Page 21 of Stryker

Every spam within me snapped so tight I gasped and gulped into breath after breath, struggling not to pass out in his arms. His hands found my hips, his fingertips digging in so hard I wondered if there would be bruises there tomorrow. Not that I minded.

He pressed his forehead to mine, and I tilted my head. Our lips met, then our tongues and his hands pressed my hips down hard as he thrust up into me. A cry broke out of my throat and he swallowed the sound.

Heat filled my belly and goose bumps broke out all up and down my arms, across my chest and down my back. My motions slowed to a halt and I suddenly realized how sore my muscles were. I leaned into him and he braced back with one hand behind him on the bed, leaving us both in a mostly-upright position.

“That was incredible,” I whispered.

“You’reincredible.”

My lips curved into a pleased smile. “Thank you.”

He kissed me again, then shifted. I lifted a bit and he stood up and walked out of the room as I collapsed on his bed and stared up at the ceiling.

Things were looking up for me. My parents were safe. My mom was better. And happy. My dad still loved me after I’d been cruel.

But things had changed, too. I was falling hard and fast for a freakingdragon. A dragon that had been kind to me for no reason other than that he’s a good guy. A dragon that had let me feel, that hadn’t made a big deal of my stupid innocence.

Something creaked and I glanced up to find him leaning on the doorframe, looking at me with a smile on his handsome face.

“I was a virgin,” I said, wanting to answer the question he’d asked. “Because I didn’t have time for a relationship.” There. Answered. I sat up, pulling the blanket up around myself in a sudden need for some sense of modesty.

His eyes narrowed. “I like looking at you.”

Every drop of saliva in my mouth dried up and I let the blanket slip down into a puddle around me. I wanted him to look at me.

12

Stryker

The air around us changed; like that feeling when a thunderstorm is coming. Air pressure rises, the temperature drops, and the crackle of static in the air is enough to make the hairs on my arms stand up.

Our time was up. Fuck.

“I need you to get dressed.”

Hurt exploded in her eyes and she pulled the blanket up around her sexy, naked body. Fuck, I’d just had her and I wanted her again. Her wide eyes locked on me and she bit down on her lower lip as if to keep from crying.

“Stay in here.” I needed to know she’d be safe as the air closed in and tightened every inch of my skin. “Tell me you’ll stay in and stay safe.”

Panic filled her expression and I knew I was out of time. I turned and closed the door behind myself. Breaking into a quick jog, I rushed toward the front door.

“Yo, what you doing here?” I tried to keep calm while Draco circled. His opalescent blue hide popped into existence and he quickly landed. He shifted, his blue eyes narrowing on me.

“What areyoudoing here?” He sounded suspicious and he tilted his head slightly. “Who’s in the house?”

Fuck, fuck, fuck.

“You figured something out.” The scent of victory clung to him and stung my nose. He seemed to forget himself for a moment and hi expression cleared.

“Yes. We just missed her. She literally passed right under our noses.” His eyes darted past me and he squared his shoulders and pumped out his arms at his sides as if he was making himself look as big as possible. Not that he needed to, the guy was fucking built.

“You’re a dragon too.” Kat’s voice flowed past me.

Draco’s eyes narrowed. Instantly, he shifted and I followed suit. Pain tore through me and adrenaline drowned it out as he moved toward her. I positioned myself between them, lowering my head and growling at him. If he dared touch her, I’d do whatever it took to keep her safe. I’d give my own life for hers.

We stared each other down.

He snapped at me and I snorted, ready to attack. His eyes narrowed and he shifted back to human form. I did the same and we glared each other down as men rather than beasts.

---