I sweep a strand of hair away from her temple, gliding my knuckles along her cheekbone, her head tilting as her eyes close. She hums a soft melody, each delicate note contrasting against my innate need to claim her in the most visceral way. Ineed her like the earth needs the sun, like fish need water, like a melody needs Ruby.
“You have no idea how stunning you are like this,” I whisper, my lips a breath away from her ear.
She rests her forehead against mine and draws in a slow breath. I place a light kiss on her cheek and another on her jawline, trailing my lips behind her ear and brushing back the curtain of hair to tease along her collarbone. Goose bumps spread over her skin with each deliberate movement.
I pull down her dress strap with my teeth, my beard scraping gently over her exposed flesh. Her breath hitches, and the music stops. Silence falls all around us, with only the buzz of cicadas and the crackling fire to keep us company.
Her eyes dart to my lips, and the air around us grows heavy with anticipation. Ruby lays down her guitar and turns to face me. One hand travels to the nape of my neck while the other rests gently over my heart.
I use my thumb on the underside of her jaw, tilting her face upward. Her brows draw together as her eyes plead with me for something—relief or salvation. I know it because I feel it too. Every atom of my existence is thrumming with the need to finally take what’s been mine from the very start.
“Liam… I swear to God if you don’t kiss me this ti?—”
She doesn’t get to finish. My mouth descends on hers, and I steal the last words from her tongue. Her eyes drift shut as I pour every ounce of pent-up longing into that one kiss. She whimpers; the sound is like music to my ears.
It’s soft, at first. Unhurried. I didn’t wait years for this moment just to rush it. I savor every lingering touch and brush of her lips on mine, taking time to explore her mouth and discover how she likes to be kissed.
She takes everything I give her and gives it right back. She nips and sucks and teases like we’ve been doing this for years—like she knows exactly what I need and doesn’t hesitate. Why did I wait so goddamn long?
She sighs and melts into me, her lips parting on a stuttered breath. Her fingers dive into my hair, tugging at the roots as her desperation seemingly takes over. Nothing will ever taste as sweet as Ruby.
I could stop there—Ishouldstop there, but I don’t. It’s not enough.
I bring one hand down to the hem of her dress, gliding it over her soft belly and up to her generous breast. She moans against my lips, arching into me.
“Is this ok?” I ask breathlessly.
“God, yes. Don’t stop.”
Pinching her nipple between two fingers, I thread my free hand into her hair and tug her head back, nipping and sucking a path down her neck and over her chest. When I reach the neckline of her low-cut dress, I pull down both sides, exposing her lacy pink bra. Her breasts are nearly spilling out of the cups.
“Fucking hell, Ruby. You’re goddamn gorgeous. You know that?” I reach behind and unclasp her bra, baring her to me.
Her pebbled pink nipples are just begging for my attention. I don’t waste a second, dipping my head to suck on the right side while I use my fingers on the left. Ruby moans, and the sound does nothing to help the erection tenting my jeans.
She brings her hands between us, popping the button. “I want you. Please.”
“You first, baby. Let me make you feel good.”
She palms my cock over my pants as I take her mouth in another languid kiss, tugging her onto my lap. Her hips instantly rock against the rigid seam of my jeans.
“That’s it,” I say.” Make yourself feel good.”
“Liam. I need more.”
I stand, bringing her with me as she clings to me like a koala bear.
She squeals as I carry her to the tent. “You’re going to drop me.”
“I’d never let you fall. Trust me.”
“I do. I always have.”
Her reverent words undo me. If she didn’t already own it completely, I’d lose another piece of my heart to her right then and there.
I lay her on the mattress, surrounded by a mass of fluffy pillows and blankets, her golden hair fanning out around her, creating a soft halo. She looks like an angel, and I’m the devil who’s about to bring her down with me.
Ruby lifts herself onto her elbows as I kick off my shoes and toss my jeans alongside them. She tugs off her dress and throws it in the pile, leaving her lying before me with only a pair of pale pink panties, barely visible between her thick thighs. She glances at me through her lashes as I stalk toward her, kneeling on the edge of the bed.
