Page 36 of Lust

“What’s that?” Ruby moves closer to him. “I can’t hear you.”

“I said,” Brent lifts his head, “I’m sorry, babe.” He drops his head again, hitting the ground with an audible thump.

“I’ll bring you a blanket.” Ruby hugs her sweater around herself, shivering slightly. “But you’re not coming inside. You can sleep out here right where you landed.” She turns and walks back toward the house, pausing by the limp heap of what used to be the world’s most ridiculous inflatable slice of pumpkin pie. She prods it with her toe.

“Actually…” She bends down and grabs a corner of the vinyl, then backs toward the man on the ground. “Here.” She heaves the wreckage of the pumpkin pie over him. “This should keep you warm enough. And it will finally have some practical use. I’m going back inside.”

And she does, without even glancing over her shoulder.

Badass.

Brent doesn’t move for a good two minutes, during which I wish we lived in Minnesota or upstate New York, somewhere where sleeping outside in December would mean freezing to death. Finally, he turns onto his side and curls up into a fetal position, wrapping the vinyl around his body like it’s a thick, soft blanket. Within a few seconds, the sound of snoring rumbles across the lawn.

As I prepare to drive away, I open the monitoring app just in time to see Ruby sink into a bathtub full of bubbles, a romance novel in her hand. My cock throbs. Ruby’s going to have a visitor at work tomorrow, and she better be fucking ready.

Chapter 16

December 26th

Aaron

Lustoverwhelmsmyeverythought, and I’m filled with insatiable need. I stride in through the front door of Henchley’s prepared to shout her name, prepared to hijack the loudspeaker and demand that she spread her legs right here among the wrapped gift boxes under the ornate Christmas tree.

Instead, I’m met by the strains of violins playing orchestral versions of Christmas songs. Burgundy signs throughout the store advertise post-Christmas sales, and sprigs of greenery still hang at regular intervals among the racks.

At first, I see no one. Then Manuel materializes by my elbow.

“How may I help you, sir?” His gaze strips me of my blue jeans and button-down shirt.

“Ruby.” Her name comes out as a growl.

Manuel fans himself with his hand. “I’m not sure who you’re looking for, but I hope she knows how lucky she is.”

With a sigh, I realize my mistake. “It’s just a nickname.” I pause. “I’m looking for Carol.” My stomach turns at the use of the alias.

Manuel’s eyebrows rise an inch up his forehead. “I believe she’s in the manager’s office.”

“With him?” My nostrils flare and my heart pounds.

“Like he’d come in the day after Christmas.” Manuel laughs. “No, she’s just balancing the cash.”

“Perfect.” My heartbeat slows to a more normal pace. “Show me where.”

“It’s really not in a customer access area.” But Manuel can clearly tell that I’m not the kind of customer who wants to rob the safe, so he leads me through the dressing rooms to a door at the back, where he knocks with three quick raps.

Blood surges to my cock before Ruby even opens the door. The minute I see her face, she might as well be naked.

“Ruby.” I rush into the office, vaguely aware of Manuel’s nervous movements behind me.

“It’s okay.” Ruby waves him off. “He’s an old friend. He’s fine.”

Without turning around, I pull the door closed, then grab a fistful of Ruby’s hair with one hand and her waist with the other.

“I need you,” I breathe into her mouth. “Now.”

I don’t wait for her to reply, just press my lips to hers and let my tongue communicate my urgency. Her body melts, already accustomed to my touch. Grinding my hips into her, I force her against her manager’s desk. Shoving a stack of folders aside, I lift her ass up onto the smooth mahogany surface.

Papers slide into a growing heap next to us, and Ruby pulls away to glance at the mess. “Aaron, I don’t think we should—”

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