Page 15 of Stryker's Ruin

I glance down at my screen. White clouds drift soothingly across the upper quadrant in time with the soothing music. The majority of the display is filled with sleek and feminine dresses from the best clothiers in Chicago. I’ve got about a hundred outfits place marked.

What the fuck has gotten into me? I’m hard rock music, tattoos, piercings, fast bikes— and lethal. Yet the only thing on my mind is giving this woman everything she’s been denied. Tempting those all too infrequent smiles from her lips. Lighting up her beautiful eyes.

Worshiping her naked body, kissing her until we both can’t breathe, filling her with my cock and making us one. I run a palm down my face. Fuck. I got to get a grip. I’m not a forever guy and that’s what she needs.

Not to mention this is dangerous territory. I could start a war. One that would affect my family.

CHAPTER 10

Ruin

I wake to a warmth heating my whole backside, even cocooned along the backs of my bent legs. A light pressure cups my hip then shifts soothingly stroking back and forth. There is the slightest shift in the mattress. Something soft and warm presses against the crook of my neck and disappears. I inhale, drawing in the warm woodsy scent of Stryker, as he kisses the back of my head and carefully slides from the bed.

Tears fill my eyes. I briefly woke three times during the night. Each time he still held me, comforted me.

Or was it just a dream? Did I imagine what I’ve longed for all my life? Someone who cares about me.

I hear the shower come on and a few minutes later goes off. I stay huddled in place. I have one more day of freedom. One more day with just Stryker. I inhale his lingering scent to calm my nerves.

There’s a tap on the door and I sit up in bed.

“Ruin. Time to get going. We’ll get breakfast out, but I can make you tea or coffee. Oh, and grab all those fliers you collected of places to visit.

“Coffee please. I’ll be quick.”

After making the bed I plait my hair and hurriedly dress in a soft pink square necked sleeveless shift and my ballet flats.

He’s leaning against the breakfast bar looking at his phone when I walk out. Glancing up he runs his gaze from my head to my feet and smiles. “You’re lovely.”

Something inside me thrills at his compliment. I can’t take my gaze off of him. He’s dressed in a white dress shirt. The top three buttons are left undone exposing a peek of his muscled chest. The cuffs fastened at his wrist, the shirt hangs loosely over his black pants. He slips his phone into one of the pockets on his thigh and hands me a mug while picking up his own. Gratefully taking the cup of coffee I take a quick sip to hide my fascination with his body.

“We have reservations for breakfast. Once we’re done, we’ll walk the Magnificent Mile to see if anything in the windows catches your fancy. We have an appointment at ten-thirty with a personal dresser. Depending on how long the shopping takes we’ll eat again and then we’ll see how many of your wish list items we can check off. Today is all about you. So speak up if there is anything you want.”

I nod, too choked up to respond. Nothing has ever been about me.

He pauses at the door. “Don’t you have a purse or backpack you want to bring?”

“No, I don’t have those.”

“Do you have a phone?”

I shake my head.

He pulls his phone from his pocket and quickly pushes some buttons. “Okay. One thing off our list. I got a buddy who’s going to have a phone dropped off here sometime today.”

“I don’t think Vince wants me to have one. I was never allowed to use the house phone unless he called for me.”

“Then we won’t tell him. Living in Chicago, you need a phone. Hell, living anywhere you need one.”

“I don’t know how to use one.”

Taking my hand in his, he leads me to the elevator. “I’ll teach you.”

He stops at what he calls the concierge’s desk and tells a guy whose name tag says Brian to expect some deliveries. Placing his hand on my back he ushers me outside. We’re immediately encircled by the crowd on the street. I’m overwhelmed by the number of people. Last night there were pedestrians, but this is like a swarm of bees surrounding us. Someone tries to cut between us. “Stryker!”

Spinning me to the side of the building he puts his back to me as he studies the crowd. “What did you see? What’s wrong?

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I just got overwhelmed for a moment. I thought I was going to lose you.”