Page 71 of Forbidden Dark Vows

His tongue is back. Harry doesn’t stop until he has tasted every drop of my wetness, then he comes back to me, gently removing the pillow that I covered my face with to stop myself from screaming.

He rolls me onto my side, his hand cupping my breast, and enters me from behind, pushing my left knee up towards my chest and spreading my butt cheeks. He moves slowly, his hips finding their rhythm while he kisses my neck, my ears, and my throat, his fingers stroking my clit and making my body convulse.

“I’m going to come, Ruby,” he whispers into my ear. “Do you want me to?”

“Yes.” I twist my face around and kiss him hard, curling his hair around my fingers and holding on tightly as he thrusts inside me, his legs vibrating until finally, we both slump onto the pillows.

24

HARRY

Ruby tossesand turns all night, and only settles when I spoon her from behind and stroke her hair away from her clammy face, whispering to her that she doesn’t need to worry about anything. That’s what I’m here for.

The temperature in the room is comfortable, not too hot and not too cold, but despite the sweat beading on her forehead, she is shivering. I cover her with the comforter and call Lizzie.

“How did it go?” She’s talking about the trip to Diablo Lake, but I can’t stop the image of my father from popping into my head.

“Another dead end.”

“Oh, I’m so sorry, Harry. I hoped this one was going to bring you some closure.”

“Me too.” I glance at Ruby in the bed, her face pale against the pillow, her eyelids fluttering. “Any messages for me from Carlos Russo?”

“Yes. He said good news and bad news, but he has a proposition for you.”

“Did he say what it is?” I already know that Carlos will want to tell me himself.

“No, but he’s eager to see you today. I get the impression that if you don’t act quickly, it will be too late.”

“Can you book me on the next flight back to New York?”

“Just one ticket?” I can hear Lizzie’s smile.

“Yes. For now.”

Ruby stirs. Kneeling beside her, I study her face. Her cheeks are warm and rosy. “How do you feel?”

She swallows hard and rotates her shoulders. “Fine. Who were you talking to?”

“Lizzie. Alessandro’s brother, Carlos, has a business proposition for me.”

“You’re flying back to New York today?”

“I don’t have to. Carlos can wait, Ruby. You’re way more important to me than any business proposition.”

Her eyelids flicker as she shifts her gaze from me to the telephone like she might be able to erase the call with the power of her mind. “Of course, you must go.” She smiles.

But I’m not convinced. I thought she had a temperature in the night, and I don’t ever want her to think that she comes second to my work.

“Harry, I’m fine.”

Clutching the comforter to her naked breasts, she rises onto her knees and kisses me on the lips. Before I can tug the covers awayfrom her, my erection is already growing, she seems to fold in on herself, like a flower curling up for the night.

The pain passes, and she gives me a weak smile. “Period pains, that’s all.” She twists her mouth into a lopsided grin. “I don’t want you to think that I’m a wimp.”

“What can I get you? Do you need anything?”

“Tylenol. I have some in my purse.”

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