Page 67 of Ruthless

He released a breath. "When I said that no one would fuck you until I was done with you, baby--I'll never be done with you. I don't know why I said it."

It took effort to remain calm. I needed to hear more before I got my hopes up. "Maybe deep down it's what you believe."

He shook his head rigorously. "No. Trust me, it's not." He began running his hands through my hair. "I want you, angel. I shouldn't. I'm not a good man. I've done things." His eyes turned stormy, and I got the impression that he was suddenly miles away, seeing something that I couldn't. Finally he said, "I've done things that could land me in prison for a long time."

"Have you hurt women or children?" He shook his head. "Have you hurt animals?" He grinned at that, but gave a negative head shake. "Have you hurt or killed anyone who didn't deserve it?"

Again, he indicated no. "That doesn't mean I wouldn't go to prison for it." He stared deeply into my eyes. "I won't change my life, angel. It's all I know. I'm comfortable with it. I like what I do, and I make a good living at it."

I was trying to understand why he was telling me these things. "What are you saying?"

"I'm saying that if you're with me, that's what you get." His tone was firm.

"If I'm with you? As in boyfriend and girlfriend?" God, it sounded juvenile even to my ears.

Rebel laughed softly. "We won't be going steady, but yes, if that's what you want to call it," he teased. He cleared his throat, but it sounded more like a grunt. "Let me make this as clear and simple as I can, baby--I want you, only you, and I have from the very beginning. I'd like to see where this goes, between us. I have the cash to buy a house?"

My eyes grew round. This was far more than I'd expected, and the excitement blossoming inside of me threatened to explode. "You want us to live together?"

"Yeah, I want you where I can keep my eyes on you. I want to keep you safe. I want to take care of you, baby. You can still keep your job if you want."

Ohmygod! I was shocked into silence. This was the last thing I'd expected from Rebel. And then it hit me--he really did want me, and not just for sex. He wanted to take care of me. I'd never had anyone take care of me before, other than my parents. I could only blink up at him, trying to digest what he'd been saying, trying not to break down in happy tears, but I could feel my eyes swelling and burning and I knew that it was just a matter of time.

"You okay, baby? You're quiet. You don't want the same thing?"

Was that concern in his voice? I knew it was a mistake the second I opened my mouth. "I . . . You . . . We . . . I?" I closed my mouth and swallowed, hoping that the next time I opened my mouth a complete sentence would fall out. Rebel was watching me closely, a crooked grin on his sensual mouth. I took a breath. "Yes. I do want the same thing. I just never thought that you would. I know what a nomad does, how they live."

"I'll still be a nomad, angel. I won't change the way I live. I'll be gone on jobs a lot. One job gone badly could be the end of everything. Can you accept that?"

I could accept almost anything except one thing. "Will there be other women?"

"No." The fact that he didn't hesitate told me that I could believe him. "No other women for me. You're the only one I want."

Happy beyond belief, I climbed up onto him and gave him a long kiss. His arms automatically closed around me, crushing me against him. I could feel the lust renewing between us, but neither of us made a move to carry it any further. Our kiss was consuming, and scorching hot. Rebel wasted no time in parting my lips and attacking my tongue with his. Our naked bodies were flush. I was aware of every one of Rebel's hot, hard muscles against me, aware that his hands had moved to my butt and were squeezing the mounds vigorously.

When we came apart I laid my head down against his shoulder. "I need to go to the hospital," I murmured after a while, thinking about Della. I hoped that she’d had a good night.

"I'll drop you off."

"You have another job already?" I frowned, lifting my head slightly to meet his eyes.

"No. I thought I'd meet with a realtor to see about that house."

Oh. The thought of playing house with Rebel made me feel warm and content inside.

Life was about to get interesting!

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