Page 46 of Cinnamon Strudel
“Why wouldn’t they?”
“I’m blind. I’m di—” but he hated that word so much he couldn’t say it.
Ruby didn’t pick up on his slight. “They already adore you because Rhett and Denise swooned over you.”
“Swooned?”
“Yes,darlin’,” she grinned so bright it made his own cheeks burn, “swooned.”
He held her for a moment, letting her aura and words calm the storm of his anxiety. “I’ve never been introduced to the parents.”
“Well, ‘tis the season.” She laid her hands over his, eyes tenderly on him. “You’re going to be fine.”
“As long as you’re there.”
“I will be.”
Dinner was a quiet affair, and Ruby retreated soon after to get ready for bed. Morgan cleared the table, then joined her. When he heard the water running in the bathroom, he seized that opportunity to stealthily grab a rope from the drawer. Patiently, he waited on the bed, sitting to face her once she came out of the bathroom.
There were giggles, Ruby offering Blue a face peel as well. When the door opened, her steps halted almost immediately. “How are you feeling, darlin’?”
“Suddenly no longer tired,” she blurted out. “Blue, I think you need to leave.”
He chuckled and let the rope slip through his fingers. “All evening, you had me thinking about all kinds of gentle things I could do to you.”
“I-I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologising? You did nothing wrong.” He offered her a hand and pulled her onto his lap. The rope dropped, his hands finding her bare thighs like magnets as she straddled him. “Do you feel comfortable taking the next step?”
“Yes.”
Her hoarse whisper made his cock twitch and had tingles shooting to the bottom of his spine. “I’d like to tie you up for that.”
“Please do.”
“So eager,” he hummed, fingers pushing under her barely-there shorts. “I’m going to get the condoms and when I return, I want you to be kneeling on the bed right here with your back facing me. Can you do that?”
“I can.”
Kissing her nose, he stood and set her back on her feet. He took his time, letting her squirm to heighten the anticipation. When he returned, Ruby was exactly as he‘d instructed, though he’d forgotten to command her to take her clothes off. His fingers ran down her sides, his lips nipping at her earlobe.
She shuddered and stiffened under his touch when his palms slipped under her t-shirt to smooth over her bare skin. The higher the fabric went, the more uncomfortable she seemed to become.
“What is it, darlin’?” When she couldn’t seem to find her words, he took her jaw in a tender grip and forced her attention to him. “Something is on your mind and is pulling you away from this moment. Tell me what it is.”
She sighed, her eyes searching his face as if she was trying to read his mind. “I don’t like taking my shirt off.”
Though he found that surprising, arguing the point wouldn’t make her magically comfortable with it. “You don’t have to take it off. We can keep it on. How do you feel about me touching you underneath it?”
“That’s fine.” With another sigh, she shook her head and avoided his gaze. “It’s ridiculous, I know.”
“Your feelings are not ridiculous. They are valid in every sense, and I will always respect them.”
“I’ve gained weight over the past few years, and I haven’t figured out how to love myself naked yet.”
His heart cracked hearing the shaky, insecure way the words fell off her lips. That prick should’ve worshiped every inch of her. Sucking her earlobe, he ran his hands back down her sides and grabbed her gorgeous waist. “I’ve got you, darlin’. What you can’t, I’ll love twice as hard.” With another squeeze, he lowered his voice. “Put your hands behind your back.”
She obeyed his command without hesitation. Just like before, he bound her wrists with the rope. He took his time, taking every opportunity to stroke her soft skin and press his lips to her neck.
