Page 16 of Curves and Courage

“Jesus,” I grunt, my voice strained as I try to hold on.

Stella’s hand cups my cheek and she pulls my eyes to hers. “Let go. I need to feel your cum inside me.”

“Fuck, Stella. You’re my forever. You know that?”

She nods, our mouths locking as I kiss her and let go. I fuck her harder, kissing my girl as she squeezes around me, pulling my orgasm from deep within. I release with one last, powerful thrust, my seed planting inside my girl, claiming her with hot ropes of my cum.

I fall to the bed, breathless.

Staring up at the ceiling, I know my entire world has just changed. I’ve fallen in love, and with that comes consequences. This is exactly what I’ve been so scared of, not because of who Stella is, but because of the man that I am.

I’m the wounded war hero. Except I’m anything but that.

That’s why I’m here.

That’s why they sent me away.

Stella doesn’t know the real reason I’ve been released from the military. She doesn’t know that the man she’s fallen for is the reason three men died. She isn’t aware of the evil spreading in my veins, the dark world that’s beyond the surface.

I can’t hurt Stella like I did those brave men. I’ll never hurt her.

And maybe that’s why this can’t go on.

Chapter Seven

Stella

Iwake up to the soft, warm light of the sunrise filtering through the curtains of the penthouse suite. This bed is huge, not to mention impossibly comfortable. There’s only a few days left of the cruise, and already I’m dreading going back to my dingy bed in LA.

I twist in the cool, silky sheets, stretching my sleepy muscles. My eyes slowly open wider, and that’s when I feel it.

Something is off. Something’s not right.

I roll over, reaching out for that familiar warmth of the man who’s turned my body into a wonderland of pleasure these past few days. I need his hard muscles, his tender touch and his racy words.

But my hand lands on an empty, cold space.

My heart sinks. I blink, trying to shake off the grogginess as I prop myself up on one elbow. The room is quiet, too quiet. I sit up, letting the sheet fall away from my naked body. There’s no sign of him. The room is empty.

A tight knot of worry clenches in my chest. I try to brush it off, after all, we have just spent the most wonderful night together. Everything was perfect, and I’ve never felt more connected to someone before.

He could have just stepped out for a moment. Maybe he’s gone to get breakfast. Or he could just be in the bathroom, and I’m worrying over nothing.

As I slide out of bed, all of my questions are answered. I spot a note on the counter next to a steaming cup of coffee and that sinking feeling grows in my belly.

My feet sink into the plush carpet as the scent of the steaming mug of coffee fills the air. It should be comforting – he’s clearly been thinking about me, and he’s left me a sweet something to show me that. Then I see a handwritten note right beside the mug, and I can’t get there quick enough to pick it up and see Samuel’s neat and precise handwriting.

Stella,

Taking the day to myself. Military ordered. I’ve booked a spa day for you and Freya at Infinity Day Spa. Be there at 11. Enjoy.

Samuel

The words are simple, almost too simple. Typical of the man I’m growing so fond of, the note is straight to the point. No fluff, no emotion. I read it a few times over, the heavy weight in my stomach growing each time.

Something gnaws at me, an uneasy feeling that I can’t quite shake.

He’s taking a day to himself. That’s all.

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