Page 88 of Rami

“Yeah. I told her last night. I called after they took you to make sure she’d be okay with me giving the cartel her hundred grand.” He took a sip of his coffee and set his mug down.

“You mean from my rescue? Why would you have to ask her?”

He gave her a lopsided smile. “I planned to give it back to her except for what little costs needed to be covered. It didn’t feel right to keep it. Fernando wouldn’t take the money, so it’ll go back to Gigi today. August will bring it by later.”

She closed her hand over his warm wrist. God, he was so much bigger than her. She’d never not be in awe of their size difference—and of the magnitude of his heart. Looking at Rami, one wouldn’t expect there to be anything more than a cold and distant man beneath all the tattoos and grit.

He was as tough as nails, but not with her.

His gaze raked over her face and his jaw locked. “I wish we’d iced your cheek,” he said, changing the subject. “Who hit you?”

Ivy swallowed, forcing the memories down, but they came back up like a shot of tequila. “Fernando.” She brought her fingers to her aching cheekbone.

“And the hit to your head?”

“Wayne, but you already took care of him.” She forced a wobbly smile. She didn’t want to relive the events of last night. Not when she was in Rami’s cozy kitchen and could easily forget all that’d happened... at least for a little while.

She couldn’t hide from her demons, could only dodge them for a little while.

“The tracking device,” she said, with her gaze on her plate. “You said you used it to find me. What did you mean?”

His expression turned grim. “I wish we’d gone to the hospital right after your rescue. They’d have known what to look for. I’m sorry about that.” He took another sip of coffee. “At the same time, we wouldn’t have found you as easily as we did without it. Dare, Toth’s brother, is a pro hacker. He got into the cartel’s database and found you.”

Her eyes must have popped from her head because Rami grinned. “You had a whole team looking for you, baby.”

Gratitude expanded inside her, and it took all her resolve not to cry. “Thank you,” she said, meaning it with her whole heart. If only Fernando had been found and arrested—then she could really start her healing journey.

Rami must have read her face. He lowered his fork and cupped the back of her neck. “I want you to know I’m going after Fernando. You don’t have to fear him anymore. I promise.”

She blinked away tears and sniffed. “Kind of hard to fear anything when I have you.”

He chortled. “I didn’t do enough. But that’s not the point right now,” he added, before she could protest. His thumb swiped under her bottom lip and desire pooled in her belly.

God, she needed him.

Leaning forward, she pressed her mouth to his. With his hand at her neck, he brought her closer. Plunging his tongue into her mouth, he deepened the kiss. The taste of coffee was strong on his breath and so was the flavor of minty toothpaste. She moaned and brought her fingers to his jaw, stroking the strong line of bone swathed in scruff.

As if her touch undid him, he lifted her from her seat and pulled her to his lap to straddle him.

“Mmm. You taste so good, Ivy. Christ.” He moved his hand beneath the hoodie she wore and his palm froze on the crest of her butt. “You’re not wearing any panties.”

She grinned and nipped his chin. “Are you complaining?”

A deep rattle sounded in his chest. “Fuck no.” His fingers swept over her skin, exploring every contour. Her legs were spread wide, giving him easy access to whatever he wanted.

He dipped underneath her from behind, and two fingers swiped over her slick folds. She found his lips again and slipped her tongue between his teeth. His heat met her, welcoming her inside his mouth.

“Goddamn,” he breathed.

He pushed his fingers inside her and Ivy’s body tightened, ready to detonate.

CHAPTER 24

Ivy reached for the waistband of his pants and wiggled her fingers inside. Grabbing the thick, hard length of his cock, she stroked. Rami spasmed beneath her.

“Babe.” The syllables came out breathless. His fingers stopped their ministrations but stayed inside her. His free hand tipped up her chin, breaking their mouths apart. “I don’t want to hurt you. We should stop until you’re healed.”

Ivy’s face warmed with both desire and impatience. “I’m fine.” She drew the walls of her vagina together, and he choked on a gasp.

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