Page 43 of Claimed By Ruin

And she looked up at me, really staring into my eyes.

I braced myself, waiting, wanting.

But I was still surprised when she launched the elephant at me.

It bounced off my chest and thudded to the floor soundlessly.

I paid no attention and kept my eyes on her as she glared at me, the fury blazing.

I stood a little taller, stepped closer, waiting, wanting the explosion that would come next.

She stared at me, the anguish, the rage on her face making my skin burn with the need to soothe her, the need to kick my own ass for hurting her.

And then…

It was gone.

She took a deep breath, and I watched as the emotion left her body, physically seeing her rein herself in. She clenched her teeth but then relaxed. Loosened the fists she balled her hands into. Pushed her shoulders back.

She took another deep breath, and when she looked at me, there was no emotion in her eyes at all.

“Thanks, Jack. I’m sure there’s lots of useful things. We should get that truck unloaded. Is there more where you found it? If so, we can set up a couple of groups to go get it. And looks like that new one you brought might take a lot of gas, but I’m sure we’ll find a way to⁠—”

Fuck that.

Her voice cut off with a soft umph as I twirled her around and pulled her against my chest.

She went rigid. Didn’t pull away. Didn’t push. Just stood there, stiff.

“Let me go, please.”

“No.”

Her nostrils flared. “I mean it, Jack.”

“So do I.”

Her face flashed with anger—heartbreak—but then went placid. Other than her harsh breaths, there was no indication that she was bothered at all.

But I saw the truth.

Saw that me holding her like this was crushing her.

I should have let her go.

I pulled her closer.

She let me, too.

But she stayed rigid, the sounds of life outside as people rummaged through the truck fading until there was only breath, hers, mine—ours.

I linked my arm around her waist and pulled her closer, her soft breasts and stomach, the slight bump where my baby rested pressed against me.

I couldn’t say how long we stood like that. Or when it happened. But it did happen. She relaxed an increment.

Then another.

Another still until she leaned her entire weight against me.