Page 36 of Protecting Anna
Without saying another word, Ryan rolled her over onto her back, and showed her with his body over and over again just how good an idea he thought that was.
Chapter 20
Several weeks later, Anna’s arm was nearly healed. She had an appointment with her doctor to remove the cast in a few days and that day couldn’t come soon enough. Ryan had been her dedicated caregiver, as he helped her in the shower, cooked for her, and spoiled her so much with affection she was sometimes overwhelmed with his love.
Moving Ryan into her home had been a seamless transition. Ryan’s few meaningful belongings fit in easily thanks to all the space in Anna’s house. Now it was more than just a drawer in the bedroom that held some of his clothes, he had a section of the closet, multiple drawers, and even space in the front closet for his gym gear.
Slowly they settled into a comfortable routine, living a life together that was not bound so strongly by fear and worry. Anna helped at the bar when she could but, with one arm still in a cast, she was limited in what she could do. So, Jake and Ryan had finally decided to hire a manager for the pub. Thankfully, Noah had stepped into the role, claiming it would be temporary, until he found a new career path for himself. It was going so well with him helping, that Jake, Ryan, Callie and Anna were trying to convince him to make it a permanent decision.
Even with all the happiness and peace in her life, Anna still felt unsettled. She knew Tim could no longer hurt her, not now, and hopefully not ever. Yet somehow, him being in the county prison just over the border in northern California while he awaited trial was too close for comfort. He was not eligible for bail, so Anna knew she should feel safe, but she couldn’t seem to shake the feeling that there was more drama to come.
She had begun seeing a counselor, who was helping her work through the trauma, and find ways to reclaim her confidence and courage. The counselor had made a huge difference for Anna, as she developed tools and strategies to manage her fears and reactions. One night, long after the pub had closed, Anna and Ryan lay in bed, entangled in each other’s arms. Laying in the dark was the place that Anna felt the safest telling Ryan her innermost thoughts, and where she would often talk to him about her therapy sessions.
“I just wish I knew what it would take for me to be ready to take my life back. In therapy today, Sandy was telling me I need to give it time. That someday I would wake up and feel like myself again. I do feel like myself, I’m just still so anxious all the time. It feels as if I have had so many wonderful things happen lately, I can’t help but worry, what if my good luck runs out…” Anna’s voice trailed off to a whisper.
Ryan’s arms strengthened their hold around her. “Sweetheart, it is completely understandable that you would still feel nervous. However, I think Sandy is right and that it’s going to take time to trust that you are safe. You can’t rush that.” He propped himself up on his elbow to look her in the eyes. Even in the dark, she could feel their connection humming between their gazes. “So, you listen to me, Anna Thorn. Your luck is not going to run out. You have been through hell and came through it with courage and a smile. If there is anyone who deserves the best happiness and love-filled life possible, it’s you. And I’m going to be right here beside you no matter what. Got it?”
Anna lovingly reached a hand up to caress Ryan’s cheek, easing the fierce lines that came over his face every time he went into what she had affectionately dubbed his “protector mode.”
“Okay, big guy, I got it. And I love you, so very much. Thank you for always knowing just what to say.”
“I’m just doing my job as the luckiest boyfriend in the world.” Ryan leaned down and pressed a soft kiss to Anna’s lips.
As happened every time their lips met, the spark of lust turned into an inferno. With a moan Anna pulled Ryan down on top of her, deepening their embrace. Her foot slowly slid up his leg until she could wrap it around his hips, just below his firm ass. She could feel his cock nestled in between her legs, hardening against her sex with every passing moment. Ryan let one hand trail down her body until his questing fingers reached her throbbing center.
“Goddamn it, Anna, you’re so ready for me, aren’t you, babe,” he growled.
Anna moaned as he deftly slid his fingers around her entrance, teasing her. “Please, Ryan, just… make me feel… you.”
Ryan lifted his head, to smile wickedly at Anna. “You just stay right there. You’ll feel me, all of me, as I love all of you.”
Then he slid down her body until his shoulders were wedged between her legs. Slowly he pressed open kisses to her inner thighs, slowly dragging his mouth higher and higher until he was at her center. He clutched her hips and loved her with his tongue, sliding his fingers in and out of her drenched core. Anna writhed underneath his touch, gasping and moaning as he worked her up to the ultimate peak of desire.
The sensations building within them both went deeper than lust, stronger than passion. This was no ordinary love, this was a captivating, powerful force that felt more than love—if such a thing were possible.
With a scream of Ryan’s name, Anna let her orgasm flood her senses. Spine-tingling heat zapping through her body, she collapsed onto the bed as he drew out her release with every warm swipe of his tongue. When she stopped shuddering, he slowly moved up the bed and pulled her into his arms. She quickly fell asleep entwined in his embrace. No more words were needed, Anna was safe in his arms.
* * *
Ryan poured a mug of hot coffee, added in Anna’s preferred vanilla syrup and placed it on the tray next to the plate filled with her favorite breakfast foods. He’d woken up early and decided he was going to treat her to breakfast in bed. When he crawled from the warmth of their bed earlier, he had gazed down at Anna, who was still peacefully asleep. Not a moment passed that Ryan didn’t feel eternally grateful that she had come into his life. Somehow this beautiful woman had burst through his defenses and shown him a part of his heart he never knew existed. Ryan couldn’t imagine ever loving anyone as much as he loved Anna. He was not a religious type, but Ryan often found himself praying to the universe that she could find her inner peace. It tore him up when he saw the shadows cross her face, and knew she was thinking of that asshole awaiting his trial in prison. He despaired wondering if she would ever be free of that demon.
As Ryan picked up the tray, he heard Anna’s phone ring. He could hear her soft, sleepy voice mumble hello as he wandered down the hall, curious to see who was calling so early.
The pale, shocked look on Anna’s face when he entered the bedroom clenched his heart with fear. He quickly put the tray down on the dresser, climbed onto the bed, and pulled her into the safety of his arms. He couldn’t hear the other person on the phone, but Anna’s soft gasps of surprise, murmurs of understanding, and whispered “thank you for telling me” had his heart pounding. Without realizing he tightened his hold around her, desperate to protect her from whatever was happening.
Anna hung up the phone and stared silently down at the duvet as she picked at invisible lint for a moment. It nearly killed Ryan not to say something, to demand she tell him what had happened, but instinctively he knew she needed a minute to process.
When she finally spoke, her words were a shock, but also a cathartic release of tension he hadn’t realized he had been carrying.
“He’s dead. Tim is dead.” Anna finally looked up, tears spilling from her shining eyes. “It’s over, Ryan, I’m finally free.”
Ryan was speechless as the impact of her words sunk in. He pressed a kiss to the top of her head, trying to formulate his response.
But before he could say anything, Anna continued, “That was Detective Ronson. He got a call from the warden at the county prison where Tim was being held to wait for his trial. Apparently, he was in a fight last night. They suspect it was someone from a rival drug ring. Tim was stabbed and taken to the infirmary, but he didn’t survive.” Anna pulled away and turned to look at Ryan. Hope warred with guilt in her eyes as she asked, “Am I a horrible person to feel so happy he’s gone?”
At that Ryan found his voice. “God, no, sweetheart. You are not a horrible person and you are also not the only person thankful that he is finally out of our lives, forever. He deserved whatever happened to him, and I for one, want to shake the hand of the scumbag who stabbed him. Little does he know, he did us a massive favor.”
Anna laughed through her tears at that, and Ryan was gratified to see the smile emerging on her face.
