True Sacrifice Read online

  His eyes flashed from mine to where he plowed in and out. He sucked in air through his open mouth in between cusses and grunts. His nipples were as hard as mine, the veins in his neck protruding, bracketing each side of the rigid column.

  He let go a howl, locking on to my half-shut eyes and flaying open his very soul while he thrust hard once. Twice. Three times, before stilling as scorching magma spilled inside me, spurring a rolling climax to rocket out of nowhere as my cervix contracted once more.

  Smothering me with his shaking physique, he murmured in my ear, “Don’t leave me.”

  Again with the ‘don’t leave me’ plea. He had issues with abandonment I hoped we could sort out. I needed to assure him of my intentions.

  “I’m not going anywhere, I promise.”

  Chapter Three

  Harley

  I never wanted to let her go. The woman had me. All of me. Resting in a tangled mess of limbs, I listened to her quiet breathing, unable to fall asleep. Her bedside clock read 11 p.m. Our hot session hadn’t ended with sex, but had continued in the form of feathery touches and soft kisses. The reality of making love to Mac differed greatly from my fantasies. Her trust in me and the way she gave herself over to her feelings blew my mind. We’d clicked together and locked into place like some laser-cut key and keyhole.

  She’d seen me vulnerable and open, and I, her. We’d both totally thrown our guards down, the sensation liberating. Like she now knew me, better than I knew myself: a man with no past. That, in itself, freed me.

  My hand rested on her stomach as I lay on my side watching the way her lips had fallen apart and her hair fanned out a knotty mess on the pillow. She took my breath away.

  I didn’t want to leave her to move in with Viper. It would make her vulnerable. Perhaps I’d discuss her moving in with my friend and I. At least until the assailant who’d attacked me had been either killed or arrested. An alarm being fitted to her apartment didn’t necessarily mean she’d remain safe. I couldn’t keep an eye on her while I wasn’t here.

  The thought of anything happening to her soured my stomach. In a short time my feelings for her had escalated into something vast. Maybe even love. I wouldn’t tell her that though. She still had to deal with her ex. The way she’d cherished me with her eyes and body earlier had me hoping she felt the same or at least enough to keep seeing me.

  Sometime in the small hours of morning, I must have dozed off, because the next thing I knew the bedroom light had been switched on and a loud voice cried out, “What the hell? You have got to be kidding me!”

  I sat upright and Mac stirred, rubbing her bleary eyes. The sky lightened outside. Turning to the male voice, I cursed, seeing Nick standing in the doorway, bag in hand, fury on his face.

  The moment Mac turned and realized who stood before us she gasped and drew the sheet tighter around her.

  “Nick! What are you doing here? I mean, it’s barely morning!”

  “I live here, remember?” he roared. “And what the hell is he still doing here? In our bed! Naked! Jesus, Mac!” Dropping his bag, he scrubbed a hand over his face before stalking toward me.

  “You! Get the fuck out of my bed and my house! Now! You son of a bitch. You moved right in on my girlfriend the moment I left. How convenient I had to leave town.”

  There were so many things I wanted to say, but it really wasn’t my place. Rising stark naked, I threw on some boxers—some of Nick’s boxers—and stalked into the kitchen, giving him a leer as I pushed past. Mac needed to speak with the guy alone. I prayed she had the strength to kick him to the curb or tell him she’d had enough. Closing the door to give them privacy, I tamped down my guilt that I had caused all of this. It hadn’t been my intention. If Mac had been happy with her boyfriend I would have backed the fuck off, but ‘blind Freddy’ could see her misery.

  While I switched on the coffee pot and sat at the table, raised voices echoed down the hallway. I tried not to listen, catching only a few words at a time.

  “never home…work…sick of it…”

  “…cheating…us…him…”

  If things got too heated, I’d have no choice but to step in to protect Mac. Until then I needed to have faith she could handle it on her own. As much as Nick seemed like a straight-laced executive type, who knew what he’d do if pushed.

  Damn. She didn’t need this. I’d been too hasty in throwing myself at her. Maybe I did need to leave and trust that Nick would keep her safe. Letting the idea float in my sleep-deprived brain, I rebutted it. Like hell he could keep her safe. His work came first. He didn’t look the type to be able to protect her, let alone himself, regardless of his current anger. No. I’d stand by my pledge to keep her unharmed at all costs.

  When drawers and doors began slamming, my hands gripped the edge of the table, preparing to act. My soldier instincts whispered to me that a possible threat loomed, my feet were flat on the floor, ready to kick off and run.

  The bedroom door swung open, the sound of the handle hitting the plasterboard, followed by heavy footsteps and more drawers and cupboards being opened and closed.

  “I can’t be with someone who puts work first, regardless of why you do it. Don’t you see that? So many times, we arranged to spend time together only to have you cancel. I’m sick of it.”

  “Oh you’re sick of it? How about being more understanding about what I want or need? I work for you. For our future. A little understanding would go a long way to supporting me.”

  “This conversation keeps repeating itself. I don’t care about the future. I care about the now. And at present I’m not getting anything from this relationship. Nothing.”

  “So you jump into bed with a stranger? Who are you, Mac? The girl I met never would have considered that.”

  “The girl you met has changed. The girl you met found out she needed more!” Mac’s voice was shrill with frustration.

  “Oh, and you think he can give you that?” Watch it, asshole. My ears burned. Damn straight I can give her that, you selfish prick.

  “It’s not about Harley. It’s about us. We’ve grown so far apart I can’t see you anymore.”

  “Whatever. I know when I’m not wanted. I’ll get my name taken off the lease. Here. Give lover boy these keys. I’m sure he’ll be needing them.”

  More footsteps. I had my back to the opening of the living room. The shoes neared and then stopped nearby. I daren’t look because I knew I’d say something I’d regret. After a pause, they padded across the carpet and exited the house. The front door banging shut shook the walls.

  As soon as his car screeched off, I rose and hurried to Mac.

  I found her face down on the bed, sobbing.

  “Hey. Do you want me to leave?”

  She didn’t answer but merely shook her head. Did I go to her or give her some time? Remembering Nick’s absence when she’d needed him, I strode over to the bed and lay down beside her, stroking the back of her head.

  “I’m so sorry, angel.”

  “I don’t even know why I’m crying,” she choked out. “I’m relieved he’s gone, but at the same time, I feel sick about him seeing us together. I didn’t want it to be like that. I wanted to sit down and talk to him. I at least owed him that.”

  “I know. But you weren’t to know he’d arrive unannounced.”

  “Still, we shouldn’t have slept together until after it was over with Nick. I feel like such a bitch.”

  “Shhh. You’re far from a bitch. You’re an amazing, intelligent, sexy woman who has needs. He wasn’t taking care of you.”

  “It doesn’t make it right, though.”

  “No, it doesn’t, but maybe it’s for the best.”

  She turned her head to face me, her tear-streaked face breaking my already fragile heart. Feathering my fingers over her cheeks, catching the new droplets, I did my best to offer comfort. “It’s all on me. I take full responsibility. None of this is your fault. You did your best to push me away. I should have respected your situation and avo
ided any physical contact. I tried. I really did, angel, but the pull to you won out in the end. I can’t stop it. It’s too strong.”

  She stared at me, letting me pet her, leaning in to my touch. God, this woman had been so starved for affection of any kind. I hated that bastard Nick for depriving her of a basic human need.

  His selfish actions had ended the relationship long before I came along. My arrival merely opened Mac’s eyes to how much she’d missed out on.

  “Whatever you need, it’s yours. I’m here for you.”

  Giving me a half-smile, she said, “Thank you. This isn’t your fault. I brought you home. I let myself feel something for you. I don’t want you bearing the burden of my problems.”

  “Let’s agree that we’re both to blame then and leave it at that.” Kissing her forehead, I sat up. “Coffee?”

  “Mmm, thanks. I need to rise anyway and get ready for work. I’ll have a quick shower and meet you in the kitchen.”

  “Sounds good.” Leaning down again, I found her mouth and gave her a soft, lingering kiss before moving away to pour us both a large hit of caffeine.

  Chapter Four

  Mac

  What had I done? Easing into the shower with Harley’s scent covering me, I let the spray wash it away. I felt cheap and embarrassed. Not because Harley made me feel so good, but because Nick had returned home and caught us. I should have ignored my body’s craving for a man’s touch. Knowing Nick would be home any day, I lost myself in my John Doe. I deserved the shame and humiliation. I’d never meant it to end that way.

  Why did Harley have to be so darn tempting? My will crumbled in his company. He had an energy I couldn’t ignore. Last night…holy cow. Hot didn’t begin to cover it. Even with my conscience chastising me for the way things ended with Nick, my essence cried out for the stranger I’d brought into my home.

  Should I deny myself the chance to nourish my soul with his power and presence? It wasn’t fair on Nick to remain with him when I craved what he couldn’t give me. He deserved a partner who accepted his hectic work schedule and odd hours. There had to be someone out there who fit his mold.

  Switching the water off, I dried and dressed in my spare scrubs, tying my hair up in its necessary bun for work and slipping into my flats.

  The smell of strong coffee drew me down the hallway, my stomach tipping when I spied Harley with his back to me at the table, sipping from a mug, clad only in boxers.

  Broad shoulders were the gateway to a carved back, refined in every way. I’d clung to his adequate expanse the night before, kneading the bulk and relishing in its density. My fingers twitched with an itch to scratch and claw, but I held back, the echo of my self-reproach mulling in my brain.

  Noting my mug placed opposite him, I sat, giving my attention to my steaming coffee, wishing I could immerse myself and disappear into the brown liquid.

  “Hey,” he muttered.

  When I didn’t respond, he half-stood and leaned over the table, setting his hand on the juncture of my neck and shoulder so he could swipe his thumb against the underside of my jaw.

  “You overthinking things?”

  With his touch marking me with kindness, I had no choice but to give him my full focus.

  “I guess. Just feeling shitty about everything.”

  “Don’t. Everything will be okay. Things happen for a reason. What went down forced you to address your relationship with Nick. Sometimes the universe has a way of giving us nudges to urge us along.”

  Floundering under his perusal, I acknowledged his wisdom as the truth, attempting to use it to smother my guilt. With a slight nod and a forced smile, he reclined back into his chair, giving me space to breathe.

  While I sipped, he spoke. “I’ve been doing some thinking and I have a proposition for you.”

  Christ. A proposition? Now? After the fiasco this morning? I couldn’t handle any more decisions today.

  “Harley…” I began, but didn’t get a chance to finish.

  “Wait. Before you say anything, hear me out. I realize your alarm is meant to be fitted tomorrow, but in all honesty, I question just how much it will keep you safe. Viper’s arrival has changed things. I feel if you were to move into his place with me, we could almost guarantee no harm would come to you.”

  What? Just up and go? What about the apartment? Nick had left. I couldn’t just vacate and leave it empty. I’d still be required to pay the lease. Or find someone to take over the payments. Plus, did I really want to move in with two males? And had Viper agreed to this? What about Harley needing to leave to keep me safe?

  “Look. I know you mean well, but this is my home. What would I do with all my stuff? Who would I get to move in here?”

  “Advertise. It’s close to the heart of town and public transport. I don’t think you’d have to worry about it staying empty for long.”

  “And the alarm?”

  “I can call and cancel it today while you’re at work.”

  Gah! Things were moving too quickly. I couldn’t process it all. Suddenly my world had been turned on its axis and I dangled precariously upside down.

  I couldn’t argue with the fact that Viper and Harley could keep me safe. That didn’t factor into it, but if they were going to be guarding me constantly, my freedom would be robbed. At least here, inside, I had my own space. Was I really in so much danger I warranted a permanent guard?

  “Plus, having you with me would give me peace of mind. I don’t know what those mongrels are capable of, but I have a feeling they’re watching and waiting to strike again. They almost killed me, Mac. I don’t want you to suffer the same fate.”

  His argument played with my instincts to remain safe. Would they really hurt me? I hated the idea of being in danger. Unknowingly I may have put a target on my head the moment I stepped into the ICU room housing the handsome stranger with a dark, yet obscure past. What if his attackers knew where I worked? Surely if they’d found my place of residence, it would be easy to track me to University Hospital.

  “I never wanted any of this. I just wanted to make a difference and live my life.” I sighed it out, focused on Harley’s reaction.

  “I hear you, angel. I had no idea about the shit that would find me. I don’t want you involved in my fucked up life, but the fact is, now that I’ve dragged it to your doorstep, it’s my job to protect you and keep you safe. Let me do that. Please? I couldn’t save Reno…”

  Pain glittered in his eyes and clarity washed over me. Losing his friend even though he’d since learned of his betrayal, cut him deeply. He didn’t want to lose me the same way.

  “What about my apartment?” Again I asked the question. I had work today. I didn’t have time to search for a tenant.

  “I’ll get Viper to ask his contacts. If nothing comes of it, we’ll place an ad. Don’t worry, it won’t be vacant for long.”

  I knew I could regret my decision, but on a whim, I blurted out, “Fine. Only until the bastards are caught.”

  Squeezing my eyes shut tightly, I heard his chair push back and then his nearness enveloped me. Chancing a peek, I found him kneeling on the floor beside me, scraping my chair on the floor as he turned me to face him.

  With so much sincerity, he gripped my thighs and drilled me fiercely with two fathomless lasers. “Good girl. You’ve made the right choice. I promise you here and now that I will do everything in my power to protect you. So will Viper.”

  The steadfast vow chipped away at my will, warming every corner of my insides. Hearing his oath made me believe that perhaps he could stay true to his word.

  Sagging against the back of the chair, I relaxed a bit. “Thank you. I’ll go pack a bag and you can drop me off at work and then pick me up this afternoon. We can head straight to Viper’s. Make sure it’s okay with him, though.”

  “Already done, sweet cheeks.” He beamed. “He’s all for it. This was my plan B.”

  I wasn’t sure what I had got myself into, but I would soon find out.

  Chapte
r Five

  Harley

  Thank God for small mercies. Mac agreeing to move in with Viper and me relaxed me somewhat. I didn’t think she’d concede so fast, but self-preservation had won her over. And so it should. No one liked the idea of a possible threat looming over their heads. This way, she had not one protector, but two.

  Come hell or high water, any demented fuck who dared mess with us and used Mac to do it would pay with their life. Fool me once, shame on you. I would be prepared. While my angel worked her pretty ass off today, I planned on getting a locksmith out to my apartment to cut a key and then I’d scour the place for any and all weapons I could take to Viper’s. There had to be some cash lying around I’d failed to see last time I visited, but I’d turn the place over if I had to.

  First order of the day—getting my girl to work.

  My girl. Had I laid claim to her? I guess the moment I vowed to put my own life above hers and kill to protect her, yes, she had become mine.

  All five foot six of her. Stubbornness and all.

  “You ready?” I called from the living room where I’d been lacing up my black boots. Just one of the items I’d packed from my place and brought to Mac’s. My stonewashed jeans I’d worn yesterday hung low and comfortable, a navy tee hiding my scarred chest.

  “Yep. Go start the car. I’ll be out in a sec!” she sang from the bedroom.

  A comfortable feeling settled deep within me. As if Mac and I had been together forever. The idea of me driving her to work felt normal. Slowly I began forging a new life after my attack, learning to live with what I had. I’d been given a second chance and I sure as heck wasn’t going to waste it. Evil had tried to destroy me, but failed. I might not know much, but I knew next time I would fight to the death.

  Opening the garage door, I fired up Mac’s Mustang, loving her chunky growl. Who would have thought an ICU nurse would own such a fine piece of machinery? She rumbled and vibrated as I waited another minute before Mac appeared.