Page 35 of Her Steadfast Hero

“You do realize you’ll have to report to Carmen,” David warned.

“I’ve had worse commanders.”

David felt his gut unclench for the first time in days. Now it was time to find Sarah.

* * *

He couldn’t get to the hotel fast enough, and it sure as hell wasn’t to sleep. It was an absolute madhouse. Two ambulances and three buses were outside the hotel loading up patients.

It took him twice as long as normal to get out of the truck, and he was damn near hobbling as he made his way from the parking lot to the hotel entrance. Was this what it was going to feel like when he reached eighty? All of the mayhem going on in the lobby was a blur until he saw blonde hair.

“Sarah!” Suddenly he wasn’t feeling so old. In less than a second, he was across the floor and had her in his arms. So warm. So soft.

“David.” Her flushed face jammed into his neck. She breathed his name over and over. Then he felt her tears. “You saved Carys.”

“Where is she?”

“She came in with a medic named Aiden. They’re over there.” She motioned with her hand to a curtained off corner.

“Is she really okay?”

Sarah looked at him. “I haven’t talked to her, not really. But I don’t think she’s going to be okay for a while. Even if her body is. You know?” David hugged Sarah, and she clutched at him. Then he picked her up.

“Put me down,” she finally whispered.

“No. I don’t want to.”

“I know you don’t,” she whispered. “But I want to go to our room.”

He let her body drift down his until her feet touched the floor. She took his hand and led him to the elevator.

“Stairs,” he insisted. She rolled her eyes, then nodded her head.

He opened the door to the stairwell, intent on a kiss, but then saw the herd of people. He was not the only one who thought the elevator was a bad bet. She tugged his hand, and they rushed up to the third floor.

In the room, he saw evidence that she had moved in and breathed a sigh of relief. Then all of his attention was focused on one thing, and one thing only. Sarah Kyle was taking off her clothes. Her shirt was tossed off, and she was unclasping her bra.

“Strip,” she demanded. “Shower, then sex.”

He laughed and started to take off his shirt and groaned.

“Fuck.”

“Dammit, David.” Bare chested, she came to him and pushed up his shirt. All thought of pain was gone as he cupped her breasts.

“Stop that, your bandage is soaked through.”

“Fuck my bandage.” He bent and brought a rose colored nipple to his mouth. Heaven. Her breast was so soft to the touch. Damn. Her nipple pebbled against his tongue, and he was as hard as a rock. Good, he felt her hands at his waist. What?

“You’re not unbuttoning me.”

“No, I’m pushing you away. Dammit, David, have you popped your stitches?”

“Quit saying ‘Dammit’, David. Say ‘fuck me’ David. I haven’t popped my stitches. I just did some running and the wound bled.” He pushed her towards the bed and sat her down. Then knelt down and untied her boots.

“I should be doing that for you.”

“Doesn’t matter. We’re getting naked. Getting wet. Then you’re getting wetter. Then we’re going to fuck. Then we’re going to make love. Got it?”