Library

Chapter 17

17

Striker pulled into the hotel parking lot. He glanced over at Shannon, smiling at her sleeping form. They’d gotten a late start, and because of a storm, it had taken them seven hours to drive back to Columbus, Georgia. He was tired but happy to have her with him. She had no clue how much he loved her. Being with her calmed the beast inside. He could imagine a good future with her in his life.

She blinked open her eyes and sat up. Outside the vehicle the world passed them by. He thought this place didn’t look too much different than outside Charleston.

“Sorry, I was just so tired.”

“I guess that’s going to be something you’ll have to get used to.”

She laughed and stretched before looking around. “Where are we?”

He winced and tried to sound positive. “It’s nothing fancy, but it’s close to base.”

She reached out and touched his arm. “Hey, it will be perfect.”

“I’d like to look for an apartment close by. That way it won’t take me long to get home after I get off work.”

She smiled and his heart sang. This woman had that kind of effect on him. He’d spent so long thinking life was pointless, and now he had someone special. His heart squeezed as hope grew.

“I can’t believe we’re living together,” Shannon said. “It’s amazing. I mean really, we’re in the same city. It’s surreal.”

He cupped the side of her face, and his thumb grazed over her cheek. “I feel like my future is set.”

Her brows pinched together. “Is that a good thing?”

“Yes, my love. It’s a wonderful, perfect thing, and I can’t wait to spend forever with you.”

She moved closer and brushed her lips over his. His heart squeezed, and emotions filled him. With her here, he could relax. He hated that her father had been such a bastard. If he could get away with it, he’d go beat the shit out of the guy, but he didn’t need to end up in jail. Shannon needed him too much.

The next morning, he took her to a cellular store and got her onto his plan. She was thrilled to have a phone again. They searched for an apartment close to his work. She stopped into a couple of salons and filled out an application at one of them. He liked the place since it was decorated like it was upscale with rich browns and cream colors instead of looking cheap like another place they’d gone into. It was more like the type of place where Shannon would fit. This place was the best, like Shannon.

When he couldn’t put it off any longer, he pulled himself away from her. Leaving her was difficult. His heart ached and all he could think of was going back home to her. She was so close now, which made his life easier. He’d have to stay at the base for a few nights until he received permission to live elsewhere, but soon, he’d be living with her in their own apartment.

Shannon said she would work on finding a place for them to live. While he was at work, she texted him pictures and little notes. At the end of his workday he enjoyed reading about her day, seeing the photos she sent. He loved that she was close and wanted him in her life. Then she found a place she liked closer to his work. That made him smile. It was good for him, but that meant her commute would be longer if she got the job in the nicer salon.

A few days after he returned to work, he found out he was being allowed to move off base with her once they rented an apartment. Happiness seemed to be a part of daily life. They’d be able to live together.

Then the big day was there, and he moved in to the apartment with Shannon. His life couldn’t get any better. Everything fell into place. Living with Shannon was how his life was supposed to be.

Neither one of them had much, but they didn’t need a lot. They developed a pattern that fit them well. She cooked dinner and he cleaned up. At the three-week mark, he came home to a delicious scent coming from their apartment. He opened the door and was surprised the cheap table they’d picked up at Goodwill was already set, Shannon beaming from ear to ear.

“Hey, this looks nice,” he said as he unbuttoned his shirt.

“Well, dinner will be done in a few minutes. Go shower, and then we can celebrate.”

He stepped back, excitement filling him. “Celebrate? ”

The look in her eyes made him want to dance for joy. “Oh yeah, baby, celebrate.”

“You got the job, didn’t you?”

“Yes. I still have to take my exam in a week for the state board, but based on my grades, they know I’ll pass. I start next week learning the salon, then after I pass my boards and get my reciprocal license for Georgia, I’ll have a chair. One of the women who works there is moving to California. She’s leaving in six weeks, so this fits perfectly.”

He picked her up and swung her around. She laughed and shrieked, demanding to be put down. “I’m too big,” she squealed.

“Oh no, baby, you’re just right.”

She grunted. “I’ve gained ten pounds since getting pregnant.”

“You look great.” And she did. He liked her with the added weight. He liked her without it too, but her carrying his baby was such a huge thrill he didn’t care what her weight was as long as she was healthy.

He planted a kiss on her lips and moaned as his desire ramped up. The kitchen timer rang, and she pulled out of his arms. He groaned. “But I want to hold you.”

She chuckled as she pushed at his hands. “Go shower. Dinner is almost done.”

He watched, thinking he was the luckiest man in the world. “Sure, baby,” he said as she skipped into the kitchen.

He had everything he needed. The love of his life was happy, and so was he. Nothing would ever come between them. Before having Shannon in his life, he’d never understood how some guys thought their life was perfect with their woman, but now he did. Shannon made everything perfect.

A little voice in the back of his mind told him not to fall for the idyllic postcard moments, but he pushed it away, ignoring the twist of fear running through his veins. His unit was set to deploy in twelve weeks. He had time to tell her later. Right now, he would focus on her and their baby. Later, they could discuss deployment. Today was about her success. He was proud of her. No question, she was the best thing that had ever happened to him, and now, he would prove he was the best thing that had happened to her.

If you loved this story, read more about Whitney and Jackson in books 1 and 2 of the Dark Eagle series in Survive The Fall and Live Past The Edge. Look for the next book in the series, Endure The Darkness to read more about Striker and Shannon. For a paranormal twist, read Julia’s books under the JS Bright name .

If you plan to continue with this series, there’s an epilogue…but I suggest you stop here if you don’t like cliffhangers and don’t plan to continue.

Thank you for reading Hold On Through The Pain by Julia Bright!

Comments

0 Comments
Best Newest

Contents
Settings
  • T
  • T
  • T
  • T
Font

Welcome to FullEpub

Create or log into your account to access terrific novels and protect your data

Don’t Have an account?
Click above to create an account.

lf you continue, you are agreeing to the
Terms Of Use and Privacy Policy.