With each beat of the slow song that passed he held her tighter and she moved closer, willingly. Their bodies came together, mingling, heat encircling them. A hint of logic poked at her fuzzy mind, telling her how dangerous this was, but she ignored the warning. After all, this was Jobe, the man who’d learned more about her in a few months than anyone ever had.
She lowered her cheek to his chest, closing her eyes and soaking in the moment. It wouldn’t last—couldn’t last. The soft tune became a lullaby, wrapping them in a hypnotic cloud of lost love and regret. Ruby had a lot to regret, and yet she had so much to be thankful for. This man, who was a stranger and yet not, had given her a child.
Over the years she’d dreamed of being here, in his arms again, on a different path than the one she’d chosen. She’d never been a mean person, or wanting to intentionally hurt another. She’d kept a secret. What would Jobe say if he knew about Jack? Would he drag her into his arms or push her away?
“I want you, sweetheart,” he whispered into her ear and the soft hairs on her nape stood erect.
There were two paths to choose from. One would take her down a familiar road where she’d end up in his arms, satisfied, yet wanting more and more. Or the other path would send her home, cold and lonely. She had plenty of those nights. There wasn’t a happily-ever-after in their future, but what about happiness for now? She couldn’t believe they’d found each other again just to ignore the connection between them. “I-I think this is dangerous, Jobe.”
“It always was, darlin’ Never stopped you before. Why should it now?” he murmured close to her ear while threading his fingers through the strands. The fingers of his other hand pressed into her bottom, tugging her against the hard length under his big silver belt buckle. A shudder bounced through her, landing in the apex of her thighs and creating a massive fireball of need.
“I’m beginning to see your point.” She shrugged. “Nothing wrong with two adults exploring passion.”
“There is the reactive woman I remember—and damn, I’ve never forgotten how responsive you were when I touched your breasts, your hips and here.” He slid his thigh between her legs. She moaned. “How your body would melt under my touch and your husky voice whimpering my name to never stop. Oh yes, baby, I recall every second. You lying in my arms, legs spread wide, your juices flowing over my fingers, my lips. What I wouldn’t give to have my body buried deep inside that sweetness.”
She clutched him tighter as her knees threatened to give out. She’d always liked it when he talked dirty, pulled her hair, slapped her ass. Were mothers supposed to want dirty sex? “It’s been a long time. So long, but never—”
“Do you remember, Ruby? Do you still think about the nights we shared? How our bodies came together? How you begged for me to put out the flames?” He cupped her cheek.
Dang, he had big hands. His husky Texas twang swirled through her like honey, curling deep into her core, igniting an old flame. Yes, she remembered so well how their bodies had responded to each other. How much she’d pleaded with the hands of time to be gentle and prolong the inevitable. “I remember. Never forgotten.” She couldn’t deny the truth—didn’t wish to.
“I promise I didn’t come here for this…I didn’t, but somehow I can’t force enough control into this body to not want you. I need to know, sweetheart, do you want me too?”
Nerve endings popped alive. She had all sorts of thoughts of big hands, big—
Oh yes, Jobe was big all over.
He raised a curious brow.
She notched her chin high, swallowing the last remnant of logic. “I do,” she murmured. His chest lifted then fell, a breath rolling from his lungs. The length of him getting harder against her hip made falling so easy. He could do whatever he wanted to her and she’d follow along. Her defenses were useless, her limbs like cooked spaghetti. “I do want you. I want this.”
He touched her chin, lifting her face so that their gazes met and held. She searched his rugged, handsome features for a sign of pulling back, but there was an undeniable vulnerability in his eyes and it ripped through her like a scorching knife straight into the heart. His head dipped and he covered her mouth with his. At first, the kiss was slow, searching, exploring and then aggressive, commanding her to open so he could taste her. Parting her lips, his tongue swept in and dueled with hers, rubbing the roof of her mouth. Tingles splashed over her, heat pooled in her inner thighs. There was more emotion in this one kiss than she’d felt from other men she’d allow to get to second base. There was a power here in his controlled touch that kindled a fire between them. If only it never had to end…
She lifted her arms and snaked them around his neck, entwining her fingers in his silken hair and nicking her nails across his scalp. He moaned and it vibrated her throat.
Ruby tried to find her protective wall, something within her to resist the wild emotions spiraling through her, but she was at a loss. There were no lifelines or life boats ready to rescue her. Only the waves of desire dragging her out into an ocean. She continued to relish in his kiss, giving as well as receiving. Sweat beaded between her breasts as her skin trembled. Moving against his hips, she teased him, rubbing him seductively. His body was rock-solid—strong and capable. Her head was spinning, wine and lust did wicked things inside of her. Being near him stroked her sinful side, and the inner beast refused to remain caged. She should be running as fast as her three-inch stilettos would carry her, but every part of her, even her toes, demanded attention from the sexy cowboy. They were in the middle of the dance floor at the fancy restaurant, surrounded by a crowd, and she didn’t care one damn bit that people were witness to the magnet drawing her to Jobe. She’d guess most of the women at the auction had been jealous that she walked away with an Adonis wearing a cowboy hat and boots. The thought made her giggle.
“Share your thoughts, sweetheart?”
“I’m only thinking that I’m glad you won me, cowboy. I wouldn’t want to be dancing with anyone else,” she admitted openly. He’d always had that effect on her, bearing all truth and desire. As her every inhibition dwindled, she became more excited to rip his shirt from his body and explore rippled olive flesh.
A moan came from deep inside of his chest, ragged and pain filled. She loved having the control of making a man like Jobe want her. A man she’d never stopped wanting—and never would. Once her body got a taste of him, she became addicted.
For the first time in a long time, she didn’t care about tomorrow. Didn’t care that she’d be faced with losing him again and it could ruin her. For now, all that mattered was the longing enveloping them in a tight steel-like grip. She couldn’t deny him. She didn’t want to.
****
The minute their lips touched, Jobe was a goner. Hell, probably way before that.
All of the blood rushed from his head to the area behind his zipper. His dick grew as emotions inside him blossomed. He rolled his tongue along the curve of her smooth lips, tasting the wine and chocolate. He broke the kiss and dipped his head to her neck, inhaling her sweet, intoxicating scent. Everything about her reminded him of a treasure map, he could explore all day and not get enough. She was so soft, giving, and with the way she responded to him, he would bet his eyeteeth she was wet and ready. Her hips moved in promise and a longing ripped through his body. He could stay like this, right here, forever.
Damn! The realization of his feelings came over him like an electrical volt.
He wasn’t prepared to come face to face with his feelings, and he certainly couldn’t manage pushing her away.
A seductive purr sounded from her and she sank deeper against him, her firm breasts pressing his chest. He inhaled a raged breath, taking in the hint of need on her body. He could practically taste it. If only he could bottle the exotic scent, he’d make a fortune. Who was he kidding? He’d keep it all to himself.
He tightened his arms around her. He’d never been a sentimental man, but suddenly there was a danger of him telling her how he felt.
/> No, man. Don’t be a fool.
Alarm stabbed through desire. He grabbed her shoulders, gently pushing her back. She blinked, confused. “What’s wrong?”
“Not a damn thing, and that’s the problem,” he said breathlessly.
She smiled and the sunshine bursts through his chest. “I like this, Jobe. I like being near you.”
“Could be the wine talking.” He tried viciously to build a wall, but his heart wasn’t having any part of protective strategies.
“I’ve spent too long trying to find what’s right, do what’s best for those I love. I’m ready to do what I want, if only for tonight.” Her bottom lip puckered. “If only you knew. You’d hate me.”
“I couldn’t hate you.” He skimmed the backs of his knuckles against her smooth, flawless skin. Did he see faint moisture in her eyes? Shit! If she started crying, he’d become weak. “Come on, sweetheart.” He grabbed her hand and led her off the dance floor back to the table. He pulled out his wallet and fumbled for a wad of cash and dropped it to the table. “Do you have anything you need to do?”
“My purse.” She had a certain husky quality to her voice. He watched as she bent over and grabbed the small bag, the dress tugging against the firm shape of her bottom. His dick threatened to break the zipper.
Once they stepped outside, a cool breeze swept up and dried the sweat on his forehead. He had eaten a sixteen ounce steak and yet he still had a hunger deep in his body. He glanced at her profile. Would she bulk? Would she follow the desire he could see in the depths of her warm chocolate eyes?
“My truck is parked on the far side of the lot. Can you walk that far in those things?” He pointed to her feet.
“I can walk. Where are we going?” she asked.
He reached down and took her hand, entwining their fingers. They were so small compared to his working ones. He should feel a little embarrassed, but she’d never complained before. In fact, she always told him how good his calloused palms felt against her naked skin. His dick jerked and an ache shot from his shaft to the head. He wished he could release his cock from the denim cage, but soon…very, very soon. “I have a room here in town.” He was asking…
A second fled by. Would she reject him? Normally, he wouldn’t be this impulsive. Usually, he’d logically think over the repercussions of taking her back to his room. But somewhere in all of this, he’d lost reason and emotion had taken over. When it came to Ruby Stone, normal and consequences weren’t in his vocabulary.
And then it came, a meek nod, but still a nod. He smiled and turned her toward the lot.
Still holding hands, she took a step ahead of him, giving him the opportunity to watch her. She only reached his shoulder in height. The heels helped, but she had long, toned legs. The breeze caught her long, ebony hair, sending it flying around her face and shoulders, settling in luscious ringlets down her back. She shot him a quick look and could have just reached in and touched his heart. She had the prettiest eyes, expressive and innocent. He slipped his gaze to her hips and swallowed. Nice and round.
How had he let her get away? Why didn’t he go after her?
Pride…damn, stinking pride.
She moaned as she stopped and slipped out of her heels. “These are definitely not walking shoes.”
Without thought, he scooped her up into his arms and continued walking toward his truck.
A soft, sigh came across her lips as she melted against him. The hem of her skirt drifted higher on her thigh and she didn’t make a move to tug it back into place. He caught a slight glimpse of red and his heart kicked up in speed. It was amazing what an accidental glimpse could do to parts of him.
“You’re going to get tired of carrying me,” she said.
“You’re a lightweight. I could carry you all day and not lose a step.” He smiled.
She rested her cheek on his shoulder and he knew she was staring up at his profile. He could see the truck and he continued toward the parking space, but moved much slower. He liked holding her and didn’t want it to end anytime soon.
His heart became mushy and he couldn’t deny that the feelings he’d had for her a few years back had grown into something he couldn’t quite understand. How could that be possible? She’d walked away, without thought of his feelings.
A man had no control over who he loved. Unfortunately, this was the case.
Once they reached his truck he carefully lowered her to her bare feet. He opened the passenger side door for her, but instead of her sliding in, she pushed him hard against the side of the truck and lifted to her toes. “Thank you for carrying me.” She pressed her lips to his, slipping her fingers to the top of his shirt and giving it a tug. Several buttons came undone. Her head came up then dipped to his chest, kissing and licking. He inhaled sharply, grabbing her hips and squeezing her tight ass. He could take her right then and there, but a woman like Ruby wasn’t a parking lot fuck. He wanted to take his time, explore her body, and bring her pleasure. Her hair tangled up around his face, her scent fresh and sweet.
This whole circumstance had him reeling.
“Get inside, sweetheart,” he demanded.
She pushed away from his chest, her eyes shining bright in the overhead security light. He helped her into the passenger seat and he slipped the seatbelt around her, snapping it into place. He was two inches from her, and he couldn’t resist sampling her lips again. Pulling back, he shook his head. “I better get going or I’m going to be in real trouble.”
She smiled and he swore he could see the stars twinkling in her eyes. His gut twisted and he realized he was smiling too, something he hadn’t done much of lately. Closing the door he rushed around to the driver’s side, adjusted his crotch, and climbed in.
“There’s something I want to do.” Ruby was out of her seatbelt and sliding next to him.
“You got to get back into your belt, sweetheart. Safety above all else.—”
Her fingers were on his belt buckle, undoing and unzipping. Before he could mutter one word, she had his cock out and her fingers wrapping around the solid shaft. “Honey, we should go.”
“You don’t want me to give you…uhh…you know?” She wagged her brows.
He jerked. “If I said no, I’d be lying. You don’t have to do this.” He realized how rugged his voice sounded.
“I’ve never given a man a blowjob in a truck or car.” She smiled. Dipping her head, she took him into her mouth, licking and suckling, rolling her fingers in rhythm.
“Damn! This feels good,” he muttered.
She continued rolling her tongue around his head, sliding the tip over his slit, suckling until his toes tingled. He could go, he was dang close, until he heard laughter and spotted a couple walking fifty feet away. “Baby, we’re not alone.”
Hell, he’d been sucked off in a parking lot in his truck several times and never cared that he could be seen, but Ruby was different. She was special.
She lifted her head, wiping the back of her hand across her wet lips. “You’re lucky. I planned to continue until I tasted all of you.”
He couldn’t breathe. He didn’t care.
She slipped back across the seat and he did up his jeans and belt, situating his rock-hard body behind the zipper. He started the engine and jetted out of the parking lot, lowering his window and sucking in heavenly oxygen.
Silence grew, not awkwardly, but each in their own thoughts. He drove the truck with a need to jam the gas, but he had precious cargo and wouldn’t dare take any chances.
CHAPTER SIX
Reaching the hotel, he led her into the elevator and the second the doors closed, he was next to her dragging her close, pressing her body against the mirrored wall. Her purse dropped to their feet and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Her firm breasts pressed his chest and their lips met in abandoned need. Tongues dueled, hearts raced and he griped strands of her hair in his palm. He dropped his free hand to the hem of her skirt, sliding his fingers upward as heat grew against his knuckles. He skimmed hi
s thumb along the cotton covered seam, met with a warm, sinewy moisture. She was wet, just as he suspected.
He slipped his finger along the elastic and pushed it aside, dipping his fingers in the sweet nest. Yes, she was ready alright. Spreading her moist lips, he found the pearl tucked in her silken sheath and flicked it twice. She trembled and a long deep purr fell off her lips.
The bell dinged, warning them.
He pulled back, both panting, chests heaving and he stepped across the small space of the cubicle. The doors opened and a couple stepped in, the woman offered a smile to Jobe. He dipped his hat in greeting.
Across the way, Ruby met his gaze. Her cheeks were perfectly pink and her lips were swollen. He brought his hand to his nose and inhaled her musky scent, smiling. Pure heaven. He couldn’t wait to dip his tongue into the treasure.
Seconds seemed to turn into hours as the elevator lifted them higher. Ruby’s eyes were glossy and her bottom lip quivered, he knew she couldn’t wait either.
The elevator stopped and the doors slid open. He took her hand and they hurried down the hall toward room 721. Outside his door, he could barely think as he grabbed the keycard from his pocket and pushed it into the slot that suddenly seemed too small. The door clicked and he pushed it open, letting her pass.
The door closed, he locked it and pushed her against the solid wood.
In record time he found the zipper at the back of her dress and had it undone, sliding it down her shoulders until it landed into a pile of puff at her feet. He stepped back a mere inch so he could look at her sweet body—as beautiful as ever. Her breasts were larger and her hips were wider, more curves to explore. She was the same Ruby as before, though. Her breasts pressed the lavender lace, her nipples hard against the material. But what got him, straight into the center of his gut, was her chocolate brown eyes that were now close to black. They could make his pulse flounce and his brain shut down. Her body still made him crazy.
Her lips thinned ever so slightly in impatience. Yeah, he knew exactly what she was feeling because he felt it too. He reached around, unsnapped her bra, and the delicate material slipped down her body and joined the dress. Holy mother of…
Secret Pressure (Rhinestone Cowgirls Book 4) Page 7