Page 40 of Bound by Vengeance
Austyn’s body sags with exhaustion, telling me that she’s done, at least for now. I spread soft kisses up her body then latch on to her lips where there is zero hesitation this time.
She pulls away, her eyes half-mast. “Thank you.”
“Beautiful, any time you want it, you can have it.” I kiss her lips once more then pull her head to my chest.
Her breaths even out, and she falls asleep across me. That has to have been the best non-intercourse encounter I’ve ever had. Hell, it might just be the only one. But fuck me, it was beautiful.
Once I know she’s asleep, I ease out from under her, leave the room, and shower. I lather the soap, grip my cock, and remember her taste. It only takes moments before I’m exploding down the drain. The release is empty like many of the others I’ve had, but I know once I’m inside Austyn, it won’t be. Nothing will ever be the same again.
Drying off, I climb back into bed with Austyn, curl her up against me, and fall asleep.
MOVEMENT WAKES ME. Austyn is trying to slip out from under me. I wrap my arms around her waist and pull her back to the bed.
“Morning, beautiful. Where’re you runnin’ off to?” I kiss her ear.
The tenseness is back in her body, and I hate it.
“To get dressed.” She tugs at my arms, but I pull her back flat on the bed and look down at her. Worry lines appear around her eyes, and a hint of panic is inside them.
I kiss her softly on the lips. “I got you, Austyn. Promise you that.”
She heaves out a breath. “This can’t happen, Ryker. I’m sorry I asked you to do that last night. I shouldn’t have.”
“That was my pleasure, beautiful. And yes, it will happen … repeatedly.” As I move closer, her eyes dilate and her breathing comes quicker, telling me she’s turned on just as much as I am.
Her head falls to my shoulder, and her body relaxes. “I just can’t, Ryker.”
“Tell me why.” I keep my tone calm for her, not wanting to scare her away. It’s like she’s a rabbit. One little noise is going to make her burst out in a run. That isn’t an option.
“You don’t want to be with me.”
Leaning back, I lift her chin with my finger until she makes eye contact with me. “You let me be the judge of that.”
She shakes her head. “You don’t understand.”
“I understand you think you’re dirty. That you don’t deserve to be happy. Beautiful, I’m here to tell you that shit just isn’t true.”
She tries to move away, but I hold her steady. “You don’t get it.”
“I get that I’ll spend the rest of my fuckin’ life showin’ you how beautiful you are every damn day.”
She gasps then begins to thrash in my arms. “Let me go!” she screeches, and I do, only for her to jump out of bed and throw on her T-shirt, covering her sexy body. “This can’t happen, Ryker. It can’t. Not again.”
Austyn storms out of the bedroom, shutting the door behind her. I hear the shower turn on and know it’s going to be thirty minutes before she comes out. Fuck.
MY CELL RINGS as I sit on the couch. Austyn still hasn’t come out of her room, and it’s been over three hours. I look at the ID. Cooper Calling.
“Yeah?”
“Clubhouse, now.” He disconnects. Fuck, they must have something.
I move to Austyn’s door and knock. She doesn’t answer. I turn the handle, noting it’s locked.
“Austyn, we’re going to the clubhouse. Need you out here.”
The door swings open moments later, and the shield I’ve come to recognize is over her. Those walls are back up, strong and secure.
Not giving one fuck, I sweep her in my arms and kiss her hard. After last night, she’s not doing this shit. I’ll do whatever I have to do to keep them down.
