Page 18 of Hold On Through The Pain

He shrugged. “I had to phone in and tell him the day after it happened. He was pissed until I explained the situation.”

“What exactly did you tell him?”

“That a guy had beat up a woman and I stepped in. When I told him two guys had joined in the fight, he asked why no one else stepped in.”

“So what did he say about it all.”

“Told me to be careful. Wants me to keep a low profile. I’ve been checking in with him every day.”

“So are you going to be in trouble?”

“Trouble, no. I’ll probably have to attend some BS training. They might tell me how to stay safe and de-escalate a situation instead of fighting, but no, I’m not in trouble.”

Worry filled her. She placed her hand on Striker’s chest. “I don’t want to cause you any problems.”

“You didn’t. When I told him about your busted eye and lip, he congratulated me on taking them down. Officially he couldn’t, but privately he said he understood why I’d stood up for you.”

She was about to say more when Striker leaned in and kissed her, blanking her mind. She was lost in a haze of passion in minutes. He knew exactly how to touch her to bring her pleasure. He undressed her slowly, kissing his way lower, paying attention to each breast, loving on her like she was the most precious person in existence.

When he licked over her pussy, she cried out with pleasure. He took her higher and higher, twisting her up in need she hadn’t realized she had. She came hard, and he moved fast, rolling on a condom before sliding in.

Her gasps filled the room and mixed with his moans. He moved slowly, not rushing her secondorgasm. This was pure bliss, and she enjoyed every second being with him.

“Tell me, Shannon, are you mine?” Striker asked as he slid in and ground against her.

She gasped, then moaned at the motion. “Yes.”

He growled and then lowered, sucking on her neck, surely leaving a mark. Heat expanded through her, and she threw back her head. He took advantage of her position and licked up her neck. He knew exactly what she needed when she needed it.

The passion between them built, and then he pulled almost all the way out before slamming in. His moves took her breath away. She cried out as he pounded in, taking her closer to the edge of reason.

His lips were by her ear, his breath hot on her neck as he grunted and plunged in, holding her tight. His muscles jerked, and he came. His orgasm set her off, leaving her breathless.

After he pulled out, she lay wrapped in his arms, dreaming of them being together. Somehow, they had to last. If she never saw him again, the stars would dim, the sun wouldn’t be as bright, and she knew the wind wouldn’t feel as sweet.

The last thing in the world she wanted was to wake up in the morning and find him gone. He said he would stick around until eleven, but he’d have to head out before noon. That made her sad.

She fought sleep as long as she could but eventually drifted off. When she cracked her eyes open, the sun streamed in. Striker stepped close and smiled down at her.

“You’re awake?” she mumbled as she stretched.

“Yeah, I got up early and packed. You slept hard.”

“Oh.” She stared around at his bags, and sadness started an ache inside her she didn’t think she’d ever get over. Her heart kick-started, and she sat up. He had to leave, just like she had to stay.

“I have coffee,” Striker said.

“Thank you.” She hopped out of bed and headed to the bathroom, wanting to rush through getting ready just so she could spend more time with him.

After using the restroom and brushing her teeth, she stepped out into the main room, shocked that his bags were already gone. The twisting knife of pain to her heart made her knees shake.

Her gaze met his as desperation filled her. “You’re really leaving.”

“I have to.”

She reached out, and he took her hand. She would miss little things like this. He was the only man she’d ever met who made her feel like life had meaning. Before Striker, she’d been adrift, now she knew what she was living for.

Her sadness grew, and she had to fight the urgeto cry. She wanted to pull him close and never let go. “I know you have to go, but I didn’t want this day to come.”

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