Ryley's Revenge (Gloves Off #2)(50)

Forcing a smile, I held the cup in my hand and looked down into it. If I lied, he’d be able to tell in a heartbeat. Why was I such a terrible liar?

“Thank you for this,” I replied, lifting my cup. “I was just thinking.”

My mind hadn’t totally been on the fight with Camden, but in helping him find some level of peace. For the past five days, Ryley had manhandled me into submission, literally making me tap out. He hadn’t lied when he said he was going to take me any way he wanted. He needed the release and I was happy to give it to him—even if it provided just a small shred of bliss underneath all of the hostility. Looking at him now, he appeared relaxed, but it only lasted for so long before his thoughts plagued him once again. I was ready for the fight to be over.

“What have you been thinking about?” His piercing blue eyes bore into mine, like he was searching for something.

I blew on my hot chocolate and took a sip. “You. The fight. Our babies. This rain. Sex in the rain. You name it, it’s been on my mind. Mostly, I don’t have a good feeling about tomorrow, Ryley. My gut is telling me something bad is going to happen.”

Sitting back in his chair, a small smile splayed across his face. “You have nothing to worry about, angel. I’m not going to let anyone near you, and you sure as hell are not going to be alone at any point in time.”

I loved how he was so protective. He was a true alpha male, fighting for what he wanted in life. However, even alphas weren’t invincible. “I’m not worried about me,” I confessed. “I’m worried about you.”

Chuckling, he leaned over and slid his hand up my thigh. “Trust me, the only person who needs to be worried is my brother. I’m ready to end this too and I’m not giving up until he’s down.” Thunder rumbled again overhead and we both looked up at the sky, a raindrop falling onto my cheek. “There’s something I want to talk to you about,” he murmured, pulling my chin to face him.

Once I focused on him, he let go of my chin and slid his fingers down my neck making me shiver. “What is it?” I whispered breathlessly.

“You like it here, don’t you? Up here . . . at the cabin.”

“Of course, it’s amazing,” I stated wholeheartedly. “If we could live here, I would. Why do you ask?” More rain started to fall, but it didn’t faze us. I was used to sitting in it, hoping it would take away the pain.

Ryley helped me to my feet and put his arms around my waist, the droplets of water soaking through our clothes. “Because I think we should live up here. I don’t want our kids growing up in Los Angeles. We both grew up in the mountains and there’s so much more to offer them here.”

“What about your training? Everything you have is in L.A.,” I stated incredulously. “Not to mention I start a new job next month.” Was he serious? Would he leave it all, for a quiet life hidden away?

Brushing the wet hair off my face, he leaned down and kissed me gently, lingering with just his lips pressed to mine. When he pulled back, he held onto my face and looked deep into my eyes. “I would leave it all for you, angel. Besides, I told Danny last night about this. He mentioned moving up this way too. The point is, nothing out there compares to the life I want here, with you,” he said, glancing around him. “You can get a job out here if you want, but you know you don’t have to.”

A sly smile spread across his face. “Besides, once February comes we’re not going to have any more alone time for a while. But if we move here, I’m sure my mother would be happy to babysit.” We both laughed, and then he turned serious. “Would it really be so bad to spend all of our time together, getting to know each other?”

“No, but I want to contribute, Ryley. I want to provide something to this instead of it all being on you.”

“You will be contributing. You’re going to be the mother of my children. That in itself is going to be the hardest job of all. Well, that, and keeping up with me. I’m probably going to have to start paying you to put up with me.”

Sliding his hands down my neck, he kept his eyes on me while he unbuttoned my shirt, one button at a time. Once all were undone, he brushed it open, exposing my bare breasts. I didn’t even bother with a bra today since no one had been by. Ryley seemed excited by my lack of clothes.

“I think I like you not wearing a bra,” he murmured gruffly. Once out of my wet shirt, it flopped to the deck with a smack. Ryley’s breath fanned across my heated skin as he lowered his lips to my neck and trailed them down to my breasts. I almost buckled in his arms, but he got down on one of his knees, and held me firm with his arms wrapped around me.

My clit throbbed with need, especially when Ryley set me down on his bended knee and rocked me against him as he pulled my nipple between his teeth, biting gently.

Unbuttoning my jeans, I slid off of him and had to work my way out of them since they were wet. Ryley got to his feet, doing the same, and then pulled me back to him, both of us glistening with rain on our bare skin. I wrapped my hand around his cock.

Closing his eyes, he moaned and bit my lip, thrusting his tongue inside. I melted in his arms, but all too soon he moved away, my hand sliding off of his length. “Give me one second,” he remarked with a wink of his eye. Just inside by the patio door was the sleeping bag we used the last time we were out in the rain.

“You had this planned, didn’t you? You sneaky little bastard.”