Page 44 of Saved By Love at Christmas
“I really want to kiss you, Ruby. So bad. If you don’t want this, tell me to stop.”
“I want this too.” I breathed the words against his lips.
His mouth claimed mine with a tenderness I’d never experienced before. He was so gentle as his lips moved against mine, our bodies trembling together. My mouth opened to allow him entry, and his tongue slipped inside, caressing the side of mine. A moan came from me but was swallowed up as our kiss intensified. I ran my fingers through his hair, never wanting it to come to an end. It became a little heated, more fervent. I wasn’t ready for more. Not yet. I pushed at the solid wall of his chest.
He rested his forehead against mine as our breaths mingled. The air around us was filled with tension. The good kind that made my body burn. When our eyes met, we continued to gaze at one another.
With great care, he stroked my face, moving slightly away from me. “Are you okay, Rubes?”
“More than okay. You?”
“Perfect. I didn’t know how much I wanted this to happen until we kissed.”
His admission set me on fire.
“If I’m honest, I’ve wanted this too. Only… I’m scared in case it falls down around us and we lose our friendship in the process.”
“Not going to happen, honey. Nothing’s going to change that. We need to take this slow and talk about it. You’re just coming out of a bad relationship and still vulnerable. I’m not prepared to take advantage of that.”
“I agree. It’s a lot to process. Maybe, after we’ve got your tree, we can take Fred for a long walk and talk about it then.” Being out in the open while we talked about it was a safe option for me.
“Sounds good.”
CHAPTER14
BEN
I couldn’t believe I’d finally plucked up the courage to kiss my best friend. All the years waiting for this moment had been worth it. It felt like all the pieces of a puzzle clicking together. It was better than I ever thought it would be. The best thing about this, she appeared to be open to taking our relationship further. Even after the kiss, there was no awkwardness between us. I guess our close friendship helped.
We drove a few miles out to a Christmas tree farm. Ruby was positively bouncing in her seat. Excitement radiated from her; she was vibrating with it. Even if I hated Christmas, which I didn’t, her enthusiasm would’ve carried me away. Her eyes were wide, and her cheeks flushed.
You put that blush there.
“Come on,” she said, her door already open before I’d even cut the engine.
I chuckled when she came to the driver’s side door and almost pulled me out.
“Slow down, Rubes. There will be plenty of trees, I don’t think we’ll struggle to find the perfect one.”
She stood, eyes bright, smile wide, and her hand held out to me. I captured it with mine and placed a soft kiss on her knuckles. Her blush deepened and I smiled against the warmth of her skin.
It didn’t take us long to find the perfect tree. Well, it didn’t take Ruby long, anyway. She had her designer head on and wouldn’t stop until she found the one that would be ideal for my living room.
I helped the guy from the farm tie it to my roof rack while Ruby waited by the car. When I returned after paying for the tree, she was staring at the scratch marks on the door. Her eyes had a faraway look in them. I took her in my arms and held her close while she shivered.
“I know what you’re thinking,” I whispered into her hair. “And this is not your fault. You were a victim of an evil man, and he will be brought to justice.”
“I hope so, Ben.”
As we drove down one of the country roads, Ruby played with the radio until she discovered a station playing Christmas songs. She began to sing along and, caught up in her enthusiasm, I sang with her. Glancing in my rear-view mirror, I noticed a car with a tinted windscreen that was way too close to the back of us.
“What’s this idiot playing at?” I said as I continued to watch him.
“He seems awfully close to us.” Ruby worried at her lower lip with her fingers.
I took her hand in mine and brought it to my mouth. “Don’t worry. It’s probably some stupid boy racer showing off with his mates.”
I slowed when he got too close, hoping he’d go past me. He slowed too, and at the last minute, he sped up and shot past, almost taking me off the road. Ruby squealed with fright in the passenger seat. I parked at the side of the road and cut the engine.
