Page 71 of July 27

She slipped her hand into his. There was nothing she could say that would change the past for him. All she could do was listen when he decided to talk.

Her opinion of his parents, turning their back on one of their children, wouldn't help him accept his past.

"They're dead now." He scoffed. "And I feel nothing."

She knew differently. He felt everything. That's why he sat in the truck talking about something he couldn't change.

Everyone around Ruger knew him as a hardened criminal with no feelings. Even Katrina was unsure of where Ruger stood in her life despite her loving him.

He'd gone through hell and survived but came out with scars and memories that tormented him.

Rachel would never say she knew Ruger better than anyone, but she understood him. He wasn't the only one with a sad family background.

Ruger had lived through raising Katrina by himself until he got thrown into prison. He'd come out and rebuilt his relationship with his daughter. Most men would not have.

She removed her seatbelt, crawled over, and sat on his lap, facing him. Cupping his face, she kissed his lips softly.

"I have a hard time understanding why anyone wouldn't love you how you needed to be loved." She stroked his cheeks. "You are the strongest, smartest, most loving man I have ever met, and I've fallen completely in love with you."

"I'll disappoint you—"

"Never." She locked gazes with him.

"I don't want to hurt you, " his voice grew huskier. "I don't want to lose you."

"Never. Never. Never." She peppered kisses on his lips. "I'm the one who is afraid of losing you."

He cupped the back of her head and kissed her deeply. His chest rose and fell underneath her hand. Wrapped up in his words. His fears. She pressed against him, breathing heavily.

Ruger cupped her ass, dragging her up against him. She rocked on his lap, wanting closer.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

She jerked back, snapping her gaze at the driver's side window.

"Get a room." Outside, Jagger looped his arm over Katrina's shoulders.

Ruger flipped Jagger off. But there was an ease about the banter they shared.

She crawled off his lap and sat on the passenger side, straightening her hair. Caught up in Ruger, she had forgotten where they were and what had happened that day.

He started the truck and looked at her. "You with me?"

"Always." She reached across the seat and grabbed his hand. "Let's go home."

"I need to pick up my Harley, " he said as he pulled out of the parking lot. "Do you want me to drop you off at the cottage first, or are you up for a ride?"

The warmth of her smile spread throughout her. "Let's ride."

They rode back to the cottage in silence. Every once in a while, he strummed her hand with his thumb. Every once in a while, he glanced at her.

Every once in a while, he inhaled deeply, matching her breathing.

Her heart burst. He was everything she wanted and more.

Chapter Thirty Two

AHavlin member rode up the driveway to the cottage. Rachel, sitting on a stool in the garage, watching Ruger work on his Harley, waved. It was Brooke's husband, Maverick.

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