Chapter 44
Chapter Forty-Four
Chase lay on one side of the bed, looking at the two most important people in his life. Ruby was facing him. Haley lay between them, and after many fits and starts, she’d finally gone to sleep.
The past few hours had been surreal. Chase had attended a hundred crime scenes before, but he’d never been one of the parents holding a screaming toddler, trying to comfort his family after the worst had happened. Well, nearly happened.
“You should try to rest,” he whispered to Ruby.
“So should you.”
“Too wired.”
“Same here.”
Chase just wanted to watch them and know they were okay.
Ruby rested her hand on Chase’s neck, her thumb brushing over his jaw. “Thank you for taking care of Haley.” A tear rolled onto her cheek, and she sniffled. “I can’t believe how close Tag came to being able to…and he was holding her…”
“I know.” Chase touched Ruby’s face, mirroring her posture. Seeing her cry made his heart feel like it was tearing itself apart. “I know.”
He’d heard the revving of the car’s engine when it had roared into the parking lot and jumped the curb. Then the terrible thud as the vehicle had plowed into Tag. Chase had pressed Haley’s head against him, keeping her from looking.
Once again, Ruby had risked herself by running toward danger instead of away from it. But he’d also never been so relieved to see her.
Explaining things to the police afterward, Ruby had been calm and poised. Though she’d had plenty of strong language to convey how pissed off she was.
Only now was she showing how terrified she’d been, and Chase wanted to comfort her. Shield her. Take on her pain. Even though he couldn’t.
Maybe it was enough that they were here together, sharing it.
“I’d protect Haley with my life,” Chase said. “But you’re always giving me a hard time about having a hero complex. If that description fits anyone here, I don’t think it’s me.”
Ruby laughed, though she was still crying. “I’ll stop giving you a hard time about protecting me if you can return the favor.”
“I can try. But we might want to take turns being the hero. Because if one of us does something reckless, the other one needs to be the voice of reason.”
“That would be wise.” Ruby’s eyes were so tired, but she kept forcing them open. “I wish I’d never gone to see Tag in the first place. If I’d stayed away from LA—”
“Then we’d have no idea who the real killer was. You’d still be heading for trial. And Nora would probably be dead.”
Though Nora was far from Chase’s favorite person at the moment. She could’ve ended all of this far sooner if she’d come forward.
The West Oaks DA’s Office was going to have a hell of a time sorting out this convoluted mess.
They were on their third suspect for Mickey Waverley’s murder.
But Tag had killed Adrian Peele too. He’d assaulted Mrs. Murtree, broken into Ruby’s home.
Held Haley as a hostage. Something was going to stick.
Especially if Lana took over the case. She’d arrived at the scene tonight, as had half of Bennett Security. Devon had sobered up quick. It had been quite the circus—detectives, paramedics, patrol trying to keep the neighbors and the uninvited bodyguards out of the restricted area.
Mrs. Murtree was now at the hospital, and from the last they’d heard, she was recovering nicely. Devon and Aurora had gone with her so she wouldn’t be there by herself.
Shelby was going to have tough questions to answer. A use of force investigation would be coming her way. Chase couldn’t imagine Shelby would be disciplined after all the facts were known.
Chase had reported everything Tag had told him, including the man’s confession about killing Mickey.
Ruby had been shocked by Nora and Mickey’s betrayal of their friend.
To Chase, the most unnerving part of the story was how Tag had believed he was helping Ruby. Chase wondered if he’d even intended for Ruby to find Mickey’s body, as if she would get some satisfaction out of it.
Maybe there was no way to understand Tag’s line of thought.
At some point in the last two years, Tag must have fully recovered from his injuries. But instead of moving forward and living the life he had, he’d sacrificed everything for revenge.
“For a moment when I was talking with Nora,” Ruby said, “I thought she’d actually killed Mickey. But she blamed herself for it. I’m still fuzzy on why Decker would come after me, though. Why did he come to the apartment and follow us?”
“He must’ve really believed you had killed Mickey. I think Decker planned to warn you not to drag him or Adrian Peele into it.”
Which would also fit with everything Decker and Peele had said to one another at the fight. Decker had been afraid that Bennett Security’s investigation would lead back to him because he’d actually been in Mickey’s apartment.
This wasn’t completely over. Chase and Ruby would probably have to testify in court. But he knew Ruby’s biggest worry was about Haley. Whether she was okay.
“Will you stay for a few days?” Ruby asked. “I know we talked about you going back to your house, but Haley needs you. I need you.”
“I’ll stay as long as you like.” He brushed at her tears with his thumb. “But I need you, too. I hope you know that. I need you both. I love you.” He kept saying those words as Ruby’s eyes closed. “I love you.”
At some point, they must’ve fallen asleep. Because Chase woke to Haley patting him on the face. Ruby was still out.
“Chay-Chay. Luvoo.”
His heart felt like it was swelling in his chest. “I love you too, princess. So much.”
She smiled, showing off her tiny teeth. “Fies?”
“Fries for breakfast?” He laughed. “Why not.” Chase grabbed his phone to check on Devon, Aurora, and Mrs. Murtree. They all deserved some comfort food.
Two Months Later
Chase heard the front door open. Ruby was home from work.
“Smells good in here.”
He’d just been putting their dinner in the oven to stay warm. He jogged to the door and greeted her with a kiss.
She dropped her bag onto the floor with a sigh. “Nice apron. But shouldn’t you be naked under there? Isn’t that how this scene goes?”
“This is a date, not a porno. Getting naked is for later.”
She wrapped her arms around him. “But I want to get to the best part.”
“Just gotta be patient.”
“You know I hate being told that.”
“But it’ll be worth it. I promise.”
Tonight would be Haley’s first time sleeping away from Ruby since the day of Max and Lana’s wedding—two months ago.
It had taken Ruby a while to feel comfortable letting Haley go overnight.
But the little girl was upstairs with Devon and Aurora, close enough that they could call if anything came up.
Chase had plans to take advantage of this alone time with his wife. She’d been stressed lately, and she deserved to relax.
And to be kissed and touched and fucked. At least, Chase was hopeful.
The corners of Ruby’s mouth turned down. “Haley’s had her dinner?”
“Aurora was making curry. I’m sure Haley loved it.”
“And she’s got her stuffed lamb? And extra diapers?”
Chase smoothed his hands down her arms. “Haley’s going to have a blast with her aunt and uncle. I took care of everything.”
“Of course you did. What’s this date I’ve been hearing so much about?”
Chase took off the apron. He’d mostly worn it to make her laugh. “I cooked dinner. Well, I warmed it up, because I suck at actual cooking. But first, we’re going to make something.”
Ruby’s eyebrows lifted. “Make something?”
“Not that something. Yet.” He walked her further into the room and showed her the art supplies he’d set out on the kitchen table. “It’s been a stressful couple of months. I thought you might want to do the art thing.”
Her eyes shone. “You’re the sweetest. And definitely getting a blow job later.”
“That was my plan.”
Chase’s life had returned to normal in some ways. He was back on duty for West Oaks PD and getting along with his partner. Detective Murphy had become one of Chase’s biggest defenders, and she’d been calling him in to help with some of their most important cases in major crimes.
He’d decided to wait on trying for detective. Chase was rooting for Shelby to make it, but he’d also heard that Sean Holt from the LAPD was interested in moving over to West Oaks. Given the increase in crime in their town, Chase had to believe Holt’s expertise would be welcomed.
The salon on Ocean Lane had begged Ruby to return, and for the time being, she was happy working there again. But Chase had encouraged her to put together a business plan and apply for a loan to get her own place. Whatever she decided, he would support her.
For now, she wanted to pay back Noah for Jane’s legal fees, and Chase had been chipping in money each month for that fund as well.
He and Ruby had continued to live apart, getting together almost daily for dinner or just to spend time as a family.
But Chase felt like their lives had finally settled back into a comfortable rhythm.
He got to show Ruby how much he loved her every day, and even though she hadn’t said those words back yet, he knew that they were serious about one another. For the moment, that was all he needed.
Well, that and a night of hot sex with his beautiful wife, being as loud as they liked.
They sat down at the kitchen table. Chase dabbed paint on his paper and watched Ruby add watercolor to her canvas. The tension in her shoulders unwound as her paintbrush moved. She made the different colors bleed together like an abstract sunset. It looked like something from a modern art gallery.
“That’s beautiful.” Chase held up his. “Mine looks like Haley made it.”
“It’s better than that. Slightly.”
Chase laughed. “I can always count on you for honesty.” He’d painted a heart with two smaller ones nested inside it. A yellow sun with a smiley face was in the middle. “The three hearts are for you and me and Haley. And the sun is how you make me feel.”
“Aww. That is cute.”
“I know, right?” He’d totally been trying to score points.
“It’s gross how perfect you are. I just threw up in my mouth.”
“I might get this heart design tattooed on my other butt cheek.”
“You’re officially no longer attractive.”
“Should I be bad instead?” Chase dragged his finger through yellow, then feinted toward her.
“Hey!”
But instead of smearing the paint onto her nose, he kissed her.
“Mmm,” Ruby murmured. “Are we finally getting to the good part?”
“You mean the bad part.”
The moment quickly escalated into more, so Chase wiped his hand on a towel so he could kiss her properly. His hands dug into her hair, tipping her back as he claimed her mouth.
“What do you have planned?” Ruby’s teeth bit into her lower lip, and Chase knew exactly what she wanted.
“Why don’t I show you?”
He pushed their painting supplies to the far end of the table. He picked her up and set her on the tabletop. Ruby had on a pair of leggings, so he started there, tugging them down by the waistband along with her panties.
His cock strained against the zipper of his jeans. He couldn’t wait to slide his tongue between her legs. Hear her moan.
She still had her dress on, thighs pressed together. He grabbed her knees. Thrust them apart. Pushed her dress up over her hips.
She cried out as his tongue moved over her core. Her hand went to touch him, but he grabbed it and twined their fingers together.
They hadn’t had sex for days, so he went faster than he usually might. His teeth nipped at her labia, lips sucking at them. He flexed his tongue just the way she liked. Lapped up her wetness.
He couldn’t get enough of the smell of her, the taste. Everything that made her Ruby.
She didn’t hold back when she came, crying out and shoving her hips against his face.
Chase’s dick was eager to come out and play. He unbuckled his belt. Undid his pants. He pulled a condom from his back pocket and started to unwrap it.
“Wait. You could fuck me without the condom. If you want.”
A lightning bolt of desire singed down his spine into his balls. He did want. “Are you sure?”
He knew she was on the pill. But Ruby was usually so worried about the possibility of getting pregnant.
She nodded, expression relaxed after her orgasm. “I’m sure. I want to feel you. Just you.”
Chase shucked off the rest of his clothes. Ruby stood up from the table. He thought she might take off her dress, but instead she only removed the fabric sash from her waist. It was a thin strip of silky black material.
“Bind my wrists?”
“I think you’re the one with the plans tonight.”
Her grin was devious. “I was fantasizing about you all day. I almost gave someone bangs instead of layers. Thank goodness I realized before the scissors closed.”
He wound the fabric belt around her arms, tying them loosely together.
“Bend over the chair,” he commanded.
Ruby obeyed, resting one knee on the seat, her bound wrists on the back of the chair.
Chase lifted her dress to expose her ass. He ran his hands over her thighs, then up her stomach beneath her clothing. He loved that he was naked, but she wasn’t.
The tip of his cock found her opening, and he pushed into her wet heat.
The feeling of having her bare was indulgent. His balls wanted to empty into her, right then and there. Chase reached between his legs to tug on his sac, forcing himself back from the edge.
They both groaned as he started to move. Sliding into her, pulling back out. Ruby’s bound hands gripped the back of the chair.
He held onto her hips and thrust into her.
Sometimes Ruby wanted him demanding and dominant. Sometimes she liked things more equal. Sometimes she wanted a battle. It hardly mattered to Chase, though he did have his own preferences.
More than anything, he loved giving Ruby exactly what she needed. Seeing that look of pure pleasure on her profile made him hotter than anything else.
“Oh, fuck. Ruby. You feel so perfect.” He held her tightly against him as his cock throbbed, shooting inside her. Chase laid his head against her shoulder, just relishing this moment.
When he withdrew, she stood up and draped her still-bound hands around his neck. Chase’s arms circled her waist. “I love you,” she said. “And I want you to move back in with me and Haley. For good.”
Chase pressed his forehead to hers. He couldn’t contain his smile. It really did feel like the sun was inside of him, shining out. As silly as that was. “I love you, too. And yes. I’d be thrilled to move back in. But we might need a bigger bed. And a bigger apartment.”
He’d have to tell his cousin he was finally moving out of the bungalow.
Ruby laughed. “I’ll keep working on my business plan and see what I can do.”