Chapter Morgan
Morgan
Ever since that evening Manuel had appeared at his door, Morgan barely had thirty seconds to catch his breath—and he hadn’t seen Ruby since. It had only been two days, but it felt like forever.
As if she could read his thoughts, his phone rang, and he greeted her right away. “Darlin’…’”
“Hi there. Are you still at the office?”
“Unfortunately, yes.”
“I was hoping we could have dinner tonight.”
“I would love that very much.”
“I’m out of here in an hour, but I have a nail appointment first.”
“Don’t tell me you’re getting all dolled up just for me.”
“I am,” and she sounded so damn proud too.
“Is that something you like to do on your own? Or are you up for company?”
“You want to come to the nail salon with me?”
“Only if that’s okay.”
“Would you like a ride?”
“If you have enough time.”
“Send me your address and I’ll see if it’s on the way.”
He sent off the address, and Ruby confirmed that she’d pick him up on the way. He rushed to get through his work not to let it all fall on his brothers. It wasn’t long before Manuel pushed his door open. “Found this strange woman wandering around the office.”
“Hi,” Ruby greeted.
“I’m just sending the last email.”
Her steps came around the desk before she placed a smooch on his cheek and laid her hand on his back. “Take your time—I’m early. There wasn’t much traffic.”
“What are you two freaks getting up to today?” Manuel asked.
“I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours,” Ruby teased back.
“I’m the only single brother left—I’m spending the evening stuffing my face with pizza and being bitter over it.”
“Well, we’re getting our nails done.”
Morgan whirled around to face her. “Wait! We?”
“Yes, they had an extra appointment so you can get a manicure too.”
“And I thought Alexander was the gay one.”
“That’s rude!” Ruby scolded.
“So is going into your blind brother’s apartment and hiding things.”
“Fucker! I knew you moved my fucking toothbrush!”
“And the condoms but I guess you two haven’t gotten that far yet.”
“Need me to hold him down?” Alexander suddenly chimed in, seeming to have heard all the fuss.
He shook his head and shut down the laptop. With Blue at his side and his hand in Ruby’s, he walked out, ignoring the giggles and teases from his brothers.
“So… Should we stop at the pharmacy on the way?” she asked, breaking the silence.
“I thought you had to work tomorrow?” he countered with a smirk.
“What does that have—oh… well, maybe you can be gentle?”
Ruby shifted his hand to her arm to guide him through the parking lot. “There’s a pack in the closet he didn’t get.”
“You mean next to the new toothbrush you had to whip out because of him?”
He was grinning all the way to the nail salon, where he was parked in a seat right next to his woman.
His fingers soaked while Ruby chose the motif she wanted to have on her nails.
Apparently, it was possible to get Christmas lights.
His nails and cuticles were trimmed and filed.
There wasn’t much to do anyway. After all, Morgan knew to keep his nails clean for Ruby’s benefit.
He opted to get his pinkie painted to match Ruby’s red nails.
“That was fun,” Ruby cheered as she sat beside him in the car. “Show me,” and before he could move, she snatched his hand across the centre console.
When she went to drop it, he twisted it and snatched hers, inspecting her nails for what felt like the tenth time. “You’d better get used to me tagging along.”
“The girls loved you.”
They’d filed off and replaced her gel tips, then painted them red with Christmas trees, lights, and candy canes alternating each nail. “Are you excited to spend Christmas with your family?”
“I am. Remi is coming too.”
“That’s not the one in Germany, right?”
“Yes. He’s the one living in Seattle.”
As they drove off, they decided to treat themselves to a drive through for dinner, with Morgan feeding Ruby fries as they drove home. Well, more like holding them in her direction—after he’d slapped her with the first two.
She walked with him and Blue to the pet area where she insisted on cleaning up after him. She made it seem like the most natural thing in the world, babbling on about her parents’ cat, Percy. As if they’d been summoned, her parents called as they were sitting down to have the rest of their dinner.
“Hi, Mom.”
He stepped into the kitchen to give her some privacy and only tuned in to the conversation again when she called his name. “My parents would like to know if you’d like to come over Christmas Day—or even for a Sunday lunch sometime after.”
“My brothers and I usually just have a Christmas breakfast. I could come after?”
She relayed the message and giggled. “They would be delighted to have you over.”
Shit.
Reality slammed into him. What had he agreed to? His palms went sweaty with nerves. He was going to meet her parents. Her dad! Before he could freak out, her fingers wrapped around his wrist and a kiss brushed over his jaw.
“I’ll see you on Thursday. Love you.” Then the back of her fingers danced over his cheek before she turned his head towards her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m meeting your parents.”
“Yes, you are. Wait? Were you not ready for that? Oh gosh, I pushed that on you, didn’t I? I’m so sorry.”
“No, that’s not it. I’m ready, I’m just not ready ready.” He grabbed her face and pulled her close, needing to see her. “What if they don’t like me? What if they don’t think I’m good enough for you?”
“Why wouldn’t they?”
“I’m blind. I’m di—” but he hated that word so much he couldn’t say it.
Ruby didn’t pick up on his slight. “They already adore you because Rhett and Denise swooned over you.”
“Swooned?”
“Yes, darlin’,” she grinned so bright it made his own cheeks burn, “swooned.”
He held her for a moment, letting her aura and words calm the storm of his anxiety. “I’ve never been introduced to the parents.”
“Well, ‘tis the season.” She laid her hands over his, eyes tenderly on him. “You’re going to be fine.”
“As long as you’re there.”
“I will be.”
Dinner was a quiet affair, and Ruby retreated soon after to get ready for bed.
Morgan cleared the table, then joined her.
When he heard the water running in the bathroom, he seized that opportunity to stealthily grab a rope from the drawer.
Patiently, he waited on the bed, sitting to face her once she came out of the bathroom.
There were giggles, Ruby offering Blue a face peel as well. When the door opened, her steps halted almost immediately. “How are you feeling, darlin’?”
“Suddenly no longer tired,” she blurted out. “Blue, I think you need to leave.”
He chuckled and let the rope slip through his fingers. “All evening, you had me thinking about all kinds of gentle things I could do to you.”
“I-I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologising? You did nothing wrong.” He offered her a hand and pulled her onto his lap. The rope dropped, his hands finding her bare thighs like magnets as she straddled him. “Do you feel comfortable taking the next step?”
“Yes.”
Her hoarse whisper made his cock twitch and had tingles shooting to the bottom of his spine. “I’d like to tie you up for that.”
“Please do.”
“So eager,” he hummed, fingers pushing under her barely-there shorts. “I’m going to get the condoms and when I return, I want you to be kneeling on the bed right here with your back facing me. Can you do that?”
“I can.”
Kissing her nose, he stood and set her back on her feet.
He took his time, letting her squirm to heighten the anticipation.
When he returned, Ruby was exactly as he‘d instructed, though he’d forgotten to command her to take her clothes off.
His fingers ran down her sides, his lips nipping at her earlobe.
She shuddered and stiffened under his touch when his palms slipped under her t-shirt to smooth over her bare skin. The higher the fabric went, the more uncomfortable she seemed to become.
“What is it, darlin’?” When she couldn’t seem to find her words, he took her jaw in a tender grip and forced her attention to him. “Something is on your mind and is pulling you away from this moment. Tell me what it is.”
She sighed, her eyes searching his face as if she was trying to read his mind. “I don’t like taking my shirt off.”
Though he found that surprising, arguing the point wouldn’t make her magically comfortable with it. “You don’t have to take it off. We can keep it on. How do you feel about me touching you underneath it?”
“That’s fine.” With another sigh, she shook her head and avoided his gaze. “It’s ridiculous, I know.”
“Your feelings are not ridiculous. They are valid in every sense, and I will always respect them.”
“I’ve gained weight over the past few years, and I haven’t figured out how to love myself naked yet.”
His heart cracked hearing the shaky, insecure way the words fell off her lips.
That prick should’ve worshiped every inch of her.
Sucking her earlobe, he ran his hands back down her sides and grabbed her gorgeous waist. “I’ve got you, darlin’.
What you can’t, I’ll love twice as hard.
” With another squeeze, he lowered his voice. “Put your hands behind your back.”
She obeyed his command without hesitation. Just like before, he bound her wrists with the rope. He took his time, taking every opportunity to stroke her soft skin and press his lips to her neck.
“How does it feel?” he asked when the last knot was tied.
He felt her twist and test the restraints. “It’s looser than last time.”
“That’s intentional. This position can be straining on your shoulders, so I gave you room to move.”
“Thank you.”
His lips vibrated against her racing pulse, thumbs rubbing over her palms as she relaxed into the restraints.
He hadn’t wanted to tie her up yet, he’d wanted to worship her body and be able to freely handle her to his will, but her mind was drifting.
Stopping the spiral was important. He couldn’t let her thoughts drift to self-doubt.