by Katie Reus
But that wasn’t the reason he’d be going away. The police had discovered a body buried in his backyard, and considering the social security checks coming in for his mother—who hadn’t been seen by any neighbors in months—they were pretty sure it was her. No doubt it was a murder, not with the bullet holes in her skull. Something Raegan didn’t want to think about.
“Can I go home, then?”
The detective nodded. “Yes. For what it’s worth, you were lucky. This guy…he’s been flying under the radar but now that we know who he is, we’re going to rip his life apart, see if there have been more victims. Anything we can charge him with, we will. No matter what, he’s already going down for his crimes. And we’re taking another look at that club’s security feed from the night you were drugged.”
“Thank you. For everything.” She kept questioning herself, wondering if there had been signs. But the guy had never asked for her phone number, never shown any interest. Not that she’d been aware of. She hated that she was questioning herself, but was just glad this nightmare was over and everyone had come out unscathed. She tried to banish the image of Ford tackling that lunatic but it kept replaying in her mind.
As they stood, Ford looked at the detective. “Give us a few minutes before we head out?”
The detective nodded and quietly exited his own office.
Raegan guessed the reason he’d asked for privacy was because all her family and friends were waiting for them in the lobby of the PD. They hadn’t cared that it would take hours to make a statement and deal with answering a hundred questions. They’d all descended on the police department, and according to Lizzy, the only person she’d talked to as of yet, no one was leaving until they saw her.
“This is a stupid question, but how’re you feeling?” Ford asked, his big hands settled protectively on her hips.
She placed her hands on his chest, glad she had him to lean on. “Tired and hungry. And I’m pretty sure I should be asking you that question.”
He blinked as if she’d surprised him. “I’m okay.”
“I was so scared for you. You just…went at him like a battering ram. It all happened so fast.” Trembles racked her body and she hated that she seemed more affected than him and he was the one who’d taken on a guy with a gun. “How are you so okay about this?” Maybe he wasn’t. Maybe he was just putting on a good show.
“I hate that you had to witness that violence, that an asshole could have killed you, but that’s not the first time I’ve faced down a loaded weapon.”
Her fingers clutched his shirt. “That’s not making me feel any better.”
His smile was wry. “I just mean I’ve had training—the best in the world—and experience. First in the Corps, then with the PD. If you want to talk to someone about what happened, I know some people.”
She shrugged, not sure she needed or wanted to talk to anyone other than him. But she said, “Thanks. You ready to face my family?”
He let out a short laugh. “Yeah, but after they see you’re okay, we’re heading back to my place and not leaving for a couple days. I took off Monday already and I’ve told Porter you’re not coming in either.”
She blinked. “Seriously?”
He nodded. “Yep. Porter wants you to take off all of next week, but I figured you’d shoot him down pretty fast.”
“You really do know me,” she murmured. “Taking Monday off seems like a good plan though.” Definitely not something she’d say no to. Especially not since it would mean nonstop sex with Ford. At least if she had anything to say about it.
After brushing his lips over hers, he slung an arm around her shoulders. “Let’s get out of here.”
Leaning into him, she knew without a doubt that this was a man she could depend on for anything. When she’d thought she might lose him she’d realized that her feelings for him were way more than ‘like.’ “Ford, I’m falling for you. Pretty hard.” Saying the words was terrifying. She’d never been in love before and she was pretty sure she was fast on her way to being just that if she wasn’t already.
“I’m falling for you too. And I’m pretty sure I’m not letting you go.” His words were raspy and his voice steady.
Her heart flipped over in her chest. “I’m not letting you go either.”
* * *
“Thank you for waiting at the police station,” Ruby said as Montez pulled into her driveway.
He snorted. “Like I’d have left.” After making an official statement, he’d waited along with the whole crowd of people for Ford and Raegan to wrap everything up. It had been a madhouse down there. He hated crowds for the most part, but not staying hadn’t been an option. “That was some crazy shit,” he muttered, turning the ignition off.
“No kidding.” Ruby unstrapped her seatbelt, but didn’t make a move to get out. Instead she turned to him. “Will you stay the night? I don’t…want to be alone tonight.”
They’d been exclusive for a week, but hadn’t slept together. He wanted to, obviously, but he was going to do things right with Ruby. Because he was pretty sure she was the one for him. Had been sure for a long damn time. He just hadn’t wanted to admit it. He and Ruby had had the ‘safe sex’ talk a couple days ago. He knew she was on the pill and hadn’t been with anyone in over a year. And they’d both been tested since their last lovers.
But he’d noticed she hadn’t said anything about sex tonight, just asked him to stay. He wasn’t surprised she was shaken up. It didn’t matter that they read about or saw shootings on the news all the time. Being in close proximity to one—that her friend was involved in—was terrifying for anyone. He’d seen his share of combat but she certainly hadn’t, so if he could make her feel safe by staying, he would. “Of course.”
Her whole body relaxed at that, the relief rolling off her almost palpable.
“You hungry? I’ll whip us up something.”
She grinned as she opened her door. “Having a chef boyfriend definitely has some perks.”
“Only some?” He got out with her, shutting his door behind him. He liked the sound of the word boyfriend.
“You need your ego stroked?” she murmured, meeting him halfway around the vehicle.
He bit his tongue, grunted a non-response, even though he wanted to suggest she could stroke something else. Dios, even the thought of her hands on his cock had him getting hard. But that wasn’t what tonight was about. He knew she just didn’t want to be alone. Because if she wanted more, he knew Ruby would flat-out tell him. He adored that about her.
She gave him a cheeky grin as they reached her front door and he couldn’t believe how nervous he was. Which was stupid. He was a grown man, but since getting out of the Corps he hadn’t been with anyone since his bitch of an ex. He’d had a few offers, but…those had felt more like pity fucks. So his hand had done well enough.
“You mind if I change out of this? My feet are killing me.” She didn’t turn around as she disabled the alarm then reset it.
“No problem. I’ll see what you’ve got in your fridge.”
She laughed, giving him a brief kiss before heading to the stairs. “I’m embarrassed to say there’s not much. We might have to do takeout.”
“I’ll be able to work with whatever you’ve got,” he said, watching the fine sway of her ass as she headed up the stairs. He tried not to imagine her stripping off her sexy summer dress and heels but failed.
Slow, he reminded himself. Tonight wasn’t about him. She was just scared to be alone.
When he opened her refrigerator he frowned. She hadn’t been kidding. A carton of eggs, some funky-colored stuff in a container that he was definitely not opening, yogurt, and bottles of water. After looking at the yogurt he realized the little cartons were expired.
“Takeout it is,” he murmured, rummaging around in her drawers until he found a thick pile of takeout menus. He laughed at the stack. She must never cook.
“Find anything you like?”
Montez turned at the sound of Ruby�
�s voice—and dropped all of the takeout menus to the floor.
His brain short-circuited as he saw her standing there in what was most definitely one of the ‘naughty nurse’ costumes she’d talked about. This wasn’t a Halloween type of thing though. No way in hell could she ever go out in public wearing it.
The low-cut minidress was sheer white with red trim and a red and white cross over each nipple. Not that the crosses did anything to cover her up. He could see every delicious inch of her through the dress, including the tight buds of her nipples. Her high heels were ruby red and her little nurse hat had a red and white cross on it as well.
Her grin was wicked when his gaze finally landed on her face. “So? What do you think?”
He made a strangled sound since he couldn’t find his voice. Fuck me. The reality of her eclipsed any fantasy he’d ever had. The two things were in different stratospheres.
She placed her hands on her hips. “I’ve got another one upstairs. Want me to try that one on for comparison?”
Her question jerked him back to reality. It would require her leaving and he didn’t want that.
Wordlessly he strode across the kitchen, cupped the back of her head in a hard grip and crushed his mouth down on hers. He wasn’t letting her get away.
Ever.
She arched against him, moaning into his mouth as she clutched his shoulders. It took him a second to realize what she planned as she hoisted herself up, wrapping her legs around his waist.
He grabbed her ass and hurried out of the kitchen. Bed. He needed to find a bed. Or a flat surface other than the floor.
She bit his bottom lip before nuzzling along his jaw, her little kisses and nips making him even harder. Something he hadn’t thought possible.
But Ruby, the sweetest, sexiest woman he knew, was half-naked in his arms. And he was pretty damn sure he loved her. Had known for a while.
When they reached the top of the stairs she slid her hand between their bodies, cupped his erection. He tried to keep his balance but his brain short-circuited yet again. He started to trip, half turned so that she ended up splayed on top of him on the landing.
Her blonde hair fell loose around her face in waves, the little nurse hat askew as she looked down at him. Her hand was still cupping him and he could see the wicked glint in her gaze, knew that she liked making him crazy.
He also knew she wanted him to take control, if one of their previous conversations and his interactions with her were anything to go by.
He grasped her wrist, pulled it away as he shifted so she was under him. Cupping her cheek, he devoured her mouth. He wanted to go slow, ordered himself to, but when his lips touched hers this time it was as if he lost all ability to reason.
But he forced himself to pull back, to slow down. He wanted to make this good for her, make it as sexy and hot as whatever fantasies she’d spun about him in her head. “Put your hands above your head,” he rasped out. He didn’t have anything to restrain her hands with—this time. But from what he knew of the little minx, that would be coming soon enough.
Stretched out on the landing, she did as he said without hesitation. The action pushed her breasts out more. They strained against the sheer material. He wanted to rip it away, but he was going to savor this. Savor her.
His cock pulsed once. Dios, this woman was going to be the death of him, he was sure. Sitting back on his knees, he drank in the sight of her splayed out for him.
Reaching back, he lifted one of her ankles, brought her leg up and gently kissed her soft skin. She jerked slightly at that brief contact.
Sensitive.
He slid her heel off, heard it clatter behind him in the foyer. Did the same to her other shoe. Keeping his gaze pinned to hers, he moved her feet so they slid over his shoulders. Her breathing grew erratic as he leaned down closer, closer, spreading her thighs for him.
He’d been able to see she wasn’t wearing anything under the little minidress earlier, but when he tore his gaze from her face, lasered in on her sweet pussy, he saw just how wet she was for him. “Open wider for me,” he ordered.
Groaning, she spread her legs farther. She had just a bit of fine, soft blonde hair covering her mound. The smell of her arousal killed most of his control.
He buried his face between her legs, stroking his tongue up her slick folds.
“Montez.” His name came out a choked moan.
And it sounded like pure heaven.
She slid her fingers through his hair, gripped his head tight as he flicked his tongue over her clit. “Oh…yeah.” She rolled her hips against his face, the hottest thing he’d ever experienced, as she completely lost herself to pleasure. Her heels dug into his back, made him glad he’d taken the shoes off as she arched up against his mouth, going wild as he increased the pressure.
She was damn reactive.
His cock kicked against his pants as she dug her fingers tighter against his head.
“I’m close.” Her words were strangled, unsteady.
He teased her slick entrance, slid two fingers inside her—and she started coming. Her inner walls clenched around him so he added a third finger, never letting up on her clit.
He continued stroking as she came against his tongue, her words garbled nonsense. Which, yeah, made him feel ten fucking feet tall. He loved that she’d come apart for him so easily, wanted to make her do it again.
And again. It would never be enough. Not with Ruby.
When she finally said something that sounded a lot like “Stop,” he lifted his head to see her looking at him with a dazed expression. Even so, she reached for his pants.
He let her unbuckle him as he slid the straps of her dress down. His hands actually shook as he bared her to him. The breasts he’d been fantasizing about for too damn long were utter perfection, her tight little nipples a pale pink.
He sucked one into his mouth as she completely freed him. He’d gone commando today, like usual, and was glad for it as she stroked his cock once, twice, three times.
He bit down gently on her nipple, causing her to cry out with what he knew was pleasure. He wished he had more hands because he wanted to touch her everywhere, kiss her all over. And never stop.
“In me, now,” she demanded, the words more pleading than anything.
He couldn’t force his voice to work, but he lifted his head, positioned himself at her entrance. He was glad they’d already had the talk, that he could slide into her bare this first time. Every time. He didn’t want any barriers between them. Ever.
He kept his eyes pinned to hers, grasped her hips as he thrust inside her.
He wanted to kiss her, for her to taste herself on him, but this first time, he wanted to watch her as she came again. And she damn sure would.
Then he wanted her to watch him, to be completely vulnerable to her. He’d never wanted that with anyone, but he trusted this woman. She saw through all his bullshit and baggage and wanted him anyway. And she didn’t make him feel like she was doing him a favor by being with him.
She wanted him with a desperation he could see clearly in her eyes. They were both completely gone for each other and he was glad he wasn’t alone in this all-consuming hunger.
The tingling at the base of his spine built and crested, his balls pulled up tight as he felt his own orgasm coming up fast and hard. He wanted to slow down but there was no stopping it. Not this first time. Not after a year of lusting after her.
She dug her fingers into his back, her breathing out of control.
He reached between their bodies again, tweaked her clit. Her head fell back against the stairs, her mouth parting on a silent cry as she started clenching around him again, her inner walls milking him harder and harder.
When her back bowed tight and she cried out again, he let go of his control, thrusting hard inside her, taking everything she had to offer. He emptied himself inside her until he practically collapsed.
Instead of doing just that, he rolled to the side, half dragging her with him. The
stairs were uncomfortable as shit, but he didn’t care. Not when Ruby laid her head against his chest, sighed contentedly.
“That was…” She didn’t finish, just let out another happy sigh as she slid her hand over his stomach.
“Mi futura nuera means my future daughter-in-law, by the way,” he murmured after a few moments, his breathing returning to normal. He wondered if she remembered what his mom had said to her on Monday.
Ruby lifted her head, blinked at him once, her blue eyes wide. “Wh…I don’t even know what to say to that.”
“Don’t say anything. I’m just telling you. And I’m also telling you she’s probably right.” He threw the ‘probably’ in in an attempt not to freak her out completely. Putting himself out there for her like this, especially when he’d just come to terms with the fact that she wanted him as much as he wanted her, made him feel vulnerable in a way he’d never experienced.
“God, I love you.” Her voice was low as she leaned in, brushed her lips over his.
He jerked in surprise at the words, hadn’t expected her to say them so soon, or at all. Something he hadn’t realized had been missing filled his chest with happiness. “Ruby—”
“You don’t have to say it back,” she said simply. She was telling the truth. It was clear in her bright blue eyes.
He shook his head. “I do love you and I don’t care if it’s too soon. I know what I feel.” Because he’d never felt anything like it. Not even close. It had to be love and he wasn’t questioning it.
She gave him one of her brilliant smiles that lit up her whole face, and kissed him again.
He knew without a doubt that he was the luckiest guy in the world. And he was never letting her go.
Chapter 18
Ford slid his hand over Raegan’s bare hip, squeezed once just to reassure himself she was okay. They’d been back at his place for hours and she’d long since crashed. He had a feeling she’d be sleeping a while. After such a scare it was only human nature to shut down, regroup. Sleep was sometimes the only way people could deal with shit. He knew that too well.