Page 11 of Ripper's Property
He crouches down in front of me, looking me in the eyes. Unnerving me further.
“Don’t lie to me, babe.”
“I’m not…” The words are cut off as his face moves in, his lips brushing across mine. His tongue teasing lightly at the seam of my mouth before it slips away, leaving me shocked—and full of unwanted tingles.
“I can taste it on you. Who gave you the smokes?”
“I stole them.” That’s not a lie, though Skeeter has been my provider for some time now, but I’m not going to get him into any more trouble with Rip.
“Don’t want you smoking, baby. Not interested in kissing an ashtray.”
“Yeah, well, I’m not interested in kissing rotten cherries.”
“I never kissed her.”
That’s hard to believe, but the look in his eyes is telling me that it’s the truth. There shouldn’t be any form of satisfaction in the fact, because he still did everything else with her.
“Maybe not on the lips.” But I know he kissed her elsewhere. Cherry raved about his mouth and how good he was at getting her off.
His fingers grip onto my chin, forcing me back to meet his stare. “You’re gonna have to get over that shit.”
“I don’t have to get over anything. And how dare you make your claim to the guys. I’m not yours, Ripper. Just because I wrote some things down in my diary doesn’t mean anything.”
His hand slips to the base of my neck, pulling me closer. So close I can see the little flecks of silver in his dark eyes.
“Play your stubborn game all you want, but you and me both know the truth. It’s us, babe. You can’t deny that you don’t feel the attraction. I tried to fight it, but it burns in my veins. All you have to do is enter the room and my blood runs hot.” His fingers brush across my skin and now the heat is flaming in my veins. “You’re a force to be reckoned with, Rory. I thought I was too old for you, so I tried to keep my distance, occupy myself with the others, but after reading what you wrote, I’m not fighting itanymore. You’re meant to be my queen, babe, and as soon as your dad gets back, I’ll be making you my old lady.”
If this is the way he felt and what he wanted, then why was he fucking Cherry last night? Why was he climbing into her bed and giving her his attention?
“It’s a little hard to believe you have such strong feelings for me when you were fucking that bitch less than twenty-four hours ago. If you cared about me, you would’ve come to my room and hung out with me instead.” If he’d already decided he wanted to pursue me, and knew how I felt about him, then there’s no excuse.
“I couldn’t come to your room, or I would’ve broken my promise to your dad. I’m not allowed to touch you until he hears firsthand that I’m the one you want. So, I went elsewhere to work the need out of my system.”
And he thinks that makes it okay?
“That’s not an excuse, Ripper.” These guys just don’t get it. “The guy I choose will only have eyes for me. He won’t be able to look at another girl. He won’t be able to get it up for another girl. I will be the key to his desire. Me. And only me. You desired to cuddle up to someone else.”
I move to stand, finding myself blocked by him again.
“You may not believe me, Rory, but I only have eyes for you.” No, I don’t believe him. “I’ve been under your dad’s restraining order when it comes to you, which is why I kept my distance. I realize now that I fucked up. I’ve always just lived the club life, babe. Wanting one woman and having these feelings is new to me. I made a mistake, but I don’t plan on making it again. I’m telling you, baby. From here on out, if it ain’t you, it’s no one.”
Those words trickle down my spine. I’m so confused and honestly don’t know what to think about any of this. It just feels like he did a complete one eighty. Last night he was with Cherry,and now he’s telling me he wants me to be his wife. That just doesn’t sit well.
“I have an arrangement with your dad. I bring Montoya to him, and he gives me your hand in marriage. Not without your blessing of course.”
An arrangement with my dad?But what about me? He hasn’t once given thought to what I want.
“It takes more than just words to win a girl’s heart, Ripper. Just because you made your claim, doesn’t mean I’m yours.” And as long as the vision of him with Cherry is still burning dark in my thoughts, he’s not going to have my blessing. I pull away, turning to head inside. “Sorry, Rip. I just don’t trust you with my heart.”
8
Ripper
She stomps back up the path, heading into the clubhouse and I’m left feeling sucker punched in the gut. I’ve never been gut wrenched by a woman before and I’m at a fucking loss. Cherry meant nothing to me. It was just sex. And it’s done. I’m never touching another sweetbutt again. But Rory doesn’t believe me. She’s not letting that shit go.
I stalk into the clubhouse in need of a drink, coming up short when I see that the furniture has all been rearranged. The place looks like a movie theater. The guys even pulled out the projector.
“Welcome to the Savage Knights’ Cinema, princess.” Raid smiles wide. “Couldn’t take you to a real theater so I brought one to you.”
