Page 134 of Ramsay

“Love,” he breathes before slanting his mouth over mine again. I don’t get a chance to respond, but if I did, I’m sure it would be filled with the need I can’t see past.

I’m not sure how long we sit on the ground, exploring each other before a shadow appears above and the deep rumble of Diem’s tone fills the quiet space. “Get a room.”

With that, Ramsay pulls back and rests his head against mine, his breath puffing against my lips as he grumbles, “Fuck.”

With a laugh, I pull back and meet his dancing eyes, but I can’t stop the hysterical giggles that eventually devolve into sobs that I can’t fight despite my relief.

Chapter Twenty-Six

Willow

The shack turns out to be a hiding place for the guys when they don’t want to be found.

Although it looks cold and desolate from outside, within there’s a comfy couch, small kitchen full of food and a table tucked in the corner.

After my descent into insanity, Ramsay helps me to lay down in the only room in the back and for a while, I doze, dreams pulling me under and nightmares forcing me awake.

It’s dark outside when my phone buzzes and I come to, searching for it blindly. I’m still clinging to a delicious image of Ramsay moving within me which is why I fumble around on the damn nightstand beside me as it buzzes again.

When the screen lights up and I spy my dad’s picture, I pause before opening the text.

Where are you? It’s late

Huh. I don’t think he’s noticed my absence much less checked in for so long that it actually feels really fucking weird now. It’s also inconvenient when I’m god knows where, still reeling from what happened earlier. Not that I fully know what took place. I haven’t asked but I can’t avoid it forever.

“Who is it?” Ramsay says sleepily and I roll to my side, meeting his drowsy stare. Of course, he looks deliciously rumpled and I hide my desire behind a yawn. This one doesn’t need the adulation, he’s arrogant enough as it is.

“My dad,” I say, and his eyes soften as he brushes his fingers through my hair.

Unable to resist, I do the same, secretly thrilled to be touching his silky dark hair. Shit, he’s alive. We came so close…

“Willow,” he says, and I look up as his brows furrow.

“Yeah?” I whisper, my heart thumping with delight when he kisses my nose.

“I’m sorry.”

Although I’m enjoying this tender side of him, I know I have a lot of explaining to do, starting with the real reason his father was at the cemetery. I can’t let him take the blame, for it rests solely on my heavy shoulders.

“Hm,” I say mustering a wan smile. “You shouldn’t be.”

Ignoring my softly spoken words, he says with a heavy sigh, “I missed the signs. I fucked up. I…”

“Ramsay,” I say, pressing my finger to his lips. Pausing, he searches my gaze before catching my hand and pressing the palm against his chest.

“Hm?”

My fingers burn against his skin, but I shake my head and say, “This isn’t your fault—“

“Of course, it is,” he barks, and I rear back as he sighs and sets me gently aside. Bemused, I stare greedily at the muscles in his bare back when he sits up and faces the door.

It should be illegal to be that beautiful.Shit, focus, Will.

Dropping to my pillow, I rub my hands down my face. Although I’d rather do anything but rehash the events from earlier, I know I can’t outrun my truth. It’s time to come clean. If I don’t, I’ll always be running because I’ve done things I can’t take back.

I’m not a good person although I’m trying. Ramsay deserves to know this shit. I wouldn’t blame him if he walked after, although I’m hoping he doesn’t.

Massaging the ache in my chest at the thought, I inject a smarmy tone and say, “Okay, fine. It’s your fault. What the fuck were you thinking?”

---