Page 115 of Traces Of You

That she could conquer any fear and be worthy of someone to be in his life forever.

It was what she wanted.

Where she needed to be.

And with the newfound confidence—no, confidence he’d given her decades ago that had been silent but was ready to yell for freedom—she attacked his body with the goal of making him hers.

Her lips closed around him, her head bobbing, her fist around his shaft and stroking.

“Reenie,” he said. “I’m so close. You need to stop.”

“No. I want to do this.”

She moved faster but with a precision of getting the job done before he could make her stop.

He wouldn’t.

He’d never make her do anything she didn’t want to.

She knew that without a doubt.

And that knowledge was winning the race with her heart.

With her body.

In her soul.

She cupped his balls with her other hand while she pumped him, her palm twisting some, her lips just on his tip sucking the sticky dew trying to escape before the surge.

He came, and it was fast and hard and she was ready for it. She swallowed quickly, then did it a second time, continuing to stroke him dry, then sat back, her hand still moving as if on automatic while she watched his face.

His eyes were open. They were watching her, but his expression was drained.

As if everything he’d fought so hard to keep inside had lost the battle.

She knew that feeling well and when he picked her up and tossed her on her back, then settled between her legs to repay the favor, she knew this wasn’t a battle, but a war, and they’d find a way to win it together.

31

WHAT SHE WENT THROUGH

“What did you find out from Grady?” Ford asked when he arrived at Clay’s forty minutes later.

He struggled to find the energy to get out of bed and dress, let alone come talk with his brother.

Reenie was sleeping and he didn’t want to wake her. She was safe and he wanted to have this conversation without her around.

“He’s going to call me in about twenty minutes.”

“Perfect timing.”

“Looks it for you,” Clay said.

He closed one eye at his brother. “No comment.”

“Didn’t expect to get one. Sure you can handle this?”

He hated the doubt his brother had in him just because he didn’t go to war. Couldn’t always sneak up on someone in the woods, cut their throat and escape without a sound.