Shattered (Steel Brothers Saga 7)

I cupped her cheek. Those perfect lips were in a frown, but God, she was still beautiful. “Do you really want to go there right now?”

“No. Absolutely not. I’m sorry.”

“Ruby,” I said, “we’re no longer in Jamaica, but that doesn’t mean we can’t be the people we were then. We’re the same people no matter what, baby.”

“Of course. I know that. I wish I could make you understand what I mean.”

I thumbed her soft cheek. “I do understand. I do. We were in paradise, under the stars, the waves rolling in the distance. But I promise we can recreate paradise right here.” I laughed. “I’ll even turn on the television. I’ll bet we can find ocean sounds on one of the music channels.”

That got a laugh out of her. “You just made me see how ridiculous I’m being. But please understand, this is still all very new to me.”

“I do. I get that. We don’t have to do anything if you don’t want to. Even though you’re sitting on my kitchen table naked.”

“And it’s cold on my butt, by the way.”

“I can take care of that.” I lifted her in my arms and carried her out of the kitchen, through the hallway, to my bedroom. I set her down on my comforter. “Better?”

“I suppose.”

“You suppose?”

She nibbled on her lower lip. “I knew what would probably happen when I agreed to come here. I’m not naïve.”

“Never thought you were.”

“I don’t really know how to explain what I’m feeling. It’s not apprehension. I want you. I do. It’s not fear. I’m not sure what it is.”

My balls were aching, but I’d go at her pace. Not like I had a choice. “Tell you what. Do you want to go sit in the hot tub and relax for a while? We’ll see how things go. However they go, you are welcome here. I have plenty of spare bedrooms.”

She smiled. “You have a hot tub?”

“Right outside. By the pool.”

“You have a pool? I thought you said this is Talon’s guest house?”

“It is.”

“Wow.”

Now wasn’t the time to impress her with Steel money, so I divested myself of my boots and jeans, wrapped a towel around my waist, handed her a large towel from the bathroom, and then scooped her up. “Ready?”

Chapter Twenty–Three

Ruby

I felt like such a teenager! What the hell was wrong with me? I was in my thirties, and I’d already had sex with him. Why was I freaking out? I wanted him. I hoped I’d made that clear. But that crazy imp in my mind just wouldn’t let go.

I stepped into his hot tub. The evening was cool and crisp, and steam rose from the water. The warm water bubbled around my foot, and then my leg, and then the rest of my body as I sank into the warmth, and I let go of my inhibitions.

Well, tried to, anyway.

Part of me was still mousy Ruby Lee. The girl who intentionally flew under the radar to avoid situations like…well, like the one I was in now.

“Ahh,” Ryan said as he sank into the water beside me.

We were naked, our arms and sides touching. He felt so good against me. So…right.

How could this be happening?