Page 119 of The Reluctant Hero

“You feel so good. Harder. Please, Gabe. Yes, like that.”

It’s a litany of instructions and praise that has his body shaking.

“Kuso.Mana,” he moans in my ear. The sound gives me the thrill of victory and sends me over the edge. My fingers tighten over his hard enough that my nails dig in.

“Totemo amai,” he gasps and pulls away to watch my face. I can’t help staring back as I whimper his name.

His teeth grit as he starts hammering inside me. The orgasm turns into lightning strikes of sensual agony. He’s hitting those nerves over and over so hard it’s sending shockwaves through me. It’s a mix of pain and pleasure that leaves me gasping for air. Sharp sounds come from my throat without form.

His eyes stare into mine until it feels like we’re melding together. His lids flutter shut, and a long moan stutters out, hisrhythm turning into a grinding pulse as if he can’t risk pulling out too far. I can feel his bruising length kick inside me.

“Gabe,” I choke out helplessly.

His eyes open slowly, his hips going still. He looks dazed, his pupils wide and so close they seem like they could swallow me up.

He blinks, clarity returning with a snap. He sees me and seems surprised. It’s like he’s waking up from a dream and finding out it was a nightmare.

A curl of shame starts inside me and brings a razor blade of pain with it.

His expression turns cold as he pulls away from me. For a second, I’m too stunned to let him go. Then I release him, dropping my thighs open and untangling my fingers from his. He doesn’t hesitate to get up and snag his pants from the floor.

He’s gone before I can think to say a word.

I lay there, too stunned for much, until his words from yesterday hit me.

“You are the best distraction.”

“Oh God,” I whisper and scramble to get dressed. I don’t care if someone shows up. I need to get out of here before the shame really hits. I can’t think of anything but hiding. Covering my body as best I can. He didn’t see much, but apparently, it was enough to have him running away as soon as he came. Either that or the fact that it wasmehe just had sex with. As if it’s something he can’t face if he’s not horny.

I’m on the elevator before I can blink and then running down the street to get home. I can feel the tears starting, but I can’t wipe them away.

25

I Would Die for You

Gabriel

I brace my hands on the sink, letting the water run with no idea why I turned on the taps. I can’t catch my breath. Not from the physical exertion. The emotional toll is another matter.

I’ve never felt a bond like that before. A total connection with another person is not what I bargained for when I started. It was supposed to be a physical release. A tension let go with a woman willing to take on my pathetic attempts to climb my way out of a depressive hole.

It was so much more than that.

A meeting of souls that I could have never seen coming.

To feel complete for the first time in my life. My other half, found in a loudmouthed woman who refuses to back down. Today marks the first anniversary that I felt at ease with the sorrow. Because ofher. And her need for what she calls petty vengeance.

How did she know that something as small as a highlighter would lead to an explosion? And then my shameful confession.

Her rage over my treatment soothed more inside me than I’ve ever felt. An innocent woman who’s never seen the violence we have was glad my Mother’s killers were dead. That they can’t come back to haunt me. She acted as if she wished Father was in a shallow grave somewhere.

I straighten, finally making use of the water to wash my hands. When I see my reflection, I pause to take myself in. I look changed somehow. There are still dark circles under my eyesfrom lack of sleep. I don’t look any different physically. It’s a light feeling deep inside. As if something rotten has been wiped clean so I can see clearly.

I need to get back. I left her alone out there without a word, and no woman is going to be happy about that. If I don’t hurry, the rest of them will come back, and my chance to make amends and have a real conversation with her will be lost.

With that in mind I straighten my clothes and go back into the office.

Everything is the same as it was this morning, but not at the same time. Now, instead of a minuscule desk set up to torment her, I see a joke between us. I need to replace it immediately.

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