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Lifting his head, he watched her as he rocked into her harder. Her tits jiggled, and she threw her head back. Her entire body tensed, her thighs squeezing his hips as she came for the second time. He forced his eyes to stay on her as he tumbled over the peak with her, the tight clamp of her pussy milking him dry.

There had been many moments since the day he’d met Annika that her beauty stunned him. But none more than this moment, watching her come apart in his arms. It was a memory, an image, that would be imprinted on his brain forever.

Slowly, they both returned to solid ground. Logan rolled off to her right side. He could see the puckered redness of the bullet wound scar on her shoulder that was not quite fully healed. He leaned closer and placed his lips gently over the scar, his heart clenching at the thought of her being hurt. “Want to talk about that yet?”

“No. Want to talk about that man yet?” she countered.

Touché, Sunfire.There was no way he wanted to admit to another failure at this moment. “No.”

“Let’s just enjoy being with each other like this and not let reality intrude too soon.”

“Deal.”

She rolled to her side, lying face to face with him. He ran his hand from her shoulder, down her side, and over her hip, watching as his fingers traced over her curves. She was more beautiful than any image his imagination could conjure. He used the calloused tips to tease the skin above her hip. Silky smooth skin slid softly under his hands. He was enjoying touching her so much he didn’t notice she had fallen asleep. He kissed her forehead and reached for the covers. Wrapping his arms around Annika, he pulled her close to him, covered them with the sheets, and drifted off to sleep, content for the first time in fifteen years.

“Good morning, Caleb.”As he entered her classroom, Annika greeted the boy, but hedidn’tanswerashe usually did.“Are you okay?”Worried about him, she knewhe was having a rough time latelywith the pressure of getting intothe right college.His parentswere pushing him hardwhich only added to his anxiety.Most of her older students wereattheir breaking points at this time of year.Annikadid her bestto guide them throughthe uncertainties of their futures.

Annikastudied Caleb closely,sensing somethingwasn’tquite right. He wasfidgetingandnot making eye contact with her as she conversed with him.And he was sweating…a lot.Since theschool building always felt cold to her,she was curiousas towhy hefelt so hot.

She was about toask Caleb if he was feelingall right when he bentandreachedinto hisbackpack.Standingupright, something metallicwas grasped in his hand.Annikahad a moment to register the object was a handgun beforeall hell broke loose.

The sound of the gun firing was deafening.The acridodorinvadedher senses.She felt something hit her right side, thenher rightshoulder,knocking her to the ground.Herbrainfelt sluggish as shetried todecipherwhat was happening, taking entirely too long beforethe painregistered.Hot, searing pain.Unlike anythingshe’dever felt.

Her mind instantly went to a dark place as abizarrethought popped into her head.I’ll finally see Jamie again.

No. She would not let that thought take hold.She was a survivor, and this situation would be no different.Besides, her kids needed her.

Her students were screaming all around her.Some hiding under desks. Some fleeingthrough the doorsecondsbeforeCaleb closed and locked it, trapping them all insidewith him.

Looking around her,Annikatried to concentrate,but the pain wasoverpowering.She could see afew students huddled in a group sitting on the floor in the corner, and otherscrouched under the desks.Someof themwere bleeding.Suzanna layclose toherina puddle of bloodthat was steadilygrowing larger.Annikatried to sit up, pain erupting through her.Struggling,she managed to prop herself up against the front of her desk.

Caleb was by the door, pacing, gun clasped in his hand. He was muttering to himself.“Caleb.” Was thathervoice?It sounded like it came from a thousand miles away.“What are you doing?Why are you doing this?”

“I…I can’t anymore, Miss Northrup.”

“Caleb,” she tried againas she glanced at Suzanna, who was far too still. “Put the gun down, Caleb.”

“I can’t.”

“Caleb, your friends need help. Can we get them some help?”

“What? No. No. No.”

“But we need to stop the bleeding. Will you let me try to stop the bleeding?”

“I…I guess.” She crawled closer to Suzanna,placing her good hand overthe oozing woundin her chest.“Caleb, I need help. Will you letSam and Liam help me?”

“Okay.”

“You promise not tohurt them?”

“Yeah.”He resumedhis pacing and muttering.Annikawaved the boys over. “We need to find something to stop this bleeding.”

Liam took his sweatshirt off and handed it to her.“I…Ican’tput enough pressure on it. Put the sweatshirt over the wound and push down as hard as you can. Sam,can you find something to hold it in place. Some tape or something.”Before moving to search the drawers of her desk, heshot a look at Caleb,who seemed to be too distracted with histhoughts

He came back quickly with a roll of duct tape. “How’s this?

“Perfect. Tear off a piece big enough to cover the wound. It might take severalp…pieces.” He did that,then, as if byinstinct,herolled the sweatshirt up again,placingit over the wound.As hewrapped the roll of tape around her body,Liam helpedto lift her.