Chapter 27

Chapter 27

Miguel

I stand fixed like a statue, practically holding my breath as Ruby’s hand skims up my chest and then slips around to the back of my neck, her fingers soft and cool on my skin. My muscles are locked, my skin feels too tight, and my heart is beating so hard I figure she must be able to hear it.

“Would you be terribly upset if I kissed you?” she asks.

“Ruby.” My voice nearly cracks when I say her name. I’m so afraid of misreading the situation. All I can do is shake my head.

She reaches up and draws my face down to hers, and we meet halfway. And then she kisses me. There’s no misunderstanding. Her lips are soft and silky and clinging to mine, trembling. She’s breathless. And the soft whimpers she’s making arouse the hell out of me.

Her lips glide against mine, and she sighs softly. The sound and the light brush of air against my lips sends my body into overdrive. I slip my arms around her torso and pull her close. I know she can feel my body’s reaction.

She deepens the kiss, and that’s the only cue I need. This woman—this red-haired goddess—is kissing me like she means it.

My conscience raises its ugly head, making me take a step back. “Ruby, are you sure? You’ve had a major shock tonight.”

“I’m sure,” she says.

She gazes up at me with those crystalline blue eyes. I don’t see fear in her eyes, or hesitation—I see need. I see desire. I scoop her up in my arms and carry her across the hall to her bedroom. I nudge the door open and carry her inside. Pumpkin races into her bedroom ahead of us and jumps up on the bed.

I sit Ruby on the bed and grab the cat. “Not right now, pal. We’re kind of in the middle of something.” He’s still purring when I deposit him on the floor outside her bedroom and close the door.

“Miguel?”

“Yes?”

“Um, do you have protection on you?”

“Yes. I always carry something in my wallet.”

She laughs nervously. “Good, because I don’t. And I’m not on the pill. Is that a problem? I hope it’s not a problem.” She looks so nervous, so unprepared.

“Oh, sweetheart.” I crouch down beside the bed and lay my hands on her thighs. Her nightgown has ridden up almost to her panty line, only I happen to know she’s not wearing any panties right now. My dick twitches as I start to harden. “Of course it’s not a problem. Are you sure you’re ready for this?” I can’t afford to mess this up.

She nods, looking somewhat relieved. “Yes, I’m sure.” She lays her hands on mine. “I want to be with you, Miguel. I mean, if you want that, too.”

I swallow hard. “Yes, I want that, too.” My voice sounds rough. “I do.” I stand up. “I’ll be right back.” I run to the bathroom to grab my wallet, double-checking that I do indeed have a condom with me. Thank God, I do.

When I return to the bedroom, I find Ruby sitting nervously at the side of the bed, her hands clasped in her lap.

Then it dawns on me. She’s a virgin.

“You’ve never done this before, have you?” I realize what a huge step this is for her—to trust me like this. To allow me to be her first.

Her first.

But I want to be more than her first. I want to be her only.

Slow down, I tell myself. Don’t scare her.

She shakes her head. “No. Never.” She squeezes my hand. “But I want this, with you.”

My mind is racing. Go slow, don’t rush her, ease her into it.Make it good for her.

I kneel on the bed, looming over her, supporting myself on one hand while the other slides into her hair. The long strands fan out around her, like a halo of fire. God, she’s beautiful. I lean down to trail nibbling kisses along her neck, skimming lightly, teasing her. I smile when she shivers.

Take it slow.

I press my mouth to her pulse point and suck gently, although I’m careful not to leave a mark.

Not too fast.

I skim my lips upward to trail kisses along her jawline, up the side of her cheek to the sensitive spot behind her ear. She shivers.

My God, she’s so responsive.

More light kisses up to her temple, her forehead, and when she closes her eyes, I feather soft kisses on her eyelids.

Her hands latch tightly onto my arms. Then, and only then, do I allow myself to capture her mouth. Her lips part on a breathy sigh, and I deepen the kiss. I nudge her lips open wider and touch the tip of my tongue to hers. She startles a moment at the unfamiliar touch, but then she eases into it, stroking my tongue with hers.

She’s going to be the death of me.

Ruby releases my arms and slides her hands over my chest, stroking my heated skin. Her palms travel up to my shoulders, and she clutches them.

Slow, slow, slow… it’s like a mantra in my head. A reminder not to rush her.

Ease her into it.

But then she surprises me when she skims her soft fingers down my chest to my abs. She brushes the line of hair that runs from my navel to disappear beneath the waistband of my briefs. Oh, fuck!

Okay, it’s time to lose our clothes. I lean back and grasp the hem of her nightgown. “Let’s take this off, all right?” I wait for her to nod before I slowly start to lift it. She raises her hips, then sits up as I drag the garment up past her belly, then her waist, and finally to her breasts. My gaze fixes on her breasts—perfect little mounds of cream-colored flesh topped with pink nipples. Right before my eyes, those nipples begin to tighten into little buds. When I brush one nipple lightly with the tip of my index finger, she gasps.

I pull the nightgown off her and toss it aside. Her arms come up and cross over her chest, covering her breasts. She looks so nervous, so unsure.

“We can stop if you want to,” I tell her. “We don’t have to do this tonight. There’s no rush. We can take our time.”

“No!” She laughs at her own outburst. “I mean, no, that’s okay. I don’t want to wait. I’m nervous, that’s all. I don’t want to mess this up.”

I chuckle. “Honey, that’s my line.”

“I don’t want to make a fool of myself.”

“Ruby, if anyone’s going to do that, it’ll be me.”

She smiles. “You’re just being nice.”

“No, I’m being truthful.”

She drops her arms to her side then, revealing herself. I want to devour her. I’m desperate to go down on her, but I’m afraid that might be too much for her first time. There are other ways I can make her feel good.

I urge her to scoot across the bed, and I follow her. I lie beside her and kiss her sensitive throat. I already know she likes that. My hand skims down to her chest, and I cover one of her breasts, molding it to fit my palm. I brush her nipple gently, teasing the tight little bud, and she cries out. And while I’m keeping her occupied with my mouth on first one nipple, then the other, I slip my other hand down her soft belly to the sweet spot between her thighs.

When I touch her, she arches her hips and gasps, “Miguel!”

Hearing her say my name like that blows my mind. “Trust me, sweetheart. I’ll make this good for you, I swear.”