Page 65 of Ruthless Love

Despite the breeze fanning my ass, I know the sting on my butt is the two of them staring.

With Jean dropped off, I don’t hesitate to bring Evie to my penthouse, one of several in the magnificent hotel, impressive with views of the Strip that cast the room in a glow of warm light. I don’t care if anyone might see us. I doubt the media has caught wind that her engagement is off, but none of that matters as her small hand tightens around mine.

I know I need to explain. That’s what Evie came here for. But I also know that the titanium wall that was between us is dust in our past, and nothing can keep me from taking her. Having her. Loving her.

Her body shivers as my lips smooth down her neck, and I feel her chest rise and fall into mine. My hands move deliberately, removing her clothes but using every excuse to graze my fingertips along her skin, tracing soft lines on her back and neck, the underside of both breasts, and the softness of her belly. I dust my fingers up her thighs and dip between her legs, teasing her with light strokes up and down her soaking-wet folds.

When the ball of my thumb circles her clit, one word leaves her lips. Wanting. Begging. Pleading. “Austin ...”

I force three fingers inside, and with only a few pumps, her body quakes and comes undone as we stand a foot inside the door. She needed this—needed me.

Scooping her trembling body into my arms, I take her to the oversize bed, letting her watch as I remove my shirt and jeans, giving her full view of my cock, more than ready for her. Her hands wrap around it, but I’m not ready for her yet. My mouth is dying for a long, slow taste of her wetness.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

EVIE

When Austin buries his stubbly face between my thighs and traces a finger from my entrance to the tender hole of my ass, the electric pulses that erupt across my body leave me shaking and panting. Being without him has been like living without air, the breathlessness a reminder of how he makes every nerve in my body come alive.

I turn on my stomach, needing to feel every thick inch of him spread me. Claim me. Own me.

The gentleness he starts with as he edges the head of his cock into me has me trembling with want, and his first thrust shoves in so deep, I lose every thought but of him. When he pulls himself out, I ache from the loss. And when he forces himself back in, I can’t help my screams of yes and please.

His cock fills me over and over until I feel his thighs tighten. His strong hands grip my waist as he rocks harder, hitting that spot until another wave of pleasure tears me apart, shattering me as we ride out the harmony of our climaxes.

Our breaths steady, and his tender kisses roam across my shoulders and feather up my neck.

A strange question comes to me, and I ask, “How did you find me tonight?”

His shy laugh is pure debauchery. “I slipped a tracker in your purse.”

Without looking, I’m sure he can see the wonder in my expression, and he continues.

“I thought you might be heading back to Dallas. And if you did, I wanted to be there because I had to know what was going on. Why everything changed.”

When he rolls to his back, I turn, resting my head on the solid heat of his chest, weaving my fingers through his. “Tell me about Gaby. She seems so grown.” I’m interested to know more, but cautious.

“She’s thirteen,” Austin says, and I lift my head, needing to study his eyes.

“How old are you?” I ask, hoping my question comes out more curious and less flat-out shocked. The man can’t be much older than me.

“Thirty,” he says, and gives me a few seconds to do the math. “Her mom, Joelle, and I were both underage. Her family moved away suddenly. My calls and texts went unanswered, and one day, the number belonged to someone else. I signed up for my first deployment soon after, when I turned eighteen. I had no idea Joelle had been pregnant until out of the blue, Gaby reached out to me on Facebook. As soon as I saw her profile picture, I knew. I just knew.”

Laying my head on him, I stay quiet, taking in every word as I rest on his heartbeat.

“Her mother is married. He’s been the only father Gaby has ever known, and she loves him. He sounds like an amazing father.”

“How did she know?”

“My girl has a thing for puzzles, just like me. She dug around until she found the truth. Her birth certificate. She searched some more, and when she found me on Facebook, she said it was my eyes that convinced her. No one else in her family has them—our eyes. I was about to deploy again when she called, so I left the military. Coop found the house here and gave me a job, and I laid low as we worked things out with her mom ... her mom and dad.” There’s both sorrow and joy in his voice as he says that word.

“Months later, when the phone calls slowed down, I wasn’t sure what to think.” He takes a long breath. “Apparently, my little girl was working stuff out with her family so they’d agree to let her visit. She’s incredible. So goddamn together. A whole grade above the other kids her age.”

The pride in his voice wanes, and his hand cradles my jaw, lifting my eyes to his. “Does this change things for you, Evie?”

I give an honest shrug. “I don’t think so. I mean, does it change my feelings for you? No. But what about you? You’re just getting to know her. Maybe having me in the mix isn’t the best idea.”

“Hey.” He hushes me with a kiss, and the tightening of tension building in my shoulders vanishes. “You’re in this mix. Bound to me.”

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