𝑃𝑎𝑝𝑒𝑟 𝑅𝑖𝑛𝑔𝑠

Chapter Forty Seven

Ruby sat beside JJ on the boat, the two of them looking over the map.

She took a deep breath, fighting off the nausea she felt, instead looking at the way the sun reflected off the water.

JJ looked over, kissing the bullet scar on her shoulder as he admired her, something was different, he just couldn't tell what.

"After all this.. I'm gonna get us some boards okay..? Convince JB to stay a few days.." JJ murmured, kissing across her jaw, "sounds great J.." Ruby breathed out, closing her eyes.

She flinched as a crack of thunder sounded, rain pouring down from the sky as he held her tighter against him.

"I got you okay..? You're safe.." He promised and she nodded, curling further into his arms, both of them watching the rain.

"What uh.. what kind of wedding do you want?" JJ asked, distracting her, "I want a beach wedding, nothing big" Ruby said.

He nodded and kissed her head, checking again to confirm he'd actually gotten her out and this wasn't just a dream.

"We made it J.." Ruby said sleepily, kissing his chest, "yea baby we did.."JJ said quietly, rubbing her back.

Eventually she fell asleep in his arms but he stayed awake, ignoring Kiara's lingering gaze on them.

"you actually went back for her?" Kiara asked, "'course I did.. I love her.." JJ said, kissing the top of Ruby's head.

Kiara frowned and looked over at him, "but what about me..?" She asked quietly, "what about you Kie..? You've known since we were kids that it was always meant to be me and her." He said simply.

"Yea but-" she started, "but nothing Kie. I've wanted to be with her since I was seven. There's no way in hell I'm leaving her, especially for you" he jabbed and held Ruby closer.

Ruby shifted, feeling his tension and curled herself closer to him, nuzzling her face against his chest as she slept.

"She was with Rafe." Kiara tried, "and you had him cheat on her with you" JJ reminded, "because I liked him! I still do.." she said quietly.

JJ rolled his eyes, "then take it up with the rich asshole and stay out of my relationship" he said and left it at that.

He looked down and his eyes softened as he watched Ruby sleep, his hand absentmindedly brushing a few stray strands of hair from her eyes.

That was the girl he'd always been in love with, he couldn't picture himself with anyone else, every girl before her felt wrong.

He was a broken person, damaged and he definitely didn't deserve her. Hell he didn't know how he had gotten so lucky.

But she looked at him as if he hung the moon, like he was some type of hero, a diamond in the ruff.

No matter what she always saw the person he could be, the better side of him.

He was unconditionally in love with her, she was his light, his treasure.

That was his Ruby..