Ruthless Salvation by Jill Ramsower

“The fuck are you doin’ here, Storm?” My words came off harsh. I’d already been on edge, but those words two words that still echoed in my mind stirred up a surge of anger. I had no business thinking of her as mine.

If not yours, then whose?

My chest clenched tighter at the mental image of her leaving the club with that man. Someone as vivacious as Storm would be scooped up by someone, sooner rather than later. Was I ready to accept that?

“Micky. She wanted to come.”

I’d been so pre-occupied that I hadn’t even seen Micky.

Storm continued. “We were going to see you fight but … I couldn’t … the others were different. I couldn’t stand…” Her now glassy eyes cut to my busted cheekbone, then drifted to each bruise and scrape like she was cataloguing my injuries. Was she reassuring herself I was alright?

Fucking Christ, this woman.

This was bad. I was too on edge, and she was too fragile. We were going to do something we’d regret.

I needed to walk away, but there was no chance in hell. I needed to feel her. Taste her. Reassure myself she was whole and healthy and mine.

Fuck.

I needed to own her.

Maybe once I had her, the obsession would ease. So much of this was probably my own damn fault for telling myself she was forbidden. If that was the case, maybe I could free myself with one quick fuck. I’d see that she wasn’t anything special and move the fuck on.

My dick was already solid stone, ready and impatient. He didn’t care what rationalization I used, so long as it got him buried where he wanted to be.

Storm bit down on her lip then peered up at me through her forest of black lashes.

The air around us shifted as the last tether of my self-control unraveled.

I walked her backward, ripping off my wraps to free my hands. I didn’t want anything getting in the way of my ability to touch her. To feel her body shiver and shudder beneath me. With her back against the cold metal lockers, she was mine for the taking, until the door opened behind us.

My eyes stayed glued to hers. “Get the fuck out,” I barked.

“Everything okay in here?” Bishop. Annoying fucker.

“We’re good, so long as you disappear,” I growled back.

The door clicked shut, and I knew he’d gotten the message. He wouldn’t allow any more interruptions.

I guided her jacket over her shoulders and let it fall to the floor. Finally breaking our stare, I slowly lowered my gaze to where her chest heaved beneath a thin cotton shirt. Like moth to flame, my hand rose to cup her breast. It was involuntary. Necessary as breathing.

My eyes clenched shut as I relished the feel of her warm body in my grasp. How many fucking times had I imagined this moment?

Stormy gasped at my initial touch but didn’t stop me. In fact, her chest swelled on a heavy breath, pressing herself harder against my palm.

“I don’t understand. I thought you didn’t…” She paused, as if reluctant to continue her thought.

I stilled, wanting to know what she was thinking. “Didn’t what?”

“Didn’t want anything to do with me. You act like I’m a pain in your ass.”

“You are a pain in my ass.” My voice was as ragged and unforgiving as my need to possess her. “Doesn’t mean I don’t want to bury my cock deep inside you.”

Her eyes widened a fraction, the pupils dilating. She liked it when I talked dirty. Jesus she couldn’t be any more perfect.

“Pants. Off.”

She started to obey, getting so far as to lower the zipper, then paused. Her brows drew together. “I need to know why, Torin.”

“Why I want to fuck you?”

“Why you came for me.” Vulnerability softened her voice and stiffened my cock.

The answer was simple. “Because you needed me.”

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