Page 290 of Ruthless Desires: Vol. Two

“I thought about you,” I whisper in between soft kisses. “I thought about you so often. All I wanted was a chance to hold you again.”

Rhett’s arms come around my body until he has me flattened against his chest. My head rests on his shoulder, and I breathe deeply as the scents of cedar and sage wash over me like a balm to my soul.

We were only apart for two weeks, but it felt like months—years.I don’t think there was ever a point where I took the guys for granted, but now I know for sure that I never will.

“I can’t live without you three,” I say before pressing a kiss to Rhett’s shoulder.

“We’re not going anywhere,” he says reassuringly, and his hold on me tightens. “Never again, Wren. I’m never risking any of your safetyeveragain.”

He pulls away before I want him to. Something in his eyes keeps me from closing the distance between us again. His lips are parted, and the look on his face is similar to last night, except this time, the hesitation is missing.

“Rhett,” I whisper. “It’s okay if—”

“I’m ready,” he says, his voice firm. “I never should’ve waited to tell you. I almost lost my chance—myonly chance—all because I got caught up in letting the wrong person have a piece of me.”

My breath catches in my throat. I was prepared to wait years for this moment, if it ever came. My heart would break if it hurt Rhett to tell me, but he doesn’t seem like he’s struggling. Maybe he’s a little regretful, but that’s different. Hewantsthis.

“You’re sure?”

“I can’t live like that anymore,” he murmurs, brushing his nose against mine tenderly. “You’re far too important to me. I love you, Wren Taylor, more than words could ever describe. You deserve to know. You deserve to hear it. You deserve—”

Before he can finish, I fit my mouth to his. I should probably let him keep going, but my heart is so full it’s bursting at the seams. With a startled sound, Rhett grabs my waist. His lips move against mine slowly at first, and then more confidently as I slip my arms around his neck.

“I love you, too,” I breathe out.

My body feels light, and kissing Rhett is getting a little awkward because I can’t stop smiling. Is there a better way to end today? I can’t think of one. Of course I already knew Rhett loves me, but hearing him say it? Knowing he’s gotten to a point where hecan?

I know I’m precious to him, but this reinforces it. It helps heal the part of me that hasn’t caught up with the present yet and is still terrified I’ll lose him.

As my smile morphs into a laugh, I back Rhett up to my bed and push him onto it. I crawl onto him and straddle his hips, savoring the feeling of his body against mine.

He reaches up, his fingertips feathering over my cheek. “I’m so sorry I waited to tell you, sweetheart.”

“Don’t apologize. You needed time.” Bracing myself on my elbows, I pepper kisses all over his face. “I told you, Rhett. I want to love you the way you need to be loved.”

At my statement, his expression softens. “Sweetheart…” But he doesn’t go on. I don’t think he knows how to.

Finally, I press my lips to his. He cups the back of my head as he kisses me sweetly. When his tongue slips into my mouth, I caress it with my own.

“Tell me again,” I whisper.

“I love you.” He doesn’t hesitate, doesn’t look away. There’s no pain or discomfort on his features.

A new smile takes over my face, and there isn’t a thing I could do to stop it. In the course of a few weeks, I’ve gone from almost losing everything I wanted, to getting it all back and more.

“I need to see you.” Rhett’s voice is hoarse, his gaze so intense it burns.

Before I move back, I brush my lips up his neck one last time. My fingers grip the edge of my shirt before I pull it over my head and toss it onto the floor. Rhett’s eyes darken as he takes me in.

“God, Wren.” His hands travel up my body until they’re cupping my breasts. He squeezes them gently, making me moan. “I missed you so much.”

There’s a heaviness to his words that hits me hard. It’s something that I can’t ignore forever, but I can for tonight. Right now, I want to focus onus—on how we’re finally together again. So I roll my hips into him, feeling how hard he is through his briefs.

Letting out a choked groan, Rhett sits up and fits his mouth to mine. One of his hands wraps around my throat, and it feels so natural to let him hold me like this. I slide my tongue into his mouth as I continue grinding against him. My panties are soaked—I can feel it—and I’m only getting more turned on.

“Heaven,” Rhett mutters against my lips. “You feel like heaven, sweetheart.”

Grasping his shoulders, I move faster, needing to somehow get even closer to him than I already am. He groans into my mouth. The sound only feeds into my need, and I fuse my mouth to his in a desperate attempt for more.