Page 37 of Hold On Through The Pain

She lifted her chin and stared into his eyes. “I want to go with you.”

“I want you with me. We’ll live together off base somewhere. It’ll take a few weeks for me to get everything settled, but we’ll figure it out.”

She rested her head on his shoulder, happy this would work out. But what about long-term? Would he stick around? Her stomach tightened and twisted. Luck hadn’t always been with her or other women in her life. Her mom had died four years ago. Shannon still wasn’t sure her mom committed suicide. The cops hadn’t been interested in her suspicions at the time, and she gave up the fight. Now more than ever, she suspected her dad.

Once she moved, she wouldn’t have to worry about her dad or where he was. She would be away from him and his influence. He would never find her, and she’d be happy with Striker. She turned her head and met his gaze. The love there convinced her she was right. Together, they’d take on the world.

Striker sat up and pulled her up too, his eyestaking in her naked torso, then her breasts before he met her gaze. “You’re beautiful. I’ve never met anyone I’ve ever wanted to be with like I want to be with you. I’ve fallen for you.”

She heated at his words. “I’ve fallen for you.”

“We’ll leave in the morning, and you’ll have to stay in a hotel like this, but we’ll find you an apartment soon.”

Was her luck really changing? She hoped so. She’d be happy with Striker. Her life was already better with him in it.

Gratitude overflowed and burst forth from her as tears fell. “Thank you.”

“No, love, thank you,” Striker said. “You’ve changed my life, made it better. I’m so happy I met you.”

He leaned in and brushed the sweetest kiss over her lips. She shivered, knowing she’d found her forever man. Striker would rock her world, take her higher, and leave her satisfied in all ways possible. She loved him like none other. With Striker, she finally had hope for a future. This man would be her everything.

17

Striker pulledinto the hotel parking lot. He glanced over at Shannon, smiling at her sleeping form. They’d gotten a late start, and because of a storm, it had taken them seven hours to drive back to Columbus, Georgia. He was tired but happy to have her with him. She had no clue how much he loved her. Being with her calmed the beast inside. He could imagine a good future with her in his life.

She blinked open her eyes and sat up. Outside the vehicle the world passed them by. He thoughtthis place didn’t look too much different than outside Charleston.

“Sorry, I was just so tired.”

“I guess that’s going to be something you’ll have to get used to.”

She laughed and stretched before looking around. “Where are we?”

He winced and tried to sound positive. “It’s nothing fancy, but it’s close to base.”

She reached out and touched his arm. “Hey, it will be perfect.”

“I’d like to look for an apartment close by. That way it won’t take me long to get home after I get off work.”

She smiled and his heart sang. This woman had that kind of effect on him. He’d spent so long thinking life was pointless, and now he had someone special. His heart squeezed as hope grew.

“I can’t believe we’re living together,” Shannon said. “It’s amazing. I mean really, we’re in the same city. It’s surreal.”

He cupped the side of her face, and his thumb grazed over her cheek. “I feel like my future is set.”

Her brows pinched together. “Is that a good thing?”

“Yes, my love. It’s a wonderful, perfect thing, and I can’t wait to spend forever with you.”

She moved closer and brushed her lips over his. His heart squeezed, and emotions filled him. Withher here, he could relax. He hated that her father had been such a bastard. If he could get away with it, he’d go beat the shit out of the guy, but he didn’t need to end up in jail. Shannon needed him too much.

The next morning, he took her to a cellular store and got her onto his plan. She was thrilled to have a phone again. They searched for an apartment close to his work. She stopped into a couple of salons and filled out an application at one of them. He liked the place since it was decorated like it was upscale with rich browns and cream colors instead of looking cheap like another place they’d gone into. It was more like the type of place where Shannon would fit. This place was the best, like Shannon.

When he couldn’t put it off any longer, he pulled himself away from her. Leaving her was difficult. His heart ached and all he could think of was going back home to her. She was so close now, which made his life easier. He’d have to stay at the base for a few nights until he received permission to live elsewhere, but soon, he’d be living with her in their own apartment.

Shannon said she would work on finding a place for them to live. While he was at work, she texted him pictures and little notes. At the end of his workday he enjoyed reading about her day, seeing the photos she sent. He loved that she wasclose and wanted him in her life. Then she found a place she liked closer to his work. That made him smile. It was good for him, but that meant her commute would be longer if she got the job in the nicer salon.

A few days after he returned to work, he found out he was being allowed to move off base with her once they rented an apartment. Happiness seemed to be a part of daily life. They’d be able to live together.

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