Yes, Master, page 14
“The cookies look tasty,” he said, hoping to get his mind off her body for five minutes. “Want to share with me?”
“If you have milk, then I’m in,” she answered with a smile.
Ah, to hell with it. A man could only stare into the face of temptation so long before he surrendered. Drake pulled Ruby against his chest, anxious to feel her sweet curves against his body. He tipped her chin up and whispered, “Looks like you were sampling the goods, baby.” Drake dipped his head and licked at a spot of chocolate on the corner of her mouth. As his tongue came into contact with her mouth, sweeping back and forth over her soft lips, he heard her whimper and wrap her arms around his neck. God, he loved when she did that, came at him with her own heady dose of hunger. When Ruby parted her lips and teased his tongue with hers, Drake angled his head and pulled her closer, fitted her curves to his. Their bodies aligned so perfectly, and he wished like crazy they were both naked.
As their mouths played, Drake knew he was no longer in control. Around Ruby, control went up in smoke. Her tongue shyly explored his, but it wasn’t enough. He coasted his palm down her back, cupped one firm butt cheek in his palm, and squeezed. Ruby gasped and froze a moment, then all but melted into him. With her soft curves pressed so close there was no way she couldn’t feel the rigid length of his cock nudging her belly. He took hold of her full, womanly hips and pulled her in tight, needing her to feel what she did to him. Damn, why was it so hard for Drake to relinquish her mouth?
Ruby was effectively knocked off-kilter. A kiss was the very thing she’d longed for, but she hadn’t let herself hope. She’d missed him, and it had infuriated her to know how quickly he’d gotten under her skin. It was Monday and she hadn’t gotten a damn thing accomplished at work all day because all she could think about was the night she’d shared with Drake. How perfect it’d been. And how badly she wanted a repeat.
And, oh God, he had the most incredible mouth. She heard someone whimper; it could have been her, but she didn’t really care. Though she knew without a doubt that if she didn’t pull away from him he’d be able to have her right there on the kitchen floor. As much as that prospect tantalized her, she was reminded of Connie’s lecture at lunch about men enjoying a challenge. The thrill of the chase. She was not giving Drake much of a challenge or a chase. In fact, she was pretty darned shameless.
Ruby pushed at Drake’s broad chest and managed to break the kiss, hopefully saving a little of her dignity in the process. Drake simply stared down at her with brooding eyes. “I missed you,” he admitted. He stared at her mouth as if he wanted to devour her one bone-melting kiss at a time.
He shoved a hand through his hair. “I’m pretty sure if you hadn’t stopped me just now, I would have yanked down those sexy little cutoffs you’re wearing and taken you right here.” He shook his head, took the plate of cookies from her, and placed them on the kitchen counter. “I’m acting like a friggin’ deer during rutting season here. Sorry.”
Ruby shifted from foot to foot, not sure how to respond to his stark confession. “Not sure if you noticed, but I wasn’t exactly protesting.”
His eyes darkened. “I noticed.” The deep timbre of his low voice sent jolts of electricity through her. He picked up a cookie and popped the whole thing into his mouth. “Mm,” he said after finishing it off. “They’re good. Thanks.”
“You’re, uh, welcome.” She took a fortifying breath. “And thanks for the text this morning.” He’d woken her with the message GOOD MORNING, BEAUTIFUL sent to her cell phone.
Drake grinned, and once again his gaze traveled the length of her. “I would’ve preferred to wake you with a kiss, though.”
Since Ruby was still feeling the effects of his masterful mouth, all the way to her toes, she decided not to respond. Instead, she turned and started for the back door. “Well, I won’t keep you.”
Drake stopped her when she reached the door with an arm around her waist. “I want to take you out Friday night. Are you free?” At her hesitation, Drake took another step closer. “Didn’t you enjoy our first date, baby?”
“You know I did,” she said, unable to hide the quiver in her voice. Ruby could feel every hard inch of Drake pressed up against her back, including the impressive bulge beneath his fly. He was aroused. It made her feel ten times better to know she wasn’t the only one turned on. Heck, her knees hadn’t been steady since he’d taken her on the kitchen counter. The need rushing through her scared her, though. No man should be able to get under her skin so quickly. What was wrong with her?
“Then let me take you out again. Seven o’clock sound good? We could go out to dinner and a movie. Would you like that?”
Drake was still talking in that low, sinful voice of his, and the feel of his breath so close to her had moisture pooling in her most private of parts. Ruby said the first thing that came to mind. “I do want to see you again. It’s crazy how much I want to see you.” Belatedly she realized that she hadn’t merely been thinking those words, she had spoken them aloud.
Drake turned her in his arms and placed a gentle kiss against her forehead. “You’d better get your tail home, baby, before I decide I want to keep you here the rest of the evening.”
His words had the desired effect. Ruby quickly opened the slider and stepped out into the late day sun. She couldn’t seem to speak around the knot of emotion clogging her throat. When she reached her own yard, Ruby turned and caught Drake quietly watching her. Her blood pounded hot in her veins as Drake’s gaze zeroed in on her backside. She watched as he licked his lips and shook his head. To tease him a little, Ruby added an extra twitch to her walk. Drake dragged a hand over his face, and Ruby had to bite back a smile. Good, she thought, he’s as hot for me as I am for him. Only seemed fair really.
7
Ruby looked out at the dance floor and smiled when she saw her friend Connie dancing with her on-again-off-again boyfriend, Jason. When Ruby had told her friend that Drake wanted to take her out again, Connie had suggested a double date. It’d sounded fun so Ruby had agreed, but she secretly thought maybe Connie was attempting to keep an eye on Drake. She didn’t trust him. She’d mentioned his off-the-cuff tendencies and risky behavior more than once. Connie was afraid Ruby would get hurt in the cross fire. She’d wanted to listen to her friend’s advice, but there was something exciting about Drake that made her a little bit impetuous. It was a side to her personality she hadn’t realized she possessed, and she sort of liked it.
“I’ve missed you this week,” Drake said as he leaned close to be heard over the din of the music. “Friday took forever to get here.”
“I missed you too.” She pointed to the dance floor and said, “I hope you don’t mind the change in plans.”
He shrugged. “As long as I get to spend time with you, it makes no difference.” His gaze went on a slow, heated journey over her body. “And you look amazing tonight. Every man here is checking you out in that sexy dress.”
Ruby smoothed a palm over her midriff. “Thank you.” A little trill of excitement raced up her spine at Drake’s praise. The dress had been expensive, but worth it, judging by the heat in Drake’s dark eyes. It was a little black strapless number put together in the most erotic way with little triangle-shaped cutouts down the front, stopping just below her navel. The triangles were very strategically placed so as to show cleavage, but nothing more. She felt exotic wearing it. Like maybe she wasn’t the serious and dull office worker for once in her life.
When Ruby’s gaze landed on Drake again, she had to force back a moan. His black jeans molded to his muscular legs and lean hips as if custom-made. God, his ass was so solid a girl could bounce a quarter off it. His simple white T-shirt wasn’t anything special, but on Drake it looked better than Armani. His wide, solid chest made Ruby want to reach out and touch. With the easy move of his hips and the smile kicking up the corners of his mouth, Ruby couldn’t stop staring.
And why should she?
Earlier, as he’d escorted her to their booth, he’d taken her breath away. Just as the thought flitted through her mind, his brow arched up in inquiry, as if he could read her so easily. As if he knew what she was thinking. Heat crept into her face and Ruby wanted to groan. Great impression.
She breathed deep and resisted the urge to hide, then sat up a little straighter. Her best friend in the world was dancing it up and having a great time. Then again, Connie always appeared so darned confident. If only an ounce of that confidence would rub off on her, Ruby would be a happy camper.
Drake reached out his hand, which effectively stopped her train of thought. “It was my good fortune that I should decide to come here tonight, Ruby.”
His voice was deep and rough. She loved listening to him talk. A voice like that could make a woman do all sorts of illegal things. Too late Ruby realized she was clinging to his hand as if it were a lifeline. She released him.
“Hey, you were getting used to my touch. Why shy away?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. This thing between us, it’s moving too fast for me.”
Drake stared at her a moment, then reached for her hand once more. This time he didn’t take it in his own; he only drifted his thumb back and forth over the back of it. The light touch went clear through to her womb.
“I get that, but it feels right to me.” Drake smiled slightly. “Are you still scared?”
Ruby’s heart fluttered at the sensual tone in his voice. “No,” she said, but she knew it was a lie the minute the word was out of her mouth. “Okay, yes. I’m scared.”
“Is that why you brought Connie?” He motioned to where Connie and her date were dancing several feet away. “Were you afraid to be alone with me again?”
Ruby followed his line of vision and smiled. “Actually, that was Connie’s idea. She knew I was nervous about tonight and offered to double date.”
“She might be biting off more than she can chew with that guy she’s with, though.” Drake motioned to Jason with a tilt of his head. “He’s pretty intense.”
“I know what you mean, but Connie’s a big girl.” Ruby frowned as she looked at her friend. “She hardly needs my approval to dance with a good-looking guy.”
Drake’s gaze shot back to her, only now they weren’t filled with easy humor. In fact, he looked annoyed. “You think he’s good-looking?”
If she went by the sneer in his tone, Ruby assumed he didn’t find that notion pleasant. “Yes, but he’s not the man holding my attention lately.”
Drake moved toward her and she forced herself to stay still, to not back away. “Yeah?”
Ruby chuckled. “Don’t get cocky,” she softly warned.
Drake leaned in close. His hot breath caressed her ear, and she wanted to pant like a hungry puppy. “I want to be alone with you.”
Her heart sped up. He was so close she could smell his woodsy, masculine scent. God, he was potent. “Drake,” she breathed out.
Drake licked her earlobe, then gently bit the sensitive flesh. “I miss you. Your taste on my tongue. Your sweet body pressed to mine.”
He kissed his way down her neck and sucked at her pulse. She was surrounded by his large, powerful body and Ruby forgot all about the nightclub; even Connie and her date were temporarily pushed to the back of her mind. Everything vanished as Drake’s mouth made an erotic journey over her skin. When he pulled back an inch, she whimpered.
“Come back to my place,” he softly urged. “Give yourself over to me tonight, Ruby.”
Did she dare? She was sinking deeper and deeper into Drake’s web until she wasn’t sure which end was up. But as Drake began smoothing a palm over her back, she knew she was helpless to him. In the end, there was never any other choice save for the most obvious one.
“Yes,” Ruby blurted out. As the word whispered past her lips, she thought of Connie. She looked out at the dance floor and saw her friend engaged in a conversation with Jason.
Looking at Drake, she saw an answering heat there. They were both about to experience something thrilling. Honesty forced her to admit that he scared her a little. No, that wasn’t right. It was the way he affected her. He so easily turned her body to fire and all he had to do was smile. That kind of power was frightening to her. She was a confident woman. She was in control of her own emotions. No one else. And certainly not a man.
Ruby stood and went to Connie. She explained the change in plans. It turned out Connie had made new plans as well, with Jason. Ruby worried, but knew her friend well enough to know that once she had her mind set on something, that was all she wrote.
After getting the go-ahead from her, Ruby went back to where Drake was still sitting. “I’m ready if you are.”
His grin was predatory. The juncture between her thighs went liquid as his gaze traveled over her body, then he gave a nod. Without another word, he took her by the hand and led the way out of the nightclub and down the stairs to his SUV. He let go of her while he put her into his Blazer, only to take hold of her again after he was situated behind the wheel and on the road.
It was as if he meant to bind her to him. Odd that she should think that. They’d only just met and he didn’t seem any keener on permanent relationships than she. Still, he acted like he was staking a claim.
In the dark, close confines of the Blazer, Ruby swore she saw him smile. It was feral and wicked, and her stomach went all jumpy.
Damn, what had she gotten herself into?
He looked like temptation in the flesh with his sinfully gorgeous hair and intense black eyes. Eyes a woman could drown in. Those eyes had been focused on her as if she’d been the only person in the bar. It was a thrilling notion.
She imagined being alone with him, in a room lit only with candles. She wouldn’t be wearing a stitch of clothing, nor would he. But in his strong, callused hands he clutched scarves of every color. He’d approach the bed, where she would be sprawled out for him. He would use the soft, silky scarves to tie her down, making her vulnerable in every way. She wanted this with him. She wanted to completely immerse herself in Drake South. He might not know it, but he was going to give her a night to remember.
Drake expertly steered the big, black Blazer into his garage. His gaze swung her way. “We’re here.”
“So I see,” she said. As he left the car and started around to her side, Ruby opened the door herself.
Drake frowned. “I open my date’s door. It’s the gentlemanly thing to do.”
Words like that could quite easily make her fall head over heels for the big cutie. “Didn’t know there were any gentlemen left in the world.”
He bent and looked into her eyes. “You’ve been hanging out with all the wrong men then.”
She laughed and reached up to cup his jaw. “We’re in agreement there.”
He winked and grasped her hand. “Come this way.”
It didn’t take Drake long to have Ruby inside the house and up the stairs. He barely had Ruby inside his bedroom before he slowly lowered himself to his knees in front of her. Her eyes rounded and there was a fire he hadn’t seen in them before. “I need a taste of you, Ruby.”
She started to protest, and he could see the way her cheeks bloomed pink at his erotic words.
“You wouldn’t deny me, would you, baby?” Drake didn’t wait for a reply as he grabbed handfuls of her dress and slowly tugged it upward, tenderly exposing the lower half of her body. The soft down of her pussy was hidden from his view by her panties. He frowned, took hold of them in both hands, and yanked, easily tearing them in two. Drake tossed them aside, pleased now that her glistening mound was visible to him. He was suddenly very hungry. Staring at the beauty of her there, he groaned. “Fuck, I’m becoming obsessed.” He should’ve known once wouldn’t be enough. Not with a woman like Ruby. She was more than a pretty face. Everything about her drew him like a bear to honey. He needed more time with her. To know her, inside and out. “Yep, definitely obsessed.”
“You won’t hear me complaining,” she quickly replied, spurring Drake on.
“Put your leg over my shoulder, Ruby.” Unsure, but eager, Ruby did as instructed. The position put the apex of her thighs directly into Drake’s face. She felt awkward and wobbly in her pumps, but Drake only grasped her hips and pulled her to him. He kissed her, then used his fingers and spread her open, exposing her clitoris.
Ruby couldn’t move, and in fact had to force her lungs to take in air. As Drake’s mouth closed around her clit, Ruby rocked forward. The physical act of what they were doing mingled with the intensity of her emotions until Ruby felt totally exposed. Drake’s tongue moved in and out of her pussy in a rhythm akin to making love. His hands clasped onto her bottom, bringing her closer and delving deeper. Drake seemed to be giving her everything he had to give. A groan tore free of his throat as Ruby raked her fingers through his hair and clutched on to him for dear life.
“More,” she shamelessly begged. “I need so much more.”
“Fuck, yeah,” he whispered against her overheated skin. He flicked his tongue over and around her clit, time after time, until her thighs started to quiver and her body began to spasm out of control. Without warning, Ruby shuddered and screamed as she came into Drake’s greedy mouth.
“Christ, you taste sweet, baby. So damn sweet.” With a flick, Drake unsnapped the front closure of her bra and walked her backward to the bed. He pushed her gently down and then let her watch him as he undressed.
She felt exposed, emotionally as well as physically. Her first thought was to cover herself from his hungry gaze, but her mind came to a crashing halt when his shirt came off. His chest was beautiful and masculine. His muscles were hewn to perfection by hours of hard work. The sprinkling of dark chest hair all but begged Ruby to reach out and play. She followed the tempting line down over his stomach to the intriguing way it disappeared into the waistband of his pants. Drake took hold of his fly, unsnapping and unzipping. Ruby’s mouth watered as she waited, knowing the heavy weight of his cock was so close yet so far out of reach. Within minutes he stood in front of her, naked and hard and ready. Her pussy was already wet with anticipation of the pleasure Drake would give her. Only Drake had the power to make her cry out in ecstasy.
