Page 84 of Heart & Hope

RUBY

Soul-splintering ecstasy spirals through my core, flooding my body. I ride each wave, with Reed coaxing every last tiny piece of pleasure through my veins. The man is a literal god.

A moment later, limp against the wall, I try to steady my breath as I stand on wobbly legs. Sex really is a thousand times more intense when you care about the person you’re doing it with, and we have only just gotten started.

None of the guys I have been with have ever been a romantic interest. Purely around for the physical. Associates with benefits? Sounds so very clinical. And the thought of it makes my heart hurt. It never worried me back then. But now, it’s sad to think I could’ve had more.

Rules . . .

My rules. The ones I thought I needed to thrive. They were keeping me from the best things in life. Reed clears his throat. Looks like he’s not the only one getting caught up in his head tonight. When I drop my gaze, he pushes to his feet and spins around, turning off the water. “We’re not doing this in here, baby.”

“We’re not?”

His arms are around my back and under my butt instantly. Sweeping me off my feet, he carries me to his bed. My heart picks up its pace. The giant rustic king bed that Louisa picked for him as a housewarming gift is comfy. And very Reed.

He sits me on the edge of the bed, and I wiggle back a little. His hands are around my face, his mouth against mine, tongue wanting in. I open for him. Gladly.

He sweeps in, and I taste him. Needing more.

But first . . .

I pull back and grab his wrists. I want that delicious cock of his in my mouth. Looking at it makes me ache. “Tap me if you want out, okay?”

He frowns a little, but his lips pop open with a gasp as I slide him into my mouth. Oh god, he tastes amazing. He’s rock hard yet velvety soft. I take him in further.

“Rubes, baby,” he growls.

Hell yes.I suck hard and pull my way back up.

“Fuck, Ruby.”

But I ignore him and pick up the pace. I want him as close to undone as I can manage. I take him in again, even deeper this time. With a hum, I suck my way back up.

“I—” he rasps.

A little closer . . .

I plunge down until he hits my gag reflex and pull up quick, swirling my tongue over his tip. He shakes against the bed, knees hitting the mattress, fencing me in. “Rubes, enough.”

I pull back and lean on the mattress, elbows propping me up, my breasts bounce with the movement. His eyes are the darkest green I have ever seen them. He is feral, and I fucking love it.

“Where do you want me, Reed?”

He groans, closing his eyes as if trying to think of something else and pace himself. He’s right, we should make this last. My first time with this gorgeous man is going to beeverything.

“Definitely not under me,” he breathes. “That’s not you, beautiful.”

He sits at the head of the bed, holding out his arms. “I want to look up at you every time you fall apart.” I spin and walk up the bed on my knees until I’m straddling his lap. The way he watches me, the awe and adoration ... Fuck.

The air rattling up my throat burns.

Reed takes my hips, moving me forward. He leans to the bedside, reaching for the top drawer, but I grab his arm. The veins over his wrist run under my fingertips. “No, we don’t need it. I don’t want it.”

“You sure?”

I nod, breathless.

“Okay, baby, you’re drivin’.”

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