“Do you think about me?”
Flinging the small scrap of lace across the room I speak in a breathy voice. “Yes.”
I rub my finger into my folds and find my clit. Neal’s eyes are dark with lust, and his hands clench the bedspread. “I imagine us.” I let out a small moan. “I make myself come the way you do.”
“Hell, Ruby, you’re so hot right now.”
I barely whisper as I lower to my knees. “I know, and wet too.” I slide a finger inside myself, and a slick sucking sounds as I pump it. “Do you want to feel this?”
Neal is quivering with need. “Yes. God, yes.”
I climb over his face to reach in the nightstand for a condom. He’s inches from my sex but doesn’t move. While I think he wants to taste me, I don’t want that tonight. I move down to place myself over his cock. Tearing open the package with my teeth, I remove the filmy latex and roll it on him. I slide the head of his dick over my slit. “Tell me what you want. Talk dirty to me.”
“Fuck me. Fuck me hard and make me scream.”
I grin. “With pleasure.” I gasp as I slide onto him all the way. His hands grip my hips, and he rises to meet my thrusting movements. I stop commanding him and let our bodies react to each other.
Taking what I want, I move in a way that gives me exactly what I need. My inhibitions are gone knowing I’m with a man that wants only who I am. Neal isn’t telling me how to move, or directing us, and I ride him with frantic pumping motions. I arch back as my orgasm approaches and let friction hit my g-spot. When I do, it sends me over the edge, and I convulse over Neal. I keep moving for him, and he comes soon after.
I lie on his chest as our breathing returns to normal, and he says, “You’ve embraced this power thing a little too easily. I may not have a job to return to.”
I snort and trace the hair below his navel down to where it thickens. “I don’t think you have to worry about that.”
“I like what you said earlier.” He lifts a lock of my hair and twists it around his finger. “I want to be yours.” He tugs gently. “Forever.”
My mind immediately tells me it’s the concussion talking, but I don’t believe it. I turn off my inner voice and say, “Then I plan to keep you, Neal Morgan. And I will tell you what to do sometimes. Get used to it.”
He flips me onto my back and hovers over me. “Ruby Raines, getting used to you is easy. Move in with me.”
Whoa. While this seems too soon, the warmth that spreads through my being keeps me from hesitating, and I answer, “Okay.”
“Really? Am I still confused with my concussion? Did you just say yes without thinking about it first?”
“Considering you shouldn’t make any big decisions in your state, you’ll need to ask me again in a few days.” I outline his mouth with my finger. “But the answer will still be yes. I’m here almost every night as it is, and when I’m not I want to be. It’s an easy decision for me.”
“I love you so much.”
Neal’s kiss reaches deep inside me, and I show him just how much I love him too.
Chapter 41
My pencil scratches against the paper of my sketchpad as I shade the side of Neal’s nose. He’s on his laptop working on numbers, while I’m supposed to be working on my new menswear line. But I can’t resist the opportunity to draw him when he isn’t aware.
So many people work for me now that I have a clothing-manufacturing studio on the second floor above Rhinestone Cowgirl and Ruby Raines. It’s allowed me the time to design instead of sew. Opening a shop in Vail didn’t happen this February because of Neal’s accident, but we’ll be ready in April, and in June we’ll open Ruby Raines in Aspen. My boyfriend talks about expanding to other ski areas beyond the Rockies. I’m content with what we have now but entertain his thoughts to make him happy.
He surprises me with a quick move that has him towering over me and peering at my paper. “Ha! I knew it. I could feel you staring at me.”
“What can I say? You’re the most enticing thing in this room, and I couldn’t resist.” I lift the drawing so he can see it right side up. “Aren’t you the hottest male specimen you’ve seen in a long time?”
He yanks me up by my hand so I’m standing. “Don’t you have enough sketches of me? Even I don’t want to look at myself that much.”
I tap his chin with the eraser end of my pencil. “I’ll never get enough of you. How many couples can say that about the man they love and work with?”
“True, we’re a rare breed.”
“I think we were made for each other.” Neal kisses me, and I’m about to forget my name when a rapping on the door sounds. There’s only one other person that has a key to the street door, and it has to be Bianca.
Neal yells, “Come in!”
She breezes through the door and heads straight toward me. “Thank God you’re here. I need help.” Bianca is holding two pieces of fabric that are bunched up along a single seam, like a sewing project gone badly.
She says, “I’m trying to make a pillow. It seemed simple enough, but look.” She thrusts the thick upholstery toward me.
I finger the wad of tangled-up thread. “Hmmm, the tension on your machine is probably wrong for the weight of the fabric. Would you like me to show you how to adjust it?”
Neal is chuckling, and I shoot him a dirty look.
“Yes, please.”
Neal asks, “Do I happen to know the guy that is causing this sudden interest in sewing?”
Bianca flushes and squints at him. “You really are a shit sometimes.”
I ask, “Is this about Garrett?”
She sighs, “Yeah, I told him I could sew, too. It just came out of my mouth when he was talking about working for you, and then I realized I should probably prove it when he comes over for dinner tomorrow night.”
I’m aware of Garret’s crush on her, but I won’t betray our friendship and keep my information to myself. Bianca bites her lip as she ignores Neal. “In case you can’t tell, I don’t know the first thing about how to make a pillow. I bought an old sewing machine at the thrift store thinking—how hard can this be?” Big brown eyes look at me. “I’m screwed, aren’t I?”
Neal says, “He’s been hanging out at your bar, Bianca. He was a sure thing.”
I reach out and touch her arm, ignoring Neal, too. “No, you’re not. I’ll teach you how to make a pillow.”
“Really? Oh, my God, you’re the best.”
Neal cuts me a sideways glance, and I assume what he’s thinking, so I say, “But you might want to mention you only dabble in it. Or, perhaps tell him the truth because what you’re doing is kind of adorable.”
She snorts. “Lying and getting you to bail me out?”
“No, not the lying part. The trying to learn what he does part.” I think back to when Neal hung out at my house and cut silk while asking a million questions to understand how garment production happened. I wink at him. “It worked for me.”
After the non-cheating incident I decided to become friends with my new neighbor. I’m glad I did because Bianca and I click. She’s a homebody like me, and it’s so easy to knock on her door the nights Neal is working late and invite her over for a chick flick. I dragged her to girls’ night, too.
I leave Neal behind with his numbers and help her. One pillow and an hour later, Bianca should be fine to make the next one and I return home.
“Did you save the day?” Neal looks up from his computer as I plop down next to him with a whoosh.
“I did. But there isn’t much to save. Garrett’s crushing on her in a big way, and that girl can do no wrong in his eyes.”
Neal shuts his laptop with a click and sets it on the coffee table. “Tomorrow is Valentine’s Day.”
I grin, thinking about the sexy silk boxers I made him. While Neal’s a briefs guy, he often wears boxers to sleep in. “That it is.” I cuddle against his chest and inhale the scent that tempts my desire.
“I have to work tomorrow night, but would you be int
erested in a lunchtime picnic? I know a great spot with incredible views.”
Worn cotton of an old tee is soft under my palm as I grip his arms and straddle his lap. “Hmmm, does it involve an uber-rich imported chocolate and some super-fancy cream hot drink?”
His hands reach for my hips. “That can be arranged. Any other requests?” He yanks me closer, and I gasp.
Threading my fingers through his hair, I rotate my hips a little. “Not that I can think of, but I’m a little distracted.”
Neal’s strong hands lift me up by my bottom as he stands, and I wrap my legs around him as he walks us to the bedroom. “Me too.”
***
Birds chirp as the steady clomp of our snowshoes leads us to Neal’s plot of land near Spruce Creek. It’s hard work with the amount of snow we’ve gotten, and I think both of us are happy to stop when we get to the opening at the end of the road.
I twirl slowly to take it all in. “It’s just as amazing as the last time.”
Neal starts walking again, and I watch him climb the small hill. He turns to me. “Get up here. I need your opinion.” He’s dropped the backpack and takes off his gloves to set them on top of it.
I hike up and stand next to him, thinking it’s the view he wants me to see. He asks, “Does this spot feel right to you?”
“Feel right? What do you mean?” My hands are sweating, and I place my mittens on top of his gloves.
“I mean, can you imagine your studio here?”
Oh, my. “My studio?”
“Yeah, I think we should build you a separate building so you can escape me.”
I turn to him and place a hand on a cheek that’s damp with perspiration. “I don’t ever want to escape you.”
Neal’s eyes crinkle as he smiles. “Never?”
I shake my head. “Never ever.”
He takes a deep breath and steps back. His hand reaches into an inside pocket, and he drops down to one knee. My pulse quickens because this looks an awful lot like a proposal.
His strong fingers reach out for my hand, and I give it to him. “Ruby Raines, will you marry me?”
A small gasp escapes my lips as tears form in my eyes and my other hand covers my mouth. I didn’t expect this, considering we’ve only been together for a couple months, but my hesitation seems foolish.
Before I can speak, Neal says, “Perhaps the ring will help?” His free hand opens to uncover a purple velvet box.
I chuckle and say, “Yes. I mean, yes, I’ll marry you.” I take the box and drop to my knees to kiss him. We fall into the snow as our tongues dance and our bodies try to make contact wherever they can.
When we break apart, Neal says, “Open the box. I think you’re going to like it.”
I sit up and brush snow off the velvet before revealing the ring. A square-cut magenta-colored ruby is surrounded by tiny diamonds in a filigree setting of gold. “Oh, my God.”
The metal is cool in my hand, and Neal takes the ring from me. “Let me.” He slips it on my trembling finger.
I turn my hand to let the sun reflect and make the stones sparkle. “It’s amazing.” Hot tears roll down my face as I look into blue eyes that match the sky.
Neal takes my face in his hands. “Just like you.” He kisses me again, and I believe him.
You can learn more about me at www violetvaughn.com
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Other Books by Violet Vaughn
The Fire and Ice Series
Crave
Release
Rush
Fierce
Exposed
Pulse (2015)
Discover Violet’s paranormal romance serial,
Called by the Bear.
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About the Author
Violet Vaughn is a ski bum at heart. A former ski instructor, she still loves bumps, trees, and a good powder day. When she isn’t skiing or writing she runs through the woods with her three Portuguese Water Dogs, laughs with her family or reads. You can learn more about her at www.violetvaughn.com
Table of Contents
Exposed
Exposed
Copyright
Contents
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
About the Author
Exposed: New Adult Sport Romance (The Boys of Winter Book 5) Page 20