Yes, Master, page 12
Ruby strode across the room and slid the door open. “You can use the front door, you know?”
He grinned. “I thought of that about halfway up the steps.”
“I’m ready. Just let me grab my purse.” Ruby heard someone clear their throat and too late she realized Connie was still there. “Oops, sorry,” Ruby muttered. “Connie Rush meet Drake South, my neighbor, and last night my savior.” Ruby pointed to her friend and said, “Drake, this is my oldest and dearest friend. She and I go way back.”
Drake stepped forward and offered his hand. “I think I’ve seen you coming and going a few times. Nice to finally meet you, though.”
Connie took his hand and shook it. “It’s the purple hair,” she replied with a grin. “It sort of attracts attention.”
Drake laughed. “Yeah, it’s memorable.” He released her and looked back at Ruby. “Any more problems with Bryan?”
“Nope,” Ruby answered, as she tried to surreptitiously look at the lightning bolt tattoo on Drake’s arm. Oh yum, the man had great biceps. Thick and strong and she badly wanted to reach out and squeeze, just to see if he was as hard and muscular as he appeared. A byproduct of his landscaping business, no doubt. Ruby about drooled.
“If I had to guess,” Drake said, as he leaned against the wall next to the fridge. “I’d say he’s probably feeling like an idiot today.”
“I hope so,” Ruby said, wishing for the thousandth time that she hadn’t wasted the last two months on the guy. It was two months she’d never get back. Life was too short to throw away on assholes, she decided.
“Well, if you ask me,” Connie said, “drunk or not, Bryan is a fool.”
“On that we agree, Connie,” Drake said, as he smiled over at her.
A rush of jealousy zipped through Ruby. The ugly emotion surprised her. She didn’t have any claims on Drake. He could smile at whomever he chose. “You ready to go?” she asked him, as she grabbed her purse and cell phone off the counter.
Connie picked up her keys from the table. “That’s my cue to skedaddle.” She headed toward the front door and motioned for Ruby to follow. Out of sight of Drake, Connie whispered, “If you don’t want him, I’ll take him. Hot damn, he’s adorable.”
Ruby frowned. “Hey, he’s my hot neighbor, go find your own.”
“My neighbor is bald, lives off the state, and has about fifteen cats.” She shivered. “No thanks.”
Ruby grinned, not at all sorry. “That’s your sad luck then.”
“Okay, okay, retract the claws, woman. I get the hint loud and clear.”
Ruby let herself relax a measure. “I’ll call you later.”
She nodded. “Good, I’m going to want lots of details.” She stepped into the summer sun. “Oh, and for the record, he’s definitely into you, girlfriend.”
“How can you tell from that itty-bitty introduction?”
She rolled her eyes. “It doesn’t take a genius. The man kept watching you as if you were a tall, cold glass of ice water and he’d just found his way in from a really long trip in the desert.”
The description had Ruby laughing. “You’re outrageous, but I love you.”
After Connie left, Ruby went back into the kitchen and found Drake sitting at the table. “Sorry about that. She can be a lot to take in upon first meeting.”
Drake stood. “I like her,” he said as his gaze journeyed over her from head to toe. “I like you a hell of a lot more, though.”
Ruby was instantly glad she’d chosen the white tank top and red shorts, considering the heat in Drake’s gaze. “Yeah?”
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t,” he murmured as he closed the distance between them.
She immediately stepped backward and held a hand up in the air. “There’s something I want cleared up before we go any further.”
He quirked a brow and shoved his hands in the front pockets of his shorts. “And what might that be?”
Get right to it, Ruby thought. No sense prolonging the pain. Like a bandage, Ruby chose to tear away the surface covering the issue that nagged at her the most. “The woman you were with last night, are you and she . . .”
He shook his head. “No. I met her last night and brought her back to my place, but that’s all there was to it. We aren’t together.”
“And you didn’t, what I mean is, you and she didn’t . . .”
“What you saw us do in the pool was the extent of our involvement. I wouldn’t have asked you out to lunch today if there was more to it than that. You have my word.”
Relief swept through her at Drake’s sincerity. “You don’t know how glad I am to hear that.”
Drake stepped forward and took her face in his palms. “You have my undivided attention, Ruby. I promise.”
She smiled and her heart skipped a beat. “I won’t lie, I like knowing that.”
“Now, about that ice cream,” he murmured as he slung his arm around her shoulder. “I’m hungry, and I’m afraid if we stay here much longer it won’t be my stomach I satisfy.”
The confession sent a jolt of electric heat through her bloodstream. God, how she wished she were bold enough to tell him what she really wanted. And it didn’t have a darn thing to do with pralines.
4
She was killing him. As he sat across from her in the little red booth licking a pralines and cream double scoop cone, Drake groaned. Hell, Ruby had barely finished off the first scoop. She still had another to go. What the hell was wrong with him? He needed to think before his brain blurted out something horny and stupid. When she moaned around a mouthful of the sweet cream, Drake raked a hand through his hair and said, “I take it you agree with me, huh?”
“Hmm?” she mumbled as she licked up another mouthful.
“Is it the best ice cream you’ve ever had or what?”
“Oh my, yes,” she said as she dabbed at her lips with a napkin. “Thanks for bringing me here, Drake.”
I’m going to end up with a permanent hard-on. “You’re welcome.”
Ruby’s eyes narrowed. “Why aren’t you eating?”
“I’m having too much fun watching you,” he admitted.
Her gaze traveled south, not that she could see his crotch with the table between them, but she wasn’t naïve. Her cheeks were pink by the time her blue eyes were once more locked with his. “I, uh, feel sort of silly here.”
Drake smiled at her predicament. “Don’t. Every man in the place is eager for you to lick that cone again.”
As if playing a game of hot potato, Ruby immediately dropped the cone onto the napkin in front of her. “If that was supposed to make me feel better, you failed.”
He chuckled, reached across the table, and took her hand in his. “Don’t feel shy, Ruby, it wouldn’t matter what you were eating anyway.”
“It wouldn’t?”
“Hell, no. Men would still watch you. You’re hot no matter what you do.”
“Oh,” she said, her voice softening. “Thank you.”
“I’m just glad that you’re with me.” He wagged his eyebrows at her and rubbed his thumb over the back of her hand. “So, tell me, Ruby, do you have brothers and sisters?”
Drake wasn’t turning out to be what Ruby had expected. He was sweet and funny and attentive. She decided there was more than met the eye with him. She picked up the cone and pulled away the bits of the napkin that had stuck to it, then started eating again. Only this time she made sure she gave it a few extra-long licks. She grinned as his gaze watched the action.
“No brothers and sisters,” she answered. “I’m an only child. Connie and I are as close as sisters, though. We’ve known each other since grade school.”
“What about your parents?” he asked, as if genuinely interested in her.
“My mom moved to Arizona. Dad died when I was young. Mom loves the weather down there. It’s easier on her arthritis. Less humidity, I guess.” She shrugged. “I’ve been out there a few times to visit and she comes here. We make it work.”
His gaze darted to her mouth as she licked the cone. “You, uh, don’t miss having her around?”
Ruby was having a hard time keeping a straight face. Drake was trying so hard to change the subject, to keep from thinking naughty thoughts, but Ruby didn’t think it was working out well for him. “Not really,” she said, keeping to the conversation. “I guess I’ve always been pretty independent.”
“Now, why doesn’t that surprise me?” he asked with a wink.
She wrinkled her nose. “Mom says when I started kindergarten she had to insist on walking me to the bus. Apparently, I didn’t see the need. I knew what I was doing and where I was going, even then.”
He chuckled. “You aren’t the clingy type, huh?”
She shook her head, then licked the cone again. It was nearly gone when she said, “So watching me eat is turning you on?”
“Hell, woman,” Drake groaned. “I’m never going to be able to stand if you keep that up.”
Ruby grinned. “Good, I like knowing that.” It was bold and she was baiting a tiger, but something about Drake made her act more reckless than she normally would.
Without warning, Drake stood. “Come on, we’re leaving.” With Ruby’s hand still in his, Drake tugged her out of the booth and toward the door.
“Wait, I thought this was a celebration. Where are we going?” As they made their way to the front, a short, pudgy man got out of his booth and smacked up against Ruby. If not for Drake holding on to her, she would’ve fallen backward. Drake stopped and turned around. The guy held up both hands. “Sorry, I didn’t see you there.”
“It was my fault,” Ruby said.
Drake offered a quick apology as well, then continued outside until he reached his black Blazer. He pushed her up against the passenger side door and thrust his leanly muscled body into hers. “Do you know how badly I want you right now?”
Ruby wanted to reply, but he didn’t give her time. His mouth descended on hers, and before she could take a breath, Drake kissed her firm and quick. Ruby only had a few seconds to inhale his warm, masculine scent before he all too quickly lifted his head.
He ground his pelvis into her hips. “Do you feel what you do to me?” he whispered for her ears alone.
“It’s the same for me,” she answered, giving him her own dose of total honesty.
Drake grasped her around the middle with both hands, spanning her waistline. “Tell me to shove off if this isn’t what you want. If I’m moving too fast. Tell me now, Ruby.”
He watched her eyes heat up. As she pulled him close, closer still, fitting her lower half to his, and kissed him long and deep, Drake knew he had his answer. “I say we continue celebrating back at my place,” he murmured against her open mouth.
“Yes,” she replied in a breathless whisper.
In record time Drake drove the short distance back to his house. He was surprised a cop didn’t bust him for speeding. Once he had her inside with the front door locked, Drake looked toward the kitchen counter. The sturdy granite top . . . it was only a few feet away.
“I won’t last long enough to get you up the stairs,” he explained as he walked backward, pulling her along with him, their lips locked together.
When he felt the cold wood of a bar stool nudge the backs of his knees, Drake turned and pushed the stool out of his way. Gently lifting her, Drake sat her down on the cold, smooth surface.
Ruby’s startled hiss brought him to a halt. She took her lips from his. “It’s cold,” she pouted.
“Not for long, I can promise you that.”
“Wouldn’t we be more comfortable in a bed?” she asked, her hushed whisper turning him on. Everything about her made him ache with hunger and need.
He winked. “Comfort is overrated.”
Ruby didn’t argue, simply bit her lip and looked away. When Drake began inching up her tank top and he got his first glimpse of her white lace–covered breasts, he let loose a low groan. “Delicious,” he praised, as he dipped his head and sucked one already erect nipple into his mouth, lace and all. Ruby moaned and dug her fingers into his hair, holding him tight against her.
God, she was sweet. He tugged the cups of the bra down until they got caught beneath the soft orbs. Ah, hell, she was soft, and so freaking perfect. He could feed on Ruby’s luscious tits for hours at a time. The woman was a meal fit for a king.
He flicked his tongue over and around her pink nipple gently at first, then rougher, demanding her flesh to beg for him. He cupped the round globe and pulled it up higher, kneading the supple skin with skilled fingers. He heard her moan of delight and felt her writhing beneath him. Drake took joy in her animated responses to him. He gave in to his primal cravings and bit down. She arched upward, eager and begging for his touch. His hands answered her pleas and tugged her tank over her head and tossed it to the floor. Her bra went next. Once she was sitting atop the counter with her upper half exposed, Drake stood back and drank in the gorgeous sight. Her breasts were full and creamy white with large berry nipples, and freckles the color of cinnamon littered her shoulders and chest. Drake had a need to kiss each one, maybe play connect-the-dots.
He reached down and went to work on her shorts. The instant she was naked, his nostrils flared as he picked up her succulent scent. A fiery spice to match the delicate red curls covering her mound. Drake dipped his finger into the damp heat and found her budding desire. She was swollen and throbbing and sopping wet. For him. Only him. As he fondled and toyed with the little nub, Ruby circled her hips and pleaded with him to fuck her. Her orgasm came out of nowhere as she exploded all around his finger, screaming out his name.
“Jesus, that was fast,” he admitted.
“It’s been awhile,” she admitted in a low, hoarse voice.
More proof that Bryan was an idiot, Drake thought to himself. He leaned forward and licked her clean, needing to taste every inch of her. He’d waited too long for her delicate flavor as it was.
Drake moved away and tore at the fly on his shorts, freeing his erection. In the red haze of his lust, Ruby’s pleading barely reached his ears. His gaze connected with her blue pools and he swore he lost a piece of his heart to her in that moment. She stretched her arms out, waiting to embrace him.
But Drake had the intention to enjoy the beautiful seductress. He wouldn’t be rushed. Moving behind the counter he grabbed a clean white linen hand towel and brought it to her.
“What is that for?” Her arms fell to her sides as she stared at him in confusion.
He didn’t answer, only folded the napkin into a makeshift blindfold and placed it over her eyes, sending her into darkness.
“Uh,” she said hesitantly, “I’m seriously not sure about this.”
“I am,” he whispered against her cheek as he tied the material into a knot at the back of her head.
The quiver in her soft voice gave away the anxiety she was feeling with his erotic game. “You know I would never hurt you, Ruby.”
“Do I?” She cocked her head to one side. “We don’t really know each other that well, after all.”
True, but he felt as if he’d known her forever. He’d sure as hell craved her for the better part of a year. “How about I prove it to you, then?” he asked, giving her the option to back out. She didn’t speak and Drake went for broke. “Trust me, baby. I’d never take advantage of you. Only pleasure, and a whole lot of it.”
She relaxed and Drake wanted to let loose a predatory roar of triumph over her surrender. “I do trust you, Drake. And . . . I want you so bad.”
“Good,” he said as he ensured the blindfold was secure. “Is it too tight? Too loose?”
Silence surrounded them as she shook her head. Only her choppy breaths and the thumping of Drake’s heartbeat filled the air.
“I want you to do nothing,” he explained. “Only feel what I do to you. Give yourself to me. I want you to experience every touch, and every little stroke.” An excited little bob of her head and Drake knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that she was more than ready. His hand skated up her thigh, and Ruby jumped. The blindfold made everything more pronounced for her. “Without your eyesight you’ll be forced to rely on your other senses. Hearing, touch, taste.”
He watched her lick her lips and nod as she attempted to gain her composure. Impossible, considering she was perched atop his kitchen counter, her plump tits bare and her pussy totally exposed for his pleasure.
Drake moved his hand up her thigh as he listened to her heavy breathing. As he reached her sweet center and began to flick his thumb back and forth over her clit, Ruby’s voice grew thick as she moaned his name.
“Do you want me?” he whispered into her ear.
She shuddered beneath his hand. “Y-yes. You know I do. Please, Drake . . .” Her voice, now a thready bit of sound in the quiet room, drove every one of Drake’s senses wild with need.
He plunged his finger into her pulsing heat, then kissed her gently on the lips. “Mmm, good answer.”
Her hips began moving, arching into his hand as he fingered her. Drake continued sliding a single digit in and out of her opening, driving himself mad. Goddamn, he was already so hard he hurt. He wanted to plunge deep, thrust his cock into that honeyed pussy where he knew paradise waited.
“Oh God, Drake, that feels so good. Please don’t stop.”
“I couldn’t if I wanted to, baby,” he admitted. “You’re so perfect, every inch of you. I want to sip and savor you. I want to take in your scent and enjoy the essence of your sweet femininity. I want you, Ruby. I’ve wanted you for months, damn it.”
“Then quit teasing and take me,” she softly ordered.
Drake gave her what she craved. He slipped his finger out and spread her juices over her pouty lips. “This is the spicy taste I want on my tongue, no other could ever compare to your luscious flavor.” Then he licked her, slowly, drifting his tongue over her bottom lip. Her body bowed and Drake moved downward, tasting the satiny skin of her neck first, and then the ample softness of her breasts. She fit his mouth, his hands. This woman was made for him and he devoured her.
