Page 42 of July 27

"Didn't kick you out." His gaze locked on hers. "Your brother came for you."

"I didn't want to go."

"Doesn't matter now. You're not going back." He cupped the back of her head. "Tired of fighting. Tired of feeling like life is shit without you, Rach. I missed you."

"I missed you, too." She tilted her face and kissed his lips gently. "I want to stay."

"I don't know why you would," he said against her lips. "I'm not someone to be proud of."

She gasped. "You are, too."

"I'm gonna disappoint you." His hold on her tightened. "I'll hurt you."

She shook her head. The man who stood between her and evil men, took the beatings intended for her, and killed men to save her life would never hurt her. She'd swear on her life.

His beard tickled her cheek. A thrill swept through her at getting a response from him, knowing she wasn't going crazy imagining the love growing between them.

A mix of excitement and nervousness pulsed through her bloodstream. He couldn't change her mind about him. She'd seen everything she needed to see.

He was her hero.

Despite the roughness, the stubbornness, and all the growls and grunts, he'd put her needs first when he could've walked away. That spoke a lot about the man.

Ruger curled his fingers around her wrist and shoved her hand down his body, putting her palm on the hard ridge of his cock. She sucked in her breath as he let out a deep groan.

She put her other hand inside his vest, found the hem of his T-shirt, and worked her fingers underneath the material. She loved his bigness—tall, broad, strong. He was solid, dependable, and protective.

She even liked how others viewed him as dangerous—she'd seen how the Havlin members walked around him and avoided confrontation.

He picked her up, pulling her legs around his waist. She wrapped her arms around his neck.

His breathy growl vibrated her lips. She swallowed the sound.

He moved, walking out of the kitchen. She threaded her fingers through his hair, content wrapped around his body until he physically lowered her, and her pussy came into contact with the hardness she'd rubbed earlier through his jeans.

In the bedroom, he lowered her until her feet hit the floor. Ruger pulled off her shirt. She shivered. His touch seared her skin.

She moved back to him, reaching for his buckle. He set his pistol on the dresser and then helped her strip him of his vest and shirt and unzip his jeans.

She rubbed against him, pressure building in her belly.

"You're so damn beautiful." He slid his hands down her back and gripped her ass, squeezing the plumpness until she was on her tiptoes.

An orgasm ripped through her body, rocking her against him. She panted, riding out the pleasure pulsating through her, on and on.

As she gained a breath, she gazed up at him. "I don't know what's the matter with me."

Ruger chuckled. "Let's see if you have another one in there."

She stepped out of her jeans and panties with shaking legs. Barely able to stand, she wasn't sure there was any pleasure left in her.

But that all changed when Ruger shoved his hand in the front of his opened jeans, fisted his cock and brought it out, setting it free.

The sight of his engorged cock stole all the air out of her lungs. Her pussy throbbed, reminding her that she was wrong. She had more in her.

"Grab a condom from the drawer, Rach."

She walked like a drunk person across the room and grabbed a condom from the nightstand. Her skin tingled. She knew he was looking at her.

---