Page 10 of Striker's Foul
“Goddammit. That ain’t going to happen. She threw me out and told me not to come back.”
Commander steps back into his office, and we follow.
“You were the asshole, if I remember correctly.” He chuckles. “You all but pissed a circle around her. You thought Gambit was bad with Franci, but you’re worse.” He sits at his desk and leans back. “Who would gain from keeping you apart?”
“Her parents,” I say.
“Her mother died not too long after you left.”
“Her father, then. Or maybe her grandparents.”
“Mr. Granville was an ornery bastard, but her grandfather would’ve done anything for his girl. He thought of Jude morelike the son he never had, so he wouldn’t have done anything to hurt him.”
“How long have you known he was my son?”
“Since he was two. Little shit pissed in my boots one time. Definitely your kid.”
Browser is full-on belly laughing, and I can’t help but chuckle.
“Why did he do that?” I ask.
“Said she was his mom and to leave her be.”
“Good kid.”
“He is,” Commander says. “But he needs a man around. A man willing to be there all the time. A man who will love his mother like she deserves.”
“I can’t do that.” I turn and head for the door, pissed off.
“Why not?” Commander demands.
“Because I can’t trust that she won’t turn on me again.”
“Asshole, she was lied to. You need to understand that.”
I walk out with some of my questions answered and many more swirling in my mind. I’m not ready to trust yet. Maybe it’s selfish, but mostly I wonder why she would choose me when she could be with any man. I’m still the town trash, and she’s the angel I thought I could possess, if only for a short time.
CHAPTER 4
AMELIA
The roadhouse was so busy tonight. I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off, putting out every little fire. Nights like this happen, but tonight was almost too much. To make matters worse, I got a call from Red Dirt Roadhouse about someone trying to break in. I don’t know what’s going on.
After my shower, I climb into bed, but even though I’m exhausted, I toss and turn. It’s been a couple of weeks since I last saw Striker. He just watches us but won’t come talk to me. I’m sure he’s figured it out. Besides that, Julian and I still haven’t spoken. It’s hard not having anyone to bounce ideas off of. Of course, I wouldn’t talk to Julian about my feelings for Striker.
I finally settle, and my mind wanders.
“Why me?” he asked in his growly voice.
A shiver rolled through me. My body was already on fire for him.
“Because I love you. And because of this.” I held up the simple band with a very small gemstone. It was nothing flashy or expensive, but it was perfect—exactly what I wanted.
When Luke got on his knee and proposed to me tonight, it was more than I could have wished for. We’d only been dating for twenty days, but it felt like the natural next step for us. Hewas shocked I wanted to give him my virginity, but it was his first time too. We had both saved ourselves for each other.
His hand slid up the side of my naked body as he wedged himself between my thighs. I wrapped my legs around his waist, opening up to him. His cock kissed my entrance. I was scared he wouldn’t fit. But I knew I was made for him, just like he was made for me.
“This is going to hurt. I’m sorry.” He pressed in, not stopping until he was completely seated deep inside me. A tear rolled down my face, and he scooped it up with his finger. “I love you always, Amelia. You’re my one and only. There will never be another for me.”
