Page 16 of Striker's Yield

“Autumn, quit lying to the both of us. I can see the damn lie in your eyes,” he growls, eyes flashing with annoyance.

“I’m not.”

“You are.” Striker pulls me out of my seat and straightens, wrapping his arms around my waist. “You’re scared shitless of what we’re starting, and I’m not about to let you run from it.” He slides his fingers up my spine and into my hair, tangling his fingers in the strands. “I’m stickin’ around until you’re free to head out. Then we’re going for a ride. After that, we’re going to my place, where we’re going to finish our conversation from last night and where you’re spending the night.”

“Excuse me?” I say on no more than a breath. There’s no way I can spend the night with this man. I wouldn’t be able to sleep. If I did manage it, I’d be taking the chance of nightmares.

“Mama, you are.” Striker uses the arm around my waist to give me a squeeze. At the same time, he tightens his grip on my hair and tugs my head back. I bite back a moan at how good it feels. “Don’t fight me on it ‘cause you won’t win. You’re at my place tonight. Sleeping in my bed. Not saying we’re doing anything other than talkin’, doesn’t mean we might not do some foolin’ around.”

“Striker,” I whisper, gripping his shirt in my hands, tightening to hold on or to shove away from him, I’m not sure which.

“Autumn,” he murmurs, staring at me, eyes getting that look just as they had right before he kissed me last night.

A knock at the door interrupts the moment, causing me to jump nearly out of my skin. I twist as much as Striker allowed as the door opened, and Athena popped her head inside.

“Sorry to interrupt, but there’s someone out here wanting to speak to you, Autumn,” she says, looking between Striker and me curiously and clearing her throat. “Says his name’s is Tony Decker.”

“Tony Decker?” I repeat, not sure if I heard her right or not.

“Yeah.” Athena nods.

What in the world would Tony be doing here? I haven’t seen him since we graduated high school. He was my boyfriend back then. We both agreed to end things when he left for the military. We stayed friends, though. He’d send emails sometimes, and I’d do the same.

Striker’s grip tightens and pulls me out of my thoughts.

“Let him know I’ll be right out,” I tell Athena and look to Striker to see he’s lost that look in his eyes that had me transfixed. The expression that takes over is darker. I could only put it down as a man completely pissed off.

Oh boy.

I swallow down my nerves.

“Um, you have to let me go,” I whisper, drawing my bottom lip between my teeth, unsure of what Striker will do or think.

“Who’s Tony Decker to you?”

I stare up at him, not just unsure of how to answer but uncertain as to how he’ll react. Seeing the expression on his face, I’m pretty sure he definitely won’t like the answer.

“He’s um, well, I, ugh . . .

“Autumn,” Striker growls.

I stiffen and decide it’s really none of his business. “You know it’s not really any of your business.”

I barely get the words out before I find myself pressed against the wall, Striker’s body pressing into mine.

“When it comes to you, Autumn, you’re mine business,” he bites out harshly. His eyes radiating the fury that’s pouring off him in waves.

Okay, telling him that was definitely the wrong decision.

Striker grips my hips and lifts until I’ve no choice but to wrap my legs around his waist and my arms around his neck to hold on. “Now, who the fuck is he to you?” he demands, his face in mine.

“He was my high school boyfriend. We broke it off and stayed friends. I haven’t seen him since he left for the military, but we’ve stayed connected through emails and texts,” I answer.

Slowly, Striker sets me down on my feet but keeps me pressed to the wall, one hand going back into my hair. He tugs my head back so we still have eye contact.

“We go out there, you do it with me. You do it knowing you’re my woman. He touches you, and I’m not gonna like it.”

I’m not sure if I should be mad with him or not with the way he’s acting all possessive, but my body has a mind of its own and is reacting in only one way. That being wanting things I’m sure I shouldn’t, though I’ve dreamed of since the first time I saw him.

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