She doesn't flinch. Doesn't move away from me on the couch. Instead, she asks, "How did you feel when you did it?"
No one's ever asked me that before. My brothers know how it feels to kill someone. Most of them have done it too. We don't sit around discussing our feelings about it. We just do what needs to be done and move on.
I take a long, deep breath. "It used to be harder. The first time, I threw up afterward. Couldn't sleep for days. But nowadays... it's just another thing I have to do." I pause, trying to find the right words. "I used to be conflicted about it. But it helps that I've only killed bad people. People who were hurting others, who wouldn't stop any other way. In my head, I'm helping the world even if I have to suffer inside because of it."
Ruby moves closer, reaching out to take my hand between both of hers. Her touch is warm and gentle. "You're not a bad person if you only hurt bad people. You're a protector."
I shake my head. "I am a bad person, Ruby. I've accepted that a long time ago. But I'm glad you don't think so."
The corners of her lips curl into a shy smile that makes her look even prettier than before. "I don't care what others might think. To me, you're an angel sent to protect me and my son."
"If that's how you see me," I say, my voice rough with emotion I don't know how to handle, "then I'll protect you from everything and everyone. Forever. No one will hurt you or your kid."
She's taken aback, her eyes widening. "Forever is a long time."
"I know." I squeeze her hand. "But if you want it, I'm willing to do it."
She's quiet for a moment, and I can see her processing my words. Then her expression changes, becomes playful. "You know, for a guy called Chaos, you don't seem that hotheaded."
I grin, grateful for the lighter tone. "My brothers from the MC can never hear you say that. I have a reputation to maintain."
"I would never say it," she promises, her eyes sparkling. "I'll keep it a secret between us."
"Our first secret," I say.
She leans closer, her voice dropping. "What will the second one be?"
My gaze drops to her lips. Full, pink, slightly parted. I've been fighting this pull since yesterday, this attraction that's consuming me from the inside out. But I'm done resisting.
"This one," I say, and lean in.
I close my eyes, my mouth half-open, having no idea what I'll find on the other side. Her lips? Her cheek? Nothing at all, followed by a slap or being kicked out of her house? And it would be deserved. We met forty-eight hours ago. She's on the run with a kid. Kissing a biker probably wasn't in her plans.
I'm still overthinking when my lips meet hers.
Holy fuck.
My cock throbs, going from half-hard to fully erect in seconds. My heart races like I've been running. My head feels blank, wiped clean of every thought except this moment, this feeling, this woman.
I've kissed many women. Lost count years ago. But none of them made me feel like this. Like I'm doing the best thing I've ever done in my life. Like this moment will be burned into my memory forever.
Ruby kisses me back, her lips soft and eager against mine. I cup her face, angle her head to deepen the kiss, and she makes this small sound in the back of her throat that shoots straight to my dick.
Her hands come up to frame my face, and we're making out like teenagers on her couch. I slide my hands down to her hips, feeling the curves there, wanting to explore every inch of her body.
When we finally break apart, both gasping for air, I have no idea how long we've been kissing. Could've been seconds or hours. Her cheeks are flushed, her short ginger hair mussed from my hands, but she's smiling.
"You're an amazing kisser," she breathes.
"So are you." I pull her closer, my hands still on her hips. "And kissing you isn't the only thing I want to do right now. But I'll respect it if you want to stop."
She glances toward the hallway, probably thinking about Liam sleeping. "I want this so much. But if we hear a single sound from his bedroom, we have to stop immediately."
"That's fine." I don't waste another second. I help her climb onto my lap, and she straddles me, her thighs on either side of mine.
I grab the hem of her shirt and she lifts her arms, letting me pull it over her head. Her bra is simple, white, nothing fancy. But when I unhook it and toss it aside, revealing her breasts, I forget how to breathe.
"Fuck, Ruby," I groan, cupping both breasts in my hands. They're full and soft, perfect handfuls that jiggle slightly with her movement. Her nipples are already hard, begging for attention.
