When our food arrived, I took one bite and let out a small, involuntary moan. The burger was the perfect combination of juicy, cheesy, and salty.
Ronan watched me, his eyes darkening. “The sounds you make when you eat are fucking sexy.”
I paused mid-bite, my cheeks heating. “Excuse me?”
“You heard me.”
“Like this?” I took another bite, letting my eyes flutter shut on purpose.
A muscle in his jaw ticked. “Careful, baby. We’re in public.”
“You started it,” I teased.
While we ate, he asked about the orchard, the festival, and my siblings. When I brought up his family, he didn’t go into too much detail, except to say they moved around a lot when he was growing up.
When we finished, he paid and drove me back to the orchard. I was mentally debating whether I should invite him inside as he walked me up the stairs to my apartment.
He looked at the door and frowned. “No security lights. No cameras. One lock on the door?”
I shrugged. “Nothing ever happens here.”
His frown deepened as he pulled out his phone and sent a quick text. “I’m gonna add some extra security measures. Tomorrow.”
I blinked. “You’re serious.”
“Dead serious.” He pocketed the phone and stepped closer, backing me gently against the door. “Like I said last night, I’m not taking any chances with you. I protect what’s mine.”
His protectiveness had me melting against him. “Okay.”
He brushed his lips against mine, but the kiss quickly heated, as though he’d been holding back all night. One of his big hands tangled in my hair, and the other gripped my hip, pulling me against his broad chest.
I arched into him, my fingers digging into his shoulders. His beard scraped my chin as his tongue stroked mine, and I made a needy sound I couldn’t hold back.
He groaned into my mouth and pressed me harder against the door. His thigh slipped between mine, giving me just enough pressure to make me gasp. Heat pooled in my core, but then he gentled the kiss before pulling back.
“Not like this,” he rasped. “When I take you, you’re gonna understand what it means.”
Feeling dazed, I nodded, even though every part of me ached for more.
He gave me one more soft kiss, then he stepped back. “Lock up, baby.”
“I will.”
I unlocked the door and slipped inside. Turning the deadbolt, I leaned against the hard surface, my heart hammering.
My phone buzzed less than a minute later.
Ronan
Good girl. Sleep tight. See you tomorrow.
Smiling at the screen, my body still hummed from his touch.
I was already in deep with Ronan, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
7
REBEL
