Page 66 of Heart & Hope

Fire lances through my core, ending in my rock-hard cock. I let my knuckles sweep past the underside of her breast, one then the other. She gasps, her lips parting. Sitting on her heels, she wriggles the shorts off and flings them to the floor.

“Yours too, Reed.”

Tugging the shirt from my back, I throw it onto the pile with hers. My hands grab my shorts, but she slips a finger behind the waistband and shakes her head. Wavy blonde hair, now lit up by the moonlight, sways across her bare shoulders.

“Mine. Lie back.”

“You’re the captain.” The words fall from my mouth before I have the chance to reel them back in. I do as I’m told and lay on the bed. Ruby tugs the boxers down, letting them slide offmy legs and over my feet. I think she’s enjoying herself, by the cheeky expression on her face as she straddles my thighs.

“God, look at you, Reed.”

I sit up and lift her onto my lap. “I’m looking, but my view is much, much better, baby.” I flip us over, and she squeals, collapsing my chest in on itself with that one sound. So fucking happy. And if I could spend the rest of my days repeating this one... I would.

Ruby’s laughter fades and her brown eyes hold mine as her breaths shallow out. “Maybe—” Her gaze snaps away, her cheeks blushing. Ruby Robbins, the toughest, most capable woman I’ve ever met, has turned shy.

“What is it, beautiful? No judgment here, only you and me.”

“Slow. Can we go slow? It’s been a while. And I don’t want to ruin this.” She glides a hand up my neck and cups my jaw.

The thundering between my ribs has stolen every single word along with the air in my lungs. So I nod, tucking her hair behind her ear with a kiss to the forehead. She rises from the bed, hands around my face, pulling my mouth to hers as I shuffle closer, fitting between her legs.

Every move she makes has me consumed. Her lips part, and I can’t help it when I tangle my tongue with hers, wanting to taste and be connected in any place she will let me. A little moan purrs from her lips, making me impossibly hard. Fire pools, turning to lava as she presses her pebbled nipples against me.

I break the kiss and hold her face with gentle palms. “Where do you want me, Rubes?”

Her chest is plummeting, desperation lining her stunning brown eyes. “Everywhere,” she whispers.

“Aye aye, Captain.” I wink at her, and she falls back onto the pillow with a giggle. The smile that breaks my face sends fresh warmth around my already fiery body. I crawl over her andnuzzle her neck. Her hands wander up the back of mine and into my hair.

“Ruby Jane Robbins, you are so fucking gorgeous.”

Her breath hitches.

“Reed.”

I push up, hovering over her. “I’m serious. The first time I saw you. Well, let’s just say you occupied more of my head than you should have.”

“And now? Am I still in there?” She traces a finger over my temple, her gaze dropping to my mouth.

“Now, you’re a permanent feature. A different showing every night. I have an excellent imagination.”

She scoffs and slaps my shoulder.

“You never had wet Reed dreams, baby?”

She stills briefly, closing her eyes. Her hand slides over her right breast, pinching the nipple. Her mouth parts, and her hand descends until it slips over her center and down. “Oh Reed, baby. Please, don’t stop.”

Sweet Jesus, that’s hot.

She snorts a laugh, tossing her head back on the pillow, her hands resting on her blonde hair now splayed over the pillow as she loses it to a fit of giggles.

“That was the hottest thing I have ever seen. And pretty soon, you’re gonna be repeatin’ yourself.” I crawl backward, dotting kisses over her collarbones, to the tops of her breasts, skirting the nipple where I know she wants me.

Ruby wriggles on the bed and nudges my thighs with her knee. “You’re missing all the good places. That is definitelynoteverywhere.”

Now I chuckle at her. “This is your punishment. And I will make you suffer, beautiful. I’m not giving you what you want until you’re writhing underneath me.”

“Them’s fighting words, Rawlins.”

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