Chapter 16

16

Striker took her breath away when he tugged her into her hotel room and slammed the door. First, her shoes came off, then her jacket, and finally her dress. She tugged off her hose and pushed her panties to the floor. In seconds, she was on the bed, his lips on her as he worked her bra off.

Striker kissed his way down her body and was on his knees, his tongue diving between her slit, finding her bundle of nerves in no time. The invasion of his tongue stole her breath. When he sucked her in, she cried out, begging for more .

He was driving her crazy, taking her higher, drifting on a cloud of desire. He grabbed a condom, and she lifted her eyebrows.

“Do we need that?”

He stared at the package and shook his head. “I haven’t slept around, and before you, there weren’t many. I’ve been checked.”

“Same here.”

He tossed the condom to the floor. “I guess since you’re already pregnant you won’t get pregnant again.”

Laughter bubbled up. “Nope, that’s already happened.”

He chuckled as he dipped low and licked up her body to the underside of her breast. His tongue swirled around her nipple before he rose above her and stared down into her eyes. She expected him to lift her legs, but he lay down next to her and pulled her onto him.

She sat up, and he helped her get into position to ride him. Taking him at this angle made him feel larger. The sensations were deeper as he pumped in.

Being with him was all that mattered. Missing Striker had hurt and now he was here, in her bed, filling her with delicious heat.

The pressure increased as he lifted his hips and pumped into her. She threw her head back and he clasped onto her hips, pushing them to a demanding pace. She moved enough to stare down at him, loving his hungry gaze.

She hardly had to do any work since he used his strength to guide her. Her body spiraled tighter as he pumped up. Bliss washed through her, and her emotions rode high. This was spring and summer, the glory of warm sun, the beauty of a perfect flower garden all rolled into one.

She threw her head back, reveling in the sensation, getting lost in Striker. Nothing felt better. Striker wasn’t just good sex, striker was everything.

She was close to falling over the edge. Striker growled and flipped her, stretching out on top of her. He lifted her leg and plunged in. The grimace on his face was almost feral as he pounded in, the intensity growing. Everything before Striker washed away. Nothing mattered but this man, his beauty, and their connection.

Her orgasm took her breath, her sanity. She was lost to the power, riding out the experience and the beauty of it all. As she floated back to earth, she stared up at him, thinking that he was one of the most stunning men she’d ever met.

As she drew in air, filling her lungs after such an amazing experience, the doubt crept in. Her emotions were tied up over Striker. A part of her didn’t want to be lost to him, but she feared that every moment spent with him would tie her heart to his in a knot that would never be loosened. If he left again without her, those bonds would shatter, taking her heart with it. She wouldn’t survive.

When he came, he dropped down so his mouth was by her ear, his breath harsh on her neck. Heat swirled between them, and their bodies slid easily against each other as sweat dampened both of their skin.

He pulled out and dropped to the mattress beside her. They lay together for a long time, her mind spinning with fears and excitement. How had she fallen so fast for this man who didn’t even live in Charleston, heck, he didn’t even live in South Carolina.

What would having him with her for more than a week be like? He looked happy about the baby, but she knew of men who ran off as soon as reality hit.

He was nothing like her dad, and she didn’t think she’d ever have to worry about him hitting her. The Army would take his time, but they could get through that.

He started kissing her again, his touches reverent, almost like he worshiped her.

The sun had moved so it wasn’t shining on the window, and the room cooled. He pulled the covers over both of them, and at some point, they drifted off. She woke to him going down on her. Already sensitive from their lovemaking, she came fast. Then he was in her again, taking and giving .

Letting go of this man would be impossible. He had worked his way into her heart, revealing a world full of color and happiness. When he’d gone back to base, leaving her in Charleston, it had been hard to breathe. No question, they were supposed to be together.

“What are you thinking?” Striker asked.

She lifted her chin and stared into his eyes. “I want to go with you.”

“I want you with me. We’ll live together off base somewhere. It’ll take a few weeks for me to get everything settled, but we’ll figure it out.”

She rested her head on his shoulder, happy this would work out. But what about long-term? Would he stick around? Her stomach tightened and twisted. Luck hadn’t always been with her or other women in her life. Her mom had died four years ago. Shannon still wasn’t sure her mom committed suicide. The cops hadn’t been interested in her suspicions at the time, and she gave up the fight. Now more than ever, she suspected her dad.

Once she moved, she wouldn’t have to worry about her dad or where he was. She would be away from him and his influence. He would never find her, and she’d be happy with Striker. She turned her head and met his gaze. The love there convinced her she was right. Together, they’d take on the world.

Striker sat up and pulled her up too, his eyes taking in her naked torso, then her breasts before he met her gaze. “You’re beautiful. I’ve never met anyone I’ve ever wanted to be with like I want to be with you. I’ve fallen for you.”

She heated at his words. “I’ve fallen for you.”

“We’ll leave in the morning, and you’ll have to stay in a hotel like this, but we’ll find you an apartment soon.”

Was her luck really changing? She hoped so. She’d be happy with Striker. Her life was already better with him in it.

Gratitude overflowed and burst forth from her as tears fell. “Thank you.”

“No, love, thank you,” Striker said. “You’ve changed my life, made it better. I’m so happy I met you.”

He leaned in and brushed the sweetest kiss over her lips. She shivered, knowing she’d found her forever man. Striker would rock her world, take her higher, and leave her satisfied in all ways possible. She loved him like none other. With Striker, she finally had hope for a future. This man would be her everything.