Page 86 of Striker

I don’t know why I’ve denied this attraction for so long. It’s not like I’d receive judgement from Reaper, or be less. I know I wouldn’t. Even in my head, I know that what I feel, this craving for him,them, isn’t something to be ashamed of.

I think, though, it’s my heart that I’m too scared to lose.

I’ve already lost someone who held parts of my heart, and the thought of risking it further was too much. If I gave my body to Viper, he’d own more of me than I was willing to share. Reaper already holds all my delicate parts. If I give too many away, I’ll have nothing left for myself.

The thought creates a sick feeling in my gut.

Isn’t that what we’re doing to her? Forcing Delilah to share pieces of herself with us until we own every acre of skin? Until her heart and mind are ours to use?

“Which one?” Reaper asks from behind me, snapping me back, the icy wind nearly carrying his voice away.

When I don’t turn around or answer, he steps up onto the ledge next to me. When he leans over, boots tipping on the edge, I resist the urge to pull him back as he peers at the rocks and crashing waves below.

Reaper leans back, his shoulder brushing mine, and stares out at the ocean with me for a while. “They’re being weird,” he says after a few minutes.

My eyes dart his way, my stomach hollowing out. “Weird?”

He smirks, gaze still floating over the sea. “Weirder than usual. Breaker looks irritated by Viper’s existence, but he usually does. Viper looks a little subdued, and you’re out here wallowing.”

“I’m not wallowing,” I snap.Maybe I am a little.

Reaper remains quiet, capturing his bottom lip in his teeth like it will hide his smirk.

Sometimes, I hate how good he is at reading people.

“Viper,” I say in defeat, looking down at my boots. There’s dirt scuffing the top, sending a rush of agitation through my chest.

Reaper shifts, turning to face me, but I grind my teeth, avoiding his penetrating, knowing eyes. “What did you do? Because he’s quiet for once, so you should do it again.”

Despite myself, I chuckle. “He’d probably let me.”

From the corner of my eye, I see his brows raise, that shit-eating grin shifting until it’s a little lopsided. Like he can’t even hide his delight. “How bad?”

I wince, letting out a huff of air. “I pinned him against the wall and fucked his mouth.” Saying it out loud makes it true, and it sounds brutal.

God, I’m an asshole.

He makes a half shocked, half knowing sound in his throat that sounds a lot like approval. “Serves him right.” Then after a heartbeat he asks, “Did he complain?”

“No.”

“Did he try to stop you?”

“No.”

Reap nods. “Did hewantyou to stop?”

I shoot him a look.

His lip curls with glee. “So you’re out here mentally flogging yourself because you face-fucked the man you’ve wanted for years? I didn’t think you had such a weak constitution, Strike.” Reaper grips the back of my neck, turning me to face him, and it feels like a reward. Being touched my him. It always has, considering he won’t let anyone touch him, and it feels so much likehishand on me. “It was bound to happen. I’m surprised it took you this long to face-fuck that crazy asshole intosubmission. He’s practically been begging for it with the way he’s been acting lately.”

He squeezes my neck and then his hand drops. Digging into his pocket, he pulls out his phone, then hands it to me. I unlock the screen with my thumbprint and read the text that’s already loaded. My hand falls to my side and I curse.

“Come on,” he says. “We have to discuss this with the others.”

***

“What the fuck do you mean, take her back?” Breaker yells, fists at his sides, his voice echoing around the empty room. He drops to the piano bench, laying his mask on his knee.

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