What Doesn't Destroy Us (The Devil's Dust #1)(70)

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I step out of the shower. Washing the spaghetti and shame off of me was harder than I thought.

The bedroom is dark. There's just enough illumination from the moon to allow me to navigate. I look out the window to watch the pedestrians scramble like ants. It still makes me wonder what a normal person's life feels like. Hands slide over my bare back, startling me and causing my heart to race.

“It’s just me. It's okay,” Shadow whispers into my ear. I didn’t even hear him come into the bedroom.

“I f*cked up,” he confesses, removing his hands from my skin. His lips kiss below my ear, trailing down my neck to my collarbone.

“Forgive me?” Shadow asks, his voice rough and sexy. My head spins with the many emotions Shadow has me in. We’re so up and down; I don’t know if I can play these mind games anymore.

“Come away with me,” his fingers twirling my hair as he asks.

I turn around abruptly.

“What?” I ask, confused about what he means by away.

“Just me and you; away from the club and everyone we know. I want to get to know you better.” He leans in and pecks my lips but I don’t return the kiss.

“Are you f*cking kidding me?” I ask, furious he would think I would just forgive him so easily.

“I’m not f*cking kidding you,” he mocks.

“I get it, I f*cked up; I was a dick. I admit I tried to push you away. The way I feel for you, the way you make me feel, scares the shit out of me. I don’t know what else you want from me.” He looks right into my eyes and cups the back of my neck bringing me closer. Our lips brush against each other. “I love you, Dani,” he whispers, his lips teasing mine.

His confession has me stunned. I should tell him I love him, too, but I can’t move my lips to form anything other than a question: “You do?”

Shadow bites my bottom lip gently, “I f*cking do, and it scares me.”

I smash my lips into his; his tongue dancing with mine. He tastes of beer and sex, making me wrap my legs around his waist. He walks us to the bed, laying me on my back, my legs never breaking contact.

“I love you, too, Shadow,” I reveal breathlessly.

“This is scary for me, too. I have never loved anyone before, “I say, running my hands through his tousled hair. Saying the words makes me feel like a lioness. Finally being able to say the words is a relief. I love Shadow; bad, biker-boy Shadow, beast and all.

“Does that mean you'll go away with me?” he asks, pecking little butterfly kisses along my neck.

“Yes, yes, I will go away with you,” I reply.

“We leave tomorrow,” he whispers as his lips make love to my delicate skin and his hands snake around to grab my ass.

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This day has already been a whirlwind. Shadow woke me up with the sun this morning, he had made pancakes and we ate on the balcony watching it rise. It was the most personal time I’ve had with Shadow in days.

Last night was a long night. Bobby and Doc were up having sex all night again, keeping us up with their intense howling. Shadow and I laid next to each other, our bodies silently apologizing for the last few days.

The kidnapping had given us both a violent reality check, I get it, but I still can’t shake the way Shadow tried to get rid of me so easily. Getting away with Shadow is just what we both need. I’m hoping to truly forgive Shadow for his dickish moves and I hope to learn more about who he is.

After breakfast, Shadow took me shopping. He said our trip was to a beach house, so I bought three bikinis; a red and white one, a green one, and secretly, a black leather one. I can’t wait to strut my stuff in the leather one; Shadow is going to have a stroke. I got a couple of big, floppy sun hats, and a few cute lightweight cover-ups, and finally, a couple of pairs of sandals. Shadow paid for it all. When I told him it was too much, he threw random stuff on the counter and cocked an eyebrow at me.

“Really, this is too much, Shadow, you have to stop buying me things,” I protested, pointing to the bags hanging from my arms and his.

Suddenly, he drops the bags and grabs a fist full of my hair, pulling me harshly toward him. He might have felt bad for pushing me away, but his alpha dominant male ego is still there.

“I want to buy things for you; I was an ass the last few days and want to make you happy. Let me spoil you. You're mine and mine will have whatever she wants.” He brushed his lips against mine; not caring about the passersby eyeing us in shock.

After packing up all of our purchases, we climb into Shadow's Mustang and head out. I didn't know he'd put the motor in until this morning. The car is loud and fast, making me ache with sexual tension. Shadow takes my hand and tugs on it. I look over at him and he tugs my arm again. His playboy smile indicates he wants me to climb on his lap.

“Seriously?” I ask, looking out at the road lined with traffic; knowing it’s dangerous and against the law.

He smiles wolfishly and nods. Not being able to resist, I climb over and sit across his lap, my back facing his door, and throw my arm around his neck. He wraps his left arm around my waist and pulls me close, “A man could get used to this,” Shadow says, kissing my collarbone and steps on the accelerator making us race forward with a roar of the motor.

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