My iPad was in my lap, as I bumped my cell phone against my chin in pure agitation at not knowing how Stryker was. Did he win the fight? Was he left in pain? Was he being cared for? It drove me crazy not having any of the answers.
I’d asked Patrick about the fight, but he’d been evasive. It had felt like he’d patted the little woman on the head.
Grinding my teeth, I held both my iPad and cell as I moved out of the room to find my parents who I knew would be drinking coffee in the kitchen.
Creatures of habit.
They turned to me as I entered, a frown on both of their brows, and it was all the clue I needed to know that they’d been talking about me.
“Come sit,” my mom patted the chair beside her with a quick glance at Dad. It was as though she’d asked permission, except my father’s gaze stayed unwavering on me.
“I’m heading back soon, and I need to say something that I don’t think you’re going to like?” I dropped into the seat offered, my heart heavy.
I glanced between my parents, sighed, and admitted, “I’m not marrying Patrick.”
As expected, my mom gasped and grabbed hold of my father’s wrist, her eyes were wide. She opened her mouth as though to argue and then closed it, completely stunned by my confession. My father met my gaze as my eyes filled with tears. I was positive they’d be disappointed in me. All that money, all those months of planning. The problem it would cause having to send back gifts, phone guests and cancel all the arrangements. I hated myself a little for waiting so long and I was so worried that they would hate me too. My dad nodded, silently telling me to go ahead and explain.
My nerves jumped but I’d started so there was no reason why I couldn’t get through this. “I’ve tried to get Patrick alone all weekend to break it all off, but he’s been evasive. It’s as though he knows what I’m going to say, and doesn’t want to hear it. The thing is I know he doesn’t love me so I don’t know why he’d want to go ahead with the wedding.”
“Oh, honey.” Mom patted my hand. “I know what’s wrong with you.” She looked cheerful all of a sudden, which didn’t bode well. “You’re having pre-wedding jitters. That’s all it is. A case of cold feet but it will pass. I know it did for me. Go back to the city and carry on as normal and then we’ll see you on the weekend.” She hugged me and left the room, whistling of all things.
I turned to my father, bewildered. He wore a frown as his gaze followed my mother from the room. Almost wearily he turned back to me. “It’s more than pre-wedding jitters, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“You need to talk to Patrick as soon as you get back and tell him. I’ll talk to your mother and help her sort everything out. But today or tomorrow, Evie because we’ll need to put the announcement out as soon as he knows.”
I jumped up and wrapped my arms around my father’s neck, crying. “Thank you.”
He patted my shoulders in an awkward manner, which had me laughing out loud. As I pulled away, he looked puzzled at my sudden change in emotion. So I explained, “I was upset about disappointing you and Mom. I guess Mom still thinks the weddings going ahead until you’ve spoken to her, but it’s such a relief having told you.”
“I bet it is, honey. It’s Sunday today, so we’ll wait until tomorrow to start cancelling everything. We’ll start with the venues and our family but you need to tell Patrick so he isn’t suddenly surprised. Just call and let us know when you’ve spoken to him.”
“I will. Thank you.” I hugged him again, and grabbing my iPad and cell, headed to the front door where my bags waited.
I’d quickly get home, change, and head to the gym to find out what happened last night. I wasn’t sure if Stryker would be around the day after a fight, but at least I’d hopefully find out what had happened and how he was, even if I had to use research as an excuse.
Chapter 16 ~ Stryker
I HAD NOTHING BETTER to do on a Sunday afternoon so I headed to the gym and did what I knew best. Beating out my frustration with the bag. The only thing about last night that I was pissed about was leaving the hotel without the cell. Okay, maybe not the only thing because I hadn’t been able to stop wondering about my father. I’d wanted to talk to Evie about him, but, of course, no cell. I’d had it for hardly five minutes when I’d had to leave it hidden in the ceiling tiles. Stupid. At the time, it was the only place I could think of that wouldn’t be searched the minute I left the room.
Now though, I was back to square one with no way of contacting Evie. Even Carter had stayed out of my way since we came back, which I was glad about. I sensed that we’d established some sort of friendship, and with the mood that I was in, I didn’t want to damage something that I hadn’t had before because I liked it. I liked being able to talk to someone else who wasn’t involved with the men responsible for me.
Everything I’d ever had had been taken away from me so I only prayed that somehow, someway, I’d be able to keep hold of Evie, and my friendship with Carter.
Only time would tell.
Nearly every five minutes I’d been glancing at the clock wondering what Evie was doing. Wondering whom she was with. Hating the fact that she’d gone away with another man; a man I knew she was afraid of.
The more I let that rile me up, the more I pounded the bag in front of me. My muscles flexed, my hands clenched together tight in the gloves, and my feet danced around the bag…but, it wasn’t enough.
I wanted Patrick in front of me, but more than anything I wanted his father. At least from what Evie had said, I thought the ‘Irishman’ was his father. I’d have my minute of revenge one day. I lived for that.
But then she walked in and my concentration went straight to hell, so much so that the bag bounced back and banged into me. I caught it and leaned against it as though I was having a rest, and watched her.
The minute our eyes met, hers did a quick once over of me, and then a more leisurely one. A frown appeared on her brow as though she was worried about me.
She looked beautiful in her sandals and little summers dress. Her hair flowed in shiny locks down her back. There was a lot of leg on display, which made my mouth water. Beautiful. Sexy.
When she moved to walk toward me, Carter stepped in her way. Her frown deepened.
I knew that I couldn’t stay and watch her because if I did she’d be in my arms. The place that I needed her the most.
Turning, I headed toward the showers and kept my head down. There was only one way in and out of the locker room so it had become one of my favorite places.
No cameras.
My gloves came off at my locker; I tossed my sneakers, socks and shorts inside and grabbed a towel.
Naked as a jailbird, I stepped into the showers. Straightaway the hot stream of water beat down on me; soaking my hair, running down my body in rivulets, but my mind was still on Evie. Was she still in the gym? Would she stay and wait to talk to me? Ask me to meet her later?
She’d looked so lovely out there that the thought of having those long legs of hers wrapped around my waist while I sucked on her nipples had me rock hard and aching.
Growling, I dropped my forehead against the wall, my hands above my head. I looked down and hoped like hell that Carter wouldn’t follow me in here right now with how obscene my dick was. I needed to take care of this before I couldn’t walk out of here. I spread my legs, the throb in my balls and cock driving me insane. My breathing deepened and got stuck at the back of my throat as I felt a hand wrap around me.
My eyes snapped to the side and met the very naked Evie.
The other night hadn’t prepared me for seeing her completely naked, and knowing that it was her hand touching me sent shock waves of delight straight to my balls. I needed to come with a desperation I hadn’t known before. She changed hands, and slipped between the wall, and me. Her hand moved back and forth along my hard quivering flesh and when her lips suckled over a nipple, I came. Hard. I pulsed and jerked in her hand, but she didn’t stop. Her thumb rubbed over the slit,
and more release spilled onto her fingers. Her moan against my chest told me that she was just as affected as I was at our closeness. Her lips traveled to my other nipple and with the swipe of her tongue over the hard nub, I spilled again.
This woman brought me to my knees, and if she didn’t stop, she’d take me down to the floor on my ass.
Until now, I’d kept my hands and mouth to myself, but no more. I needed her on my palms. Up against me. Writhing on my cock. The latter was still fucking hard and in need.
I grabbed her up in my arms. “Wrap your legs around me.”
She did and I swear I saw stars when her pussy rubbed against me. So good.
I held her gaze and descended. Her taste on my lips drove me insane. Her hands in my hair, holding me in place, sent goose bumps down my spine, hardening my dick to bursting. The deeper I delved in her mouth the quicker my release approached. This time I wasn’t going to come on either of us, but I planned on coming inside her, and when the tip of my dick entered her, my legs quivered. My dick entered another inch, my eyes nearly crossed with the feel of her heat. Her wetness surrounded me as she tried to pull me deeper.
“Jake, please,” she whispered.
My name on her lips was my undoing, and I found myself fully seated inside her. I froze and held her against me while I tried to breathe, except all sensation was centered to where we joined and I couldn’t catch my breath.
The hard buds of her nipples pressed against my chest and her inner muscles contracted around my shaft, bringing me close to orgasm.
“I’m on the pill, Jake.” She wiggled, and when my hands held her bottom, her eyes darkened. “Make love to me. Slide in and out of me slowly.”
I buried my face in her neck as her hands gripped my head. I prayed for strength because the first time at being inside of a woman felt so fucking amazing that I wasn’t sure I’d be able to last to even pull out once.
But, above everything else, I wanted to make our first time together good for Evie. I wanted her to know how much she meant to me regardless of the fear that rode me when I realized that she was in my heart.
I could do this.
I could.
Slowly moving my hips, I slipped to her opening and then just as slowly slipped back inside. I did that over and over again, my jaw clenched and my muscles tensed with the effort of holding back.
“Oh,” Evie gasped, and moaned, her hands clenched. “Don’t stop.”
I raised my head and held her gaze as I watched her climax on my cock. Her eyes fluttered, and her channel quivered around my flesh. While she whimpered in pleasure, I followed her into completion, groaning, “Evangeline.” I jerked and filled her up with my release, her body still pulsed against mine as my legs trembled, struggling to hold us both up against the wall.
One more taste, though.
As my body started to relax, I leaned forward and, just before I captured her lips with mine, she whispered, “Jake.”
Our kiss was slow and tender, and full of love. I only had to look into her eyes to know that she felt the same as I did. At least, I hoped it wasn’t the sex that put that look on her face.
Slowly lifting her off me, I let her legs drop from around my waist and saw her frown at my frown. She cupped my jaw in the palm of her hand. “I love you, Jake. Only you.” She smiled and everything righted itself.
With a cheeky smirk on her face, she turned to face the wall in front of me, spread her legs, and her arms over her head on the wall. “I need washing.”
I gulped and looked down at my body which should be sated, but I found it was on the rise again as I looked at her in that position.
She looked over her shoulder and winked, her ass wiggled.
Groaning, I soaped my hands and caressed the cheeks of her bottom. The globes were firm and as I moved up to her gorgeous breasts, my cock wedged between her ass cheeks. She moaned when my thumbs rubbed over her nipples as my hips twitched.
“You need to hurry it up in there,” Carter shouted, breaking into the heat that surrounded us. “I’m not sure how long before someone comes down here.” Silence followed and then he laughed. “Just hurry.”
I grinned. “Someone certainly has come down here.” Kissing her neck, I continued, “One day I’m going to take you like this. Spill all over your ass or these.” I fisted her glorious breasts, not wanting to let her go, but I knew that Carter was right. I kissed her neck again. “We need to get dressed.”
“Um, I know. I wish we could stay together all day. All night. Just like this but at Millie’s place, or yours.” She turned and kissed my chest. “Let’s dry and dress, and then we really need to talk.” She grabbed a towel and quickly dried herself while my eyes ate her up. Her curves were made for my hands, and as I watched her fasten her bra, I smiled because her breasts were certainly made for my hands.
She caught my gaze and rolled her eyes. “Stryker.” Her blush coated along her cheekbones, but the small smile on her lips had my heart turning over with the feelings inside of me for my Evie.
Evie
STRYKER HAD TURNED ALL the showers on, and then beckoned Carter and me to follow him just inside. Not enough to get wet, but enough so we wouldn’t be heard. Neither of them thought the room was bugged, but he didn’t want to take any chances. Some explaining was about to happen and I was more than curious. For one, I wanted to know why they thought that the locker room would be bugged?
I stood beside Carter while Stryker paced back and forth, his hands tugging at his wet hair. When he finally stopped in front of us, my heart broke for him. His face showed his tiredness, but also, longing and despair.
What had happened to him?
“Stryker?” I stepped toward him and he took a step back. I tried not to be hurt by his action, but I hurt anyway.
He looked torn as he closed the gap and cupped my face in his hands. “I’m sorry, Evangeline.” His forehead dropped to mine. “I’ve been alone since I was fourteen, which wasn’t by choice.” He laughed without mirth.
I wrapped my fingers around his wrists and held on. “What happened to you?” The concern on my face appeared to be too much for him to handle so he pulled me into his arms and held me snug against his chest.
“Peter, my father, had a large debt to someone known as the ‘Irishman’ and I ended up becoming the repayment.” I quivered against him and watched as Carter’s brows rose to his hairline, when Stryker continued, “My father gave me to them and got his debt wiped clean providing he stayed away from the arena. He left me to them. For ten years, all I’ve known is this life. I can’t do anything without them knowing about it. I can’t leave because I know if I do, they’ll go after someone else. I can’t be responsible for that, knowing what happens.”
He cupped my chin, and tugged my face up to meet his searching gaze. “But Evie, I’m terrified that they’ll hurt you if they know about us, but I can’t let you go.”
I reached up and placed a sweet kiss to his lips before wrapping my arms around his neck. “I love you,” I whispered as his arms held me tight.
“How the hell do I get out of this life Carter?”
Carter had stayed silent and looked deep in thought. “Do you have any money to buy yourself out?”
Stryker shook his head.
“That would have been a long shot anyway because I don’t think they’d allow that as you make far too much money for them to willingly let you go. There has to be someway without anyone getting hurt…all this time, Stryker?” Carter shook his head. “I can’t get my head around this, but I will help you.”
“I never wanted to involve anyone and, until Evie stepped into my life, I wasn’t happy but I wasn’t so torn either. No matter what happens Carter, I want you to make sure Evie is okay. I can’t always be with her, but you can.”
“Don’t worry I have her back…and yours. Just don’t go and do something stupid.”
“I could go to my father for help. He’s a state senator so he’ll know people who can help because it’
s illegal what they did to you. What they’re still doing.”
“No.” Stryker growled and it pissed me off so I pushed away from him.
“Don’t you dare say no to me.” I poked him in the chest. “I can help, and I want to. I love you, you big idiot, and if it means we get to be together in the end, then that’s all that matters, right?”
Before he could answer, the outer door started to open. Stryker grabbed my hand and shoved me behind him as Carter moved in beside him.
“Friends stand together,” Carter hissed at the surprise on Stryker’s face.
Tears ran down my face as it really did hit me that he’d never had anyone to be on his side. No one to hold him when he hurt so badly. No one to be his friend and stand by him like Carter did now.
“Well, what do we have here?”
Patrick!
Stryker’s hands flexed on my hips and my forehead dropped to rest against his back. I’m a coward for hiding behind him because Patrick would see me. There wasn’t anyway that he wouldn’t, especially when I watched around Stryker’s arm.
“Carter, you need to leave,” Patrick’s voice hardened while he glared at Stryker, but the fighter refused to budge.
A tick started at the side of Patrick’s mouth, which told me he was about to lose his patience. The two other men with him were large, and strangers. I had no idea what Patrick had become, but I knew it was someone I hated.
“Little Evie, you might as well come out of hiding and face the music.”
Stryker’s grip went hard, but I managed to slip out and stand between him and Carter.
“I’m actually curious, Evie, as to why you asked your parents’ to cancel the wedding without telling me first.” He raised a brow and my temper rose.
“You’ve avoided me and made sure there was always someone else around. I had no chance to tell you.”
“Hmm.”
Stryker wrapped his arm around my shoulders and tugged me against him. Patrick’s eyes followed the movement, his jaw clamped tightly together.
Stryker Page 14
