Chapter 33
thirty-three
. . .
Rachel
Jack squealed with delight as Ronan raced him across the park. Ronan took slow plodding steps while Jack scurried on his small sneakers as if they were fueled by jet engines. Ronan snatched him up at the invisible finish line and twirled him through the air.
"Careful. He just ate his peanut butter sandwich," I called to Ronan. "He'll throw up if he gets dizzy."
Ronan stopped the twirl but still held Jack up high above him. "You wouldn't barf on me, would ya?"
"Maybe." Jack laughed and kicked his little feet through the air.
Ronan set him down. Mom walked over from the picnic bench where she'd been writing out a work schedule for the fabric shop.
She'd only been on the job for a month, but she was already loving it.
And she was good at it. In respect to my work, namely, my night job, Ronan had accepted the bitter pill that I would continue at Tommy's until we were financially stable enough for me to quit.
There were two different motivations at play.
Ronan hated other men seeing me naked, and I wanted to spend more time with Jack—and Ronan.
"I'll take Jack home. He's going to need a nap soon," Mom said.
Jack stomped and crossed his arms angrily. "No nap."
"I'll read that story you like about the lost brontosaurus," Mom promised.
"I guess we could go home. Is Ronan coming?" Jack asked.
"I'll see you later, buddy. Your mom and I want to hang out a little longer."
"You're going to kiss again, aren't you?" Jack asked Ronan.
"Oh yeah, I'm gonna kiss your mom. That okay?"
Jack laughed and took hold of Mom's hand. Ronan took hold of mine and leaned closer. "I never said exactly where I'd be applying those kisses."
"Hmm, I might be able to make a few suggestions."
Ronan pulled me quickly along toward the car.
He was still using his brother's car but he was saving up for an old truck a friend was selling.
He was only a few months away from buying it.
We were both still working hard just to keep our heads above water, but it felt less stressful having that struggle together.
It made us feel much more a part of each other's worlds.
I could never have fit into the mold Evan wanted.
A cool house would have been delightful, but it would be much better to buy the house myself and have no strings attached.
Evan was upset and, honestly, kind of grumpy and mean when I finally let him know it was never going to happen.
I hadn't seen him in the club since, and I was glad to have seen the last of him.
Ronan and I climbed into the car. We couldn't keep our hands off each other as he drove toward the apartment he shared with his brother. I flew behind him like a kite as he raced up the stairs, holding my hand firmly and moving so fast I could barely keep up.
Once inside, Ronan wasted no time. He pushed me up against the wall and kissed me hungrily.
His hands slid under my sweater, and his fingers fumbled with the button on my jeans.
I grabbed for the bottom of his shirt and pushed it up.
He yanked it off with one swift move and then pushed his mouth back against mine as if that was where he was getting his oxygen.
I was so dizzy from his kisses, I hadn't realized I was naked from the waist down until the cool air in the apartment brushed over my bare skin.
Ronan growled with need and lifted me into his arms. I kicked off the panties that were still clinging to my ankles, and he carried me down the hallway to his room. He never took his mouth from mine.
He sat me on the bed and whipped off my sweater. He stared hungrily at my bra. "Aha, my favorite pink lacy number. I think we'll leave that on."
He stripped naked. I put up a hand to stop him from getting on the bed. "I think I'd like you to turn around once just so I can get the full view."
Ronan smiled cockily and held out his arms to the sides as he spun slowly around. His solid back had a few deep scars that I'd never asked about, but I knew enough about his childhood to make a guess, a guess I didn't want to dwell on because it saddened me.
I stood up and wrapped my arms around him, so my hands were on his taut abs and my lacy bra and naked belly were pressed against his back and ass. I kissed one of the scars and even traced my finger along it. He flinched for a second but let me continue.
"One day, Ronan Wilde, I want to hear about every minute of your life, the good, the bad and the ugly. It's the only way I'll know you completely."
"Yeah? Might make you turn and run," he said quietly.
"Never going to happen."
Ronan spun around and pulled me into his arms. He gazed down at me. "So, you're in this for it all? The good, the bad and the ugly?"
I smiled up at him. "Let's try to keep the bad and the ugly to a minimum, but yeah, I'm in for all of it."
Ronan pushed a strand of hair off my forehead. "Never been the lucky one in the Wilde family, but I think that's finally changed, and it's been worth the fucking wait." He lowered his mouth to mine and, as usual, I melted into his strong, protective embrace.