His straight, white teeth bite into that plump bottom lip as if he is thinking of all the ways he wants to prove it to me. It doesn’t take him long to think about it and reply, “I’ve got so many ways I can prove it to you, sugar. You on top, riding me reverse cowgirl so I can play with your ass. In my bed, with me on top of you, between those thighs and sucking on your nipples. We can even go in my shower so you can ride me in that chair I hate so fucking much. Maybe then I’d wanna sit in that chair. What do you say, Drill Sergeant?”
Good Lord. I don’t even need to stick my fingers down my shorts to know my panties are soaking wet. I can feel it. This man might be more dangerous to me than the ones who killed my sister. I am starting to think he could take so much more than my life. He could own every part of me.
Doing my best to keep my seductress poker face on, I tip my head in a playful manner, pretending to consider his offer for a minute, then shake my head. “Nope. There’s only one way I want you to prove it to me. You ready for it?”
Hammer breathes out a rough groan. I don’t think he realizes it, but he is squeezing the therapy ball so hard between his knees I start to worry he is going to do exactly what the company said can’t be done: pop the damn thing.
“I want you to … Shut. Up. And. Exercise.”
A flash of disappointment shines from his eyes for a second before he covers it up with a blank mask. “You’ve got it, Drill Sergeant Bust My Balls. All work and no play.”
He lies back down and continues his workout routine in stony silence while I stand there and walk him through the steps. Part of me wishes I didn’t need to do that and could get that moment between us back somehow, but I know it is for the best.
Damn, it’s starting to feel like life is trying to kick me when I am already down, that dirty bitch.
When Hammer finishes everything I give him, he gets up, still silent, and walks down the hall to his bedroom, closing the door with a quiet click that says more than I can handle.
It has been a slow, steady progression, but Hammer is walking short distances now. His progress is coming along. It seems the closer he gets to being back in action, the closer we get to crossing lines we shouldn’t.
Making my escape to the bathroom, I climb into the cold shower and fight to calm my body down. Then, skipping dinner, I go to my room to hideout.
There isn’t much in it: a dresser, a closet, a small flat panel television on a stand in the corner, and one nightstand with a lamp on it next to a full-sized bed. Very minimalistic. Very bachelor pad. I bet he wouldn’t have a bed in here if it weren’t for his brother. I’m not going to complain, though. It seems to be a comfortable bed in a safe place, even if it isn’t home, none of which I would have if it weren’t for the Hellions and the Regulators. Sometimes, it is best if you count your blessings instead of your problems.
Closing my eyes and shutting off my mind, I allow myself to drift. In time, my breaths even out, and my heart rate slows. My body relaxes, and I fall into a deep sleep.
“Suzie.” I kneel before a blank headstone. My fingers trace the concrete, each ridge sharp.
My sister’s name is absent. The grass under my knees is cold and prickly.
A hand comes around, grabbing my forehead and pressing it to his body as unforgiving metal hits my throat. I am forced to stand and dragged backward as I scramble for footing. Then I’m tied to a nearby tree as I fight to get free.
He is too big. He is too strong. I can’t break away.
I can still see the headstone.
I cry out “Suzie” as my clothes are cut away.
The blade traces my collarbone, slicing my skin open. It burns as the warmth of blood travels down my chest. He flicks the knife against my nipple, and I try to retreat, which causes the bark of the tree to dig and cut open the skin down my back.
Fear consumes me. I’m going to die the same way she did. They have found me, and this is it.
The knife trails down my stomach. He traces my hip bone down to my juncture.
“No!” I scream.
Two hands grip me as Hammer yells, “Baby, breathe. It’s just a dream.”
Catapulting myself into a sitting position, I find a cold sweat covers my body, my clothes are twisted, and all of the pillows and blankets have been thrown onto the floor.