Full Contact (Redemption #3)(46)

“You’re staying?”

“’Course I’m staying. I didn’t leave you alone after your fight with Tag, and I’m not leaving you alone now.”

Stunned and overwhelmed, I say nothing until we get to the bedroom door. “I can walk, Ray. You don’t have to carry me.”

“I like carrying you. I like everything about you, and I don’t just mean your wicked mouth or your lush body or the way I can make you scream with pleasure. I like that you’re beautiful, soft, and innocent and artistic. I like that you see the world a totally different way from me. And that you’re loyal and loving to your friends and family.”

“I’m broken.”

He stretches out on the couch and tucks me up against him, then grabs the throw from the back of the couch and tosses it around us.

“So am I. My life has been one f*cking tragedy after another. I lost my brother and then I lost my wife, Lisa.”

My heart in my throat, I push myself up, but he tightens his hold, hugging me against his chest. “Same as Scott,” he says softly. “I wasn’t fast enough. We were stationed together in Afghanistan. She was a medic and I was in the infantry division. We’d only been married a couple of months. Base was ambushed. She ran out to help a soldier who’d been badly hit. I saw the rocket launcher on the hillside. And I ran. God did I run. But I wasn’t fast enough.”

My breath catches in my throat and for a moment I can’t move. How does anyone move forward from that kind of tragedy? But he has and he’s here, and he needs all the comfort I can give.

“I’m so sorry.” I wrap my arms around him, holding on as tight as I can.

“It’s part of the reason I don’t get seriously involved.” Ray strokes his hand down my back. “That and the fact I just can’t go through that kind of loss again. I’ve had enough for any lifetime. And I just can’t carry any more guilt. So yeah, I’m broken too.”

An ache blossoms in my chest, spreading through my body. So what is he doing with me? With all my hang-ups, I’m hardly worth the effort of a casual relationship. And yet, why worry about it? I don’t want a relationship either. I’ve had enough of opening up and leaving myself vulnerable. I’ve proved to myself time and again that I can’t trust my own judgment with men who take my breath away: Luke; my high school biker, Peter…and Ray.

“Sure. I understand.”

And I do. I just wish it didn’t hurt so much.





Chapter 13


You shouting at my girl…that’s my fight

Two minutes after I arrive at work Monday morning, exhausted and emotionally drained from spending Sunday with Jess dissecting my previous evening with Ray, Slim walks in the door.

“The boss is back.” He tips back his fedora and scratches his head. “Nice new digs we got here. Just had a meeting with Torment, and he said we could stay as long we need as long as Sia sticks around, so everyone play nice with her.”

“Why Sia?” Christos gestures his first client to his chair.

Slim shrugs. “If someone offers me free use of a fully equipped studio until my place gets fixed up, I don’t ask questions. Maybe he thinks having a pretty girl in the shop will be good for business. Maybe he wants to help out because her brother works for the club. Maybe he has an ulterior motive. I don’t care.” He turns to me and mocks a frown. “Don’t leave.”

“Yes, boss.” I give him a salute just as Doctor Death walks in the door.

“Morning all.” He flashes his brilliant-white smile and Rose almost melts into a puddle on the floor.

“Who is he?” she whispers. “He could give Chris Hemsworth a run for his money.”

“Just one of Oakland’s preeminent heart surgeons and a fighter and sometimes ring doctor at the gym. But he seems to go for women who aren’t available.”

“Well, I’m available.” She takes a deep breath and pulls down her shirt, exposing her freshly tatted cleavage, now fully healed. “And I’ve got a heart that needs a little doctor love.”

“Sia.” Doctor Death joins us at the reception desk. “I found out I’m on call every night this week, but since I need a cover, I thought I’d take the opportunity to spend some time with you and get it done by Redemption’s favorite tattoo artist.”

Duncan snorts a laugh as he straightens his workstation and Christos, already with his first client, mutters something about golden boys with silver tongues.

“Sure. Rose, do we have any openings today for a walk-in?” I give Rose a nudge, but she doesn’t move.

Doctor Death winks at her and then turns up the wattage on his smile. “I’m sure Rose can squeeze me in.” The word “squeeze” ripples over his tongue and Rose lets out a sigh. Slim snorts and heads to the back of the shop.

“Yes…of course…I can…squeeze you in,” she says, her voice uncharacteristically breathy. “How about now? I can juggle a few things around so Sia has a few hours free.”

“Perfect. I am indebted to you. You need a favor, just ask.” He leans over the desk and brushes a kiss over her cheek.

“How about lunch?” She lifts an eyebrow and Doctor Death startles. Aha. The master has met his match. Rose comes on all girly, but she’s a woman who knows what she wants.