Page 57 of Soul Food

“Reward yourself, Ruth,” he rumbled a low grunt. “Look what you’ve gone and made me do.”

His hand pumped over and over again, arousing and capturing my attention. Slowly, my hand brushed over my stomach and my fingers slipped between my legs. With my other hand, I fondled my breasts, first one and then the other as I rolled a finger over my clit. I paid close attention to the rough way he jacked himself, enraptured and so hungered, wishing it was my body he was plunging into instead of his hand. The need was so controlling; I panted and pulled at one of my nipples until it stung. “Unbutton the rest of your shirt. I want to see more.” He complied mid-stroke, his dick jutted forward—strong and proud the moment he let go. One by one, he undid his buttons until I could make out more of the fine, dark hair defining the hard ridges of his chest. He was perfection, so solid and male that it was intoxicating. I whimpered as I pictured my hands roaming his exquisite body.

“You’re entirely too easy to please.” His words were every bit true, but never with anyone else—only him.

“Yes… You’re finally joining me,” I mumbled honestly. His thick, fully erect cock and his willingness to take himself in his hand for me, I loved it, knowing it was me he was staring at. His eyes on me was all Icouldhave. “I wish I could touch you,” I admitted as I plunged a finger in my pussy and moaned.

His hand stopped once more. “Is that what you want?”

I paused and bit my lip. This was getting dangerous. What if he tried something the next time we met? “I prefer this way. Less messy than actual touching.” I felt better after I changed my words even if I wished it could be different. This was safer even if I wanted more.

“You’re lying.” He still hadn’t started moving his hand again.

I sighed. “You said you weren’t going to touch me and that’s perfectly fine with me.” I was on the verge of whining now that we had stopped over something I had no control over. I wanted Amit. What I did not want was him dead.

He lifted the camera to his face, revealing his scowl. “And we both keep saying things we don’t really mean.”

The video disconnected the next second. He hung up.

What happened? I was more startled than hurt. Maybe I started something I shouldn’t have. I pulled my finger out slowly as my legs shook. My heart was beating ninety miles per second and wasn’t slowing as I took in deep breaths. Oh, God. I didn’t know what would happen from here. I replayed what he just said over in my head, trying to figure out if he really meant what I thought he did. Did Amit plan to touch me? If so, I couldn’t let him even if that meant avoiding the studio.

But he was right. Video sex was never going to be enough for me. No matter how much I convinced myself. I wanted him. I craved him and could do nothing about it.

BOOM. BOOM. BOOM.

Moose started barking, and I jumped as someone banged on the door. My heart rate increased tenfold as I climbed off the bed and hurried to the bathroom to grab my red robe. Once I slipped it on, I washed my hands, then walked through the house to get the door.

“Ruth!” I stopped, eyes widening on the door as his intimating, deep voice boomed on the other side.

It couldn’t be him that’s what I told myself. There was no way. I just saw him sitting on a sofa. He had been home. He couldn’t have gotten here so quickly, but then why was I so nervous?

It’s not him. It’s not him.I eased the door open.It’s him.

I poked my head out. “Amit,” I sounded breathy and nervous. “How did you get here? I saw you at your—”

He ignored me as he pushed the door wide, forcing me and Moose back as he barged into my home and let the door slam behind him. His shirt was still undone. Although his pants were zipped, his rock-hard cock was still obvious. “Amit,” I said more sternly. “What are you doing here?”

“This is the best way.” He stalked closer.

“The best way to what?” I asked as he stepped forward. “Stop.” I held my hands out. “You’re making me nervous. I’m serious. I only ever meant for this to be something we did safely over our phones.”

“Is that right?” He hummed, the sound vibrating through his massive chest.

“Yeah.” I nodded. He crowded my hallway—my entire house was huge but it didn’t seem to be enough to shield me from his overpowering presence. I hated that he flipped me inside out even now when something very bad could happen. He wasn’t stopping. He kept forcing me to back up like a coward until I planted my feet and growled. “Stop! Have you not seen the news surrounding me? I truly am fitted to be named Dark Goddess. Every guy that’s ever tried to kiss me or touch me in any way has died instantly.” He smirked. And it made me livid. “I’m serious. Get out!” I pointed toward the door.

He grabbed my waist and pulled me in.

“Amit, stop!” I pulled, pinched, and slapped at him, but he kept smirking. I was on the brink of tears. “Don’t you see, I’m doing this to protect you? I was totally fine with taking pieces of you over the phone!”

Through my protests and hits, Amit tightened his arm around my waist and pierced my soul with that first kiss. His lips were utterly soft for someone so harsh and searing. My mouth sliding over his was clumsy as I floated in bliss while also fighting to get away. I broke away from him right as his lips parted. He let me pull away, but his hand was firm on my hip, keeping me close. Opening my eyes, I kept blinking and waiting for the world to come crashing down because of my desire. My chest tightened, stomach clenched up as I stared at the light in his grey eyes—waiting for those beautiful orbs to fade.I’m sorry,I wanted to say, but all I could do was stand frozen and wait and whimper. But thirty seconds turned to one minute, then another—eternity could have passed with how quietly Amit watched me, and I him. His eyes were intense and full of lust—yet patient as if waiting for me to come to terms with what had just happened. Ordidn’thappen. Silence turned to shock. The soul reaper never showed. Amit was here—heart still beating even after kissing me. That disbelief unlocked years of pent up lust. My body was suddenly a furnace, sizzling sensations consuming my stomach and heating my face.

Amit was right here, jaw clenching tightly as his gaze flickered over my lips and a pained groan tumbled from his lips. My entire body shuddered in response.

I knew his patience was over. My time was up.

Amit tightened his hold on me and kissed me again. This time I met him halfway, slipping my tongue into his parted mouth seeking the taste of him. His tongue was hot, flicking ravenously against mine. This side of him—slightly unhinged—had me humming to the rumble in his chest. Just the sounds we made together had my legs buckling. It was a dark symphony I wish I could record and replay—over and over—his throaty groans and my whispered hums and pants. His fingers dug into my side and then with one arm, he hauled me up against him. I gasped my surprise as he grabbed one of my legs, urging me to wrap them around his waist. “Amit,” I whimpered as I wrapped around him. Running my fingers through his hair, I breathed him in. He smelled divine, tasted even better. Sinfully sweet despite how cold the man was himself.

“Amit,” I said again, winding my fingers into his hair tighter. His teeth grazed my bottom lip as I tugged with the urgency riding through me. “Amit.” Breaking our mouths apart, he nudged my chin until I lifted my neck and then he was biting me there. Every little inch, his teeth would mark then move again. I curled my toes in as I sighed desperately. “You’rehere. You’re touching me.”

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