Chapter 38

CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

Ryker

I’d given her far more power over me and insight into my life than I’d ever given anyone, but it was too late to take it back now. I wasn’t sure I would, even if I could.

Everything had to be on the table if we were going to move forward together. We couldn’t have any more secrets, lies, or deceptions.

“Somewhere along the way, I fell in love with you, and nothing could change that… not even my determination to hate you,” I admitted.

Her striking blue-green eyes filled with uncertainty. She was so beautiful, and she was mine. I was never going to let her go again.

“And what about the times when you remember what I did?” she whispered.

I stroked the silken contours of her cheekbones before moving to the freckles speckling her nose. Her sun-kissed, golden skin and dark-mocha hair with its hues of chestnut and chocolate were a stunning contrast to the snow falling around us.

“I will uphold this promise until the day I die; I won’t bring up the past again, and I won’t hold it over your head… unless you lie to me again. If that happens, then all bets are off. I can understand why you kept the truth of the Hooded Robber from me, but I won’t understand another lie.

“If we’re going to be together, then from now on, there won’t be any more secrets or lies between us. Everything will be out in the open. Do you understand?”

She bit her bottom lip before replying. “Only if that goes for you too. You led me to believe you were sleeping with all those women.”

“I didn’t tell you I was.”

Her mouth pinched with annoyance. “You have no idea how much the idea of you being with someone else hurt me.”

“I know how much it did because I can’t tolerate the possibility of you being with another man. If you think about fucking someone else, I will destroy them; do you understand?”

Her scowl deepened. “As long as you understand that goes for you and other women too.”

I smiled at her, but she didn’t look as amused as I felt. “Understood. So, no other men.”

“No other men and no other women for you.”

“No other women.”

“And no more reacting like an overbearing ogre when I talk to a friend who happens to be a male.”

“He wants to be more than a friend.”

“That doesn’t matter. I don’t want to be more than friends with him, and if we’re going to be together, you have to trust me.”

“I do trust you. I don’t trust him.”

“You get all prickly around Ianto too.”

My teeth ground together as I recalled how Ianto had eyed her when she removed her pants to cross the river. Ellery had said he was handsome, which still irritated me, but I knew he’d never try anything with her.

“I’ll do my best not to act like an overbearing ogre when other men are trying to hit on you,” I finally vowed.

“We still have to keep our relationship hidden.”

I didn’t like that either, but she was right. My father would do everything he could to destroy her if he found out about us, and that was a complication we didn’t need right now.

“I know,” I admitted.

“Then do more than your best when other men are around because you can’t drag me away every time.”

My fingers flexed at the idea of other men anywhere near her. “I know that.”

She quirked an eyebrow. “Ryker….”

“I can control myself. It will take a lot, and if they’re being too pushy, I might kill them anyway, but I can control myself.”

“That doesn’t sound very reassuring.”

“We’ve made it this far without me ripping off someone’s head.”

“Well, that’s… ah… great.”

“It’s self-restraint, and I am capable of it. There won’t be any more secrets and lies between us ever again.”

“No more secrets and lies, and no more throwing the past in my face.”

“No more throwing the past in your face. We’re moving on. From here on out, it’s the two of us, and we’re starting from a place where we’ve never been before. A place where we’re completely open with each other, trust in each other, are faithful, and united against everything else. If that’s what you want too?”

I had to ask. I wouldn’t be one of those overbearing men commanding her around and taking from her. All I wanted was to make her happy and love her.

When unexpected tears bloomed in her eyes, I recoiled a little. The last thing I’d expected was sadness. I’d hoped this would bring her as much joy as it did me. I’d hoped she’d shout this was what she wanted too, not cry .

Had I misjudged things, or was everything so broken between us that we couldn’t fix it anymore?

“Why are you crying?” I whispered, terrified of her answer.

She grinned as she wiped away her tears. “You have no idea how much I want this. How much I’ve hoped for it, but I believed it was impossible. I was sure you’d always hate me; now, there are no secrets, anger, or fear of discovery between us anymore… well, there is the mess of Tempest and your father, but nothing from us .”

I grinned at her as my arms fell to my side. “We’re going to win against them and be free. Even if we’re still confined to Tempest after, at least we won’t be oppressed. My father won’t come between us again.”

“No, he won’t.”

“If he comes to you again, you have to tell me immediately.”

“I will.”

“I don’t care what he threatens,” I growled.

Stepping closer, Ellery rested her palm against my cheek. Her touch soothed some of my rising ire as my gaze fell to her mouth.

I could easily recall how amazing her lips felt against mine. She was soft and luscious and so giving.

“I promise I will,” she vowed.

“And you’ll trust me to protect you.”

“With everything I am.”