“No, he didn’t.” They’d come out on top, despite the odds. She’d come out on top. Jason was gone and her life was her own again. It was time to plan for the future she wanted. No more drifting from day to day simply surviving.
“I want to find somewhere to take some baking courses. If I can do it part-time, I can keep working at Hatter’s.”
Rabb frowned. “That’s a lot of work, Eliza. Maybe you should think about school full-time.”
She’d thought about this over the past few weeks and had considered her options even before she knew Rabb was going to tell her he loved her. “I think part-time school is best. At least to start out. I’ve always enjoyed baking and seem to have a knack for it. But I won’t know for sure until I do some classes and learn more.”
“Whatever makes you happy.”
“What makes you happy?” she asked.
“You,” he baldly stated. “You make me happy.”
Tears filled her eyes. “That’s the most beautiful thing anyone has ever said to me,” she told him.
He sat up and cupped her face in his large hands. “It’s true. I didn’t know what I was missing in my life until you came back into it. Marry me, Eliza. Let’s make it official.”
Wow, when Rabb decided he wanted something he was like a steamroller. “Maybe we should wait a while. What will your parents think?”
“That I’m being smart by putting a ring on your finger.” He rose from the bed and strode to the dresser. He tugged open the top drawer, reached inside and pulled something out.
Her heart began to beat faster. She pushed herself upright in bed, ignoring the throbbing in her arms. “Rabb?”
He straightened his shoulders, turned and stalked back to the bed. He sat beside her and thrust his hand out. A glittering ruby ring in a platinum setting was nestled in his large palm. The ring was unusual and unique, just like Rabb.
“Will you marry me?”
They should wait until she got back on her feet, until they had a chance to be together under normal circumstances instead of the craziness they’d endured these past weeks. In real time, they hadn’t spent much time together. But in terms of life problems and challenges, they’d endured more than most married couples faced in a lifetime together.
Screw that. She was going after what she wanted from this moment on. And what she wanted more than anything was a life with Rabb Hatter. She glanced from his face to the ring and back to his face again. He looked so fierce, so determined. She knew if she said no, he’d have a dozen reasons why she should say yes.
“Yes. Yes, I’ll marry you.”
He seemed surprised, but then a huge smile split his face. He carefully picked up her left hand and slid the ring onto her finger. It fit perfectly.
He kissed her then. There was more than passion in the caress. There was love and commitment and tomorrows. His tongue stroked hers, demanding a response. She gave it to him, loving the taste of him, his passion.
He cupped her face and tilted it to the side before deepening the torrid kiss. Eliza’s toes curled beneath the covers and her pussy began to throb, distracting her from the ache in her arms. It was delicious, but more than that, it was life affirming.
When Rabb finally pulled back, she was gasping for breath and he was no better. Her entire body was humming with arousal. His hair was mussed and she was still gripping it in her fists. She couldn’t even remember doing it. She pulled her hands back and raised her left one to get a better look at the ring. The ruby was diamond shaped and there were diamonds on the band flanking it.
“Do you like it?” he asked.
“It’s incredible.”
“The ruby reminded me of your hair.” He grinned sheepishly. “I didn’t want to get you anything ordinary.”
“It’s certainly not ordinary. And I have a feeling my life with you will be anything but.”
“Count on it.”
She started to reach for him, but he drew back. “You need to eat and rest. You’ve only been out of the hospital a few hours.”
Eliza felt herself pouting. She wanted to make love with Rabb. “That’s hardly fair.”
He threw back his head and laughed. The sound enveloped her like a warm hug. “Later,” he promised. “Once you’re feeling better we’ll celebrate.”
He stood and stretched. Eliza admired his strong legs and the heavy erection tenting the front of his underwear. He saw where she was looking and shook his head. “None of that.” He wagged his finger at her.
“Oh if you insist,” she muttered. She was really feeling much better.
“I insist.”
Luckily, later came much sooner than she’d hoped. After a supper of chicken noodle soup and a hot bath, Eliza had gone back to bed only to wake in the middle of the night. She’d been having the most wonderful dream. Warm hands stroked her skin. Hot lips caressed her body.
She opened her eyes. It was dark in the bedroom, but there was enough light filtering in through the window to allow her to see Rabb. He knelt beside her on the bed, his big, calloused hands on her body.
It wasn’t a dream at all. It was better.
“Rabb.” She reached out and touched his chest. His skin was warm, and the muscles in his abs twitched as she lowered her hand.
“You just lie there and relax.”
She loved how he wanted to take care of her, but it was getting out of hand. “I’m fine,” she insisted. When he raised an eyebrow in question, she shrugged. “Okay, so I’m a little tender and bruised in places.” Rabb pointed looked at her bandaged arms. “And my arms have stitches. But other than that, I’m good.”
Rabb shook his head. “I know you’re strong, Eliza. You’ve had to be.” He stroked her bare stomach. And when had he removed the shirt she’d been wearing? She had no memory of that. And her panties were gone too. She must have really been sleeping heavily to have missed that.
His fingers trailed around the mounds of her breasts, circling closer to her nipples. She sucked in a breath when his thumbs grazed the hard buds.
“Let me love you,” he continued.
“Oh Rabb. You can love me, but I want to love you too.” She sat up and let her hands roam over his thick shoulders, his firm pecs and down over his washboard abs. She loved his body, his strength. He groaned when she leaned forward and flicked her tongue across one of his flat nipples.
“You don’t play fair.” He caught her hair in one big hand and held her close.
“And don’t you forget it,” she told him, making him chuckle. She moved her hand lower until she found his cock. Rabb was naked. He must have removed his underwear the same time he’d gotten rid of her shirt. Good. That saved her time.
His shaft was hard and hot. She stroked her hand from tip to base and back up again. When she reached the top, she rubbed her thumb over the silky, damp head.
Rabb sucked in a mouthful of air and let it out slowly. “Damn, that feels good.”
She continued to tease his nipples with her tongue as she played with his cock. She loved the way he responded to her touch. He allowed her free rein to do whatever she wanted. She only wished she weren’t quite so sore all over.
But they had time. She caught a glimpse of the ring adorning her finger. They had lots of time.
“This isn’t going to work.” Rabb grabbed her hand and eased it away from his straining erection.
“I think it’s working rather well myself.”
He chuckled. “I’m not complaining, but I can’t touch you. And that’s not fair.” He lay on his back with his head propped up on the pillows. Then he reached for her and eased her over him.
Eliza swung one leg over his hips and sat on his upper thighs. He ran his hands up her outer thighs, over her waist and inward until he cupped her breasts. “Oh yeah. This will work.”
It certainly would. She loved being able to see his face, his expressions as she touched him. She wrapped both hands around his cock and stroked. He groaned and bucked his hips upward.
&n
bsp; He slid one hand between her thighs and found her clit, stroking it with his thumb. Eliza sucked in a breath and moaned. She loved the feel of his hands on her body. He pushed his hand deeper between her thighs and slowly inserted one thick finger into her wet channel.
She closed her eyes and rode his hand, following the rhythm he set as he moved his finger in and out. Her body might be battered, but she could no longer feel any pain. Not with Rabb making her feel so wonderful.
“Ride me.” His raw plea made her eyes pop wide open. His eyes burned with passion and she could tell he was close to snapping. “Take me inside you, Eliza. I need you.”
“I need you too.” It wasn’t a one-way street. They were in this together. With his help, she rose onto her knees and angled herself over his hard shaft. He held his cock and positioned the head against her opening.
Eliza took a deep breath and slowly began to lower herself. They both groaned as he sank into her one firm inch at a time.
“That feels so fucking good.” He gripped her hips and eased her the rest of the way down until she was sitting against his pelvis.
His cock throbbed against the wet walls of her pussy. As always, his shaft stretched her to the limits. He filled her completely, leaving no room for anything or anyone else to intrude. There was only her and Rabb.
She flattened her hands on his chest, ignoring the bite of pain in her left arm. But Rabb must have seen her wince. “Are you okay?” he asked. “We can stop.”
The man had lost his mind. “We’re not stopping. No way.”
He chuckled and nodded. “Okay, we’re not stopping.” He sat upright, the action driving his cock even deeper. Eliza bit her bottom lip but couldn’t quite hold back her moan of pleasure.
Rabb wrapped his arms around her, lifted her a scant inch and then lowered her again. He did it over and over. “Let me do all the work,” he told her.
Everything inside her grew tighter with each passing second. She was like a ticking time bomb waiting to explode. Her nipples rubbed against the hair on his chest. She clung to his shoulders. Every breath was hard to catch and she was panting hard.
“Rabb.” She needed more than he was giving her.
He swore and shifted until he could lower her onto the mattress. He loomed over her, still buried inside her, his weight resting on his forearms. “Tell me if I’m hurting you?”
“You’re not,” she promised. “Not in the way you think. But I ache, Rabb.”
“Eliza.” He whispered her name soft and reverent like a prayer. He began to move then, deeper and faster. He pushed inward with each stroke, rubbing his pelvis against her clit.
The tension built in her pussy and spread to her entire body. She was so close. Rabb was breathing heavily. His cock swelled inside her and she felt the telltale ripple that told her he was coming.
He called her name and she felt the hot flood of his semen fill her. Her mind went blank when she realized he wasn’t wearing a condom. He thrust deep and her entire being exploded. She came hard and fast, her entire body shaking with the shock of it.
Rabb held his weight off her until the strain became too much. His arms were quivering when he eased out of her. She tried to wrap her arms and legs around him, wanting to keep him with her forever.
“Easy,” he crooned. “I don’t want to crush you.”
He lifted her easily and tucked her back under the covers before disappearing into the bathroom. He returned moments later, peeled back the sheet and cleaned between her thighs. She would have been embarrassed if she’d had enough energy.
“I’m sorry,” he told her. “I forgot to use a condom.”
“It’s okay,” she told him. “I did too.”
He gave her a rueful smile. “Good thing we’re already engaged.”
She laughed and then sobered. “I think we should wait a while before we have a family.”
“I’m all for that.” He paused. “Unless you’re already pregnant.”
“We’ll see what happens.” Surprisingly enough, she wasn’t as freaked out as she thought she might be. She honestly didn’t think she was pregnant, but if so it would be a blessing, not a problem.
Rabb climbed into bed beside her and she immediately snuggled up against him. “How are you feeling?” he asked.
“Wonderful.”
He laughed. “I meant your injuries.”
“Can’t feel them right now,” she honestly told him. “I probably will later, though.”
He smoothed his hand over her head and kissed her forehead. “I’m sorry if I was rough with you.”
“It was perfect,” she assured him. She opened her mouth to talk again but nothing emerged but a yawn.
“Sleep now. We can talk more in the morning.”
Eliza was getting tired of sleeping, but she knew it was the best thing for her. As long as Rabb was beside her, she was happy.
Epilogue
Rabb worked behind the bar at Hatter’s, filling drink orders. It was not quite five in the evening, so there were only a few patrons. It had been a brutally cold week and had kept people at home. But the weather had broken today and he had hopes of a bigger crowd tonight.
He couldn’t believe how much his life had changed in the past month. Eliza was back on her feet and enrolled in a night course learning how to make various breads. She experimented frequently at home and he was enjoying trying everything she created. She’d already signed up for a pastry class that would start in a few months.
Thankfully she hadn’t gotten pregnant and had started taking birth control pills. As much as he wanted a child with her, he knew it would be better if they waited a few years to start a family.
A bone-deep contentment filled him. He had the woman he loved, his family and Hatter’s. His parents and Nevar and Allison all loved Eliza and she loved them. Life was good.
And speaking of his lady love, he smiled when she entered the club. She was wearing jeans and a sweater and had her coat and purse slung over her arm. She was no longer pale, but rosy-cheeked and healthy. She smiled constantly. And the way she looked at him made him feel about ten feet tall. She headed to the far end of the counter and slid up onto the stool. He made his way down there, leaned forward and kissed her.
“Mmm.” He loved the little sounds of pleasure she made when he kissed her.
“When are you leaving?”
She checked her new watch, the one he’d given her when she started class. “Ten minutes. Thankfully, it’s not a long trip by subway.”
He wasn’t happy with her going by herself, but it would be peak time with plenty of people around. “I’ll be there when you finish.” That he was adamant about.
“Okay. I should have some sweet buns to share with you tonight.”
Rabb gave a low growl. “I love your sweet buns.”
Eliza laughed and patted his cheek. “Have I told you today how much I love you?”
“Several times,” he told her. “But you can tell me again.”
“I love you.” She checked her watch again. “I’ve got to get going.” Eliza pulled on her coat and grabbed her purse.
“Love you,” he told her. “Have fun and I’ll see you later.”
She blew him a kiss and headed to the front door. It opened before she got there and her smile widened. Rabb recognized Detective Mitchell Zurkowski, who’d become a regular of late. The detective spoke to her a moment. Eliza smiled, patted his arm and then left. The detective watched her go and then made his way over to the bar.
“How’s it going, Zurkowski?”
“Okay.” Zurkowski slid onto one of the stools.
“What will you have?”
“Coffee.” It didn’t surprise Rabb, as the detective rarely drank.
“Just getting off work?” Rabb asked.
“Yeah.” Zurkowski rubbed the back of his neck and swiveled so he was facing the room. He peered around as if looking for someone. Then he swung back as Rabb placed a mug of coffee in front of him.
�
�Looking for anyone in particular?” Rabb asked.
The detective shook his head and sipped his coffee. But Rabb wasn’t so sure and his curiosity was aroused. It was probably none of his business and soon he was too busy to even think about it. Zurkowski didn’t stay long and said a quick goodbye before he left. Rabb put it out of his mind and continued working.
Nevar came out to relieve him at half past eight. It was time for Rabb to catch the subway and meet Eliza. “I won’t be long,” he told his brother.
“Take your time,” Nevar told him.
Rabb went back to the office, grabbed his coat and headed out. It was time to meet his lady and bring her home.
About N.J. Walters
Once upon a time N.J. had the idea that she would like to quit her job at the bookstore, sell everything she owned, leave her hometown, and write romance novels in a place where no one knew her. And she did. Two years later, she went back to the bookstore and her hometown and settled in for another seven years.
One day she gave notice at her job on a Friday morning. On Sunday afternoon, she received a tentative acceptance for her first erotic romance novel, Annabelle Lee, and life would never be the same.
N.J. has always been a voracious reader, and now she spends her days writing novels of her own. Vampires, werewolves, dragons, time-travelers, seductive handymen, and next-door neighbors with smoldering good looks—all vie for her attention. It’s a tough life, but someone’s got to live it.
N.J. welcomes comments from readers. You can find her website and email addresses on her author bio page at www.ellorascave.com.
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Also by N.J. Walters
Amethyst Dreams
Amethyst Moon
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