Page 225 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. One

You’re my favorite part of Fridays.

I’d die a thousand deaths if it meant you got out of here alive.

I think I’ve made it pretty clear that whenever you’re concerned,carefulflies right out the window.

“Oliver,” I whisper.

“Hmm?”

“I love you, too.”

He freezes, his washcloth right over the butterfly tattoo on his chest. For a moment I’m afraid I said the wrong thing, or the right thing too late. I open my mouth, but I don’t know how to make it right.

“Fuck.” Oliver throws his washcloth to the floor. Then he places his hands on my hips and backs me into the shower wall. The tiles are freezing against my skin, but his arms encircle my waist, pressing me into his warmth.

When Oliver fits his mouth to mine, my body sags in relief. He keeps the kiss slow and languid, exploratory yet worshipful. As our tongues meet, gently sliding against each other, I wonder if he was worried I didn’t say it back until now. I hope not. I’m glad he had the courage to say it first.

One of his hands leaves my waist, coming up to hold my head. “I was so scared I said it too early,” he whispers against my lips. “The logical side of me knows it’s too fast. But the rest of me knows how real this feels. How fuckingrightit is. You belong with us, Wren. There’s nothing that could change my mind. Every time I look at you, it just solidifies it more in my head. I’m never letting you go. I could never want to.”

I kiss him again, laughing as I do. Well, it’s a half-laugh, half-sob. There are no tears in my eyes, but my heart feels so full I’m afraid it’ll burst.

“I’m not letting you go either, O,” I say when we pull away. “Ever. And I’ll always remember. I’ll always remember that you came for me the second you could.”

He leans his forehead against mine, breathing hard. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat. There isn’t a single thing I wouldn’t do for you.”

“I know,” I whisper, pressing my lips to his again.

We finish showering. The whole time, Oliver can’t help smiling, even when he shuts off the water and we have to step into the cold. He grabs a towel, but I take it from him and dry him off myself.

“You three always take care of me,” I say. “I want to take care of you, too.”

That just makes his smile widen.

By the time I’ve finished drying us both off, my mind is already whirring. Since they saved me, the guys have done nothing but remind me they’re here for me in every sense of the phrase. They’ve spent god knows how much money on me, they’ve fussed over me every second of every day, and they’ve made sure every need I have gets met immediately.

There isn’t anything else I could ask for. They’re entirely committed to me. And it’s exactly what I need to finish this.

As we’re getting dressed, I say, “I think tomorrow is the day.”

“For…?” Oliver asks. But his smile is gone, and the look on his face tells me he already knows exactly what I mean.

I take a shaky breath. Then I square my shoulders and look him in the eye. “To kill Jordan.”

Chapter twenty

Rhett

Oliver seems happier. No, not seems.Is.I think I know why, but I don’t ask. That’s between him and Wren. All I care about is that I get to see him smile more.

Obviously the kidnapping traumatized Wren the most, but I’m not stupid enough to believe Oliver isn’t dealing with the aftereffects as well. He had to watch her almost die while he was tied to a chair, completely helpless. Hell, it’s possible he almost died himself.

He’s a master at redirecting conversations away from himself or hiding behind jokes, but Ell and I know better. We all need to heal from this, but Oliver and Wren do the most.

Still, his footsteps are lighter, and his eyes have gained back the sparkle that Wren’s haven’t. It’s an odd cocktail of feelings, being relieved for Oliver yet concerned for Wren. But I’m not sure how to help her.

Until Thursday morning, that is. We’re all in the kitchen eating breakfast, and Wren is staring into her coffee. Our doctor came and checked on her yesterday, saying she was much better, so she practically demanded coffee this morning.

Oliver nudges her with his elbow. “Tell them what you told me yesterday, princess.”