Chapter 12
Shooter
Ifelt like a damn teenager with the raging hard on from just touching her.
It was not a good look for me. But that’s what she did to me.
Even though there were secrets to be revealed, all sense of staying away from her went out the window when she didn’t try to wiggle out of my touch.
Her eyes pleaded with fighting emotions.
She was still fighting to give in and let loose.
I was also fighting the urge to lean into her, capturing her lips.
She sighed, “Answer to your question, I picked up a couple shifts, so I haven't had a decent sleep in about forty-eight hours.”
She wasn’t taking care of herself; she was doing more for others than herself. A fury burned inside, tempting me to teach her that she needed to take care of herself better. My eyes narrowed, her chin still in my grip, “That’s dangerous.”
It was dangerous, she wouldn’t survive if she kept going. She might have been the one in the hospital, and I would have been at her bedside, watching over her. I had one level, and if she truly saw, there would have been an Amelia sized hole in my wall.
She wiggled out of my grip, her tone turning serious. “I’ll be fine. I’m off the next two days anyway.”
“But you look like you’re ready to drop,” I pointed out.
Her internal struggle was becoming evident and slipping through her mask.
She started to hesitate, about to brush it off.
Fuck my recovery. I would get hell for this, but it was my price to pay.
I was going to take what I wanted, and at that moment, it was Amelia.
It would always be Amelia, next to the club.
“Come here.” I started to adjust to lay on my back.
“Why?” Amelia softly said.
“Just trust me okay?”
“I trust you just about as far as I can throw you.”
“Amelia, please. Maybe for once, I’m not trying to be an asshole.
” I insisted, giving her no choice but to move with me.
I laid on my back, pulling her toward my chest, my arm wrapped around her back side.
Her heart started to race, thumping on my skin.
Was she excited? Or was she scared of what would happen?
I looked down to see her scowl, the little skeptic, “If this is some kind of way of fucking with me.”
Oh, what dangerous words were said. “If I wanted to fuck you right now, I’d have you begging right now.” She rolled her eyes, and I squeezed her. “Peaches, as much as it sounds tempting to fuck you to sleep or while you’re asleep, I think you just need a nap. A place to feel safe for a moment.”
The redness of her cheeks brought a smile to my face. She was thinking about it.
Noted.
She was a little deviant like I thought. She nuzzled her head into my chest. My fingers started to trace little circles along her back, trying to lull her to sleep.
She released a heavy sigh, giving in, “Just for an hour.” Her body started to relax, all tension escaping her. I meant it when I said to give her a moment to feel safe. Nothing was going to bring her pain, bring her a moment where she couldn’t breathe.
I wasn’t going to sleep, I would watch over her, just like I had been doing. Her warm little body tucked by my side. Her breathing became steady, easier. This was a foreign feeling for her, and yet she eased into it.
My fingers never stopped caressing; truth be told, I was just enjoying a moment when she wasn’t running from me, where she could trust her body with me.
Once I knew she was in a deep sleep, I’d let her sleep however she needed.
She could yell at me if she needed to. I bent down and kissed the top of her head.
She felt it, I knew she did. Even in sleep she couldn’t hide the content smile. The chaos that brewed in her mind was nothing but peace.
“Atta girl,” I soothed, as I leaned to the side to pull a blanket over us. “Dream sweet dreams, I’m not going anywhere.”
When she fell deeper into a sleep, I took the opportunity and used my free hand to move the blanket.
I needed to check for more bruising. She didn’t budge as I slowly lifted her scrub top.
As much as I would love to have stripped her down to just my shirt and nothing else, that would be another time.
Just do it, she won’t put up much of a fight, she craves it.
I shut that thought down. Thankfully nothing looked out of place, but the color ink that made her a masterpiece. My fingers trailed along her hips, her arms, even in sleep her skin responded to my touch. Goosebumps covered her skin.
So responsive.
I pulled her close, afraid that maybe she’d wake up and run again. And yet, when she melted further into me, those thoughts washed away. A soft snore filled my ears. And soon, my body and mind succumbed to having someone by my side. If I had it my way, she would be spending her days off with me.
I didn’t want her to return to that home, where the nightmares and demons could chase after her.
I couldn’t protect her if she wasn’t near me.
And that damn boot was even more of a hurdle.
Melody warned me not to be “too intense” with her.
But it was the only way I knew how to get what I wanted and what she needed.
The sunset quickly turned into darkened skies.
I stirred awake, but only to find Amelia’s legs intertwined with mine.
She was still asleep, her heart still at a steady pace.
A tiny bit of drool dripped onto my chest. I reached for my phone that was on the windowsill next to the bed and sent B.B. and Hound a message.
Me: No one is to knock on my door until I emerge.
A moment later a response came.
B.B.: Do we want to know?
Hound Dog: Ok.
B.B.: By ok, he means, why.
Hound Dog: If his ass is recovering and I don’t need to get Otis to bail him out, I don’t care.
B.B.: So, tell me anyway.
I laughed softly, trying not to wake her up. Amelia unraveled her legs only to turn onto her other side. Her body contorted to the fetal position. Before I could wrap myself into her again, another message popped up.
Hound Dog: Just don’t hurt her, Shoot.
I would never. Hound Dog saw everything, the man had to control everything, to know everything. But he didn’t order me to stay away, I took that as a good sign.
I clicked the phone off and turned my body to the side. She had scooted away from me, but with one strong swoop, I cradled her body with mind, snaking my arms around her like she was my own personal teddy bear. Her warm soft body laid at ease for the rest of the night.
But it wasn’t until the next morning when a soft kiss was placed on my cheek that I saw with blurred morning vision Amelia leaving me. Little did she know she would never sneak out away from me. Time would only tell, and I would have her wrapped around my little finger, just like she had me.