“It is very beautiful,” Alec stated, looking at Ruby. His hand moved up to her nape. His fingers and thumb were now caressing her neck.
Ruby felt like she was in heaven. She knew she should have told him to stop stroking her in front of everyone, but she couldn’t seem to find the words.
Brian said, in a harsher tone, “What part of New Zealand have you visited?”
Alec moved toward Ruby and gave her a gentle kiss on her nape. Ruby jumped and shoved him away.
“Alec, stop it,” she snapped.
Jane laughed. “Oh, Alec, Ruby’s right, you know. After all, we are still here.”
“Sorry, it’s damn hard keeping my hands off her.” Alec chuckled.
“Alec!” Ruby muttered, her face red.
“I’m sorry I embarrassed you, sweetheart,” Alec said as he kissed her on her forehead.
Brian gritted his teeth, and Susan watched them, tensing.
“I was in Auckland for a few days. I did bungee jumping from the sky tower. It wasn’t that great. Bungee jumping in Queenstown was much better. The air and the water were lovely. Have you tried it, Brian?”
Brian shook his head, still gritting his teeth.
“And of course, I was in Marlborough for a few weeks, tasting their wine. The Marlborough wine festival was excellent. They have superb stock, I tell you.”
Ruby couldn’t believe that. Now she wasn’t sure if Alec was lying through his teeth about his visit to New Zealand, or if he had actually been there three years ago.
“What about you, Jane? Come on! Tell us about your overseas trip,” Alec said, looking over at her.
“Gladly,” Jane replied before beginning the tale of her adventure.
None of them, however, were listening to her. Alec was watching Ruby, who could only stare into space. Now and again, however, she would look up at Brian. When that happened, Alec felt a burst of jealousy inside him and moved closer to Ruby, or touched her arm, or just told her that he was still there.
Susan watched Brian, edging nearer to him as each minute passed, and flashing him a beautiful smile whenever he happened to look her way.
When, at long last, Jane finished her tiresome story, Susan suggested they go into the drawing room. She offered to play the piano for them as entertainment. Before Ruby could stand, Alec picked her up in his arms and carried her to the door, saying, “Good night,” to everyone.
Brian was about to go after them when Susan said, “Come on.” She pulled him by the arm and led him into the drawing room. Jane followed them.
* * * * *
Chapter 14
“You’re a brute, you know that, Alec?” Ruby said near Alec’s ear as he put her down on the bed.
Alec glanced at her. He couldn’t really deny that, judging by the way he was treating her at the moment. He changed the subject. “Was dinner to your liking?” he asked, his face mere inches from hers.
Ruby was annoyed that he ignored her statement. He looked as though he didn’t give a shit what she thought of him. She glared at him to tell him she was pissed. “Dinner,” she said through gritted teeth, “was fine; thank you very much.”
Alec cocked his head to one side, his gaze resting on her lips. “Come to think of it, we didn’t have any dessert at all.”
Ruby saw the look in his eyes and knew he was up to no good. Instantly, her stomach fluttered. Oh God! How she hated feeling her body respond so easily to his intense gaze. She shifted herself away from him and mentally demanded that she snap out of it. “Alec,” she began. “If you must know, I am still very upset with you. I don’t want to talk to you; or see your face until further notice.”
He sat beside her, causing the bed to sink around them in the process. “When will I receive notice if I don’t see you?”
Ruby was outraged. “Mr. Alec Hasting, are you listening to me? I don’t ever want to see you until further notice, is that understood?”
Alec leaned toward her, his large body almost swallowing her petite one. He gave her one of his dangerous, handsome smiles that he rarely used on anyone. It signified her being both a pleasure and a challenge for him.
“Aye, madame, it is clearly understood,” he said softly. Before departing, he grabbed her delicate chin in his large hand, pulling her toward him, and pressed his firm lips onto her soft ones.
He kissed her hard. Ruby’s whole body shuddered deliciously. Then, when she realized he was kissing her without her permission, and she was involuntarily responding to it, yet again, she struggled in his arms.
She didn’t have to struggle long though, because he immediately let her go. This man is very arrogant. He thinks he can get away with anything!
Ruby couldn’t control her rage, and she slapped his face.
Alec’s eyes darkened as he watched her, his hand rubbing the sore spot, a slight smile visible on his lips.
Ruby blinked. Oh God, she should have never slapped him. Now he looked as though he wanted to murder her, for he was the type of man who would never allow anyone to slap him without consequence. An eye for an eye—he was that type of man. She knew she was in big trouble now.
Alec moved closer to her, his face hardening. When his nose nearly touched hers, he said, “Does that feel good, Ruby?”
Ruby could only stare at him, totally at a loss for words. What did he mean by that? Oh Lord, he looked like the very devil himself when he stared at her like that.
“Perhaps you would like to smash me in the face?” he said, giving her a mischievous grin.
“Yes, I want to smash your face in. You deserve it,” she said, in a strong, firm voice. Her heart, however, was thumping loudly in her chest with dread.
Alec moved back, and suddenly, took his shirt off. With only his jeans on, Ruby stared in awe at his beautiful, muscular body. She gulped at the sight of him before her. Holy Mother of Jesus! The man looked like a Greek god. She swallowed again, blinking a couple of times, and told herself to remember to breathe.
He leaned toward her. “Hit me, Ruby, just hit me. Come on.”
Ruby bit her lips. Was he mad? She didn’t want to hit him. She wanted to touch him. And caress him. And run her fingers along those six pack abs of his. No! It was she who was mad! Why would she want to touch him?
Her breathing suddenly came in short, hard gasps. She couldn’t do it. She simply couldn’t just sit there and look at him. He was far too good-looking for her peace of mind.
She snapped in annoyance, “You’re crazy, Alec, I’m not a heartless person like you… or your sister.”
Alec frowned, and his toned body seemed to become larger right before her.
Ruby saw the dangerous glint in his eyes. She knew she had to get out before he unleashed his fury upon her. She clumsily scrambled off the bed.
In a flash, Alec seized her by the arm and pulled her to him.
“Alec, let me go! Are you mad?”
With his hard body crushing her, Alec said, “Maybe I am, madame. Maybe my whole family is mad. What are you going to do about that?”
Before she could make up her mind as to what to say, he kissed her again, his lips pressing angrily against hers.
When he finally released her, Ruby was dazed. She felt as though she might faint and leaned her light body against him. Alec rested her head on the pillow and watched her try to regain her senses.
Once the room stopped spinning and her head was somewhat cleared, she looked up at him, her eyes large and unfocused. Alec touched his fingers to her sore, red lips. He caressed the soft flesh as he whispered next to her ear, his hot breath fanning her skin, “Ruby, I’m going to make love to you now.”
Ruby closed her eyes, but couldn’t concentrate. What did Alec just say?
Alec started kissing her nape, his mouth hot against her skin. Suddenly, Ruby widened her eyes. She poked him on the shoulder to get his attention.
“Alec, you can’t!” she whispered.
Alec stopped kissing and looked at her. “Can’t? What?”
&nb
sp; “You can’t make love to me!”
“Why?” he queried, now stroking the soft flesh of her stomach.
“Why what?” she asked, confused. His light, feathery fingertips were driving her crazy, and she couldn’t think properly.
Alec smiled arrogantly at her reaction. Good God! The woman was amazingly sensitive to his touch, and he knew this was his best weapon against her. He decided to take full advantage of it. Thus, he proceeded to explore her breasts.
Ruby caught her breath at the back of her throat when she felt his warm hand around one of her breasts. Blast it! Why she did not wear a bra after the shower was beyond her, and now look what happened! The brute had free access to both of them. She groaned. It was meant to sound annoyed, but it came out more like pleasure instead.
Alec chuckled. “Why can’t I make love to you, my sweet? I know you like me kissing you. It’s only natural that we should inevitably make love,” he said logically.
Ruby blinked and tried to shove him away from her person, but to no avail. She gave up trying as he was stronger and, much to her annoyance, very persistent. He was now playing with her nipple, and she had to bite her lip from screaming out the thrill of pleasure that was coursing throughout her entire body. She shut her eyes to concentrate, but that only intensified the fire that was already burning deep inside her. She felt the urgent heat of her womanhood demanding release. Shit! Oh shit! Stupid Alec! Now she was totally turned on, and it was all his fault. The arrogant brute.
She flashed her eyes open and said through gritted teeth, “No, I don’t like you kissing me.” As she spoke the words, she kept nodding her head.
Alec smiled. She said that she didn’t like him kissing her and touching her, yet she was nodding her head, indicating that she did, in fact, like it. Did she know that she was lying through her teeth?
He decided to stop torturing her by removing his hand from her breast and sliding it under her chin instead, which he held between his fingers and thumb. He looked deeply into her eyes and said, “Oh, really?”
She blinked. “Oh, really what?” She was suddenly alarmed by the way he was looking at her. Dear Lord! What was he going to do now?
He whispered, “I will make you want me, Ruby. In fact, I’ll have you begging me to make love to you.”
Ruby’s heart did a great somersault, like she was about to dive off a very high cliff into the bottomless sea. She couldn’t breathe. Oh God, she couldn’t think. If she couldn’t even control her own response to him simply because he was kissing her, what chance did she have now? When he was more than determined to make love to her?
None whatsoever, Ruby decided. She hastily pushed his hand away from her face, intending to escape. “Get off me, Alec!”
“I don’t think so, my sweet,” he chuckled, and before she could move an inch, he kissed her again. As he was doing that, his hand slipped under her shirt and cupped one breast.
Ruby realized he was serious about making love to her when he moved his muscular thigh between her legs and squeezed against her. It felt too good for her liking. But it also felt so right, and her insides were twisting and burning for more.
Suddenly, he expertly pulled her trousers down to her ankles and jerked them off her legs. All the while, he was kissing her, his tongue deftly stroking her mouth.
Suddenly, he stopped and pulled her shirt off in a second, flat. Ruby blinked. She realized that she was now totally naked, expect for her panties.
Alec sat back and looked at her closely. Shit! The woman was truly enchanting with her long dark hair in disarray, her eyes bright, and her face flushed with desire. He could very well see that her breasts were aroused, for they were fully engorged, their bright pink nipples aching for him to taste.
His blood ran hot and his member stood at full attention.
Ruby could see that her captor was greatly aroused by her nakedness. With only her panties on, she took the chance and rushed off the bed, her arms crossed at her front, hiding her breasts from his view.
Alec couldn’t help himself. She was so hot with the way she kept covering herself as she ran away. He was turned on. His member was already wide awake and there was no way that beast could ever go back to its slumber.
Ruby headed toward the bathroom.
Alec’s grey eyes darkened as he watched her, a smirk playing on his sensual lips. He leaped off the bed, and in two long strides, seized her arm and swung her around.
“Alec!” Ruby shrieked.
He put his arm around her thighs and lifted her up.
“Alec, put me down!” she snapped, her feet kicking the air. “Put me down this instant!”
When he smiled, his eyes mocking her, she started bashing his muscular shoulder with her free fist.
Alec endured the pathetic bashes. In fact, he welcomed them. Every time she pummeled him, her beautiful breasts stood out in front proudly.
“Put me down, you lout! If you don’t, I’ll scream the castle down.”
“You are screaming, sweetheart, and the castle has not yet collapsed,” he said, his tone light.
Ruby was very angry now, not only because he was mocking her, but also when she realized her stupid fist could not put a scratch on his person. She gritted her teeth and stopped her bashing as she glared down at him.
“That’s better. Is your hand getting sore, sweetheart?” he teased.
Damn right her fist was sore. Even worse, her pride, too, was very sore. And her damn body was even hotter now and aching for his touches even more.
Ruby lowered her head toward his shoulder and sank her small teeth hard into his flesh.
“Shit!” Alec swore under his breath, but swiftly released her.
Ruby tumbled backward, a satisfied smile on her face.
Alec looked at the deep, red bite marks of her teeth on his flesh. My God! If she wanted war, then he was obliged to give her one.
He noticed that she was watching him, and smirking. He cocked his head to one side as he studied her.
Ruby widened her eyes. Oh my God! She forgot to run. She was too proud with her wee victory and forgot to run into the bathroom and lock the door.
“Holy shit!” she swore under her breath as she twirled around. She ran toward the bathroom door, her shaky hand grabbing for the knob.
Before she could get the door to open, however, Alec seized her arm and pulled her to face him. She struggled in his embrace, moving sideways. In the end, Alec imprisoned her between the wall and him. He locked her arms behind her and pressed her against the wall as his head moved toward her ear.
Ruby was breathless from her struggle to break free as he started giving her little kisses about her nape.
Alec’s breath was hot against her flesh as he said, “I know you want me, sweetheart. So this is how you like to play? Captor and captive, eh? It’s fun.”
Before Ruby could tell him that no, she didn’t like to play like this; and he could very well go to hell, he kissed her on the lips—shutting her up. Then his tongue invaded her mouth, and his hand moved down and cupped her breasts, squeezing them and stroking them sensuously.
Ruby’s knees buckled. She whimpered as his tongue stroked her. When he finally stopped, he moved his head down to her breast and started kissing her there with his hot mouth.
Ruby clung to him for dear life as her body exploded with ecstasy. When he paused, he lifted her up in his arms and carried her to bed.
Ruby’s head was still in the clouds when he came down on her, naked. As he began kissing her throat, descending toward her breasts, his hand moved and slipped her panties down her legs. His finger then touched her secret place and started to explore her there.
Ruby groaned and whimpered. She was on fire. Her body was exploding with rapture. She couldn’t speak. Her brain couldn’t think either, and her body demanded more.
“Sweetheart, tell me what you want me to do,” Alec whispered near her ear.
Ruby arched up as she clung to him, her hand digging into his hair. She
couldn’t control herself any longer. She was lost in his passionate embrace.
“Alec, do something,” she whimpered between soft groans. “Do something, Alec. I can’t bear this anymore.”
Alec smiled. My God, she was so hot, all weak and filled with desire and, yes, commanding him even though she didn’t know she was doing it.
“Aye, my lady, your every wish is my pleasure,” he said, laughing.
Alec thrust his finger inside her and felt his blood rushing. Shit! She was tight. So. Damn. Tight. And then it hit him. She was still a bloody virgin.
Ruby widened her eyes in surprise. “Alec, you’re hurting me,” she cried.
“Shit!” he swore again as he withdrew his hand. “Sweetheart, did I hurt you?”
She blinked and just stared up at him, perplexed. “Why did you stop?” Just as the words were out, she blushed intensely and closed her eyes. Then she shoved her face against the pillow so she didn’t have to see him laughing at her for being such a wanton.
Alec wanted to laugh all right, but not at her wantonness. He was amused and very pleased with her response to him. And seeing how absolutely adorable she looked when she realized she was acting that way really turned him on.
Slowly, very slowly, he moved his hands to her private part and played with her, stroking, and caressing her there.
Ruby gasped and flashed her eyes open. “Alec!” she managed to breathe out.
He chuckled. “Now then, where were we?” He moved on top of her and positioned himself between her slender legs. God, he knew he was ready, for his member was swollen with anticipation. But Alec refused to give in to the urge to enter her there and then. He wanted to make sure she was fully ready for him.
“What do you want me to do, sweetheart?” he asked. “Tell me now—”
He stopped, but wanted to say before his self-control breaks.
Oh God! Ruby wanted to scream for him to just do it. She wanted him inside her that badly. But she bit her lip to keep from blurting the words out. Oh dear Lord! She could feel her insides twisting, burning, and begging to be ravished. She felt the hardness of him against her, and it intensified the urgency even more.
Kiwi Bride: Volume 1 (Kiwi Bride Series Book 3) Page 38