Chapter 17

Ranger

The bracelet on my wrist is simple—dark stones strung on a leather cord, knotted just right—but it feels heavier than it should, like it’s carrying more weight than its size suggests. Tory made this for me. No one’s ever made me anything before, let alone something like this.

I glance down at her as we sit on the couch, her small frame tucked under my arm. She’s focused on the movie, her head resting against my chest, but all I can think about is her. The bracelet. The way she smiled when she handed it to me, her cheeks pink and her fingers fidgeting like she wasn’t sure I’d even want it.

I want more than the bracelet. I want her .

It hits me like a damn freight train. I’ve spent years convincing myself that attachments are dangerous, that getting close to someone will only end badly. But Tory has broken down every wall I’ve built, without even trying.

She belongs in my life.

I glance down at the bracelet again, the leather snug against my skin, and I know it’s true. I don’t just want her in my life—I want her in it forever.

The thought should scare me. Hell, it should send me running for the hills. But instead, it settles deep in my chest, warm and steady.

The movie drones on, the action flick’s explosions and gunfire fading into background noise. I shift slightly, tightening my arm around Tory, and she tilts her head up to look at me, her blue eyes soft and questioning.

“What?” she asks, her lips curving into a small, teasing smile.

I shake my head, unable to keep my own smile from forming. “Nothing. Just thinking.”

“About?”

I lift my hand, brushing a strand of hair away from her face. “About how lucky I am.”

Her cheeks flush, and she lets out a soft laugh. “You’re ridiculous.”

“Maybe,” I murmur, my gaze dropping to her lips. “But it’s true.”

She doesn’t reply, but the way her breath catches, the way her eyes soften as they meet mine—it’s enough to undo me.

I lean down slowly, giving her every chance to stop me, but she doesn’t. Her eyes flutter shut, her lips parting slightly, and I close the distance, pressing my mouth to hers.

The kiss starts soft, gentle, but it doesn’t stay that way for long. She shifts in my arms, her hands sliding up to tangle in my hair, and I lose whatever control I thought I had.

My grip tightens on her waist, pulling her closer until she’s practically in my lap. Her lips move against mine, warm and eager, and when her tongue brushes against mine, I groan low in my throat.

“Tory,” I murmur against her mouth, my voice rough with need.

She doesn’t answer, just presses closer, her body fitting perfectly against mine. Her hands slide from my hair to my shoulders, her fingers curling into the fabric of my shirt like she’s afraid I’ll pull away.

I’m not going anywhere.

My hands roam her back, tracing the curve of her spine, and when my fingers brush the bare skin just under the hem of her shirt, she shivers. The sound she makes—a soft, breathy sigh—is enough to drive me insane.

I break the kiss, pressing my forehead against hers as I try to catch my breath. Her eyes are half-lidded, her lips swollen and pink, and I swear I’ve never seen anything more beautiful.

“Ranger,” she whispers, her voice trembling slightly.

“Yeah?”

Her hands slide down to rest on my chest, her touch warm even through the fabric of my shirt. “I don’t know what’s happening between us, but…” She hesitates, her gaze searching mine.

“But what?” I prompt, brushing my thumb over her cheek.

“I don’t want it to stop.”

Her words hit me like a damn hammer, and I can’t hold back anymore. I capture her mouth in another searing kiss, my hands gripping her hips as I pull her fully into my lap. She gasps against my lips, her hands sliding under my shirt to press against my bare skin, and every inch of me comes alive.

The heat between us is electric, overwhelming, but it’s more than just physical. It’s her—her laugh, her smile, the way she looks at me like I’m more than just some guy who’s here to protect her.

I pull back just enough to look at her, my breath ragged. “You’re incredible, you know that?”

She laughs softly, her fingers trailing over my chest. “You might’ve mentioned it once or twice.”

I grin, leaning in to kiss her again, but this time it’s slower, deeper, like I’m trying to memorize every detail of her.

I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow, or the next day, or when this job is over. But I know one thing for certain—Tory Ann Malser has changed everything.

And I’m never letting her go.

She rocks her hips against me once more, and my breathing picks up. “Ranger,” she moans again, and I kiss her until we’re both breathless.

I remove her shirt in a flash, resting my eyes on her bare chest. She’s beautiful. She rocks once more against my hardening cock, and I groan as I suck one of her breasts into my open mouth.

I reposition her, to lay her down on the couch as I remove her night pants from her body. I’m greeted by little black panties, and I growl at the sight.

She pushes at the edges of my shirt, removing it from my body. I help her, pushing my own sweatpants down my legs as I move to position myself between her legs.

“I need my cock to fill you up.”

She reaches for me. “I want it,” she moans, and I lean back to memorize this moment.

My woman. Needy for me.

She bites her plump lower lip into her mouth, and I tsk her.

“That’s mine to bite,” I say, leaning over her body ready to lay claim. I suck her bottom lip between my teeth, nibbling just enough to illicit a moan from her.

She holds onto me like a lifeline, and it causes this weird possessiveness to take over. Her legs wrap around my back, and I grab onto the flesh of her ass.

“These panties need to be obliterated.”

She giggles lightly, and the sound goes straight to my cock. “Do it, then.”

I lean back, grabbing the side of her panties and giving it a quick yank, ripping it right at the seam. I do it on the other side, and then in the middle…obliterating them.

The shredded material falls to the floor, and she sighs. “Those were such a nice pair.”

Now it’s my turn to laugh lightly. “In a few minutes you won’t even miss them.”

She holds onto me, her smile wide. “Promise?”

“I promise you, Tory.” I settle my body between her legs, letting the tip of my cock find her center. I want to slam deep inside her, but don’t want her to be too sore. So, gently, I nudge inside her, filling her up completely.

“Ah, Ranger,” she calls out.

“I love hearing my name on your lips.” It fills my chest up with a warmth I never knew I needed. It’s a sound I could get used to.

Forever.

I move my cock in and out of her, slowly at first, but then picking up speed as I go. Her soft moans and groans grow louder with each thrust of my hip until she’s calling out my name.

“That’s right,” I tell her. “Who’s making you feel so good?”

“You are, oh my god.” She squeezes onto me tighter, her body rocking along with mine.

We find a rhythm, and together we make love in the heat of the night. She’s definitely not somebody I’m willing to give up any time soon.