Ruby
She stared after Morgan, needing a few moments to collect herself.
Once she managed to put her swirling thoughts aside—along with the images of herself tied up in some dungeon—she walked down the hallway where she’d gotten a peek at his bedroom.
Hesitantly, she stepped in, only to find a rather unspectacular room.
God, why had she expected to see chains hanging from the ceiling?
But at the same time, her skin tingled. She’d never been brave enough to experiment in the bedroom. Though the thought had crossed her mind a few times, she hadn’t felt comfortable enough with Rick to express that.
In the closet, she found a hoodie and some sweatpants and slipped out of her dress.
The fabric hadn’t even hit the ground when the front door opened and the jingle of Blue’s leash echoed through the apartment.
She hastened into the clothes, only to see that Blue had found her.
He stood at the entrance to the closet, tail wagging.
“Ruby?”
“Bedroom closet.”
When she stepped back into his Lego room with Blue on her heels, Morgan was inspecting the post office. “Did you find what you were looking for?”
“Not really—you didn’t give me much time to snoop,” she teased. “But I did steal some clothes.”
“What can I say? I couldn’t stay away from you any longer. This looks fantastic.”
“I enjoyed it very much.” Morgan set it down and straightened to his full height. “I can see why you’re obsessed with these.”
“They give my mind a break.” When his hand stretched out, it was almost an automated response for her to move closer. “Onto better things. Tell me what you chose to wear.”
Lacing their fingers together, she laid her other hand on his chest. “A hoodie and sweatpants.”
His free hand found the string of the hoodie and twisted it around his finger. “I can turn up the heat if you’re cold.”
“Maybe you can hold me instead?”
The tip of his tongue shot out, and she watched, mesmerised, as he damped his lips. “Oh, sweet Ruby, I would love nothing more.”
“I have a feeling you would love tying me up more.” Wow, where did that bravery come from? Oh, right—the wine.
“Only if you beg for it.” His fingers found her neck and seeming to follow the heat crawling up her face, they danced up her cheek. “I’m more than happy to spoil you with other kinds of affection.”
Her palm smoothed over his sternum until she wrapped her hand around his neck and tugged him down to her level. Her heart raced and heat pooled low in her stomach. “Morgan,” she breathed against his lips.
“You call that begging?”
“You are naughty.”
Morgan huffed a laugh, but his smile flashed right into his eyes, lighting up the desire hidden there. “I just can’t stop myself.” His thumb brushed her lower lip, his other hand guiding hers to his shoulder. “I’m going to kiss you now.”
Well, she couldn’t argue that. She arched onto her tiptoes, letting his lips press against hers.
Her fingers brushed the soft stubble of his hair, her eyes fluttering shut.
One of Morgan’s hands curled around the nape of her neck, the other flattening between her shoulder blades.
His lips moved softly with hers and far too soon, he was pulling back.
She didn’t dare open her eyes, letting her fingers trace over his short hair and relishing the moment.
“Let me see those gorgeous eyes.”
Her smile widened involuntarily. How could she deny him anything when he asked in such an intoxicating deep tone. The moment she pried her eyes open, his spring green eyes captured her.
“I have another request,” he admitted, his fingers fondling over her arms. “I would like for you to swap the hoodie for a lighter shirt.”
“I can do that,” her voice was thick, hardly recognisable.
It felt as if time slowed when Morgan bent down to steal another brief kiss before he laced their fingers together. She followed him back to the bedroom, rather lightheaded—and this time, she was positive that it had nothing to do with the wine.
In the bedroom, Blue nudged at the bed while Morgan disappeared into the closet.
When he reappeared with two shirt options—one long-sleeved and one short—Blue nudged his leg as he passed, earning himself a chuckle.
“He’s asking if he can get on the bed. I usually let him sleep with me, but tonight it’s up to you. ”
“I don’t mind,” she agreed, taking the short-sleeved shirt.
Morgan signalled Blue to hop up before disappearing into the closet once more. He didn’t close the door, and when she saw a flash of tattooed skin, she couldn’t help but stare. She only forced herself to look away when his jeans dropped, distracting herself by changing and giving Blue attention.
Morgan had chosen basketball shorts and a sheer tank top for himself, letting the black lines of his tattoo peek through.
“Do you only have the one tattoo?”
“No, I have another one on my thigh.” Morgan rounded the bed and climbed onto the mattress. “Do you have any?” But before she could answer, he shook his head and smirked. “No, don’t say. I want to be surprised.”
He patted the bed next to him, so she manoeuvred around Blue, who clearly had his favourite spot, and sat beside Morgan. “Was it difficult to trust your artist?”
“Because I can’t see what he was doing to me?”
“Basically.”
“No, he took plenty of breaks and took pictures of every step. He was very patient and had Manuel looking over his shoulder almost the entire time.”
“Ah, so they do show their protectiveness.”
“Until they silently move my furniture and watch me stub my damn toes.”
She shifted, leaning sideways against the headboard and draping her legs over his. His hand dropped to her thigh, stroking the skin through the borrowed sweats. “Do they listen when you tell them you’ve had enough?”
Morgan nodded, head rolling back with a lazy smile that had her insides all jelly-like. “Yes, they know when to draw a line. Well, sometimes. They crossed one today, but I guess they just wanted to be sure that I was okay. They aren’t used to me actually dating.”
“‘Actually dating?’”
“My brothers like to say that I have more than average sex for a blind dude, but usually it’s nothing more than one-night stands. Women get curious, but they don’t stay around when things get tough.”
“The ones where they have to make sure to keep the spaghetti out of reach.”
Morgan laughed, and she adored how open he was. “I also don’t tell them how blind I actually am and since I meet them here, they don’t realise it.”
“Faker.”
“Oh darlin’, you are one of a kind.” His fingers slipped under the sweats, warm against her ankles. “But it’s nice to be perceived as normal once in a while.”
“I find you normal, but I know what you mean.” He squeezed her ankle softly, pushing up the pant leg just a little more. “Have you ever been ice skating?”
Morgan’s brows hit his hairline. “Ice skating? No, but I assume you are asking because you want me to go?”
“I would love that.”
“Maybe my brothers were right. You do know I’m blind and what that means, right?”
“I can hold your hand.”
Morgan trapped his bottom lip between his teeth, mulling over the answer. “Fuck it. I’ll go with you.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I want to. I mean, there’s a very high chance that I’ll land on my ass, but I was just whining about not being treated like a normal person.”
“You can always overrule me with something you’d be more comfortable with.”
“I will be comfortable with you around.”
Her knuckles brushed his bicep, the muscle flexing beneath her touch in a way that made her mouth water. “That means a lot to me.”
“They do have an exhibition tour at the Museum of Art. I’ve always wanted to visit but never wanted to go alone.”
“I would happily go with you. I’ve never been to one.” She tried her best to stifle her yawn, but it was in vain. Morgan noticed and shifted his weight, pulling at her ankles until she fell to her back, laughing.
“When do you have to be at work tomorrow?”
“Noon.”
“Perfect, we can have brunch together.” Bracing himself to either side of her head, he leaned over and kissed a path from her jaw up to her lips. Her toes curled and her hands danced up Morgan’s sides, finding herself amused when he squirmed.
“You’re ticklish,” she giggled, repeating the motion.
He snatched her right wrist and pinned it into the pillow above her head. “I am and you better stop it right now.”
“But it’s cute.” She attempted to tickle him with her left hand, only to have that one trapped as well a moment later.
“You are a piece of work.”
His lips crashed back down to hers, one of his hands restraining both her wrists. He deepened the kiss, his strong thighs straddling her own. Her body was on fire, Morgan’s weight filling a void she’d tried to ignore for far too long.
“And if you don’t stop grinding against me, you’ll find that you won’t get a second of sleep tonight.”
Morgan was right—she hadn’t realised that she was rocking her hips against him. “I’m sorry.”
Trailing his lips over her cheek, Morgan stopped at her ear and nipped his way down her neck. “How long has it been, darlin’?”
“Almost a year.”
“You must be so needy.”
“Please don’t mock me.”
His head snapped up, serious gaze locking onto hers. “I’m not making fun of you. I’m looking forward to fulfilling all of your needs.”
She lifted her head, seeking another kiss to hide the insecurity that dared to take over.
She’d never felt confident in bed, and the fear of disappointing him almost had her running for the hills.
But with a single kiss, Morgan swept all of those thoughts away, his unwavering dominance making it easy to follow his lead.
His thumb softly brushed over her wrist before he sat up and released her hands. He sat back on his heels, but kept her trapped beneath him. “The things I could do to you,” he husked, feathering light touches over her arms. “Just imagine being tied up and begging me to touch you.”
Her heart damn near stopped, heat rushing to her cheeks as he ran down her sides and grabbed her hips. “I’m not very good at that.” God, she sounded awful, nothing like the sexiness that oozed out of Morgan’s mouth.
“Begging?” His fingers slipped under her shirt, skin tingling with every exposed inch he explored. “Don’t you worry, I’ll teach you.”
“I’ve been told that I’m boring.” She wanted—no, needed—him to know. She didn’t want him to think she was selling herself as something she was clearly not.
“Oh, darlin’, I did tell you to listen, but that didn’t mean from a fucker who was foolish enough to let you go.” His hands pushed higher, fingertips lingering on the stretch marks that made her the most self-conscious. “There are no expectations, Ruby. Just two people figuring each other out.”
“You seem so confident. I’m just a mess.”
Deep, booming laughter echoed between them, rumbling through her limbs.
“I have a few years on you. And let’s be honest, I’ll be all over teaching you.
” His fingertips teased her ribs, his weight increasing pressure as he bent down, his next words ghosting against her lips.
“You are in good hands, Ruby. I promise to take good care of you.”
She let out a long exhale, her hands finally moving from the pillow to lace behind his neck as she pleaded for another kiss.
There was no hesitation and just like his promise, Morgan kissed her, soft and gentle.
When their lips broke apart, her nerves were still on fire, a mixture of fear, excitement, and hunger.
“So tense,” he hummed. “Turn around.”
She needed no further instruction. Once she settled on her stomach, he rested across the backs of her thighs.
His thumbs kneaded into her shoulders, the tightness in her muscles easing as he worked his way south.
Once he landed on her waist, his fingers touched her bare skin and it felt so good that she wiggled her shirt higher.
His lips came down to caress each knot in her spine, voice edgy.
“It is as if you read my mind.” Then he stilled.
“Oh darlin’. What a pleasant surprise.” Looking over her shoulder, she watched as he inspected the snowflake and crystals inked into her skin between her shoulder blades. “It’s beautiful. Do you have more?”
“Only the one.”
“And of course it had to be winter themed.”
“I told you I’m a little crazy about ‘tis season.”
Morgan kissed the tattoo, then continued the massage. “And here I am, not even owning a Christmas tree.”
“I think we have to change that.”
“It’s a date.”
She pushed her arms under the pillow and softly hummed at how good this felt.
Not only his touch, but simply… existing with him and feeling safe.
It was so different from what she had experienced in the past. Before she could doze off, Morgan placed a kiss on her snowflake and tugged her shirt back down.
“Time for me to hold you,” he said, spreading out behind her.
Covered back up, warm and being held by a strong man, she soaked in the feeling, easily drifting off to sleep.