Page 34 of His Reward
“Fuck!”
My heavy breathing whistles through my nostrils, my hands balled tight with the desperate need to hit something.Preferably that motherfucker who just slipped out of my grasp.
I rub the tender spot in my back where the dresser jabbed me.My only consolation is that fucker is definitely going to feel that jump when the adrenaline wears off.It’s at least a ten-foot drop from that wall.
I look up at the inky expanse above as I exhale, the streetlights and the building’s exterior lighting obscuring the stars.
Fucking fuck.I was supposed to catch him, knock him around a little, then hand him over gift-wrapped to the police.June would be able to rest easy going forward.
Well, maybe not.After what she caught me doing to her tonight, she’ll probably sleep with one eye open as long as I’m around.
That’s if she’ll even let me back inside the apartment.
* * *
I head to the building’s main entrance door, wondering if I’m doomed to sleep outside in just my t-shirt and underwear.
A short moment later, I’m relieved when June comes into view.She stops in front of the door and we stare at each other through the glass until she speaks first.
“What happened?”
“He jumped over the wall and got away.”I pause, indicating the door.“Are you going to let me in?”
She folds her arms.“If you were me, would you let yourself in?”
“If I say yes, you’ll say I’m lying.If I say no, I’ll be the dumbass who has to sleep in his truck bed.”
“Maybe youshouldsleep in your truck bed.And I hope that it rains or there’s a freak hail storm.”
While her vindictiveness is amusing, there’s a determined glint in her eyes that convinces me she’s going to abandon me in the lobby.I’m surprised when she unlocks the door and pulls it open.
She turns and marches down the hallway to the apartment.I trail behind her, forcing myself to keep my gaze high and stop staring at her perfect ass in her shorts.
Christ.I can’t believe I’m still lusting after her on the heels of being caught with my hand—no, myfingers—in the cookie jar.I’m a grown man with discipline.Not some fucking horny teenager with zero impulse control.
But now that things are calmer, I’m more aware of her scent lingering on my face.Breathing puts me in danger of another erection.
The police show up shortly after, along with a detective this time.The detective questions us separately.I half-expect June to tell him about what went down before the intruder showed up, and beg him to arrest me too.I’m relieved she doesn’t.
It’s almost three in the morning when the police finally leaves.Palpable silence fills the apartment until June breaks it.
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to live here.”She rises from the loveseat, an uncomfortable look on her face as she avoids my gaze.“You need to leave tomorrow.”
I shake my head.“I’m not going anywhere.Not with that guy still on the loose.You’re not safe here by yourself.”
“I’m not safe with you either.”
She has a point, but her words irritate me anyway.I don’t like that she believes she’s as unsafe with me as she is with the stranger who’s been breaking into her home.
While the intruder and I share an obsession with her, and have pursued her in unethical ways, only one of us truly cares about her.Only one of us walked through fire for her and would do it again without a second thought.
“I’ve never hurt you, June.And I never will.You don’t need to be afraid of me.”
She gives me an incredulous look.
“Are you serious?Youtouchedme while I was sleeping!”
“But I didn’thurtyou.I gave you pleasure.The way you were moaning for me, you got plenty of it too.A little longer and I would’ve made you come, but you woke up.”
