Kiwi Bride: Volume 1 (Kiwi Bride Series Book 3)

by Praks, Alexia

  He left the dining room and went toward the library, intending to leave, but stopped himself short. He raked his fingers through his hair. No, she needed space. He’d let her read in peace for a while, and then go and get her. Yes, and then he and she could—

  He nodded, a devilish smile on his lips. With that thought fixed in his mind, he headed out for a good walk. The moon was bright, the air was fresh, and Alec found he enjoyed his walk tremendously. It calmed his nerves and cooled his lust for Ruby.

  When he returned, it was late, and he excitedly rushed upstairs. He expected to find his captive there in the master bedroom, waiting for him expectantly in bed. All that greeted his arrival, however, was a dark, empty room. He frowned and wondered where she was. Still in the library?

  Heading back downstairs, he went into the library, and found her curled up on the sofa, a tartan over her and Captain Snow beside her. He kneeled next to the sofa and really looked closely at her. He had the sudden realization of how far they had come since that first day at the motel in Edinburgh. He gently stroked her face, marveling at how precious she now was to him.

  He picked the sleeping dog up and placed him on the armchair. Then he gently took the tartan from Ruby and tucked that securely around the dog. He returned his attention to Ruby and scooped her up in his arms. He deftly carried her to the door, taking long strides down the hallway, before climbing up the stairs. She didn’t stir until he lay her on their bed.

  “What are you doing?” she asked sleepily.

  He didn’t answer her, but began to kiss her face repeatedly. Then he kissed her lips.

  “Oh Lord, the Highlander is kissing Sleeping Beauty,” she said softly.

  Alec chuckled. “The Highlander’s kiss, huh? How about that?”

  Ruby was fully awakened now, both in mind and body, which was not good. She was determined to stay away from him since that morning, but it wasn’t working too well. She didn’t want her departure to be difficult to endure. It seemed now, however, he was leaving her no choice in the matter.

  She licked her lips.

  Alec noticed that, and thought how erotic it was.

  “So, what are you doing?” she asked again.

  “As you can see, my lady, Master Hasting is all by himself tonight and needs a companion. Would you like to be his companion?”

  “No, I wouldn’t,” she replied bluntly.

  “Ah, but you have no choice in the matter,” he said. Before she could protest, he locked his lips on hers. When he let her go, she was breathless.

  “You’re making it hard,” she whispered.

  He cocked his head to one side. “Making what hard?”

  She ignored his question and said instead, “You’ll regret it.”

  He chuckled. “Never!” he said, his hot breath fanning her skin. Then he kissed her again.

  At first, Ruby seemed guarded against his lovemaking endeavor, but she quickly softened and opened her mouth for him. Just as quickly Alec plunged his tongue inside, and they really kissed—wildly, passionately, and desperately. She wrapped her arms about his neck, drawing him in. She knew it was going to be her last night with him. She knew she’d never see him again after tonight. So why not? Why not be as carefree and as wild as she possibly could be?

  Ruby finally let go. She abandoned all her inhibitions and let her guard down, hoping to allow him take her to new heights. When Alec stopped kissing her, he began taking off her clothing. She watched him, and when she was totally naked, he took his own off.

  He cupped her face and kissed her again, pulling her toward him, squeezing her between the bed and him. His hands were everywhere on her person, caressing and stroking every inch of her body.

  Ruby closed her eyes and allowed herself to savor every caress and kiss he gave her. She dug her fingers into his hair, stroking and playing with the strands as he continued kissing her body, moving south. When his hot mouth devoured one hard, ripe nipple, she groaned with joy and arched her back up, offering more access to him. He was pleased with her willingness, as well as her response to his kisses. He couldn’t help glowing with love and pride.

  He continued to caress her breast with his mouth as his hand travelled lower, seeking the object of his desire. Upon finding it, he eagerly rubbed and stroked her pearl, causing her to moan and groan loudly in unbridled ecstasy. He could feel her sweet, delicious juices flowing about his finger and couldn’t wait to taste it. Moving his attention to her other breast, he gave it the same treatment as the first one—caressing, stroking, and sucking her flesh until it was hard and glistening like marble, standing proudly at attention before him, and begging for more.

  Ruby kept moaning and groaning, her body dancing beautifully beneath Alec’s kisses and fingers as he moved down, with his lips on her sensitive skin. He was kissing her flat stomach, but Ruby knew exactly where he was heading. She waited in eager anticipation, aching to feel that unique pleasure he so expertly provided for her.

  Upon reaching his destination, his mouth devoured her, causing Ruby to jump as a hot thrill of electric current coursed through her body. She cried out sighs of pleasure. Alec knew she liked what he was doing and naturally, continued to do more, which caused her to cry out even louder, while begging him not to stop.

  Ruby had never felt anything like that before. It was amazing. It was wonderful. It was intoxicating. And she craved it like a drug, desiring more and more and more.

  When Alec finished, he sat up and looked at her. She was sitting, with her back resting against the headboard. Her body shook and she panted with spasm-like reactions. He gazed up at her face and saw her dark hair was a mess, her eyes were large and bright, her lips red, and her cheeks were a perfect rose pink from the blushing capillaries. Her whole body was glistening with beads of sweat. She looked so beautiful and sexy. And hell, yes!!! So damn desirable, he wanted to take her right there and then.

  Ruby watched him, noting that his eyes seemed dark, and his face almost a hard mask as he looked at her. She thought he looked so damn hot, it caused her insides to constrict with desire. Oh God! She wanted him. She wanted him inside her. She wanted him so badly that her insides were aching from need.

  Their eyes met. Ruby caught her breath, and tried to swallow. Seeing the intense desire on his strong face, she felt herself tightening even before he touched her.

  He moved his head toward her, putting his face only inches from hers so she could feel his hot breath tingling on her skin. He said, “Now then, my lady, how about a kiss?”

  Ruby licked her lips and looked at him, her eyes growing larger. She offered her lips to him, which he gladly accepted. They kissed passionately and desperately, like they never wanted to let the other go. Ruby felt Alec pulling her down, making her lie beneath him. As his tongue plunged into her mouth, so his rod plunged inside her. She groaned with renewed delight and wrapped her legs around his torso for better purchase.

  Alec found his rhythm as he made love to her, thrusting his manhood ever deeper inside her—in and out, in and out—slowly and deliciously. Then, when Ruby thought she couldn’t handle it anymore, and was about to come, he stopped. He pulled out and sat back. Ruby wanted to cry out in frustration.

  “No, no,” she begged. “Don’t stop.”

  Alec chuckled. “I’m not stopping, my sweet.”

  He pulled her over and flipped her on top of him. Ruby could feel his hard abs against her soft flesh and groaned, biting her lip. He guided her south, and before Ruby knew it, she felt his rod plunging inside her as she cried out with joy.

  “Alec!”

  He chuckled. With his large hands wrapped around her tiny waist, he led her, lifting her hips backward and forward and up and down. At first, Ruby seemed reserved, unsure of what he wanted her to do. But once she felt the pressure of a climax building up, and saw him groaning and moaning, she understood. She moved of her own accord, dancing on top of him as she drove his rod deeper and faster inside her.

  Alec closed his eyes at the am
azing sensation. She was so tight around him, wrapping him in her hot, wet sheet. When he opened his eyes again, his heart glowed with pride. He watched his Ruby dancing on top of him, her skin glistening with sweat, her breasts bouncing about freely. He found her face amazingly beautiful as her desire built up and he could see she was on the verge of an orgasm. He tightened his hands about her small waist and pulled her down on him, seeking her lips for a kiss.

  When he pulled her down, Ruby gasped in surprise. Then he kissed her hard and passionately. Before long, he flipped her underneath him as he continued sliding into her. He moved faster and wilder, his furious rhythm nearly about to break her. She groaned loudly, begging him not to stop, but to keep going, only harder and faster.

  Alec obliged. Then he felt her coming although she screamed it out again and again. She didn’t need to tell him! He watched her; squeezing her eyes closed, her small teeth biting her lower lip, her hands gripping his shoulders, her fingers digging into his skin. She came, and it was long and beautiful as he watched her, fascinated and loving it. Then it was his turn. He came, and it was also long and satisfying as he released his seed inside her.

  She was still panting when he pulled out. Taking her into his arms, he began kissing her repeatedly.

  Exhausted, Ruby closed her eyes, a smile on her lips. Alec watched her as she slept peacefully in his arms, kissing her now and again. He couldn’t believe how precious she was now to him. He closed his eyes too, smiling.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 20

  It was still dark when Ruby opened her eyes. She felt her throat tightening and her stomach roiling in dread as she watched Alec. In his sleep, he looked impassive and absolutely handsome. He had a slight smile on his lips as though he were having a wonderful dream. She wondered if she was in it.

  After hastily getting out of bed, she showered and changed, hoping sincerely that Alec was in such a deep sleep, he wouldn’t wake up before she left him. Once refreshed and all dressed up, she returned, looking at the man she was about to leave forever for the last time. She gently brushed her fingers across his strong jaw line, her heart burning with sadness. But how could she stay with him if they had no future together? She belonged in her own world back in New Zealand, and he belonged here, in Scotland. He was Master Alec Hasting, multimillionaire, and she was just Ruby from New Zealand.

  Slowly, she withdrew her hand. “I’m sorry, Alec,” she said, stepping back. “I love you.” Then before she broke down, she spun on her heels and walked out the door.

  Down at the main entrance, Brian was waiting for her. He gave her a fleeting smile, but she noticed he looked tired. She couldn’t blame him. It was, after all, five in the morning.

  “Are you ready?”

  Ruby nodded, refusing to look back up the stairs, or wonder what Alec’s reaction would be when he discovered she was gone.

  Outside the manor, Brian put her suitcase into the boot. “You don’t have anything else?”

  Ruby shook her head.

  “Okay.” Brian opened the door for her. Ruby looked up once more at the manor, a sickening feeling building up in the pit of her stomach and tears burned in her eyes.

  No, she had to go. She had to leave. This was no place for her. This was not her home.

  She slid into the front seat, and Brian closed the door after her. He got into the driver’s seat and started the engine. He noticed Ruby’s hand shaking as she put on her seatbelt. He touched her shoulder.

  “We don’t have to do this,” he said.

  Ruby glanced at him. “I have to do this, Brian. I can’t stay here. I… I don’t belong here.”

  “What about Alec?”

  “He’ll survive. All too soon, he’ll forget about me. He’ll forget me completely.”

  “I thought you loved him.”

  “I do, but I can’t stay here. I don’t belong here, Brian.”

  “Ruby, I’m sorry.”

  “About what?”

  He paused for a moment before saying, “Nothing.”

  He drove out as Ruby looked back, wondering if she would ever see Hasting Manor again.

  * * * * *

  Alec woke up with a start, his heart pumping loud, and so fast that his chest began to hurt. His skin was beading with sweat. He brought his hand up and touched his breastbone. He could feel it; his heart slamming against his chest. He gritted his teeth, wondering why he felt as if he just lost something very important to him, like his other half, or his soul.

  He took a deep breath to calm down. After managing that, he looked over to his right. The other side of the bed was empty, and his stomach churned with acid. Dread built up inside his chest, and he stopped breathing for a split second before his heart started pumping again, fast and furious.

  Leaping off the bed, he rushed to the bathroom.

  “Ruby?” he called out, in a shaky voice. God, why did he have the feeling that she was gone? Why? No, Alec, Ruby is still here. She’s somewhere in the manor.

  “Ruby?” he called again as he opened the bathroom door. It was empty. He stood there for a moment, brooding in the dead silence that echoed in his ears.

  He turned on his heels and rushed out the door, flying down the grand stairs, and into the dining room. He spotted Susan at the dining table, having her breakfast. She glanced up at him and gave him a small smile. He noted there was something in her eyes; was it pity? But Alec didn’t have time to register that thought, and when Ruby was nowhere to be seen, he abruptly left and went into the library, which was also empty. He came back into the hallway, confused, and totally lost.

  Captain Snow barked at him. The dog came up to him and wagged his little tail, begging to be picked up. Alec obliged and the dog started licking his face.

  “Where is she?” Alec whispered to himself. Then something flashed into his mind. Last night, just before dinner, he saw Ruby and Brian talking. What were they talking about? Then, when he arrived, they stopped. What were they talking about? he asked himself.

  He came into the dining room.

  “Morning, Alec, is everything all right?” Susan asked.

  Alec glanced up at his sister and asked, “Where’s Brian?”

  Susan put her cup of tea down, and Alec noticed that her hands were shaking. He looked up into her eyes.

  “Shit!” he swore under his breath as he ran from the room, rushing into the master bedroom, and then into the walk-in wardrobe. He noticed immediately what was missing: Ruby’s suitcase was no longer there. Stalking back, he got his cell phone. He dialed Brian’s number and waited. The phone rang and rang and rang.

  “Pick up, Brian, pick up,” he muttered under his breath.

  Ring, ring, ring, ring...

  “Pick up, for fuck’s sake!” he swore, raking his fingers through his thick hair.

  Ring, ring, ring, ring...

  “Shit!” He terminated the call and threw the phone onto the bed before running out of the room and down the stairs to find Susan.

  “Where is he?” he shouted the moment he was in the dining room as he confronted his sister. “Where the hell is Brian?”

  Susan nibbled her lower lip, her hands shaking from nerves. Her brother never shouted at her before, and she found the first time very intimidating. Ruby must have really meant a lot to him.

  “Susan? Where the fucking hell is Brian? Where has he taken Ruby?”

  Susan looked up at her brother, her eyes filled with tears. “Alec, please stop shouting at me. You’ve never shouted at me before. Brian hasn’t done anything wrong.”

  Alec gritted his teeth. “Hasn’t done anything wrong? He’s bloody gone and taken Ruby with him! Tell me, Sue, tell me where he’s taken her.”

  “Does she mean that much to you, Alec?”

  Alec raked his fingers through his hair in frustration. “Yes. I love her, Sue. I… I… love her.”

  “I’m sorry, Alec, but I don’t think she loves you. She doesn’t want to be with you. She’s gone. She asked Brian to take her back.
”

  He looked up at his sister, and his face was so dark, Susan could see the torture there. A thousand questions rushed in his mind. “Back?”

  “London.”

  Suddenly, Alec felt his body drained of energy. He felt like he lost the battle. Shoulders slumping, he turned on his heel and walked out the door.

  In his room, he sat down on her side of the bed as he stared into space, his mind reeling with the images of her. She was everywhere, tormenting him, reminding him of her absence with her beautiful scent. Then, when he couldn’t handle it any longer, he broke down. With his knees on the floor and his face in his hands, he wept. For the first time since his ex-wife left him five years ago, Master Alec Hasting, multibillionaire, and master of the Hasting Empire, wept.

  * * * * *

  Chapter 21

  LONDON

  “Are you all right?” Brian asked, watching her. “Not too tired?

  Ruby turned her gaze on him and shook her head. It was a lie, of course. She was tired. She brought the cup of coffee to her lips and took a sip. The caffeine kicked in immediately, going straight to her head.

  “Ruby!”

  Ruby straightened when she heard her name. Looking around, she found her best friend coming toward her, and immediately stood up with her arms wide open.

  Alexandra McCartney pulled her into a tight hug. “Hey, how are you? How’s your big OE going?”

  Once Ruby managed to free herself from her friend’s arms, she said, “Okay. Oh, Lord! Your tummy is growing. It’s so round.” She touched Alex’s swollen stomach, marveling at how incredible it was to know another life was gestating in there. “So how are you? Oh, hi, Jay.”

  “Hey, Ruby,” gorgeous Jayden McCartney greeted her. He gave her a hug and then asked, “And who is this?” referring to Brian, who was standing next to Ruby.

  “Oh, sorry.” Ruby turned to Brian. “This is Brian. And, Brian, this is Jayden McCartney and his wife, Alexandra, my best friend.”

  Jay extended his hand for Brian to shake. Brian took it and shook it enthusiastically. With the formal introductions out of the way, they sat, and Jayden proceeded to order some drinks for his wife and him.