rolled her body, tossing a sultry gaze over her shoulder at the audience.

God damn. Her silver thong glittered under the stage lights, and I imagined what the plump globes of her ass would feel like filling my palms. I shifted in my seat. Shit, I was hard as a rock. Quinn turned again and lifted her arms above her head, rolling her hips. Her glorious breasts were covered in black pasties with silver tassels that gleamed in the lights. With an almost unnatural grace, she lifted her hands, placing a tassel in each, and tugged lightly while biting into her red lip. She let go and dropped to her knees. Leaning backward, she shimmied her shoulders in time to the beat, causing the tassels to spin in a circle. Damn, I was hypnotized. The song ended and Quinn stilled her body throwing her arms above her head then rising to her knees. She gazed at a few people in the audience and took the bills they offered. As Quinn gathered her dress from the floor, she walked off to the right, which was the side of the stage where I sat. Shit, I hoped she wouldn’t walk toward me.

I watched as a man ambushed the edge of the stage. The guy was over six foot and massive, like he’d played linebacker in college. Quinn’s eyes grew large and I saw her mouth form a single word.

Lance.

So, she knew him? She didn’t look happy to see him here. He didn’t look happy either. His jaw was clenched and his fists were balled at his sides. What the fuck was this guy’s deal? I glanced at Lance’s mouth, reading his lips as he spoke to her.

I’ll be outside, in the alley. Meet me there in five. I’m tired of you brushing me off, Quinn. And for God’s sake, put some fucking clothes on, you look like a painted whore.

My blood surged. This asshole. Where the hell did he get off saying something like that to her? I glanced at Quinn. She looked crestfallen, her gaze downcast, she nodded. How weird. I’d observed Quinn a lot in the past two months, and I’d never witnessed a reaction like this. She always projected confidence and carried herself in a way that let people know she had teeth and she wasn’t afraid to bite. This version of Quinn was odd. There was no way I was letting her meet this asshole outside alone. She scurried off the stage and Lance stalked away. I risked a glance at him as he passed by my table. Fury was clearly written across his face. Damn, I didn’t like this. Not one bit. I ran my hands across my face and wondered how to handle the situation.

I got up and went into the bathroom and splashed water on my face. This was not how I thought this evening was going to play out. I thought I’d watch Quinn, and head home. Looking at myself in the mirror, I rolled my sleeves up and released a few breaths. It had been years since I’d confronted a bully, but I was well-versed in how they worked. This would be nothing new, but I’d never confronted someone who was obviously this crazy and abusive and so much larger than me. Still, there was no way I’d leave and let Quinn meet him alone. I walked out of the club, into the street. Turning, I walked around the back of the building and headed toward the dimly lit alley. Thanks to the slightly enclosed space, their voices carried, so I heard them before I saw them.

I can’t understand you. Why won’t you just leave with me? You don’t have any problem showing all of Cascade Falls your tits and ass but you won’t have anything to do with me? After our history together? You’re nothing but a worthless whore. I don’t even know why I bother with you.

Lance, please, just let me go... Quinn’s normally commanding, husky voice was barely more than a whisper.

I rounded the corner, finding them finally. Lance had his hand wrapped around Quinn’s upper arm, trying to pull her toward him. Her face was twisted in pain and she was wiggling, trying to escape his grasp. I had to act quickly or this was going to get dangerous.

Baby, there you are. I strolled straight up to Quinn and slung my arm over her shoulder. Despite the fact that I had to drag my gaze up several inches, I did my best to level the asshole with a menacing stare. Want to tell me why you’ve got your hands on her?

I could ask you the same. Who the fuck do you think you are? Know what, I don’t give a shit. Beat it, runt.

I didn’t let his insult phase me. Years of facing off with bullies came back to me. I remained cool and looked him right in the eye. Who am I? I’m her boyfriend.

Under my palm, I could feel Quinn stiffen her shoulders, briefly, but I leaned into her, willing her to play along with me. Lance, too, reacted to my declaration. He reeled a bit, I capitalized on it and moved my hand down and removed his hold on Quinn’s arm. I placed my hand on Quinn’s outer arm, where the jerk had squeezed her. Gliding my hand up and down in a soothing manner on the spot, I guided her away from Lance.

Come on, baby. It’s time for us to go. I infused my voice with all the intimacy and familiarity I wished were reality. Miraculously, she walked with me, no fighting. Damn, Quinn usually rebuffed me. She really must’ve wanted to get away from Lance as much as I wanted to get her away from him.

Quinn, come on. What the hell? This guy? I heard him call at our backs. His voice had lost most of its edge. Just like every other bully I’d ever encountered. Get up in their space and let them know you weren’t intimidated by their bullshit and they backed off.

I won’t let this go. You belong with me. You know it. His voice dripped with desperation.

Easy there, crazy pants, the lady might just swoon from that sweet talk, I muttered under my breath. Quinn let out a slight giggle. I turned to her and shot her a quick grin. Her expression sobered.

Look, Jonah, thanks for that. As soon as we’re on the sidewalk again, you can let go of me and we’ll go our separate ways.

Not a chance. I don’t know who he is. An ex? Some crazy, obsessed fan? Whatever, maybe it’s not my business who he is to you, but there’s no way in hell that I’m just walking away when he’s this close.

She sighed and her shoulders tensed under my grip. Fine, we’ll walk a couple blocks, then I’ll get an Uber from there so I can go home.

I’ll take you home.

I’m fine. I can Uber.

Don’t argue. I mean, I realize you like disagreeing with me, but can’t you just shelve that for once. After all, I did help you escape that crazy dude.

Are you going to keep bringing that up? She stopped, turned her neck and gazed up at me. Quinn tried to wriggle out of my hold. It felt too good to have my arm draped across her shoulders, it felt natural. I didn’t want to let go that easily.

No, let me keep my arm around you, just in case he’s behind us.

Fine. She let out a long sigh.

Where do you live? I’m taking you home, Quinn. Don’t argue. You won’t win.

God, you’re fucking bossy. Do you realize that? Her tone was sharp and I bit back a smile.

I’ve been told a time or two that I can be...domineering. Oh, if she only knew.

And yet you’re smiling. It’s not a compliment, you know?

I pulled my car keys from my pocket and used the keyless entry to unlock it. Glancing over my shoulder, I checked to make sure the crazy shit hadn’t followed us. I didn’t see him anywhere, so I opened the door to let Quinn into the passenger side.

Seriously? I can get another way home.

Just get in. I shot her an exasperated look.

Fine. She tossed her bag on the floorboard and flopped onto the seat. Her mood was that of a sullen teenager. I walked around to the driver’s side and seethed. Did she enjoy arguing with me, or did she just despise me? Thinking back to the odd, subservient way she interacted with Lance, I didn’t get it. I had to know what the hell was going on.

Why do you hate me so much?

Her eyes widened