Page 116 of Waiting for Redemption

I pull her into me and she kisses me without hesitation as she crawls into my lap. My bloody hands tangle in her hair as she parts her lips to let my tongue meet hers, her hands travel down my body, teasing the button on my jeans before she pulls away from me.

“Take me home.”

“As you wish, little wife.”

* * *

“Did you want to go grab Hendrix while I hop in the shower?” I ask, unsure what exactly her motive was behind hertake me homerequest.

“Betty said he’s helping her bake pies for tomorrow and that she’ll text me when they’re done,” she answers simply, sliding her phone into her pocket. “Plus, I’m a little dirty now too.” She looks down at her body, pointing out how much blood got on her when she crawled into my lap.

“Let’s get you cleaned up then.” I smile before hopping out and rushing over to open her door for her. When we walk through the door I take our shoes and toss them in the basket before going to remove my blood-stained clothes to throw into the wash.

“Wait.” Ruby stops me. “Didn’t you say you had a surprise for me?”

Oh, shit. I forgot.

“I do,” I assure her. “But don’t you want us to get cleaned up first?”

“It can wait. I kinda like this look on you.” She shrugs, looking up at me with those big, honey-brown eyes.

“Oh? What look is that, little wife?”

“Like you’d kill a man to protect me,” she admits quietly, like she’s almost ashamed to admit she enjoys that fact.

“I did far worse than that, Honey. He has to live with the fact that you’llneverbe his—all while knowing if he dares to come near you, I’ll kill first and ask questions later.”

“Are you really mine?” Her teeth pull her bottom lip in, as I fight the urge to pull it back out with my own.

“Only and forever.” I lean in and kiss her gently. “Close your eyes.” She lets out a little squeal and squeezes her eyes shut.

Instead of guiding her through the house, I throw her over my shoulder and carry her to our room. I plant her feet on the ground and spin her around.

“Keep them closed.Shit.” I hear her giggle as I struggle to find the remote. “Okay, open.” I study her face closely as she takes in the corner of our room that has a red light glowing on the wall behind–

“You bought and installed a pole for ourbedroom?” I squint my eyes, still unsure how she feels about it.

“Are you mad? I can’t tell if you’re mad or not.” She lets out a laugh as she walks over to it, running her fingers along the cool metal.

“No, I’m notmad. Wait… Did you do this today?” She whips around to face me looking slightly panicked.

“Yes, and before you ask. Hendrixdidhelp and he thinks it's to practice fire drills.”

“Oh, dear god.” Her head falls into her hands as she laughs.

“We’ll get him a good therapist when he’s old enough to realize what it was really for.” I shrug, wrapping my arms around her waist as she continues laughing.

“You’re unbelievable.” She twists in my hold to face me. “But, I love it, thank you.”

“You deserve to do the thing that makes you feel the most confident whenever you want to.” I slide my hands into her jeans pockets, pulling her into me.

“So I can just call you anytime then, and you’ll come running?” She wraps her arms around my neck, running her teeth over her bottom lip.

“Anytime, anyplace.” I squeeze her ass so hard she whimpers, making my dick jump at the sound.

My lips land on hers with a desire unlike I’ve ever felt before. Knowing the custody case will likely be closing soon, knowing shewantsthis marriage as much as I do, and that having a future together as a real family is a possibility now, sends me into overdrive—like I need to make her mine all over again.

I step back, smirking when I notice a knick in the collar of her shirt. When I rip it straight down the middle she gasps, looking up at me with wide eyes—like she’s trying to see straight into my mind. I toss the shirt to the side and unbutton her jeans, pulling them to the ground before backing up to the small chaise at the foot of our bed and taking a seat. I stretch my arms out on either side of me, readjusting to make myself comfortable.

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