Page 79 of Ruthless

“That had nothing to do with me, and you know it.” Things are becoming clearer on what this is really about. It’s nothing to do with me at all. That’s an issue he will need to deal with on his own.

“Feck you.” His grip shakes, but eventually, he releases his hold and sits back on his heels.

“What the hell are you idiots doing?” All tension leaves my body at the sound of her voice.

“Ken!” I push up to my knees, not giving a shit about the roughness of the concrete digging into my jeans, and find her bruised face watching me. She’s changed out of that scrap for clothes they had her in and into a clean blue dress. Her glasses are still missing, but if it weren’t for the swelling and cuts.

I crawl closer and wrap my arms around her waist, burying my head into her growing stomach. “I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry.”

Her fingers tangle through my hair as she holds me tighter against her. “I’m okay.” She pulls me to my feet and gasps when she sees the mess her brother made of my face. “Oh my god. I’m going to kill Connor.” Her hands ball into fists as she turns to go after her brother, but I’m done being away from her.

“Not today, Hummingbird.” I grab ahold of her ass and lift her, wrapping her legs around my waist. She crosses her feet at the ankles, hooks her arms around my neck, and buries her head into the side of my neck. A calmness settles over me the second I have her in my arms. Like everything has been made right. My hands keep a firm grip around her thighs as I walk up the front steps with her clinging to me.

When I make it through the front door, Finn is standing in the middle of the living room with his hands in the front pockets of his suit, watching my every move. We lock gazes, sizing the other up, and I prepare for another fight, but he nods and steps to the side, to my surprise. No words are needed. The torch has been passed. She’s no longer his little girl, but my wife. Mine to keep. And mine to protect.

I carry Kennedy up the set of stairs, down the hall, through her bedroom, and into the connecting bathroom, leaving our families behind to deal with the aftermath. They can handle themselves—everything that matters to me at this moment I hold in my hands.

When we reach the shower, I turn it on and step inside, clothes and all. Kennedy lets out a small squeal, and her thighs clench against my waist, but I keep moving back until her back is braced against the wall and press my mouth to hers. The taste of her lemon scent explodes on my tongue as I devour her. She’s tart and sweet all in one. And I’ll happily eat her up all fucking day long.

Water seeps into our clothes, as everything around us is drowned out and turned into a sea of white noise. Nothing exists in this little bubble I’ve created but the two of us. Right here. Right now. The world could burn down, but I know we’ll survive the flames as long as she’s here with me.

I pull back and press my forehead against hers, letting out a deep sigh. “Hey.”

“Hey.” She smiles as dark, wet strands of hair stick to the side of her face.

“Are you sure you’re all right?” My throat constricts at the thought of anything happening to either one of them.

“I am.” The tip of her index finger runs along the cuts on my temple, and I soak up the connection. “My dad had Dr. Rourke come by to check on the baby and me.”

“And?”

“And everything looks fine.” She tugs on my beard at the same time, her eyes soften.

“Thank fuck.” My body relaxes deeper into hers. “You mad at me?”

“A part of me is because you made me leave without you.” Her fingers interlock around my neck as she pulls me in closer, and one hand tugs on the end of my beard. “Don’t ever do that again. We’re a team. Remember?”

“I know.” I don’t tell her that if it’s in her best interest, I will do whatever the fuck is necessary to protect her and our baby. We can argue about that later. Instead, I reach into my back pocket and pull out my gift for her. “Give me your hand.”

“Why?” She pulls back as her nose wrinkles.

“Ken.” I lean forward and nip at her bottom lip with my teeth.

“Fine.” She sighs but gives in, dropping her hold on my beard and giving me her right one. “Here.”

“Not that one.” I switch it out for her left one. Holding her ring finger, I keep my eyes fixed on hers. “Forgive me for staying behind, but I had to get this back for you.” I slip her wedding ring back onto her finger, where it will stay for the unforeseeable future.

“Thank you.” Her eyes gloss over, and she sniffles, but I know my hummingbird, and those are happy tears.

“Anytime.” I glance down and find her hardened nipples poking against the wet material of her blue dress. “Cold?”

“No.” Her face flushes as her thoughts being to mirror my own.

“Good.” I slide my hands up her sides, taking the sides of the dress with me, and whip it up over her head. Her bare breasts greet my hungry eyes, and like the starving man, I am my mouth waters to taste them.

“You’re fucking perfect.” My fingers pinch around her left nipple, teasing and toying with it until she’s grinding up and down against the seam of my jeans. I arch her back and lean down, wrapping my lips around her hardened flesh. She lets out a laugh as the tips of my beard tickle her belly. The sound is soft and sweet, just like her, and has all the blood flowing straight to my dick, and I’m not gonna last at this rate. Too much has happened, and I’m on edge, ready to explode before we even get started.

“I’m gonna come in my fucking pants of you, don’t stop that.” I fight back a growl as she rolls her hips once more. “Ken,” I warn, but she has her own agenda.

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