Page 50 of Made For Ruin

“We should get you out of the dirt,” I murmur, my thumb grazing her cheekbone. “I’ve got other plans for you today that don’t involve gardening.”

Her tongue darts out to wet her bottom lip.

“Oh? And what exactly did you have in mind?”

“Moving you into my cabin, for starters.”

Lainey groans. “Marcus, we’ve talked about this. You promised to give me time to think it through.”

“I said I would give you until Friday. It’s Saturday.” I turn her hand over in mine, tracing the delicate bones of her wrist. “That’s more than enough time for you to overthink it. To talk yourself out of what we both know you want.”

“But I have my own apartment. My own life.” Her voice wavers. “You can’t just take over everything.”

“Can’t I?” I brush my lips across her knuckles, feeling her shiver. “After last night, you really think I can let you go? Let you sleep anywhere but in my bed?”

“This is all moving so fast.” Her voice softens. “We’ve only been together a few days.”

But her body betrays her, swaying toward mine like she can’t help herself.

“And yet you already know exactly where you belong.”

I tilt her chin up, holding her gaze.

“You felt it last night when you submitted so beautifully for me. And you feel it now in how your body responds to my touch.” I brush my lips against her ear. “Some things you don’t need time to know, sweetheart.”

Lainey’s fingers curl into my shirt. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

“Not a chance.” I brush my thumb across her lower lip. “I need you here, Lainey. Home with me where you belong.”

She studies my face, searching for something. “Say it again.”

“Which part?”

“The part about home.”

Something inside me cracks at the vulnerability in her voice, at the hope shimmering in her eyes. I know how long it’sbeen since Lainey has truly felt at home. How long she’s been searching for a place to belong, to be cherished and protected.

I want to give that to her. Need to give that to her.

My arms tighten around her. “This is your home, sweetheart. Here with me.”

Something shifts in her eyes, like pieces clicking into place.

“Fine. I’ll move in on one condition.”

“Name it.”

“You have to teach me about the garden.” Her smile turns wicked. “Since I’ll be living here, I should know how to tend your pretty flowers. We can start today.”

“Later.” I catch her hips, lifting her against me. “Right now, I need you in our bed.”

The way she shivers at ‘our’ drives me wild. I capture her mouth with mine, already carrying her inside. Need to claim her again, mark her as mine, make her feel exactly what she does to me when she yields so sweetly.

I walk us through the cabin, my mouth never leaving hers. My hands grip her thighs as her legs wrap around my waist, the soft fabric of my flannel shirt brushing against my abs where it’s ridden up her hips.

I navigate the familiar layout easily, even with Lainey distracting me with her sweet little moans and the way she tugs at my hair. Through the living room, past the kitchen, down the short hallway to the bedroom that will now be ours.

Ours.

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