Page 15 of Tempt Me
Pausing to figure out how to ask the burning question, she beats me to it, surprising me with her words.
“Yeah, well, we still have Eddie McFarlane to worry about. Give me a minute, and we can go hunting.”
Blinking, I consider that. Is she delusional and has completely blacked out what just happened? But then I figure it out in the next second. Her wits are just fine.
“That wasn’t Eddie.”
“Who? Dead guy? Nope.”
My jaw is clenched so tight as I grit out, “Name?”
“Wayne Rutledge.” Rue turns over to face away from me again, telling me that she is feeling emotional about this and doesn’t want me to know.
Unfortunately for her, this puts a rather large cat amongst the pigeons if McFarlane is still out there.
“How did you know him?” It’s my gentlest tone, but it still comes out as a growl. She flinches but draws in a deep breath.
“We dated while I was in high school.”
That knowledge slams into my chest. This Rutledge guy is a lot older than her. Probably more my age than hers, which is fifteen years difference. If she was in high school, then this guy was a predator.
“Oh?” I snarl.
“I was seventeen. He was thirty. I know, I know. But what’s done is done. He tried to groom me, but he didn’t know who I was, someone slightly savvier than the typical teenager. But it still took me a while to figure it out. He took my virginity in what could only be described as dubious circumstances.”
“Fucking prick,” I growl under my breath. “How did he live this long?”
“I dumped him after about three months when I realized what he was doing. Savvier than the typical teenager doesn’t mean I was an adult with advanced knowledge of how the world works, you know.” She shrugs. “I’d just started to carry my knife, but I had never used it on someone. I wasn’t into murder and mayhem back then, so I just let him go and forgot about him. Until just now. I guess it affected me more than I thought. Sorry. I won’t let that happen again.”
“Your parents—”
“Don’t know,” she interrupts. “It’s none of their business. Besides, he’s dead now.”
“What are you apologizing for anyway? It’s my job to protect you. I don’t care if you start wailing like a cat, crouched in a corner, terrified. You don’t engage.”
“Ha. You don’t know me very well, do you?”
“I saidif.” Her fire makes me warm inside.
“We need to go and find McFarlane.”
“Later. You can’t go out like this.”
“Also, I have no clothes.”
“Then you stay here, try not to get in any trouble, and I’ll go.”
“Can you go later? Stay with me for a minute? I’m cold.”
If it were anyone else, I’d think they were trying it on. The fact that it’s Rue, and Iknowshe’s trying it on, but is also telling the truth, makes me fold like a cheap tent.
“I’m wet and muddy.”
“Then you must be cold as well.”
Clenching my jaw, I throw caution to the wind. I can stand here and refuse her all night long, but it will get me precisely nowhere. So, I do the only thing I can. Stripping off my soaking wet tee, I approach the bed. She scoots over to the very end to make space for me, which is relative. I’ll still be hanging off the side, but I get on the bed regardless and stiffen when she nestles back into me. Still facing away, I can deal with this. If her tits were pressed up against me, her lips inches from mine, I’d fail at keeping my hands off her.
Turning on my side, she reaches back for my arm and drapes it over her with a sigh. She settles quickly, her breathing growing steadier, her body relaxing. Closing my eyes, I know I won’t sleep. A long-time sufferer of insomnia, tonight won’t be any different with the woman of my dreams in my arms. If anything, it will exacerbate the problem. Her ass fits nicely into my crotch, she must be able to feel my semi through my pants. But if she does, she makes no comment, nor does she attempt to come on to me.
