Page 10 of Ruined

An older gentleman raised his glass with a smile when Cutler looked his way. “He probably thinks you’re my son.” Defeat washed over Cutler as the words left his lips. It was likely how everyone saw them.

Gablestood.

Panic soared inside Cutler. Gable had a government job in law enforcement. He couldn’t get into a fight.

Gable dug some money from his wallet and tossed it on the table. “Your son, my ass.” The grumbled words might have made Cutler smile if he wasn’t worried about what Gable might do. Instead of heading the man’s way, Gable moved to him. “This just gives me the excuse I need to have you alone. No way in hell will I let anyone think you’re anything less than mine.” In an obvious show of possessiveness, Gable snagged Cutler’s tie, hauled him forward, and kissed him like he would fuck him there if they wouldn’t be arrested.

Cutler forgot where they were. A moan rose in his throat.

Gable pulled away. “Let’s go. I came by cab so I could leave with you.” Helooked furious.

Cutler scrambled to his feet.

“Give me your keys.”

Cutler handed over his keys while trying to decide if Gable was pissed off at him. He looked angry as hell. Cutler didn’t look toward the bar again as he let Gable escort him from the restaurant. He waited until they were safely sequestered inside the car before making a sound.

“Are you—”

Gable was across the car in an instant. His tongue cut off any words Cutler thought he had. Cutler stroked his face. The rough kiss gentled. Pressure and love built in Cutler’s chest. He genuinely had never expected to be this happy.

Gable pulled away. He brushed noses with Cutler before swiping another sweet kiss across his lips. “I overreacted. I’m sorry.”

“It’s okay. I might’ve done the same.”

Gable moved back to his seat. Turned sideways, he held Cutler’s stare. “I’m fully aware you’re out of my league. That just solidified things. Everyone knows you can do better to the point of me being invisible.”

Cutler couldn’t have been more shocked if Gable punched him. Of all the things he expected, that wasn’t it. “Are you joking? There’s no way you actually believe that.” Except the hurt in Gable’s expression proved it was true.

“You have looks, money, and connections. I’m just some guy with an inconvenient job, so-so credit, and nothing real to offer. The only thing I own free and clear is my bike. You could have anyone. Why would you settle for me?”

“What in the fuck does money have to do with anything?”

“Only someone rich would think money has nothing to do with anything. I literally have nothing to offer someone like you.”

A sigh escaped Cutler before he could stop it. “You have love. No one else gives me that. I kill people, Gable. That’s who I am. That’s where that money comes from. How many people do you think are lining up to love someone like me?” Cutler’s throat swelled. Gable had no idea how much hell Cutler had survived. “You’re priceless to me.” There was no missing the way his voice shook, as if he was on the edge of tears. He might have been humiliated if it was anyone other than Gable sitting across from him. But he needed Gable to understand how much this relationship meant to him. He wasn’t ashamed.

For a moment, they simply stared at each other until Gable swiped a shaky hand over his eyes. When it dropped to his lap, helooked defeated. “I’m so fucking sorry. You deserved to know before we started dating that I’m a jealous bastard.”

A smile exploded across Cutler’s face. “I don’t know. That sexy show of dominance was pretty hot.”

Gable smiled. It looked guilty. “I feel like a dumbass. I’m not used to having someone matter to me as much as you do.”

Gable needed more reassurance than Cutler was managing. “Do you have any idea what I would’ve done if that drink had been for you?” The accent slipped away as the image of anyone hitting on Gable overcame him. He remembered the way Warren had looked at Gable on that cruise. “No one would see that man again. All because he thought he might have a shot with what’s mine. Don’t feel dumb. I’m fucking crazy. Just because you haven’t seen it doesn’t mean I’m stable in any way. I’ve seen and done things youshould hate me for. If anyone tried to take you, you’d be terrified of me.” By the time he finished, Cutler shook inside with rage.

Gable’s mouth lifted in one corner. “I love you.”

The fury bled from Cutler. “I love you too.”

“We should get some food to go.”

Cutler laughed. “Probably.”

Again, they simply held each other’s stare. This was love. No one could take it from them.

Steam filled the air. Cutler’s mouth on his skin was fucking heaven. Gable hadn’t produced a clear thought in an hour.Water assaulted them from every direction. He panted for air while Cutler teased his body. His insides still shook with the fear of losing him. Cutler was here with him. God. He hadn’t known he could turn possessive like that. He honestly scared himself a little. When he had turned his head and saw that guy lifting his glass, as if Gable wasn’t sitting right there, fuck. He could have killed that guy. Cutler was his.

Gable pushed Cutler against the wall and dropped to his knees. Cutler needed to know no one would make him feel the way Gable did. Before he could suck his prize, Cutler cupped his chin, forcing Gable to meet his stare. His eyes looked haunted.

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