Ruthless by Cheryl Douglas Page B

in his arms. “If you hadn’t come in when you did...”
    He touched her lips with his. “Sssh, I don’t even want you to think about that anymore.”
    “Why were you here?”
    Luc shrugged. “I guess I just had a feeling you might need me.”
    She laid her head against his chest and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Thank you,” she whispered.
     
    Luc slid into bed behind Marisa and pulled her into his arms. He needed to feel her skin against his, the brush of her soft hair tickling his bare shoulder. He needed her reassurance as much as she needed his tonight. She may be relying on him to keep her safe, but he was relying on her to keep him sane.
    When he stepped off the elevator and heard her scream, his blood ran cold. He feared Mitchell may be wielding a weapon he planned to use on her should anyone get in his way. He winced when he thought about what could have happened, how far that monster was willing to go to punish Marisa for her perceived betrayal.
    She turned into him, tucking her head under his chin as she wrapped her arms around him. “You okay?”
    “No.”
    She tipped her head back to look into his eyes. “What’s wrong?”
    He closed his eyes. “I’m the reason that bastard went ballistic tonight, Marisa. If it weren’t for me...”
    She pressed her fingertips against his lips. “Ssh, don’t even think that. He’s obviously deranged, Luc. How could I have been stupid enough to trust him?” She shook her head as a tear slid down her cheek. “If anyone’s at fault, it’s me.”
    He brushed at the tears slipping down her cheeks. “You had no way of knowing he would snap like that, honey. Hell, neither did I. I didn’t trust the guy, but I didn’t think he would resort to taking you by force.”
    She reached up to stroke his cheek. “If you hadn’t come in when you did...”
    He closed his eyes. “Ssh, I can’t even let myself go there. You’re okay; that’s all that matters.”
    She burrowed into his arms, tucking the duvet under her chin. “I am now, thanks to you.” She looked up at him. “Sorry I ruined our plans for the evening.”
    He chuckled. “This is exactly where I planned to end up, in bed with you. It doesn’t matter how I got here or what happens while we’re here. I just need to hold you tonight, baby.” He closed his eyes, saying a silent prayer of thanks that she was safe, that she still wanted him to be the man who kept her safe.
    She kissed his chest. “Good night, Luc.”
    He smiled. “I love you, Marisa.” He waited for her to respond in kind, but his declaration was met with an uncomfortable silence. He felt that cold grip of fear making his pulse pound. He realized that he may be back in her bed, but he had a long way to go before she trusted him with her heart again.
     

 
     
     
    Chapter Nine
     
     
    Marisa woke to a leg coiled possessively around hers and a strong arm wrapped around her mid-section. She tried to slip out of his grip, but he held her closer, burrowing his face in her neck. “I’m just gonna make us some breakfast,” she whispered.
    He groaned. “Not yet, stay in bed a while longer, baby.” His hand slid up to cup her breast as he nipped her earlobe with his teeth. “Bet I could entice you.”
    She knew he could. But she had no intention of giving in to him, not today. “I don’t know about you, but I need a strong cup of coffee this morning.”  
    He brushed her hair back and licked the sensitive skin at the base of her collarbone. “I know what I need, and it’s not coffee.”
    The phone on her bedside table rang and she suppressed a sigh of relief. “I have to get that.”
    He rolled on his back and threw his forearm over his eyes. “Let it go to voicemail.”
    She checked the call display. It was Trey’s number. “It’s Sierra or Trey, checking in on me. I have to get it.” She pulled the sheet up to cover her breasts as she sat up and reached for the phone. “Hello.”
    “Marisa, Trey told me what