And god help me, I never want to let go.
RUBY
I can’t move.
I can’t speak.
I can barely even think.
He’s holding me, my head against his shoulder, his lips brushing my hair, his hand warm on my waist.
I’m floating. Shaking. Trying to remember how breathing works.
He kisses the side of my head softly.
“Ruby,” he murmurs, “look at me.”
I lift my eyes.
He cups my face with the gentlest touch I’ve felt in my life.
“You’re mine,” he whispers.
And I don’t argue.
I don’t panic.
I don’t run.
I whisper back, voice barely there:
“I know.”
His eyes darken with something deep, want, yes but something else something dangerous something real something that scares me and pulls me closer at the same time.
He smiles slowly.
Then he kisses me again, softly this time, sweetly, his thumb stroking my cheek.
“Good,” he whispers. “Because I’m not done with you.”
My whole body shivers.
Neither am I.
CHAPTER 30
Ruby
Iamwalking funny.
There’s no other explanation.
No matter how normal I try to look, no matter how carefully I move, my legs are jelly, my knees are unreliable, and my thighs are still remembering his hands.
I left his office ten minutes ago.
TEN.
