Page 74 of Loved By You

“Fuck,” I growled, my fists clenching. How the fuck is that justice?

“Baby, I am so sorry, I’m so fucking sorry that happened to you.” I tighten my hold on her, letting her know I’m here. I’m not going anywhere.

“In a weird way, I’m not sorry it happened. If it hadn't, I wouldn't have been sent to my therapy group and I wouldn't have met Ali and Gabby.”

I pull her face to mine, looking her straight in the eyes so she understands me. “Nothing like that will ever happen to you again. No one will ever hurt you again, I promise.”

She buries her face into my neck, her body begins to relax into me. Leaning my cheek against the top of her head, she sniffs, wetness coating my neck as the last of her tears fall.

“You keep saving me,” she mumbles, as if she can’t believe my promise.

“Because you are worth saving, Ri.”

I stayed the night and slept with Ria in my arms. I felt that this was where I was meant to be, where I wanted to be.

I've only had one woman in my life who I would consider a girlfriend. But it was never love. I've always been too busyin the military or starting up our clubs, and a relationship has never been a priority for me. But finally, I am holding the only woman I have ever truly wanted, spending my free time building Minnie Mouse playhouses, taking ballet classes and shopping for diapers and I’ve never been happier.

Fuck, this is what I want.

I want this life; I want Ria; I want her girls and all the pink shit that comes with them. But I’m scared to tell her. Scared I’ll frighten her and come on too strong. She’s said she’s scared to let me in. That she’ll lose me, but she won’t. I know she's it for me. I just need to prove that to her.

I know her divorce isn’t finalized, and it’s early days, but truthfully, I’d have made her mine when we were teens. I was just too scared to act on it then.

She rolls out of our embrace and onto her side. Her hair fanned out on the pillow and her skin glowing in the morning sun, showcasing the dusting of freckles on her nose. God, she's perfect. I feel my morning wood pressing against the sheets, but I need to let her sleep. Last night wrecked her emotionally and I want to do something for her.

I slip out of bed, careful not to wake her, put on my boxers and head downstairs. Nugget greets me at the bottom of the stairs, and I let him into the backyard. I decide on coffee and pancakes for breakfast and raid her cupboards and fridge for the ingredients. I find a packet of M&M’s and chuckle. Lexi and Ria’s favorite. I mix the ingredients and start on the pancakes as the coffee brews.

I’m pretty impressed with my culinary skills as I plate them up and spray some whipped cream on them along with a few M&M’s sprinkled on top. I take a fork and have a quick taste test.

It looks like Lexi made them, but I know Ria will appreciate the effort. I hunt for a tray and as I turn to place the breakfast on it ready to take up, I am greeted with her leaning againstthe kitchen doorway, only wearing my black t-shirt from the day before. She’s all tousled hair and toned, tanned legs, and fuck me, she is the definition of sex on legs.

“Mmmm, whipped cream, my favorite,” she hums.

Chapter Thirty-Three

Ria

I stalk towards him, drinking him in. His toned, naked chest, the tattoos that run from his chest down one of his arms. I want to run my tongue along them. Last night was heavy. So many emotions to deal with, but all I want to do right now is get lost in Jack.

He sets the tray down and reaches for me, tugging me so I land against his chest.

“Morning, beautiful.”

“Morning, you.”

I go on to my tiptoes and press a kiss to his soft lips, tasting the remnants of pancakes and whipped cream.

“You made us breakfast?” I ask quizzically.

“I did, but suddenly I’m in the mood to eat something else.”

“Oh, really? And what's that?” I reply, trying not to smile.

I yelp as he lifts me onto the kitchen island.

“You,” he says with a hunger in his eyes I’ve never seen before.

I swallow and my breathing starts to quicken, heat forming between my thighs, the cool kitchen counter pressing against my bare ass.

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