Page 10 of Stryker
With my arms around his neck, I just held on, trying to hide my tears while appreciating him for being here to lean on. He just stood there, not moving a muscle, but I could hear the sound of his breathing and feel his heartbeat against the whole front of me. It was the most comforting sensation I’d ever experienced.
Suddenly, he shifted in my arms and I was clinging to the man instead. His arms slipped around me and held me upright and I quickly wiped my tears on my sleeve. I hoped he hadn’t noticed I was crying, or if he had noticed, I hoped he ignored it.
“About that shower,” I said with a thin laugh before inhaling the fiery hot scent of him. He filled my nose like cinnamon-flavored campfire smoke. But he didn’t let me go.
“Why are you doing this?” I asked. Why was he protecting me? He had nothing to gain from it.
His chest rumbled against my cheek as he answered. “Because it’s the right thing to do.”
6
Stryker
“So tell me about yourself.” She walked out into the living space with her hair all wrapped up in a towel. She’d scrubbed clean and her skin seemed almost pink. The soft scent of soap clung to her and I resisted the urge to lick my lips.
She’d put on some pajamas that were in the dresser and the full force of her curves hit me. Sure, she was on the slim side, but the subtle thrust of her hips and the delicate rounded shape of her breasts drew my attention in the most male way possible. I blinked and cleared my throat, refusing to look at her for a second while I gathered my self-control. I was here to protect her andthat was it.
“There’s not much to tell.” I shrugged.
She stopped moving and her eyes blazed into me. I glanced up in time to watch her drop into the seat beside me, her knees pointed my direction and disbelieving eyes on my face. “You’re a dragon. There’s plenty to tell. Are you born this way? How come no one knows about you? Are you the only one?”
I sighed. “We’re born this way. We are very private. I’m not the only one.”
Her eyes widened and she leaned closer.
“What?” I asked.
She gave a little shake of her head. “Just… wow.” She made a motion like her head was exploding. “Can you breathe fire?”
I shook my head. “No fire breathing. Not I, at least. There are variations of us, so I guess it is possible.”
“So you do have skills. What are they?” She planted her elbow on the back of the leather couch and rested her cheek on her palm, watching me all the while. This was steering into dangerous territory. It was customary never to share our traits even with our family and close friends.
“I’d rather not talk about it.” I shifted in my seat as she leaned closer and her scent washed over me. My body reacted to her presence with a sudden rush of heat and excitement that startled me.
Her expression shifted to one of embarrassment. “I’m sorry. I’m being rude. I’m just really curious.”
“I’m not offended.” I actually found her curiosity rather appealing. Instead of just accepting things or pretending there was nothing different about me, she’d actively worked to find answers for her most pressing questions.
Relief flooded her face. “So, um, are you going to watch me sleep?”
Her face went red as I studied her. I could smell her arousal and lust tightened my gut.
“Would you feel safer that way?”
She gulped in a deep breath. “What do you think the odds of someone finding us are?” Her eyes searched my face and I knew I wasn’t giving anything away.
“Very slim.” This location was my favorite of all the safe houses used by the brotherhood. However, I was the only one to prefer being out in the middle of nowhere like this, so there was little chance anyone else would stumble on us here. As for the thugs, there was zero chance they’d find her because only two people knew we were here. She and I.
“Then I’m sure it’s not necessary.” Her cheeks were still red, but her lips twitched before curving up at the corners. “So what should we do while we’re here?”
I studied her cherry red lips and the innocence in her eyes. What Iwantedto do with her and what Ishoulddo with her were very different things. Her delicious scent filled my nose and my mouth watered.
“We can do anything you like.” Why did that sound so much like innuendo?Fuck.
Her eyes widened and she glanced away. She cleared her throat, then unwound her hair from her towel before standing up and walking back to the bathroom. I watched her pert ass, thinking about the things I’d like to do to her. I couldn’t explain it, but I wanted this woman. I wanted herbadly.
She walked back into the room. “So you said there are more of you. And you protect people, I assume you’re a group of hired guns?” A grin crossed her lips as if she thought she sounded silly.
