Page 63 of Ruined (The Knights of Ruin)

She sighed and came over to me, sliding her arms around my neck, rising up on her toes to kiss me. Christ, the way she did that, coming to me without hesitation... It gave me a thrill every time.

My heartbeat was revving like the engine on my bike by the time she pulled away, and when a crease settled between her black brows I knew she’d sensed my unsettled mood.

‘What’s up?’ she asked softly. ‘Is it about this morning?’

My mouth had gone dry and my pulse was out of control—which was insane. There was no reason to be such a pussy about this.

‘There’s something I need to say to you.’ The words came out rougher than I wanted them to.

Cat blinked, then lowered her lashes—but not before I caught the spark of fear in her eyes.

‘That sounds serious.’ She took a step back and folded her arms.

Shit. She was doing what she always did when she was afraid. Retreating from me. Protecting herself. Which was so not happening.

I took my hands out of my pockets and pulled her back into my arms, keeping her little soft, warm body pressed to mine.

Her gaze widened. ‘What’s going on?’

Keeping one arm around her waist, I reached into my pocket and grabbed the ring box, then held it out. ‘This is for you.’

She glanced at the box, then back up at me, shock rippling over her features. ‘Smoke, I—’

‘Let me say something first. You told me this morning that you didn’t want to think about getting a new place because this isn’t supposed to be permanent.’ I looked deep into those beautiful green eyes. ‘Cat, this is permanent for me. When Justin finally gets what’s coming to him, I’m not walking away from either you or Annie—get me? When I said I’d never leave you I meant it.’

She stared at me, not saying a word.

Not exactly the response I’d hoped for, but I made myself be patient. I’d had years to think about what I truly wanted from her, while all this—being with me—was still very new for her.

‘We’re not going back to the way it was before, kitten,’ I went on, making sure she was absolutely clear on where I stood. ‘Because I don’t want to be your friend. I want to be more than that. I want to be your everything.’

Colour flooded her face, and I could feel her stiffen.

I didn’t let her pull away, keeping my arm around her waist. ‘Open the box.’

She hesitated, her reluctance obvious. I tried not to let it get to me. This would be a big step for her—especially given the shit she’d had to put up with in her last relationship. But I wasn’t Justin and I’d told her that already. Surely she knew that?

She picked up the box from my palm and opened it. The ring I’d bought her gleamed on black velvet. It was silver; a delicate, stylised cat face, with pointed ears projecting out from the band and two genuine emeralds where the eyes should be. It had cost shitloads but I didn’t care. She was worth every cent.

At least her reaction was what I wanted. Her mouth opened, and a surprised sound escaped from her. I could see that she didn’t want to take the ring from its box and yet her hand reached for it anyway, as if she couldn’t help herself.

I grabbed the ring before she could, though, because this was something I wanted to do. Gently I took her left hand and slid it onto her finger.

The fit was perfect, like I’d known it would be, and the emeralds glittered in the fading light coming through the windows.

‘Smoke...’

Her voice was hoarse and she didn’t look at me, her attention all on her hand.

‘I don’t understand. What does this mean?’

‘What do you think?’ I gripped her chin, turning her face towards mine. ‘You’re already my old lady, but the civilian world needs more than that. I want to make you and me legal. And I want to adopt Annie, be her dad for real.’

Emotions flickered across her face, too fast for me to read. But I got at least one loud and clear: fear.

She tried to pull away, but I wasn’t having it. I’d told her she wasn’t going to get any distance from me and I’d meant it.

‘What are you afraid of?’ I demanded, searching her expressive face. ‘I thought you trusted me.’

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