Bitter Truths (The Denton Family Legacy 3)

Moving toward her, he took a seat as she took back another shot. She smiled at him. “Your dad sent you down?”

“Yeah.”

“I bet he did. I told that good old barman over there, that I was allowed drinks on the house. I hope that was okay with you,” she said, chuckling.

“Why are you here?”

“Why am I here? Oh, I don’t know. It’s a Friday night, and I really want a drink. Every time I find something new out about my brother, I feel like I missed so much. Lionel would be so disappointed with me.”

“Why?”

“I gave up the dream that he and I both had. He wanted me to go to culinary school, and to have a life far away from the chaos, and now look at me.” She giggled. “I’m the woman of Oliver Denton, and you guys always get what you want, don’t you?”

He licked his lips, seeing the pain in her eyes.

“I know the answer to that. You don’t need to worry, I already know that you do. I’m just one in a long line of Denton women, and you’ll win me in the end. There’s no fighting it.”

“How do you know?”

“I’ve got a friend. He’s the only friend I’ve ever had, and I adore him. I really do. I asked him about you, and about the whole Denton legacy thing. It is a big thing. I can’t believe that I don’t even know it.” She poured herself another shot. “I can’t believe it. I’ve found my future husband, and I’ve not even had sex with other men.” She leaned forward, and cupped his head. “I’m a virgin. Did you know that? I’ve never had cock before in my life. Well, a foster dad tried to show me his brand of special love, but I made sure he couldn’t father any more children.” She leaned back, and he saw her dress had ridden down a little. “Wow, I’m a truly pathetic person.”

“You’re not pathetic.”

“I can’t even avenge my brother. His murderer is out there somewhere, I know it.”

“We know. We believe he’s one of us, hiding in plain sight.” Oliver hated seeing her in pain. He wanted to help her, protect her.

A song came on, and she squealed. “Let’s dance.”

She tripped on the way to the dance-floor, and he caught her against him, feeling every inch of her against him. Ruby wrapped her arms around her, and she started giggling again.

“I like you,” she said.

“I like you, too.”

“Don’t you luuurve me?” She drew the word love out.

Oliver stared at her, looking deep into her green eyes, and nodded. “I do.”

That seemed to make her pause. “What?”

“You heard me. I love you.” He cupped her cheek, running his thumb across her bottom lip. It looked so full, and ready to be kissed and explored.

“This is so weird. I shouldn’t want this.”

“But you do?”

She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath, and he couldn’t resist pushing his thumb into her mouth. Her eyes opened, and she stared at him.

Seconds passed, and she finally sucked his thumb into her mouth. Everything faded around them, and when he pulled his thumb away from her mouth, she grabbed his head, and tugged him close, pressing her lips against his. He couldn’t deny her, didn’t want to.

Gripping her ass, he pulled her close, and moaned as he did. His cock was so damn hard, and he wanted inside her, but what he wanted more, was to know that it was what she wanted. She tasted of strong whiskey and peanuts, a combination he wasn’t exactly happy about, but right now, he’d take what he could get.

Breaking from the kiss, he looked into her heavily drunk eyes, and knew without a doubt that nothing else would be happening today. He wasn’t a monster, and the last thing he wanted when it came to Ruby was to take advantage. He was a monster with everyone else, but not with his woman. She was too precious to him to fuck it up.

“Don’t tell anyone this, but I sometimes wish I was normal.”

“You are normal, babe.”