Page 45 of Ripple Effect, Vol. 4

“She never left when I told her.”

“I wouldn’t have either.” Her pleated brows deepen with a frown and she drops her gaze from mine. “Ripley, the triggers … I don’t know what they are. What if I have another? Like the bleach?”

“I can handle your triggers.” I lift her hand to my face and kiss her inked wrist. “We’ll have yours removed as well. You’re no slave, Bandit. You belong to no one.” I slant my lips over hers and the sweet taste of her fills my mouth—one I’ve missed. One I could devour for hours. Cupping her face, I rest my forehead against hers. “Come with me. I have something to show you.”

“What?”

Instead of answering, I push off of her and tug her arms to follow me. Up the staircase and down the hall, I tuck away the smile itching to break free as she trails my footsteps, with a mask of confusion. We reach my bedroom door and I open it, stepping aside for her.

Her shoulders sag, and she drops to her knees.

Charlie trots up to her, tail wagging, and Dylan buries her face in the dog’s white fur. The sight brings a smile to my face, as I lean against the doorframe, watching their reunion.

“Charlie, I thought I’d never see you again,” she whispers in the dog’s ear, loud enough that I can hear. “I can’t believe you’re here!” Giggles bounce off the walls as the dog licks her chin, knocking her backward.

Her gaze lifts to mine, and a glisten of tears coats her cheeks. “It was you. You’re the one who adopted her?”

“She’s licensed, vaccinated, and all fees are paid in full.” I nod toward my bedroom. “I’ve had to keep her in here while I’ve been gone because, just like you, she likes to get into my shit when I’m not around.”

A burst of laughter rips from Dylan’s chest, and I’m struck by how much I love that sound, how much I’ve missed it. She pushes to a stand, and with the first step, I pull her into me. Wrapping her arms around my neck, she rises up onto her tiptoes and presses her lips to mine. “Thank you. I don’t know how to repay you for this.”

“She’s yours. On one condition.”

“What’s that?”

“You stay with me.”

“And if the Agency or Dorian’s men come after you? Us? What then?”

“I’ll kill them all,” I say without a beat of hesitation. “I’m not letting you go this time. Whatever this is between us, it’s happening, Dylan.”

She stares back at me for a moment, eyes swirling with contemplation, until her focus breaks with a smile. “So then, I’m here.” Her fingertips do that toying with my nape shit that drives me crazy. “You got me. Now what do we do?”

Charlie trots off down the hall, no doubt looking to get into something she can tear up, and I kick the door closed.

I lift Dylan and wrap her legs around me as I carry her to the bed. A switch flips inside of me and something primal has me feeling ravenous and hungry for her.

“We’re doing everything, Bandit. Every fucking thing. In the bed. Against the wall. All night, until you’ve made up for the time you stayed away from me.” Mouth against hers, I drop to my knees, setting her on her back and grip the top of her head to deepen the kiss. I pause to strip out of my T-shirt and tug her pants off. Unlatching my buckle, I slide my jeans down just enough to spring my dick free. Pushing her panties aside, I bury myself deep inside of her, letting the walls of her pussy clench around me.

So goddamn hot and tight.

“Tell me you haven’t let anyone else fuck this beautiful pussy.”

Her mouth pulls to a smile. “Do my fingers count?”

The heat swallowing my dick as I push balls deep sends a rush to my head that tips the room for a moment. “How’d you manage that in a shelter?”

“Thick blankets, quiet breaths, no finales.” She bucks her hips beneath me, but I remain still inside of her, teasing her. “Thinking of you.”

“You touched yourself without coming?” I ask, frowning at the thought.

“Know what blue balls feels like?”

“More than I care to.” I give a lazy pump of my hips, in and out, slow and tormenting. Her warm pussy feels so goddamn good, that I might just lose it. “So you must be aching for me to fuck you right now.”

Her fingers dig into my ass, teeth clenching. “If you torture me, Rip, I’ll …”

I slide her arms up over her head and hold her captive beneath me. “You’ll what, Bandit?”