Page 10 of Ruger
Our orgasms subside, and all I want is for him to pull me close and hold me while we sleep. That’s not what happens, though. Instead, he pulls out when he catches his breath, kisses me on my forehead, and leaves the room. Before I can comprehend what just happened, he returns with a washcloth in his hand and a look of determination on his face.
“I think you should stay in my room while you’re here,” he says as he starts to wipe between my legs, cleaning away the evidence of our coupling.
Is it weird that I miss it when it’s gone?
“I’d like that,” I murmur, suppressing a yawn as he finishes cleaning me off.
“Good,” he replies, tossing the rag to the side before crawling into bed and giving me what I want.
It’s a little early to be going to sleep, but I can’t find it in me to care. I’m warm, sleepy, and satisfied from my climax, and being held by a man I’m quickly falling for. I don’t think life could get any better.
Chapter 7
Ruger
My morning with Marigold is something right out of a dream. She’s insatiable, and I give her another round before helping her into the shower. Then, this girl makes me breakfast from the scant amount of groceries I have in my kitchen.
I’m going to have to hit the supermarket today. She’s clearly a miracle worker if she can make delicious meals out of hardly anything, and I’d love to find out what she can do with a stocked fridge.
Part of my duty in keeping an eye on Marigold is driving her to the library for her shifts. Apparently, Blade would take her in a car, but it’s obvious my girl loves riding as a backpack. So, I dig out a helmet from deep within my coat closet, and leave a little early to take her on a joyride before she has to go into to work.
God, I didn’t want her to go. In fact, I almost suggest we both take the day off and spend it in bed, but then the library comes into view, and I see the way Marigold lights up. If her job makes her happy, I’m not going to keep her from it. Besides, I’ll have her all to myself later today.
So, after watching her enter the building, I head over to the garage that the Riders of Retribution owns. I’ve been working there since I became a member. Using my hands to make machines work gives me a strong sense of satisfaction, and might as well be considered my therapy.
I’m about halfway through my workday, elbow deep in the engine of a sedan, when my phone rings in my back pocket. With a grunt, I straighten myself out, wiping my hands on an oil cloth before pulling out the device. Caller ID says that it’s from the prison that Blade is locked up in, so I answer immediately.
The automated system informs me that I’m receiving a call from an inmate and asks if I’d like to accept. After saying yes, I’m pushed through, and I say, “Hey man, how’s life on the inside?”
Blade is quiet, which isn’t a good sign. My best friend is talkative, even when he’s pissed.
“What the hell happened, man?” I ask, injecting humor into my voice. “Or did you just call me to breathe heavy on the line like a fucking creep?”
“Oh, I’m the creep?” he says, speaking for the first time, his words venom.
“Jesus, Blade,” I say, scratching the back of my head and walking into the back lot to get a little bit of privacy. “Could you be any more cryptic?”
“I think you know exactly what the fuck I’m talking about,” he spits.
And, yeah. I think I do. The only reason he’d be this mad is if he knew something happened between me and his sister. I have no idea how he found out, though. So, I decide to play dumb.
“I’m not a mindreader,” I say skeptically. “So, no. I don’t know exactly what the fuck you’re talking about.”
“You’re a fucking dog, Ruger,” he tells me, obviously not buying my lie. I don’t say anything in response, waiting for himto continue. “I just got off the phone with Marigold. And she told me somethingveryinteresting.”
I grunt. There’s no point in denying anymore, but I’m not about to dig my grave any deeper. Honestly, if I do, he’s likely to say something that’ll get him in trouble with the officer monitoring our phone call. There’s no reason to rile him up any further.
“You going to say anything?” Blade asks, clearly trying to goad me into speaking.
I keep my mouth shut though, reminding myself that working him up isn’t good for either of us. If he yells at me, I’ll accept it without complaint. I already knew the risks when I kissed Marigold. I knew them and did it anyway. I figured that this would come eventually, I just didn’t expect it to be so soon.
He scoffs, and I can imagine the way he’s scowling on the other end. Then, he says, “You really thought it was okay to make a move on my sister? Man, I trusted you to take care of her, not to fuck her.”
“Why are you acting like I’m hurting her?” I shoot back, unable to help myself.
I know he’s protective, but he has to know me better than this. Even if I’ve never held down a relationship, I don’t string girls along. I’m not going to use Marigold and throw her aside. The fact that he’s even suggesting that makes me see red.
“Because she’s sensitive, Ruger,” Blade says. “I don’t need you breaking her heart or ruining her life. I’ve spent my whole fucking life protecting her from people like you, and the second I get locked up, you swoop in like a fuckin’ lion on a gazelle.”
