by Pam Godwin
I lean against the window and spot a dozen men and women near the front door of the building, holding markers, glossy photos, movie posters, and other memorabilia. “They look harmless. I’ll be fine.”
Brushing a hand through my hair, I don’t look down at my workout clothes, which consists of a revealing sports bra and spandex shorts. I’m still not used to baring my scars in public, but day by day, it’s getting easier.
I step out onto the curb of one of the busiest streets in downtown Savannah and head toward my destination two blocks away. Hanging above the door where my fans gather is a huge sign in yellow and turquoise letters.
Fight4U
I grin at the memory of the day it was hung. Decker was so happy he looked like his face would break from smiling. He didn’t just open a self-defense school. He opened a nonprofit self-defense school for women. Fight4U runs on donations only. In fact, it started with an eye-watering donation made by Mrs. Adelaide Montague Fitzgerald.
He pays himself a measly salary, one he swears he can support us on should my career go to shit and I lose all my money. I wish he’d get his need to provide for me out of his head, but his male ego can be very narrow-minded. I love him for it.
When I reach the door, I pose for selfies and sign whatever is shoved in front of me.
“Thank you so much.” A teenage girl snaps a photo with me, grinning from ear to ear. “I’m so excited you’re going to Broadway. I’m already saving up so I can fly to New York to see your show.”
“Thank you.” I smile with her, sharing her excitement.
Stage acting is what separates the women from the girls. It’s one thing to stand around a studio doing take after take until I get the scene right. But to stay in character for two hours amid the best of the best in Broadway talent? It’s a scary, thrilling new adventure in my life. I’m ready to prove myself as an actress and add some hard-earned stage credits under my belt.
It also means Decker and I will be spending a lot of time in Manhattan. His Infidelity sponsor, Dr. Evan Daniels, was all too willing to give up his identity to host Laynee Somerset at his home during our visits. I met him and his boyfriend last month and felt at ease with them instantly. Evan is so blissfully happy and in love it glows on his face. I imagine that same look shines in my own eyes.
Twenty minutes later, the small crowd thins out. I catch Rachel out of the corner of my vision, where she watches over me a few feet away. She trains with Decker every week, as does the rest of my security team. I’d offer for her to join me now, but this is my time with him, and I’m extremely possessive of it.
He rents a small space of prime property in Savannah. A single room with no foyer. So when I slip inside, I do so quietly to avoid interrupting his class. I arrived early, hoping to watch him in action. But I lost time outside, and it looks like he’s just wrapping up.
Standing in front of an audience of twenty or so women, he recaps the session and assigns homework.
Workout shorts hang low on his hips. His sculpted pecs and biceps are so pumped up the spandex shirt looks painted on. Every ripple and dip in his torso can be traced by the eye. No wonder his class hasn’t noticed me leaning against the door. It’s impossible to look away from him.
When he opened the school a couple months ago, he said he’d bring in a lot of students simply because he’s Laynee Somerset’s boyfriend. But his association with me has nothing to do with the popularity of his classes. They’re here for him. He’s sexy as fuck and one helluva instructor. Every woman in this room will finish his tutelage with a wealth of skill and confidence.
“That’s all I have for you today.” His eyes shift unerringly to mine, and his lips part in a smile he reserves just for me.
One by one, the women turn their heads, following his gaze, and the room erupts in gasps and squeals.
I spend another twenty minutes standing in for more photos and signing random things, including body parts. Then, finally, I have him alone.
He locks the front door and strips off his shirt. “I missed you.”
We’ve only been separated for a couple hours, but… “I missed you more.”
After a few warm-up stretches, we circle each other on the mat.
“You’re officially mine.” I flex my fingers and roll my shoulders.
“I’ve always been yours. Are you wearing panties under those shorts?”
“No. I bought out the Infidelity agreement. We’re no longer legally bound to stay together.”
“Guess I’ll have to bind you to me in other ways.” He wings up a dark brow.
I narrow my eyes. “If that’s a proposal—”
He attacks. My feet lose purchase with the floor, and in the next breath, I’m pinned beneath his heavy-ass body.
“When I propose,” he breathes against my neck, “I’ll knock you off your feet without touching you.”
“Oh, well, that’s only if I say yes.”
He captures my mouth with his and kisses me until I forget what we were talking about.
Too soon, he leans back. “I sealed the deal with the Justice for Women Project.”
“No shit?” My heart skips, and I hook my arms and legs around him in a full-body hug. “You really did?”
“I did.”
The deal gives his school a wider reach. He raises money for Justice for Women, and they refer victims of abuse to him as part of their recovery. It’s a huge win-win for all parties involved, and he pulled it off in a matter of months.
I stare up at him, awe-struck. “Look at you, getting ahead in the world. What’s your secret?”
“You.”
“No way. I don’t get credit for any of this.”
“You inspire me.” He brushes an errant strand of hair from my face. “You inspired me to start a school for women. You inspire me to dream dreams. You inspire me to chase you until the end of time. You sweeten every effort and make every misstep an incentive to work harder.”
My chest fills with a soul-deep breath. “Decker…”
“I live for you, Laynee. For your smile.” He kisses my mouth. “For your body.” He nuzzles my cleavage.
I laugh, squirming beneath his nipping teeth. “You live for rigorous, mutually-pleasurable, savage sex.”
“With you.” He touches his forehead to mine. “You, among all, will always be my favorite incentive.”
ABOUT PAM GODWIN
New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author, Pam Godwin, lives in the Midwest with her husband, their two children, and a foulmouthed parrot. When she ran away, she traveled fourteen countries across five continents, attended three universities, and married the vocalist of her favorite rock band.
Java, tobacco, and dark romance novels are her favorite indulgences, and might be considered more unhealthy than her aversion to sleeping, eating meat, and dolls with blinking eyes.
Connect with Pam on-line:
https://pamgodwin.com/
www.amazon.com/Pam-Godwin/e/B00A3AF2LY
www.goodreads.com/author/show/6474204.Pam_Godwin
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OTHER BOOKS BY PAM GODWIN
DARK ROMANCE
DELIVER SERIES
Deliver #1
Vanquish #2
Disclaim #3
DARK PARANORMAL ROMANCE
TRILOGY OF EVE
Heart of Eve (FREE)
Dead of Eve #1
Blood of Eve #2
Dawn of Eve #3
STUDENT-TEACHER ROMANCE
Dark Notes
ROCK-STAR DARK ROMANCE
Beneath the Burn
ROMANTIC SUSPENSE
Dirty Ties
