Page 76 of Fighting Shadows

“I’m yours, Dominic, forever. Now make love to me, please.”

I rock my cock into her again, slowly this time. Making sure she knows how much I love her, and I worship her body for the rest of the night, marking my claim on her and inside of her until she falls asleep with my cock in her, a sheen of sweat covering us both.

Chapter 39

Autumn

My phone ringing startles me from the book I’m reading, Shan’s caller ID lighting up my screen.

Answering, I pull the phone to my ear. Before I can even say hello, she’s already talking.

“What?” I ask with a laugh, “Shan, you’re talking too fast; I can barely understand you.”

“Drinks tonight? I need a girl's night, and since we don’t have Ellie anymore, you’re my girl, and I need to unwind. The paper I just submitted has kicked my ass.Please,Autumn! I’m begging here,” she pleads with me, a whine in her voice.

“Let me ask Zander quickly,” I say, jumping off the sofa and heading to the kitchen where Zander is grumbling, “Zander?”

“Are you ok?” Zander asks, slightly panicked.

“I’m fine. Can Shan come over for drinks?”

“Of course, but remember we have the family dinner tomorrow,” he reminds me, “Don’t get too drunk.”

Nodding my head in understanding, I tell Shan that she can come over for a few drinks, arranging to have the drinks outside, wanting to relax away from the guys.

Bless his heart, Zander offers to grill steaks for everyone as long as I make him some cookies later this week—a deal I happily accept before running to my room to get ready. Shan squeals down the phone and says that she’s bringing the tequila.

“Aut!” Shan squeals when she enters, her arms wrapping around me in a tight embrace, “I’ve missed you, but I had to get the paper done before I could see you.”

“It’s fine; at least it’s done now,” I say, extracting myself from her grip and leading us outside.

The pillowed swings are all set up for us; Zander had installed them before I ever moved in, wanting me to have a place to chill outside per my therapist's advice of getting twenty minutes of sunshine every day to help with my moods.

“This is so cozy,” she chirps, settling into her seat with her drink that Zander had prepared and set outside for us.

“I love it out here,” I sigh as I settle into my seat, my body sinking into the pillows, “How are you doing?”

“I’m okay, I think. Not one hundred percent, but I’m finally moving on. I have a date next week with the girl from the coffee shop,” she says, a deep blush rising on her cheeks.

“That’s great, Shan!”

“Really?” she sighs, “it’s not too soon?”

“God, no! Brenn’s moved on too; I’m pretty sure he’s dating Noah’s brother Aidan now,” I tell her, watching as she visibly relaxes at my words.

“You would be correct, Little Bear,” Brenn’s voice comes from behind me, startling me and making me jump, my glass nearly flying from my hand.

“Fucking hell, Brenn! You scared us,” Shan reprimands him while I’m still sitting, trying to compose myself.

“Wait! You’re really dating him?!” I squeal, setting my glass down and hugging my brother.

Brenn smiles widely, “I am.”

“Happy for you, Brenn,” Shan says, smiling sadly at him. Pity fills Brenn’s eyes; he strides over to her and pulls her into his arms, “We need to move on from her at some point, Shan. We deserve to be happy, but you will always have me as a friend,” Brenn tells her softly.

I hate that they were betrayed by Ellie when she did what she did to me, and part of me wishes that I could remember it all so I could hate her as fiercely as the others do, but I still feel sorry for her.

To feel like she had no other choice than to hurt me to make sure Shan was safe, I get it, but I’m hurt, and I think I will be for a long time.

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