Page 7 of Hold On Through The Pain

“No. I swear, I’ll behave. I know you don’t know me, but I’m not going to try anything.”

Shannon closed her eyes, and pain slid across her features before she opened them and pinned him with a hard stare. Too much rode on this. He shouldn’t need her to stay, but he did. Though he’d just met her, he needed her in his life more than he needed air.

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Striker heldhis breath until she gave a fast nod. “Okay, but I don’t want to have sex.”

“No sex. You can take a shower. I have a large T-shirt that will probably come to your knees. I won’t hurt you. You have my word sworn on the lives of my dead brothers.”

Her eyes narrowed just before she nodded. “Okay, I believe you.”

Relief and excitement flowed through him. She would spend the night. But he’d promised no sex.Jesus, he was crazy. Just standing beside her gave him a bit of a rise.

The pharmacy had already closed for the night, so he would come out early in the morning and pick up his prescription.

A bubble of excitement lodged in his chest, staying in place all the way back to his hotel room. The room was small, cheap, nothing much to get excited about, but it would do. He let her shower, and then he washed quickly. When he came out of the bathroom, she was curled on her side, her hand tucked under the pillow with her hair spread out behind her.

For a long moment, he stood and watched. Bubbles of excitement raced up his spine, making everything tingle. He was a pervert for getting hard at the sight of her sleeping. That shirt he’d let her borrow would never be washed again.

Exhaustion hit hard, and he crawled into bed, falling asleep to the soft sounds of Shannon breathing beside him.

Waking to Shannon in bed with him was incredible. Her warmth twisted around him like a summer breeze, beckoning him to draw nearer. What would it be like to wake to her every day? Her sweet scent wrapped around him, making him hard as a rock.

He’d have to jack off later, maybe three or fourtimes today. Hell, he’d be jacking off to the mental image of her forever.

He moved his arm and pain raced up to his shoulder. It wasn’t too bad though. He’d be able to stand the pain today…maybe. He needed to take a Motrin and could grab some when he went out to pick up his prescription.

Shannon blinked, her eyes going wide as pink spread on her cheeks. Suddenly the warm thoughts he’d had about her flamed hot as embarrassment filled him.

“Sorry. You can use the bathroom first,” he said as he turned to stare at the ceiling.

She slid out from between the sheets and made her way to the bathroom, closing the door with a harsh click. His stomach twisted at being caught watching her. She was amazingly beautiful though, and it was hard not to stare.

He headed to the bathroom after she finished and brushed his teeth, then washed his face. He dressed in his jeans and shirt before he stepped out. He found her sitting on the bed, the covers pulled up to her chin. The bruise around her eye had turned darker. A new round of anger sparked.

Without a second thought, he moved to the bed and cupped her cheek before leaning in close. The puff of her breath on his skin made him tingle. He wanted this more than he’d wanted anyone before.Shannon brought happiness where he’d only felt sadness before.

She didn’t pull away, so he closed the distance, brushing his lips over hers. Soft like a rose petal, her lips invited even more kissing. He didn’t want to press too hard because of her split lip, but he needed her kisses.

He drew in a deep breath, drinking her in. Sweet as a flower, her scent wrapped around him like a vine, pulling him closer.

Lust burned hot. He needed to be careful with her. She wasn’t like the women he picked up at bars who wanted quick sex and nothing more. Shannon was special.

She leaned back and watched him in a quiet way that made his soul come alive. Shock pulsed through him when she reached out and touched his shoulder. Her fingers feathered over his collarbone, then down to his pec.

His heart thumped hard as he stared into her eyes. She was beautiful and amazing, and he only wanted to touch her, but he’d promised her he wouldn’t.

“I said I wouldn’t have sex with you. I can’t be the type of man to go back on my word.”

“What if I want you?”

Shannon’s question took his breath away. His cock twitched, and for a second, he feared he might just come in his pants.

“What if I want to touch you?” Shannon reached for the hem of his shirt and tugged it up. Her fingers grazed over his abs, then up to his pecs. He gasped as she tweaked his nipples. She leaned in, then lifted his shirt more before she licked over one nipple. Electricity shot through him. It was too much.

In one smooth motion, he rolled, pressing her to the mattress. Her mouth hung open with shock as her eyes went wide. She looked absolutely beautiful even though her skin had been marred by that asshole.

The twinge in his arm reminded him he’d been injured. So had she. That thought sobered him fast. He put a pause on his moves and stared into her eyes, trying not to lose his hold on the lust pumping through him.

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