Page 23 of Ruthless Love

"I do, and I'd told you no, but honestly? I haven't been able to think about anything else since."

His gaze turns hot, moving up and down my body. My nipples betray me as they harden against the fabric of my t-shirt. “Let me get the blanket situated,” he hitches his chin toward the fabric he's holding. “And get out of these clothes.”

“I’d prefer you didn’t,” I blurt out.

Something about him in his worn jeans, t-shirt, and the belt around his waist? God, I’ve fingered myself to the vision of it more times than I care to admit.

His grin is cocky. “So it’s like that, huh?”

“It’s like that,” I confirm.

Waiting for him is like waiting for water to boil. Seems to take forever, but once it gets there, it’s on full blast. He walks into the house and then comes back out with a couple of pillows.

He slow-rolls over to me. I don’t know what it is about this man and how I respond to him. From the moment we decided to be more than friends, it’s been overwhelming and all-consuming.

“Why do you like it when I wear this outfit so much?” He asks as he smears his nose down the side of my face before taking a nip at my jawline.

“It reminds me of the young guy you were when we first met,” I whisper. This is the first time I’ve told him, but also the first time he’s ever asked. “I was scared to death to say yes when you'd asked me to go out on a date. And all the times you've saved me, even when I told you, you didn't have to. You’ve always been my knight in shining armor, Cain.”

He makes a noise deep in his throat before reaching down to palm my ass. Although I’ve gained a few pounds over the years, he still picks me up as if I weigh nothing. That strong arm of his with the tattoo, looking hot as fuck. Wrapping my legs around his waist, I hold on as he walks me over to the lounger. Having a seat, he situates my legs around him as his lips claim mine in a kiss hotter than the ones we shared in the early stages of our relationship.

They’re different now, especially since we're exploring our sexuality together. His fingers rub against my stomach as he lifts my shirt up and over my head.

To get it off, we have to stop the kiss. I stare at him, admiring the redness of his lips, the way his chest pumps up and down. His eyes meet mine in a haze of desire, and he gives me that badboy grin before he dips his head, taking a nipple between his teeth.

“Fuck, Cain,” I sigh, digging my nails into his hair.

He groans, leaning me back against his strong hands. Suspended in the air, I close my eyes and let this man take me the only way he can.

Before I know it, my clothes are off, and the blunt edge of his finger is playing against the crease in between my legs. “You’re so goddamn wet,” his voice is deep and dark. “Always want me like this, Ris. Promise me.”

“You don’t have to worry.” I run my hands down his chest until I get to the waistband of his jeans, pulling his shirt from where it's hanging at his hips. “Help me,” I beg.

He does as I ask, settling me on his thighs before reaching back and yanking the shirt off his body. The button of his jeans gets undone, the zipper comes down, and he pulls himself out.

Holding it at the root, he positions the head so that it rubs against me a few times before allowing me to sink down. “You always feel so good.” I lower my forehead onto his shoulder.

“Nope, I want you to look at me,” he rasps.

It’s intense. The passion in his eyes as he allows me to bounce up and down atop his body. Although I’m the one supposedly in control, he’s one hundred percent taking me. My legs shake as I push up, then come back down. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I let myself sink into him.

“You okay?” He asks, always checking on my well-being, even in the midst of something as mind blowing as this.

“Mmmm hmmm,” I confirm.

Cain must see how tired my legs are though, because he picks me up, turning me onto my side and then lays down behind me. His body spoons mine, and in this position, I know I’m just along for the ride. One hand tightens slightly around my neck, giving me the little bit of danger to go along with my pleasure. His otherhand goes between my legs, spreading me wide as he fingers my clit and plunges in and out of me. Overwhelmed, I try to grasp for something to hold, to keep me tethered to reality. But like always with my husband, the only thing there is pleasure like I’ve never known.

Turning my face into the fabric of the lounger, I scream my pleasure as I feel him unload into my body. He grunts loudly against my back, louder than I know he meant to, and as we lay there, I allow my hands to map his body. Silently I hope like hell we've turned a corner. I just don't know that I can put my voice to those hopes yet.

EIGHTEEN

CAIN

The last threedays have been busy. A large drop in temperature has made things more difficult when it comes to the job, and getting to see Marissa. Since I'm on a day shift today, I park at The Dinner Bell, and secure the beanie on my head before walking across the street to Enchanted Chapters.

When I walk in, Marissa isn't at the counter. It's not quiet though. There are muffled voices toward the back of the building. Tucking my hands into my bullet-proof vest, I stroll toward the sound. When I come around the counter, I make sure to keep myself hidden, because I want to see Marissa in her element. It's the same as when I watched the livestream with her.

"What did you like about it?" Marissa asked the Deacon's wife, Char. "I couldn't get into this one. I think because the cop got shot." There's a look on her face I hate. "I'm always worried when Cain is on shift, and since these books are my escape, I prefer not to bring the realities of what is my life into them."

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