Page 100 of Keeping Knight

“I just don’t want you to regret selling this place,” I tell her. “I know you shared a lot of memories with your dad here.”

“I do. But I have more memories here.” She rests her hand over her heart. “And those I’ll carry wherever I go.”

My chest squeezes. “Rue.”

Her eyes shine a little as she smiles at me. “It’s okay. I’m a little sad, but I’m happy, too. Moving in with you, finding a place together… Those are exciting things. Things to look forward to.”

“They are,” I agree. Drawing her close again, I kiss her forehead. “I’m definitely looking forward to living with you. In our own place.” With a smirk, I add, “Where we can have sex anywhere we want.”

Desire heats her gaze. “Maybe we’ll put up some of that one-way window film? So we can have sex while we watch the sun come up?”

My dick jumps to attention. “I think that could be arranged.”

Ruby’s face lights up. “Good.” Then she narrows her eyes at me. “But not yet. Not until the doctor says it’s safe.”

“Oh, I think it’s safe now,” I reply, my voice going rough. I cup her ass, pulling her against my erection. “In fact, I think sex would be medicinal.”

“Micah.” Her cheeks flush pink. “Jester and Houdini could be back any second.”

“I can tell them to take a break. Grab some coffee. Some overpriced pizza.”

From Ruby’s thoughtful expression, I can tell she’s thinking about it. But after a few seconds, she shakes her head while smiling ruefully. “We can’t. They’re here to help. And anyway, the doctor said we should wait at least another week.”

I knew I shouldn’t have let Ruby come to my last doctor’s appointment with me. Then I could have told her I got the all-clear, and she’d be none the wiser.

Except I don’t lie to Ruby. I don’t hide things, even if I’m worried the truth might upset her. Because if I want us to work out in the long-term, which I do, it’s important that we’re honest with each other.

Ruby steps out of my arms and turns her attention back to the dishes she’s packing. “I’d better get something done before the guys get back. Or they really will think it’s a ploy to get them to do everything.”

“They don’t mind,” I reply while surreptitiously adjusting myself. “They just like to give me shit.”

“Isn’t that what friends do, though?” she asks. “Kylie and Jordan were all over me before I finally introduced them to you. Suggesting I was dating a naked trombone player or an Irish jigger…”

“A naked trombone player?”

Ruby laughs. “You had to be there.”

“Okay…” I’m not sure where naked trombone players and Irish jiggers fit in, but what do I know?

“Don’t worry,” she says with a smile. “Now that they’ve met you, they think you’re completely normal.”

“That’s good,” I say with a chuckle. We met up with Jordan and Kylie last weekend, and it was great seeing Ruby with her friends, finally able to enjoy normal life again. Although I’m not sure how I’ll feel when she wants to go somewhere without me.

“It still freaks me out,” Rogue admitted when I brought the topic up. “The first few months after Sofia was attacked, I was like a damn stalker. I followed her everywhere. But I’ve been trying to be better about it.”

I should feel better about Ruby going places alone now that Henry’s no longer a threat. He’s in jail awaiting trial, and with the evidence we found, plus the confession I recorded, he won’t be a free man for decades, at least.

Or ever, I think darkly. Because I know a guy with connections in the prison system. A guy who used to be a bounty hunter before he joined a security company out on the West Coast. Rafe understands what it’s like, needing to protect the woman you love from a predator. And if I tell him I want to make absolutely sure Henry can never hurt Ruby again, I know he’ll pull some strings to make it happen.

I’m still thinking about it. Maybe I’ll be satisfied with a long prison sentence. Or maybe I’ll decide it’s too much of a risk, and make a call to my old friend.

“Oh.” Ruby sets the last of the plates in the box and folds the flaps down. “I almost forgot. While you and Houdini were moving my bed out to the moving van, I saw Greg.”

“Oh?” Guilt pokes at me. I still feel bad about scaring the guy, even though I don’t regret doing it.

“Yeah.” She tapes the flaps down before continuing, “He said he’s moving to Florida next month. He’s just ecstatic about his sudden windfall.”

“Good.” Glancing at the open door, I lower my voice before adding, “I hope it makes up for everything.”