Playing With Fire

Chapter 37 - Need

As soon as they were far enough away, Shahru walked behind one of the tents and pulled her into his arms. The second her cheek touched the soft flannel material of his shirt she let go. Tears streamed down her face as he held her. Poor guy. He always had to do that, hold her while she cried, but in the comfort of his embrace she felt more free to let her emotions go than she ever had in her life. Shahru didn't judge her. He held her, consoled her, soothed the ache in her heart. This big, strong, sometimes surly and other times carefree man eased her with a softness she'd never known.

For minutes, he held her and let her get it all out. How could her mother treat her like this? It was as if she didn't matter to her at all. Status, clout, money, those mattered to her family. Nothing else. Soon Shahru tilted her head up to look at him. He used the rough pads of his fingers to wipe the remaining tears from her face. When her cheeks were dry, he buried his hand in her hair and captured her mouth in a fierce kiss. Their tongues danced, intertwined, with fervent need. He kissed away the pain, the anger, the frustration, and leaving her with nothing but an ache between her thighs and her heart for him.

Pressing two more soft kisses to her lips, Shahru pulled back. "Damn her for not realizing how amazing you are, Angel."

He didn't say anything else. He didn't have to say anything other than that. Shahru
couldn't have picked words she needed to hear more at that moment. What she wanted to do was damn him for not realizing how amazing he was. He thought he didn't deserve her? Shahru deserved everything, and she could do nothing but hope she could be the person to give it to him. "Thank you."

"You have nothing to thank me for."

Oh, but she did. More than he would ever know. "Looks as if we're going to have to stay in hiding all weekend. Since we're supposed to be out of town we don't want to risk running into someone who knows my mother."

Shahru smiled that fun-loving smile she loved so much, and then he winked at her.
"Didn't I tell you, Angel? We really are getting away to celebrate this weekend. I wouldn't want any distractions to come between me and that payment you promised me." He dropped his lips to hers and kissed her senseless again.

Angel conked out about ten minutes into their hour-long drive. The crazy part of him that wished they could somehow make this relationship of theirs work was disappointed he wouldn't have this time just to listen to her talk. The logical part of him who admitted it would never work, silently thanked God for the time to think. For less time to get to know her and to like her even more. There were too many things stacked against them. They had minor hurdles in their path, such as the fact her family would never accept him. He didn't give a shit about that for himself but for Angel he did. She shouldn't have to give up anything for him, and even though her parents were royal jerks, she still loved them.

She was so much better a person than he in that way. Any small part inside of him that had ever loved his father was long dead. Shahru couldn't forgive and forget even when it came to himself. It might take her a while, but he knew her and she would stand up for herself against them just like she'd done by moving out. She'd get to where she knew her own strength and make them give her the respect they should. That would be much easier without the town handyman, ex-drunk, who had a habit of breaking the heart of the woman he loved. Shit, loved? Did he love her? This got more complicated by the minute.

Angel was finding herself right now, and the last thing she needed was all his baggage, yet he couldn't turn away. He didn't want to turn away, and as big as an ass that made him he couldn't make himself change his mind.

They pulled up to the cabin, and she still didn't stir. Shahru got out of the car, went to her side and pulled her close to him. She wrapped her arms around his neck, resting her head on his shoulder as he carried her to the door of the cabin. Somehow he managed to unlock it with the keys he'd picked up earlier in the day. A small lamp lit a walkway through the short hallway in the cabin. He carried her straight back to the bedroom and laid her on the bed.