Page 8 of Pride

I pointed my index finger toward the ceiling.

“Oh.” She grinned. “Him.”

“Yeah, Him.”

“I don’t think he’ll care if we sleep in the same bed.”

“If we sleep? I’m guessing not. If we…” I cocked my head to the side and gave her a look. “Considering what happened at the bar, if we, you know, I’d feel like I took advantage of you.”

“You mean, if we boned?”

I chuckled a dry laugh. “Yeah.”

“I just started my lady days,” she said with an awkward smile. “So, there’ll be none of that.”

“Alright, then.”

“Not that I’m not interested. It’s just…”

“Understood,” I said.

“Can I ask you a question?” she asked, her tone innocent and soft.

“Sure.”

“If you were a Marine, why were you charged with killing someone when you were at war?”

“It was a strange series of circumstances. I’ve always said everything happens for a reason. I’m sure there was one. I suppose I’ll figure it out one of these days.”

“You’re not mad that it happened to you?”

“Mad?” I shook my head. “I’m not mad. Disappointed, maybe.”

She grinned. “I like your attitude.”

I dragged the rubber band out of my hair and shook my head. “I like your eyes.”

“They feel like they’ve got sand in them. I’ll take a shower, and then we can relax.”

“Sounds good.”

She took a few steps toward the bathroom, and then peered over her shoulder. “You haven’t been with a woman in ten years?”

“That is correct.”

“Not even…”

“Other than watch one walk past, no.”

She looked me up and down, and then met my gaze. “Do you want to shower together?”

I gawked at her in disbelief of what she’d asked. The look on my face prompted her to continue.

“Just a shower, nothing else,” she said. “Since you saved me from those monsters, I’ve spent eight hours hugging you. I know we’ve been on the motorcycle and all, but I haven’t let you go all day. I feel like we’ve known each other for longer than a day.” She turned to face me. “Can you do that? Just take a shower?”

My cock was hard enough that it could cut diamonds, but she didn’t seem to care – or notice. The thought of showering with her excited me and filled me with apprehension.

I’d been out of prison for all of twelve hours. I had no idea where my life was headed, but for the time being, it really didn’t matter.