Page 142 of Heart & Hope

Ruby is mine.

And I’m hers.

The diamond on her finger is the first of the many ways I’m going to show this gorgeous girl how much I love her, for as long as she will let me. Rubes sits back up, her hair falling behind her back, her breasts bouncing as she pushes her palms to the ceiling of the truck.

Unshed tears burn the bridge of my nose.

This moment, right here, is one I will never forget.

She slows, opening her eyes, as she drops her gaze to mine. “Reed...”

The rasp in her voice sends me spiraling as her lips skate over my jaw. I take her face in my hands, stilling her, and she breaks away. “What is it?”

“Your turn on the soft leather, baby.”

I flip us over, holding her against me to keep from being apart from her for even a second. When she is settled on the seat, her head on the reclined headrest, I grab up her boots and slide them on her feet. The smile that blooms over her face takes the last of my fucking breath. I tug her forward and drop to one knee.

I lean down and run my tongue around her clit. She arches off the Napa leather. The smell of new truck mixed with Ruby Robbins wet for me might be my new favorite thing. Lifting her leg, I rest it over my shoulder and straighten ‘til she is spread wide for me.

“Fuck, baby. Best damn Christmas ever.”

“This was on your list?” She smiles at me, cheekiness shining through her eyes as she plays with her breasts. It takes everything I have not to come all over her belly.

I grip my cock and nudge her entrance. “This was not on my Christmas list. But you’re in my mind every single minute of every single fucking day. And this”—I nod to her lying on my front seat—“is going to keep my mind spinning ’til the day I die.”

“Well, how about you fuck my name right out of my head?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“You make an incredible first mate, Reed Rawlins.”

I close my eyes as my breath peters out with her words. Captain’s Choice, that’s what her t-shirt said the first night we spent together at the ranch. I knew it then. Hell, I knew it the second I saw Ruby Robbins clacking her way down that sidewalk in Great Falls.

But I never for one minute thought I would be worthy of this girl. I slam into her, and she lifts her hips from the seat. I ruba thumb over her clit, and she hums my name like a fucking prayer.

“Right here, Rubes...” She tightens around me. I hold her ankle and pick up the pace. Her fingers roll her nipples, and her face breaks. Every long, languid stroke sends me higher. Warmth coils at the base of my spine. My rhythm shatters as she explodes.

“Reed! Baby, fuck.”

“Good girl, Rubes.” I slam into her with erratic, hard strokes.

Fuck me, nothing on this earth compares to Ruby. Never will.

Her fire.

Her faith in me.

Her loyalty.

Her unconditional and all-consuming love for a man who shouldn’t have been worthy.

I burst, hot and fast, into her. She tightens again and follows me over the edge. Exhausted and ecstatic, I peel her from the leather seat and pull her close. When my face sinks into her hair, it takes every last ounce of energy to not fall apart.

The overwhelming happiness she gives me is so precious.

“God knows how much I love you, Rubes.”

“He’s not the only one who knows.” She pushes back, hands on my face, her big brown eyes studying my face. “Rule number one... Reed Rawlins is my reason for breathing.”

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