“It is,” he replied, before leading her back to the car.
He drove her about the country for an hour and took her to lunch in one of the cafés in the village. Ruby thoroughly enjoyed her time with him, and found him to be a very pleasant companion.
When they returned to his manor, it was dinnertime. Ruby couldn’t eat much because she was still full from lunch. After dinner, she decided to take a walk outside and watch the sun setting. She was enjoying the view when Brian appeared beside her. She turned and gave him a fleeting smile.
“You and Alec seemed to be getting along well,” he said. “What are your plans? If you don’t mind me asking.”
“About what?” she asked, looking at him.
“You and Alec.”
“Meaning?”
“You’re going back to New Zealand,” he explained. “Is he going back with you?”
“Oh, that,” Ruby murmured. “We haven’t discussed anything yet.”
“Long distance relationships can be hard,” he commented.
“I know.”
Brian glanced at the necklace about her slender neck and said, “Did he buy that for you?”
Ruby touched the locket, nodding.
“Looks nice.”
“Thanks,” she replied.
Lapsing into silence, they both stared off into the distance.
“Ruby,” Brian began after a moment. “I don’t want you to get hurt.”
She closed her eyes and sighed, replying, “I’m not getting hurt, Brian. What about you and Susan?”
“We’re getting there.”
Ruby turned to look at him with interest. “What do you mean?”
“Getting there, but she doesn’t know it yet.”
Because she couldn’t help herself, Ruby asked, “What are your plans?”
“Ruby, I have to be honest with you now. I’m sorry I made you cry the other day.”
“Brian, it wasn’t your fault.”
“No, Ruby, I have to be honest with you here. I was a brute. I’m sorry. I know now you and Alec really love each other; and who am I to come between you and him? Look, I know now why you didn’t call me when you left the motel. Alec surprised you by showing up, didn’t he? The receptionist told me a man who looked like Alec came to get you that day. I put two and two together.”
“I’m sorry, Brian. I rang you that day, but didn’t want to worry you,” she said. She didn’t have the heart to tell him that all his assumptions were wrong.
“So you see, Ruby, you have my blessing,” he said cheerfully.
“What?” Ruby looked at him in bewilderment.
“It won’t be long now before you and Alec get married. When is the date?”
“Oh, that, I—we haven’t—”
“I also want to tell you something, Ruby.”
“What is it?”
“I think I am still in love with Susan.”
Ruby blinked. “Really?” she asked. She was so happy for him that fresh tears began to brew in her eyes.
“Now, now, I said that I think. I’ll have to give it time. I’m pretty slow at things like that.”
“Oh, Brian, I’m so happy for you,” she said as she threw herself at him. She wrapped her arms around his middle and looked up at him, her eyes full of happy tears.
“You’re crying, Ruby, what for?” he teased.
“For you, Brian. I’m happy for you. Are you going to ask her to marry you?”
“Maybe,” he replied. “For the second time.”
“Brian, you are,” she shouted. Then she stood on tiptoes and kissed him right on his lips. When she moved back, she said, “Does she know yet?”
“No,” he replied.
“It’s a surprise, then?”
He nodded and Ruby laughed.
At that precise moment, Alec, standing on the balcony of the first floor, saw them. He watched as they talked, and Ruby threw herself into Brian’s arms, before she kissed him on the lips.
A powerful emotion erupted from inside him. He wanted to leap out and tear the hugging couple apart. It took all of his willpower to stay put. What were they talking about? Were they confessing their love for each other? Was Ruby telling Brian what happened here in the last three weeks? That he kidnapped her?
He gritted his teeth and fisted his hands. He hurt, and felt it deep inside his heart.
Ruby, sweetheart, please don’t go back to Brian. Please don’t tell him you love him. Please tell him you love me. Ruby, sweetheart, I want you. I love you.
He growled low and walked away, feeling disgusted with himself. He could never deserve the love of a woman as special as Ruby. Never! She was too good for him. All he did was hurt her. She deserved someone better than he. He knew he was no saint, and Ruby deserved a saint like Brian.
* * * * *
Chapter 18
Ruby’s heart swelled with happiness for Brian. She did it, she told herself. She managed to make Brian see that he was really in love with Susan after all. Actually, she hadn’t really done that much, to be honest.
She strolled into the bedroom as she hummed to herself.
“’Allo, Westies,” she greeted Captain Snow, who was sleeping on the settee near the window. She went to pat the dog on his head before walking into the bathroom to shower.
Feeling fresh and clean, she dressed in her pyjamas, and strolled out again. She halted when she saw Alec with his back to her as she realized that Captain Snow was gone.
“’Allo,” she said, her voice light. “Where’s Westies?”
Alec tensed at the mere sound of her voice. He commanded himself to stay calm and not storm at her. He took a deep breath and turned—his eyes unreadable.
“Gone,” he replied.
Ruby glanced at him. She could sense that there was something different about him. He seemed darker and more dangerous. Silly, it must have been her imagination.
Alec stepped closer toward her, his gaze on her beautiful face. God, how he loved her beautiful scent. He wanted her.
He cupped her face in his hands gently as he stared into her eyes. Then he gave her a little kiss on her lips.
God, he needed to know. He needed to know if her feelings for him were real.
He moved his head back and whispered, “I want you, Ruby. I love you.”
He watched her; and she looked astonished to hear his confession.
“And do you?”
Casting her eyes downward, she avoided his gaze. She rubbed her face against his palm like a puppy and closed her eyes.
When she opened them again, she looked at him and said, “I do.”
Alec’s heart missed a beat. Was she telling him the truth? Or was she just playing with him?
He rested his forehead against hers, his hands at the nape of her neck, stroking and rubbing her flesh. He was bottled up with emotions—emotions completely unknown to Ruby; confusion mixed with frustration, love, and desire for her. He was frustrated because he didn’t know whether she returned his love. He knew he should have walked away now, before the point of no return. But how could he? He was in love with the woman. He wanted her.
His fingers dug deeper into her soft, scented hair as he passionately moved his lips down to her nape, his tongue stroking her sensitive flesh.
Ruby bent her head to one side, allowing him more access. She clung onto him as he kissed her, her body melting in his embrace.
He felt it. Right down to his bones. Aye, this was the point of no return.
He lifted her up in his arms and carried her to bed, all the while kissing her passionately. Ruby wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening the kiss, her tongue now wildly playing with his.
A moment later, she landed on the soft bed with Alec’s hard body on top of her. It was so weird. Somehow, it felt right that he should be there, resting on top of her, squishing her down deeper into the coziness of the bed.
Finally he stopped the kiss and withdrew. He gazed down at her, his eyes becoming a fiery grey storm.
“I’m going to make love to you, my sweet,” he whispered softly.
Ruby lifted her head to his and whispered into his ear, “Who gives you the permission, my lord beggar?”
He grinned at her, his eyes twinkling dangerously. “You did, my lady.”
Ruby cocked her head to one side. “When did I do that?”
He gently touched his fingers on her soft lips, and stroked the flesh as though she were a delicate rose petal. How beautiful she looked. How precious to him she was. And she didn’t even know that.
He gently moved his fingers down from her lips to her throat, stroking, light as a feather, her soft skin.
Ruby felt butterflies in her stomach. Her insides started aching with desire. She softly groaned.
Alec heard it and glanced at her. She caught her bottom lip, trying to hide her deep arousal from his touch.
Ruby was thoroughly embarrassed. She couldn’t think. All she could do was feel. That was all she wanted to do. She wanted to close her eyes and let Alec do whatever he wanted with her body. But how could she allow that to happen? He’d probably hurt her, right? She was still sore from the last time. Perhaps, if he didn’t go all the way? Perhaps, that’d be all right.
Alec’s fingers were now at her shirt collar. He started to expertly undo the buttons.
“Alec?”
“Aye, love?”
“You haven’t answered my question.”
“What question was that, love?”
Ruby was distracted when he started calling her “love.” The word made her feel oddly warm and fuzzy. She cleared her throat and said, “When did I give you permission to, um, you know, make love to me?”
He looked up then and grinned at her. The glint in his eyes and the way he smiled at her really hit Ruby in just the right spot. She felt a pull from deep within her that she couldn’t control. She had to grab the bed sheet to resist screaming out loud.
Alec lowered his head to hers, with his warm breath on her skin, sending sensations that thrilled her as he said, “When you kissed me back.” The moment he said it, his palm slipped under her shirt and bra as he cupped her breast. Ruby caught her breath and groaned loudly.
Alec wasn’t being very nice. He didn’t care that she was inexperienced with all this lovemaking business. All he knew was that he intended to make her want him as much as he wanted her. All he longed for was to see her come while he was deep inside her, giving her so much pleasure that words couldn’t even describe it. And that was why he didn’t go gently or slow as he stroked and played with her breast.
Ruby groaned, and before she could tell him to stop, his lips were on hers, kissing her wildly and passionately.
Ruby was lost in his hot embrace and just didn’t care anymore. She responded to his kisses just as wildly and passionately as he was kissing her.
Alec’s hands were everywhere on her body, stroking, touching, and exploring. When he moved his head back, Ruby was breathless. She watched him take her shirt off, followed by her bra. Now, with the top half of her naked, Ruby felt a blush rising to her cheeks. She continued to watch him as he gazed at her breasts, marveling at their ample roundness. He lightly stroked her nipple, and Ruby groaned in response.
He chuckled. “You’re so sensitive to my touch, my sweet.”
Ruby blinked. Yes, that was completely true. And yes, she wanted more.
“I wonder if it would be the same with my mouth.”
Ruby widened her eyes, and before she could stop him, his hot mouth latched on to one very aroused nipple. He sucked, licked, and played with her pebble-hard nipple, thoroughly enjoying it.
Ruby felt like a million fireworks were exploding inside her body. She couldn’t stifle her groaning and moaning as he proceeded to do the same with her other nipple. Just when she thought it couldn’t get much more satisfying than that, one of his hands moved lower, undoing her jeans before slipping them down her legs. Next to drop were her panties.
Now, completely naked, she didn’t have time to think about being shy in front of the very hot Scottish man who began making love to her when he started stroking her private spot.
Ruby had to bite her lips to keep from screaming out. She felt her G-spot muscles tightening as he continued to stroke her breast with his tongue while, at the same time, rubbing and playing with her pearl with his other hand.
“Oh God! Alec!”
Alec stopped. “Aye, love?” he replied teasingly.
Ruby saw the twinkle in his eyes. She knew he was having a good time. Oh bloody hell. She was also having a good time. No! That was not true at all. Not one bit. She was not having a good time at all. She was having a great time. A marvelously delightful time.
He grinned when she didn’t reply and used his index finger to simply close her mouth before he inserted another finger inside her. He slowly pulled it out before pushing it in again. He watched her face as his finger made sweet love to her. He enjoyed hearing her soft moans, and seeing the way she bit her lip, and restlessly bucked about under him. He loved the beads of sweats forming on her fair skin, glistening in the light. He loved the smell of her sex, the sweet juices flowing from her onto his hand as he persisted with his sweet torture.
When she couldn’t control herself any longer, she wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him closer.
“Alec! More! More!”
“Your wish is my command, my love.”
He kissed her again, pulling her even closer, his tongue delving deeper and moving wilder. A moment later, he stopped and pulled back. Ruby felt a cold breeze blowing over her. She thought he intended to stop their lovemaking and a wave of disappointment shot through her.
“Alec?” she asked hesitantly.
Grinning, he took off his shirt and threw it to one side. “I’m not going to run away, my lady,” he said teasingly. Next came off his trousers, and Ruby looked away. Oh God! He was as naked as she was. The next moment, she felt him on top of her again.
“Now then, where were we?”
Ruby lost all train of thought and could not reply since his engorged, erect manhood was pressing against her. Seeing how much pleasure his finger could give her, surely his manhood would—
She shuddered with delight at the thought, and her G-spot throbbed in anticipation.
Alec seemed to know what she was thinking, and asked, “Would you like to touch it?”
Ruby nearly stopped breathing. Before she could refuse, however, his hand took hers south, straight to his pride and joy. Her breath hitched at the back of her throat as soon as she felt his unbelievable hardness at the base.
“Stroke him. He likes it,” he said softly. “Don’t worry. He’s a good boy. He won’t bite. He will obey your orders, much like this servant of yours,” he said, gesturing to himself.
Wrapping her hand firmly around the base, she felt a strange thrill rushing through her. Then she began to stroke it.
Alec groaned. When Ruby stroked faster, moving up and down, he groaned louder.
“You’re good,” he whispered hoarsely.
“I read up on it,” she said huskily. “I’m not that ignorant.”
He chuckled. “Good girl. Then would you like to show me what other skills you gained from this reading of yours?”
She cocked her head to one side, looking rather innocent. Then she smiled and squeezed his root.
“Shit!” he croaked.
Ruby continued to stroke his shaft hard and fast until Alec began to pant and couldn’t restrain himself any longer. He pulled her hand away, stopping her mid-stroke.
She looked at him, her eyes asking him, why?
“If you keep going like that, my sweet, I’ll soon be finished. And I can’t let that happen.” Then, he pulled her closer and started kissing her breast again. Ruby closed her eyes and lapped up the bliss he stirred in her.
She
was floating on air as his kisses moved down to her soft stomach and then—
Ruby flashed her eyes open. She bit her lip, trying to prevent herself from screaming out loud. She managed that, but couldn’t stifle the groan of ecstasy when Alec licked her juices down there.
“Alec!” she sighed gruffly, her hands digging deeper into his hair as his mouth devoured her.
Alec moved up to her face again and kissed her lip. Ruby could taste herself on him. When he stopped kissing, he said, “You’re so sweet, like strawberries and cream.”
It was true. She could taste the strawberries and cream on his mouth. She moved back down and kissed him. He obliged by wildly kissing her. Meanwhile, he gently spread her legs apart and slowly, but firmly inserted his eager manhood inside her hot, slick opening.
Ruby groaned her approval in his mouth. She tightened her arms around him as he drove his turgid member deeper inside her. He found his rhythm and soon afterwards, she followed. Suddenly pulling his mouth away from her, he lifted her hips up, aiming for exactly the right spot. She appreciated the effect straight away, moaning and groaning loudly, singing her pleasure with uninhibited abandon. He pumped faster and harder, penetrating deeper, watching her thrust her aroused, hot body beneath his, climbing higher and higher. He loved the way her body danced, the way she closed her eyes and just released herself, the way her hands fisted the bed sheets in knots, the way her breasts bounced, the way her hips moved, and the way her legs wrapped tightly around him.
“I’m going to come, Alec!” she panted. “Alec! I’m gonna come!”
Alec lowered his body to thrust in harder, deeper, and faster. “Come, sweetheart!”
Ruby arched her back, her hands now braced on Alec’s shoulders for support. She squeezed her eyes tightly shut as she felt her G-spot tightening; the muscles all tensing with anticipation. Alec pushed in deeper, pulling her toward him, feeling all of her. She felt tight against him, his root buried deep inside her. He moved his head back to watch her as she came. She looked so beautiful: sweat beading on her forehead, eyes bright, lips red, and cheeks the perfect shade of light rose. She was panting, and her breasts heaved with exertion. Yes, she was so beautiful, he was sure he’d never forget it.
Kiwi Bride: Volume 1 (Kiwi Bride Series Book 3) Page 42