Page 41 of Royal Hottie
I scrunch my eyes shut tight, berating myself for blurting what is probably just emotional stuff coming up because I haven’t been with anyone since my ex. I scared him off.Nice going, Ruby. You and your bubble. Oh, sure, we’ll be casual, only a happy memory.
The music shuts off abruptly. The silence stark.Party’s over.I thought we’d stay the night, but I ruined it. Now it’s one and done.
I sit up, thinking I should get dressed. Obviously I suck at this casual thing. But wait—
Phillip is coming back to me. He’s naked, gloriously proudly naked, carrying the champagne and chocolate, two fluted glasses dangling between the fingers of one hand.
My eyes water, and I press my lips tightly together. He’s not leaving. I didn’t ruin everything.
He sets everything on the nightstand. Then he drags the covers onto the bottom of the bed, nudges me flat on my back, and pulls them over me too. He joins me without a word.
I remain lying on my back, mouth clamped shut, unsure what to say, if anything. Should I pretend I didn’t almost blurt out theLword?
He’s on his back next to me and shifts to his side, facing me. “Ruby.”
“Hmm?”
“Finish your sentence.”
I gulp and stare at the ceiling. “What sentence?”
His warm hand slides to my stomach. “You know which sentence.”
I consider my options—denial, compliance—and the potential consequences. My tender heart needs protection. I’m such an idiot for thinking I could do casual. Now my heart’s swinging in the wind. “Why?”
“I want to hear it.”
I can’t go there. It’s too risky. “It was just a reaction in the moment. I didn’t mean anything by it.”
His hand slides up my ribs. “Just the orgasm speaking?”
I laugh a little. “Yeah.”
“I see.” He pulls me into his arms, chest to chest, and tucks my head under his chin, cupping my head with one hand. He lets out a breath and murmurs, “I hope it will speak again because…I think I do too.”
I can’t breathe. He’s in love with me too. My heart races. How did we get here so fast? And what am I supposed to do with this incredible gift?
Chapter Ten
Phillip
I lie in the dark, holding Ruby, who fits in my arms perfectly, my mind turning over next steps. I can’t help but think—despite the terrible timing, despite both our baggage—that this is a good thing. She has strong feelings for me, and I’ve been trying to deny mine, but it’s no use. I already thought we were compatible, but now that we’ve finally crossed the line, I know we are, in every important way. She was made for me, my soul mate. She doesn’t care about my title, my wealth, my stupid royal hottie moniker. She sees the real me. Unlike my previous girlfriends, she doesn’t have a vain, shallow bone in her body. She’s warm, honest, open, a bright bundle of energy that I want to keep close. The moment I stopped looking for her, she came into my life.
I breathe her in, the soft floral scent of her shampoo and something sweet that’s distinctly Ruby. She rolls to her other side with a soft sigh. She’s sleeping. I spoon her from behind, turned on by the contact but also sleepy. My mind drifts and I close my eyes.
I must’ve fallen asleep. I wake with one hand on her breast and the other between her legs. She’s hot and wet.
“Are you awake?” I ask, mildly alarmed I was messing with her while she slept.
She whispers over her shoulder, “Yeah. I put your hands where I needed them, hoping you’d wake up and get the hint.”
I smile.Get the hint.She is definitely made for me—playful, sexy, and fun. “Hang on.” I grab another condom from where I stashed them earlier, roll it on, and spoon her again, except this time I thrust inside her. I hear her sharp intake of breath. She’s petite, tight, and in this position, even tighter. She feels fucking amazing. I open her leg wide and pull it back to rest over mine; then I slide my hand right back where she wanted it, stroking her rapidly. She arches back into me as if to escape my fingers, but I’ve got her caught, pushing her hard to the edge as I slowly pump into her. I loved making her break earlier, a complete shuddering surrender that made my inner caveman roar in triumph. I didn’t know I needed that until she gave it to me.
She reaches back, her nails digging into my shoulders, her back arched, soft cries escaping that make me thicker and harder. I force myself to pump slow, wanting to prolong it for her.
“Phillip!”
I soften my touch and she goes limp, her nails releasing their hold, her back relaxing against me. Her response to my touch is intense. It consumes her just as it does me.
