Stryker

She looked over her shoulder and winked, her ass wiggled.

Groaning, I soaped my hands and caressed the cheeks of her bottom. The globes were firm and as I moved up to her gorgeous breasts, my cock wedged between her ass cheeks. She moaned when my thumbs rubbed over her nipples as my hips twitched.

“You need to hurry it up in there,” Carter shouted, breaking into the heat that surrounded us. “I’m not sure how long before someone comes down here.” Silence followed and then he laughed. “Just hurry.”

I grinned. “Someone certainly has come down here.” Kissing her neck, I continued, “One day I’m going to take you like this. Spill all over your ass or these.” I fisted her glorious breasts, not wanting to let her go, but I knew that Carter was right. I kissed her neck again. “We need to get dressed.”

“Um, I know. I wish we could stay together all day. All night. Just like this but at Millie’s place, or yours.” She turned and kissed my chest. “Let’s dry and dress, and then we really need to talk.” She grabbed a towel and quickly dried herself while my eyes ate her up. Her curves were made for my hands, and as I watched her fasten her bra, I smiled because her breasts were certainly made for my hands.

She caught my gaze and rolled her eyes. “Stryker.” Her blush coated along her cheekbones, but the small smile on her lips had my heart turning over with the feelings inside of me for my Evie.

Evie

STRYKER HAD TURNED ALL the showers on, and then beckoned Carter and me to follow him just inside. Not enough to get wet, but enough so we wouldn’t be heard. Neither of them thought the room was bugged, but he didn’t want to take any chances. Some explaining was about to happen and I was more than curious. For one, I wanted to know why they thought that the locker room would be bugged?

I stood beside Carter while Stryker paced back and forth, his hands tugging at his wet hair. When he finally stopped in front of us, my heart broke for him. His face showed his tiredness, but also, longing and despair.

What had happened to him?

“Stryker?” I stepped toward him and he took a step back. I tried not to be hurt by his action, but I hurt anyway.

He looked torn as he closed the gap and cupped my face in his hands. “I’m sorry, Evangeline.” His forehead dropped to mine. “I’ve been alone since I was fourteen, which wasn’t by choice.” He laughed without mirth.

I wrapped my fingers around his wrists and held on. “What happened to you?” The concern on my face appeared to be too much for him to handle so he pulled me into his arms and held me snug against his chest.

“Peter, my father, had a large debt to someone known as the ‘Irishman’ and I ended up becoming the repayment.” I quivered against him and watched as Carter’s brows rose to his hairline, when Stryker continued, “My father gave me to them and got his debt wiped clean providing he stayed away from the arena. He left me to them. For ten years, all I’ve known is this life. I can’t do anything without them knowing about it. I can’t leave because I know if I do, they’ll go after someone else. I can’t be responsible for that, knowing what happens.”

He cupped my chin, and tugged my face up to meet his searching gaze. “But Evie, I’m terrified that they’ll hurt you if they know about us, but I can’t let you go.”

I reached up and placed a sweet kiss to his lips before wrapping my arms around his neck. “I love you,” I whispered as his arms held me tight.

“How the hell do I get out of this life Carter?”

Carter had stayed silent and looked deep in thought. “Do you have any money to buy yourself out?”

Stryker shook his head.

“That would have been a long shot anyway because I don’t think they’d allow that as you make far too much money for them to willingly let you go. There has to be someway without anyone getting hurt…all this time, Stryker?” Carter shook his head. “I can’t get my head around this, but I will help you.”

“I never wanted to involve anyone and, until Evie stepped into my life, I wasn’t happy but I wasn’t so torn either. No matter what happens Carter, I want you to make sure Evie is okay. I can’t always be with her, but you can.”

“Don’t worry I have her back…and yours. Just don’t go and do something stupid.”

“I could go to my father for help. He’s a state senator so he’ll know people who can help because it’

s illegal what they did to you. What they’re still doing.”

“No.” Stryker growled and it pissed me off so I pushed away from him.

“Don’t you dare say no to me.” I poked him in the chest. “I can help, and I want to. I love you, you big idiot, and if it means we get to be together in the end, then that’s all that matters, right?”

Before he could answer, the outer door started to open. Stryker grabbed my hand and shoved me behind him as Carter moved in beside him.

“Friends stand together,” Carter hissed at the surprise on Stryker’s face.

Tears ran down my face as it really did hit me that he’d never had anyone to be on his side. No one to hold him when he hurt so badly. No one to be his friend and stand by him like Carter did now.

“Well, what do we have here?”