Page 72 of Big Bad Wolf

“Why are you sorry?”

“I’m just sorry about all of it. Sorry you got stuck here with me.”

His gaze flicked up to hers, dark and intense. “I wouldn’t be anywhere else.”

“You mean you couldn’t be.”

“What are you talking about?”

Ruby blew out a frustrated breath. “You said you were drawn to me, like I’m pulling you in somehow.” She shrugged. “That doesn’t mean you want to be here.”

He laughed. He actually laughed at her! Deep and throaty and so damn sexy it pissed her off.

“What are you laughing at?”

“Ruby, why do you think I’m drawn to you? Because I hate you?”

“No … I guess not … but you said…”

“I meant what I said.” He was back to serious, his laughter long gone. “I can’t stay away from you, but it’s more than that. I don’t want to.”

“You don’t?”

He shook his head. “I should stay away from you.”

Her lips tipped up in a smirk. “But you don’t want to?”

He leaned forward and took her face in his palm, warm and rough. “No, Ruby, I don’t, because you’re funny and sweet even though you pretend you’re not, and you’re loyal, so damn loyal, and you care about your friends and family more than anything, and…” He drew in a deep breath.

“Go on.” Her smile grew.

He narrowed his eyes at her as though he could scare her. “You have horrible taste in movies but great taste in books. You paint your toenails bright colors even though you always wear black. You drink too much coffee and sleep in way too late. You are reckless and brave and…”

“And?” The word was breathless as it fell from her lips.

“And you’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever met.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, it is. And keeping my hands off of you is the hardest thing I’ve ever done.”

“You haven’t even done a very good job of it,” she said, memories of their make-out session running through her mind.

His fingers flexed against her jaw. His callouses were rough against her skin.

“I know.”

“So maybe you should give up on that little plan.”

He was even closer now so, when he spoke, his lips practically brushed against hers.

“Even if I do give in, I can’t stay, Ruby. I can’t let my life, my people, and all the messy fucking violence that comes with it ruin your life too.”

“I’m not scared of you, Rafe.” She nipped at his bottom lip and he groaned.

“You should be.” He pressed his mouth to hers, hot and urgent. She grabbed at him, her fists tangling in his shirt. He grabbed her waist and pulled her onto his lap. “Fuck, Ruby,” he panted. “I can’t… We can’t…”

“Why not? Tell me why.”