“Are you okay? You’re healthy, right? I… what’s going on?”

  “I’m freaking out,” she admits in a whisper.

  “You’re freaking me out, too,” I tell her.

  I uncross my arms and take a step towards her, but she steps back.

  “Ruby, I love you. I can’t stand you putting distance between us,” I tell her, and she sucks in a sharp breath.

  “You love me?” She squeaks, and I huff out a humorless laugh.

  “Of course I do. I have since the first moment I arrived in town. You’re why I moved here. I knew the second I saw you that you were the one for me. You’re my future wife, the future mother of my children, my everything. You’re it for me, Rubes.”

  “I’m pregnant,” she blurts out, and I freeze.

  “What?” I croak.

  “I’m pregnant. I just found out the other night, and I’ve been trying to figure out how to tell you.”

  “You’re pregnant,” I say dumbly, and she nods, tears welling in her eyes.

  “Yeah,” she whispers.

  “We’re going to have a baby?” I ask her, a giant smile stretching my lips, and she blinks.

  “You’re happy? I mean… you’re not mad about this?”

  “Mad? Of course not! I want everything with you, Ruby. I told you. We’re meant to be.”

  I can’t resist any longer, and reach out, pulling her into my arms.

  “I love you, Ruby. So much. More than anything.”

  She lets me wrap my arms around her, and it takes me a moment to realize that she’s crying.

  “What’s wrong? Tell me and I’ll fix it.”

  “I just, I never thought that I would have a family or that I would have this. Someone that I love and who loves me,” she cries, and I tighten my hold on her.

  “Say it again,” I whisper, and she sniffles.

  “I never thought that I⁠—”

  “No. Tell me that you love me again.”

  “Oh…” She trails off and I slip a finger under her chin and tilt it up so she’s looking at me.

  “Say it, Ruby. I need to hear it, love.”

  “I love you, Ransom,” she whispers, and it feels like my heart just swelled up three sizes in my chest.

  “I love you too. So much.”

  I can’t wait any longer, and lean down, sealing her lips with mine. It feels so perfect to be touching and kissing her again, and I smile as she kisses me back.

  Fucking perfect.

  TEN

  Ruby

  Ransom stares at me with those all-seeing gray eyes of his, and I feel like he’s staring right into my soul. I can see his love for me in those eyes and it has fireworks going off inside of me.

  “Let’s go home,” he tells me, and I nod.

  “We’ll take my truck from now on. Can’t have anything happening to my girl or my baby,” he says, his hand falling to my stomach.

  He slips the helmet over my head and tightens the strap for me. I smile up at him and he grins down at me. It feels so good to have him taking care of me. I didn’t realize how good it would feel to admit my feelings and just be with him, but it feels perfect. Like it was meant to be. We’re two puzzle pieces that were made to fit together.

  I kind of hate that I put us through all of this, but at least we’re together now.

  “You’re moving in with me. We’ll get your things tomorrow from your house,” he tells me, and I frown at him.

  “I can’t just leave Cameron like that. She’ll need help with the rent,” I argue.

  “I’ll take care of it.”

  “How?”

  “Ruby, love,” he says with a grin over his shoulder at me. “I’m rich.”

  With that, he starts the bike and takes off. I gasp, clinging to him as we head towards his place.

  When we park outside, I climb off and turn to look at him.

  “What do you mean that you’re rich?” I ask him in confusion, and he laughs.

  “My dad was really good with investments. He taught me everything he knew, plus I inherited everything after he passed. It’s why I only work odd jobs, things that interest me, because I don’t really have to work, and now you don’t have to either.”

  “I’m not just mooching off of you!” I argue, and he shakes his head.

  “You’re not a mooch. You’re not your mom,” he assures me. “We’re a team, Rubes. What’s mine is yours.”

  It feels wrong. I mean, I saw my mother go through so many men, but Ransom is the only man I’ve ever been with. I know that I’m not like her. Hell, I didn’t even know he had money until a minute ago. Still, it’s hard to shake that feeling.

  “We’ll work on it,” Ransom promises me, and I want to argue with him, but before I can, he has me in his arms, and he’s carrying me inside and into his bedroom.

  He’s already proven he can take my weight and loves it, so I don’t feel any shame now. I’m hungry for his kiss, ready for what comes next, but there’s a part of him that’s fascinated me since I first saw it.

  He sets me on my feet, never breaking the kiss and I sway against him slightly as I try to clear my head.

  Focus, Ruby!

  I groan as I pull away and move down to the floor, on my knees between his legs.

  I push my hands under his shirt, then to the snap of his pants.

  I pull the button and zipper, but he stops my fingers. I look up at him, protesting with a frown. “I want to do this, Ransom. You didn’t let me last time. I want to know what makes you feel good. Let me explore.”

  He hesitates, his eyes searching mine. “You can taste it, Ruby, but I don’t want to finish in your mouth.”

  “I want you to,” I respond, my eyes clashing with his. His narrow as he pulls up his shirt, revealing his abs and that muscled, tattooed chest of his. The inked skin makes my mouth water. “Fine. I won’t be stubborn.”

  He smirks down at me and pulls the shirt over his head. I pull at his jeans, pulling them off his body. His eyes are burning into me, daring me to continue. I hold eye contact as I pull at my clothes and a rush of pleasure rushes over me when I’m naked and can see the heat in his eyes.

  This man wants me. So badly.

  I swallow hard, feeling a flush of heat between my legs as I think about how this will feel.

  Taking a deep breath, I reach down and grab his erection, wrapping my hand around it. I can feel the heat radiating from his skin and the hardness of his length against my palm. It’s surprisingly bigger than I remember, and I can’t help but moan softly as I stroke him gently. I’m fascinated with the jewelry piercing the tip and lean down, flicking at it with my tongue.

  I’m not sure what to do with it, so I close my lips over the tip, my eyes going up to his. Ransom watches me intently, his eyes locked on my every move.

  “You’re doing so good, Ruby,” he whispers, his voice low and commanding. I feel a thrill of excitement rush through me at his words.

  I continue to stroke him, my fingers moving up and down his length, feeling the ridges and veins as my tongue starts to seek out more of him.

  His hips start to thrust upward, meeting my tongue, my hand, and my lips. I can tell he’s enjoying this, and it makes me want to please him even more. I let my tongue dart out, tracing the veins on his shaft, and then circle the head, tasting his salty flavor.

  He moans softly, his hips rocking back and forth as I continue to explore him. I take the head into my mouth, sucking gently, and his hands tighten against his sides.

  “Ruby,” he breathes, his voice low and gravelly.

  I want to make him feel good, make him feel loved and desired. I take more of him into my mouth, my lips moving up and down his length. I flick my tongue over the sensitive spot beneath the piercing, making him groan again. I suck him deeper into my mouth. I want to know everything about him, to possess him in every way possible.

  Ransom watches me with a mix of desire and approval, his muscles flexing under my touch. He reaches down to grab my hair, guiding my movements, showing me how to please him. I start to suck and lick, feeling his hardness grow even more in my hand and mouth.

  I want to make him feel good and show him that I can be just as adventurous and wild as he is. I want to know what it feels like to make him groan with pleasure, to feel his climax build up and release into my mouth. I can feel my own arousal building, my fists clenching around his shaft as I suck and lick his tip, feeling a thrill of desire course through me.

  Ransom watches me, his eyes burning into me, his body trembling as I continue to please him. His hard length swells even more against my tongue and I know that he’s close. I want to be the one to bring him to that blissful release.

  I take him deeper into my mouth, sucking harder, my tongue swirling around the piercing, and he groans, his hips bucking up against me. I know he’s close, and I want to feel it all. I take more of him into my mouth, feeling him throb against my lips, and his hand tightens in my hair, holding me in place.

  “Ruby,” he moans, his voice strangled. “You have to stop, Ruby.”

  I ignore his demand, going down the length of him again until he hits the back of my throat. He’s so big I can’t fit him all, but I keep trying, wanting all of him in my mouth when he lets go.

  “Ruby, stop,” he says louder, pulling back and away. I whimper in protest, but he stands up, bending me over the bed. His hand slides down my ass as he opens my legs. I feel his fingers plunge into me and groan, panting into the sheet. “You are so gorgeous. Let me explore you, Ruby. Don’t rush it.”

  I move away from him, settle on his pillows, and hold my hands out to him. “Come to me then. Show me what I’m going to have for the rest of my life.”

  He moves over me, his fingers stroking my brown hair away from my face.

  “You are so beautiful,” he whispers, his voice low and husky. I can feel his breath on my face, his lips just barely brushing against mine. His eyes lock onto mine, and I can see the love and desire in them.

  He moves his hand down my body, tracing the outline of my curves, and I shiver at his touch. His fingers, strong and capable, entwine with mine, and I feel a thrill of excitement run through me.

  He kisses me gently on the lips, and I can taste the saltiness from my mouth, mingled with the sweetness of his lips. Our tongues dance together, each movement more passionate than the last.

  His hand moves to my waist, and he pulls me closer to him, his erection pressing against me. I can feel the heat of his body, the hardness of his length, and the pleasure caused each time his tip slides along my clit and the jewelry presses into my skin. Over and over, that tip slides against me until I’m panting, unable to say words. I want him inside of me too much.

  “I’m going to love you, Ruby,” he whispers, his lips brushing against my forehead. I close my eyes, inhale his scent, and feel a warmth spread throughout my body. “Forever.”

  He kisses me softly, his lips grazing mine as he begins to explore my body with his fingers. I arch my back, letting out a soft moan as his fingers find their way deep inside me, stroking me in rhythm. My breath hitches, my heart racing as he increases the pace.

  “I love you too,” I whisper, my voice shaky with emotion. “I want to feel this forever with you, Ransom.”

  He looks down at me, his eyes filled with love and desire. “You are mine, Ruby,” he says with a grin, his lips brushing against my ear. “And I am yours.”

  I smile, feeling a sense of completeness wash over me. He is mine. Forever. We fit together. We were meant to be. From that first moment that we met, I knew it. Now I kind of wish that I hadn’t fought my feelings for him so much.

  His lips move down my jaw, over my collarbone, down to my nipples as he builds me up, his fingers dancing inside of me. I grip onto his shoulders, my nails digging into his skin; when his lips close around my left nipple at the same moment, he moves his thumb to press over my clit. My hips buck up into him, and I hear him chuckle softly. He doesn’t let go of my nipple, and all I can do is hang on as pleasure bolts through me.

  “Ransom,” I say, not sure what I’m begging for. I want him inside me, but I don’t want him to stop either. His fingers fill me so completely that I don’t want it to stop. I’m so close, but I want him inside of me. too.

  “Yes,” he murmurs, his breath warm against my skin. “I want to make you feel good, Ruby.”

  His fingers increase their rhythm, moving in and out of me, while his thumb circles my clit. I moan, my hips bucking up to meet his touch.

  My mind is a blur of pleasure and anticipation. I need him to be inside me, but I don’t want him to stop what he’s doing. I’m so close to climax; I can feel it building like an unstoppable tidal wave.

  Ransom must sense it, too, because he stops moving his fingers and presses a kiss to my lips.

  “Look at me,” he commands softly. I open my eyes, staring into his deep brown ones. “Are you ready for me?”

  I nod, unable to speak. I need him. I want him. And then, without warning, he turns me over, pulling me up to my hands and knees. I feel him moving behind me, his hands gripping at my hips.

  “Fuck, you’re so gorgeous,” he whispers, making my heart sing with happiness.

  I feel his fingers grazing my lower back, and then his hands grip my hips tightly. I know what he’s about to do, and I’m ready for him. He lines up with me, and I feel the tip of him against my entrance. I arch my back, pushing back against him, eager to have him inside me.

  He slides into me slowly, his cock filling me up completely. The jewelry at the tip of him grazes nerves inside of me and sparks new fires inside of me. I let out a soft moan, my body shuddering with pleasure.

  “Yes,” I whisper, wanting him to know how good it feels.

  Ransom begins to move inside me, his hips thrusting into mine in a rhythm that matches my heartbeat. His hands grip my hips harder, pulling me back against him with each thrust. I can feel his jewelry hitting that sweet spot deep inside of me with each movement, making me moan with pleasure.

  “Tell me, Ruby. Tell me how good it feels,” he urges me, but I shake my head. I can’t think, but then I know what he wants.

  “The first time was good, Ransom, so good, but this time, without that first burst of pain, it’s so much more,” I gasp, my fingers clenching in the sheet. I can barely get the words out, but I manage as he drives into me.

  His right hand slides down, over my hip, to slide between my thighs. He has some kind of sixth sense about where my clit is, I guess because he finds it right away and presses tight circles against it.

  “I want you to come now, Ruby. Come for me, love,” he says.

  I nod, lost to everything; the sensation of him filling me, that jewelry hitting the exact spot it needs to, consumes me.

  I feel the pressure building within me, my body responding to his touch, his words, and his rhythm. I grip the sheets tightly, my breath coming in short, sharp bursts.

  “Ransom, so close,” I manage to gasp, my voice hoarse with pleasure.

  “That’s it, Ruby. Come for me. Let it all go. Let me feel how much you want me,” he urges me, his voice deep and commanding.

  I can feel it building, the pleasure expanding from my core, spreading outward, engulfing me in waves of ecstasy. I cry out, my body tensing, my muscles clenching around him as the orgasm crests.

  Ransom groans, his pace quickening, his thrusts deeper, matching my rhythm. His fingers continue to stroke my clit, keeping me on the edge, while his hips drive into me relentlessly.

  My body shudders with each thrust, every movement bringing me closer to the edge. I can feel him growing inside me, his erection pulsing with each beat of my heart.

  “Ruby, I’m close,” he rasps, his breath hot against my neck. “I need to feel you come.”

  I moan, my body trembling. I can feel the pleasure building inside me, threatening to overwhelm me. I grip the sheets, my nails digging into the fabric as I try to hold on, but the pressure is too much.

  “Yes,” I cry out, my hips arching off the bed as I climax. Wave after wave of pleasure crashes over me, leaving me breathless, my mind spinning with pleasure.

  Ransom groans, his pace becoming erratic, his thrusts harder, faster. His fingers never stop stroking my clit, keeping me on the edge of ecstasy.

  “Ruby, I’m going to come,” he warns, his voice hoarse. “I need you to feel it, too.”

  I groan, my body still shuddering with the aftermath of my orgasm. I want to feel him inside me as he comes, to feel the intensity of his release.

  “Do it, Ransom,” I beg him, my voice shaky. “I want to feel you come.”

  He groans, his hips speeding up, his thrusts becoming shallower as if trying to hold on for just a few more moments.

  “I can’t hold back any longer,” he pants. “I’m going to come now, Ruby.”

  I moan, gripping the sheets tightly, my hips straining back against him. I want to experience this moment with him, to feel the connection between us as we share this moment.

  With one final, deep thrust, Ransom groans, his hips jerking forward, driving himself into me. I feel him pulsing inside me, his hot seed filling me, and I cry out in pleasure, the sensation intense and overwhelming.

  As he slows down, still inside of me, I turn my head to look at him. He’s panting, his eyes closed, his expression at once satisfied and blissful. His hands are still gripping my hips, his fingers digging into my skin softly. I rest my cheek against the pillow, my body still trembling from the intensity of the experience.

  “I love you, Ransom,” I whisper, my voice hoarse with emotion.

  He opens his eyes, staring down at me, and I see the love in his gaze. “I love you too, Ruby,” he says, his voice filled with sincerity.

  He leans forward, his arms wrapping around me, pulling me back against him. I can feel his heart beating against my back, our bodies still connected in the most intimate way.

  “Don’t leave this time,” he orders me, and I smile.

  “I won’t. I’m done running from you, from this,” I promise him.

  “Good.”

 

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