Page 92 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. One

“You don’t have to make me anything.”

“Oh, trust me, the last thing I want to do right now is cook.” She moves through her tiny kitchen, opening a cupboard door. “My dinner plans includeeating a shit ton of pretzels, cheese, and…” She turns, surveying her counters before grabbing a lone apple. “This!”

I smile but don’t say anything, shoving my hands in my pockets. God, why do I feel so awkward right now?

Wren’s smile fades as she takes me in. Then she sighs and sets down the apple, rounding the counter until we’re only a few feet apart. For a minute, we just watch each other silently. She looks as uncomfortable as I feel.

“Wren…”

What am I even supposed to say? How do I make up for last night? I barely got a chance to apologize. And I can’t imagine how I made Wren feel. Unwanted? Like I’m going to toss her aside at any moment? Like she’s not worthy of keeping?

I don’t know you that well, Wren. But I want to. And I want to keep you. I want to be in your life. I’m so sorry.

“It’s okay to be scared.” Her voice comes out soft and comforting as she steps into my reach. Her fingers fumble with the buttons of my coat before she has them all undone. Then she slips it off my shoulders and sets it on the back of her couch.

Biting the inside of my cheek, I watch her movements. Being scared isn’t something I like admitting to. I’d rather be seen as the strong one. The one who can handle anything. Even though I know I can’t.

“I’m scared too,” she says quietly, stepping up to me. Her arms come around me, and she rests her head on my chest. “And not just because of last night. I’m scared I’ll…” She pauses, sighing. “It doesn’t matter right now. Whatdoesis that I understand you’re scared. And it’s okay.”

My heart clenches in my chest. Knowing there’s something bugging Wren, but not knowing what it is, or how to fix it, doesn’t sit right with me. But I don’t want to force her into talking about it if she’s not ready.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” I murmur, pressing my lips to the top of her head for a brief moment. “It’s why I said what I said. I know it doesn’t make sense to you, I know it’s probably frustrating that we’re not telling you everything, but—”

“I know enough. And I understand, Elliot.”

“Wren—”

“Call me love,” she whispers, looking up at me. One of her hands leaves my waist so she can run her fingers along my jawbone.

“Love.” I touch my forehead to hers, watching as she closes her eyes, a small smile dancing on her lips.

Relief floods my body at the content look on Wren’s face. I have no idea how she can be so understanding when she has so little information. Although she’s a smart woman. Maybe she’s put together more than I’m giving her credit for.

Still, nervousness creeps back in. I don’t like keeping things from her.

“Are you really okay with this? With not knowing? I don’t want to make you anxious. And I don’t want you to feel left out.”

She opens her eyes to stare into mine. “Do you remember what you asked me our first night together?” Then she laughs to herself. “I suppose you asked me a lot of things. Do you remember when you asked if I trusted the three of you?”

“Of course.”

Looking away, she takes a second to collect herself before saying, “I know it’s probably silly. Maybe a little stupid. But I meant what I said, Elliot. I trust you. Do I have questions? Of course. Am I curious? Ridiculously. But you wanted to let me go for my own safety. And if you think you need to keep me in the dark about what you guys do for the same reason, then I can accept that. Not for forever, but for now, I can.”

“It doesn’t scare you? Not knowing?”

“Will you let anything happen to me?” As she asks, her gaze meets mine again, inquisitive. Her head tilts to the side ever so slightly.

“Never. We protect each other. And you’re included in that now.”

She hums softly, leaning her head against my shoulder. “It doesn’t sound like I have anything to be afraid of, then.”

I breathe deeply for the first time all day. How can she place that much trust in us so easily after only a weekend together? We did everything to make sure she was comfortable and felt safe, but this—this is a whole other level.

It makes me want to protect her even more than before.

“Do you think I’m being stupid?” she asks.

Holding her close, I kiss her temple. “Not at all.”