“What the fuck do you want from me?” I bit out.
She flinched at my tone. “You left today, before I was done talking to you.”
For once, I could read her. Her posture, her voice, she was hurt and it only made me angrier. “Let me see if I get this straight. I wasn’t good enough for you when you thought I pulled the trigger but Neil ’fesses up and holds your hand and all’s forgiven?” Fuck her.
Her eyes went wide. “I never said I blamed you.”
“You didn’t have to.” What happened this morning, now this, my level of pissed off was hitting new heights. “It didn’t matter I was only there in first place because I was protectin’ you. That doesn’t mean shit to you, does it?”
“That’s not true.” Her tone went all fucking prim and proper. “You know it means something.”
I laughed without an ounce of humor. “How convenient.” I gestured behind me. “Now that you’re usin’ my resources and my friends are riskin’ their lives for you and your daughter. But hey, if it wasn’t me, you would’ve found some other asshole willin’ to risk his life, wouldn’t you?” I hated myself for saying it the second the words left my mouth.
She recoiled as if I’d struck her. “I’m sorry.” Anguish twisted her face then she turned her head away. “Call them off.”
I showed no mercy. “And be the bad guy? Not happenin’. I promised you I’d find your daughter and I keep my promises.”
Her arms wrapped around her stomach protectively.
“So do me a favor and stay the fuck outta my way.” I made one stride toward the house.
“Why are you doing this?” she called, her voice breaking.
Enraged, I spun. “What the fuck do you think I’m doin’? Besides savin’ your ass and tryin’ to find your kidnapped kid?”
“You’re shutting me out.”
“I’m shuttin’ you out?” My blood fucking boiled. “You spent days lyin’ to me, ignorin’ my ass and you have the nerve to say I shut you out?”
“I’m not allowed to make mistakes? Or to grieve?”
“Grieve all you want,” I lashed out bitterly. I couldn’t believe we were having this conversation. Shit had gone so far off the rails and I only had myself to blame. I’d been blind to all the shit she’d been keeping from me. I was so hung up on how she made me feel that I let myself get fucking played. “By all means, give that fucker some more play time in that twisted head of yours.”
Her eyes narrowed and her expression turned to ice. “Says the man who was willing to fuck me but not have feelings for me.”
I took two strides and got in her face. “I told you, I fuckin’ told you, you were my game changer. Say whatever bullshit you want about me, but don’t you dare say I didn’t feel for you. I felt everythin’.”
Our eyes locked.
Then we were on each other.
Her arms flew around my neck, her hands grabbed at my short hair and her lips crashed into mine. I gave it all back and for one blinding moment, it was enough. Then it wasn’t. My tongue fought hers, I gripped her upper arm and yanked her off me.
Her surprised gasp echoed across the night but I was already moving.
I dragged her around the corner of the house and behind the pool shed. Without a word, I shoved her up against the rough stucco wall, took her wrists in one hand and pushed them above her head.
I grabbed her jaw and forced her chin up. “Tell me to stop.”
“No.”
I thrust my tongue into her mouth so hard, our teeth hit. Stealing her air, I didn’t kiss her, I dominated her. I kicked her feet apart and shoved my leg between her thighs.
I ripped my lips away from hers and bit her throat as I ground my hips into hers. “Is this what you fuckin’ want?” I growled.
“Yes.”
I stopped thinking. About everything. I wasn’t a Marine. I wasn’t a medic. I wasn’t a hero. I was anger and pounding adrenaline and a pulsing dick.
I jerked her pants halfway down her thighs then unbuckled my belt and unzipped my jeans. Fisting my cock, I drove forward and sunk to the hilt.
She screamed out and I slapped a hand over her mouth.
Her hips bucked forward, her wet pussy soaked my dick and she groaned.
I pulled back then slammed home.
Then I angry fucked her.
Dominating, relentless, I pounded into her. Every thrust, I took a piece of my aggression out on her. I fucked her because I wasn’t good enough for her. I fucked her because she’d had a kid with that asshole. I fucked her because she stole my fucking heart and I fucked her to erase every memory she ever had of any other man.