Page 75 of Freeing Ruby

He kissed me.

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

His eyes widen. “Ruby.” His voice is low, hoarse, suddenly rough with something that sounds like longing.

God, I hope I’m not wrong about this—about his feelings for me—because if I am, I’m about to make a huge fool of myself.

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.

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