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“Or maybe you’re good luck.”
Rubble’s voice sent shivers down her body. She slowly pushed off the soft coverings and met his eyes. He stood in the doorway, overtaking it with his tall frame and wide shoulders. The black beanie cap sat in its usual place, but the Macha stamp on the front was crooked. The blue plaid shirt beneath his open winter coat brought out the color in his right eye. His long, wiry beard was disheveled, whether from the elements or him running his fingers through, she wasn’t certain. All in all, Rubble commanded the room from the moment his shadow graced it.
Jupiter sat up and his gaze went to the sling on her arm, his expression making it clear that his tough guy façade was just that. The regret in his perfectly mismatched eyes spoke the volumes she’d always want to read. She’d heard the worry in his voice, but actually seeing him looking so rugged yet docile spun her world off its axis.
“Doc said—”
“He told me.” Rubble took a giant step toward the bed, the room shrinking more the longer he stayed there.
“Just a sprained arm and some bruises. I’ll be back to normal in a day or so.” She scooted to the edge of the bed and frowned when she saw her boots and coat on the other side of the room. “See, nothing to worry about. I’m right as rain.”
Rubble closed the distance and knelt on the floor next to the bed. He grabbed her hand and kissed the top. “I’m sorry. I should’ve been more careful.”
“I’m fine, seriously.” She tried to escape, but he held her in place. “Rubble, honestly, I’m—”
He cut off her reply by putting his lips over hers. The coolness of his mouth sent a new form of goose bumps along her skin. Grabbing the back of his head, she pulled him closer, opening her mouth to taste him. His tongue interlaced with hers as bursts of craving filled her stomach.
Rubble eased back, eyes warring with hers. “When you fell, so did I.” He brushed the hair out of her face. “I fell so fucking hard, baby girl.”
Jupiter looked him over for damage. “You fell too? Are you hurt?”
He laughed, shaking his head. “Fuck, this is why I love you. Never worrying about yourself, only others.”
The air in her lungs escaped in a loud whoosh. “You… you love me?”
“Yeah, I do.” He kissed the tip of her nose.
Jupiter’s heart throbbed in her ears, the realization of his words hitting her hard. She pulled away, hands shaking and beads of sweat lining her brow. “I can’t, Rubble. I’m not somebody you can love.”
He frowned and rocked back on his heels. “What do you mean?”
She stood and paced the shining hardwood floors. “I’m married for starters.”
“You’re midway through a divorce.”
She tossed him an unbelieving glance. “Secondly, I’m a hot mess and probably leaving Snowshoe soon. No doubt my ex found out where I am, and I have to keep moving.”
“Aren’t you sick of running, Jupiter?” He sat on the bed and reached for her. “Macha can give you a life here. I can give you a life. Please let me.”
Jupiter worried her bottom lip between her teeth. His face was so earnest. He believed every damned word he said. “I can’t have children,” she blurted before she could stop herself. “At least I don’t think I can. Lyle blames me because I couldn’t give him the one thing he thinks a woman is good for.” Tears pricked her eyelids. She held them at bay despite the tremble in her voice. “I probably can’t give any to you either.”
She stopped pacing to watch the news sink in. Every man wanted kids. An heir to carry on the family line. Rubble would be no exception. “Well, say something. Now’s not the time to be a mute brute.”
Finally, he stood and walked over to her. Tilting up her chin with his fingers, he softly kissed her lips and she braced herself for the impending dismissal.
“Baby girl, you couldn’t be more perfect for me if you tried.”
“What?”
His fingers unraveled her braids. “I’m pretty sure I can’t have kids either. I had an accident during my time overseas in the Marines. The doctor said I was lucky to be alive, but I’d probably never have kids myself. I don’t need any to be happy, Jupiter.” He kissed her forehead. “I just need you. I don’t want to ever wake up without you in my life.”
His quiet words crumbled the dam she’d made. Tears rushed down her cheeks. She buried her face in his chest, the scent of leather overwhelming her. Never in her life did she think a man would not only accept this but love her because of it.
“Our flaws make us perfect, baby girl.” Rubble cradled her face in his callused hands. “I’m damned sure you were made just for me, Jupiter Quinn.”
His soft words made her emotions surge over the edge. This man was her everything. Not able to wait another second, she fused her mouth to his, moaning when he cupped her ass and picked her up off the floor. Her back hit the wall roughly, but she didn’t feel anything except the hard lines of his body against hers.
“Wait, wait.” She pried her lips away, panting at the loss.
