Page 53 of Rami

His gaze scanned her face. Burden sat heavy in his eyes. “It was too fucking close,” he whispered.

She wrapped her arms around his waist and let her cheek rest against his chest. Anxiety clung to her like a heavy, wet fleece blanket. Using work, she’d tried to give her mind a reprieve from the trauma, but it hadn’t left. “I was so scared.” The words came out as a confession.

She’d wanted to be strong. To show him that she wouldn’t crumble or break under pressure, but seeing his vulnerability had exposed hers.

His large hand cradled the nape of her neck, and he brushed his lips over her forehead. His beard tickled her skin, making her sink deeper against him.

“I was more terrified of returning to the camper than I was of dying—but when he had the gun to my head all I could think about was you. That I couldn’t leave this earth without another moment with you.”

He wrapped his arms around her, crushing her to his body. “If I have my way, you’ll have more than another moment.”

Questions mixed with hope erupted deep inside her. It was too soon to ask for anything more than Rami’s protection.

“Let’s get some food,” he said. “We might have to run again.”

And just like that, her little ship of hope sank like the Titanic.

CHAPTER 15

“Oh my god. That was delicious.”

Rami gave a half smile as Ivy sat back in her chair and pushed her plate away. She’d eaten everything on it—the eight-ounce steak, pan-seared potatoes, and asparagus he’d cooked. Gigi had left the fridge stocked with food and snacks.

He’d make it his mission to feed Ivy until she got nourishment back into her.

She already looked like a completely different woman from the one he’d rescued last week. Color filled her face and her eyes had more luster. Her lips were no longer split and cracked. Aside from needing to put a few pounds back on, she’d regained her health. Bruising still colored her cheek, though, and it pissed him off every time he remembered what’d caused the now-greenish hue. Her chin was covered with a small bandage.

She tucked in the corner of her mouth. “You’re dangerous.”

He cocked his head. “You’re just realizing that?”

She smiled, and for a moment he had a glimmer of what Ivy must have been like before the abduction. Carefree, at ease, even a little flirtatious. The idea of her flirting with anyone but him made him want to clench his back teeth into dust.

The wave of possessiveness was unwelcome and unexpected. Rami rocked his glass of water on the table and tried to keep his face passive while his brain screeched with the need to know who’d touched her before him.

’Cause he’d put an end to it happening again.

“I realized it sooner,” she said, bursting the territorial bubbles in his head.

“You mean when I killed two men today for daring to come after you?”

Her eyes sparkled, lighting him with desire. He was also relieved to know that what he’d said hadn’t dimmed the flames in her gorgeous emerald saucers, only intensified them. “I meant good sex and you can cook. That’s dangerous.”

He reared back as if she’d sucker punched him. “Good?”

One delicate eyebrow curved. “Did I say something wrong?”

His mouth ached to capture her lips. Even though she sat next to him, there was still too much distance between their bodies. “I guess you’re just reminding me I need to show you the real thing.”

She took a sip from her glass and looked out the double slider doors in the living room. The sun had fallen below the horizon hours ago, bathing the pool in darkness. “Care to join me for a swim?”

As tempting as the thought of a wet and available Ivy was, he needed to keep his head in the game. Getting her naked was the first thing he wanted to do but the last thing he should be doing. “Honey, I’d swim with you anytime, but—”

“I guess now is as good a time as any.” She went to a tablet on the built-in shelf near the TV and tapped the screen.

He stood. “What are you doing?”

“Turning off the patio camera.” She caught the hem of her shirt and lifted the material over her head, revealing breasts perfectly hugged in white lace. “Gigi won’t care if I skinny-dip, but that’s not something I want Todd to see.”

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