Page 60 of Brutal Savage

“He has?”

That doesn’t sound like him. Then again, I don’t know much about him, do I?

She wraps her arms around me, then pulls back. “Oh, yes. He says you’re an amazing teacher and Brody adores you.” Her expression grows sad at the child’s name. “We’d do anything to have him talk again.” Those brown eyes of hers glisten with pain, but she clears her throat and returns to her cooking. “Will you stay for dinner?”

“I—”

“Yes, she will.”

My pulse wakes with a rapid beat when I hear his raspy voice behind me.

Turning toward him, I find those smoldering eyes zeroing in on me, his mouth set in a tight line.

“I really don’t want to impose.”

I can’t help but wonder what he’s thinking. Does he want me to stay so he can interrogate me? Torture information out of me? It’s what people in the Mafia do, isn’t it?

“It wouldn’t be an imposition.” He saunters closer, and my heart picks up speed. “I don’t see a reason you couldn’t join us for dinner.”

His mouth drops nearer, until it’s angled against my ear.

A pant rises out of me as he says, “If you want me to pay you for staying, just say the word, Ms. Hill. As you can see, money isn’t an issue for me.”

“Um…”

His lips skim right below my lobe, and I stifle a gasp from the sensation it brings in me, completely forgetting that Ruby is very much still here.

“I can still smell you on my fingers.”

Oh my God.

My face flushes. An inhale traps in my lungs.

Desire winds tighter and tighter through me.

He chuckles all deep and low, straightening himself as he lifts the sleeves of his dress shirt, and those forearms do sinful things to me. They always do.

Ruby stares between us, fighting a smile, and that only makes my face grow hot with embarrassment.

I knew this was a bad idea. I can’t even stand beside him without getting turned on.

Scratching my throat, I throw on a nervous smile. “Not necessary, Mr. Quinn. I’ll accept your offer for dinner. Thank you, Ruby.”

“Of course, dear.”

Something passes between Tynan and Ruby, and his jaw clenches.

What was that about?

“Come on,” he says. “I’m sure Brody is very excited to see you.”

At the thought of him, I forget how nervous I am and follow Tynan to the den. And as soon as Brody turns to me, he runs straight into my arms.

“Hey, sweetheart.” I hold him close, shutting my eyes, my heart instantly breaking every time I think about his life. “So…” I perch back and clasp his face between my hands, staring down at him. “Are you done with homework?”

He nods.

“Good boy. Maybe we can go for a walk with Bubbles.”

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