Derick (Caveman Instinct- Gypsy Curse #6)

Chapter 10

I ’d been feeling off since the park the other day, and the conversation I’d had with Derick yesterday put me even more on edge. Today though I’d been having the bad, tingling feeling of being watched a lot more, and not the feeling of being watched by bodyguards, but an almost sinister, oily feeling. It was a familiar one. I got it a lot with my father’s men. The sinking sensation in my stomach was growing, I usually only got that when my father’s gang was up to something really bad. My anxiety was high, and it was agitating me.

Currently, I was sitting next to Dexter on our lunch break at TAFE. Archer was directly across from me. Courtney and Lilly sat beside him, and Ash sat on my other side and Lisa was next to her. I was getting more comfortable with the men in the group I hang around with. I still didn’t like their touch, and this was the closest I’d been to them willingly. Usually I sat on the end of the table with one of my girlfriends next to me, but today I’d been so in my head I’d plonked down in the middle. I regretted it.

It had been two weeks since we all went out together, and Ash was trying to organize another night when we were all free. I had my daughter’s birthday on Friday, so I wasn’t leaving her, and my brother was due back today, and I hoped to see him tomorrow. I prayed he called and didn’t miss Hope’s birthday. I was worried, stressed, and my skin prickled unease.

I couldn’t shake the feeling something wasn’t right. I worried about Hope and Derick. That man had done so much for me. I hadn’t even told my therapist what I told Derick yesterday. I trusted him. I believed he was my soulmate. Crap, what had he done to me? He had me believing in his craziness. Now I just prayed to every god and the fates out there that he didn’t break my heart.

I didn’t want to be here. I was ready to go home. I missed Hope and was grateful it was at least a short day, not just for me, but for Derick too. I was eager to see him. I wanted to continue our exploring. I knew I was ready for more. I wanted to go all the way. I was comfortable with Derick. I knew who I was with and was always present with him. When Derick was close I never thought about how I didn’t like to be touched. I was getting used to more people being close to me. I still wasn’t keen on other men’s touch, just Derick’s and my brother’s.

Archer’s leg brushed mine, and I knew it was an accident, but Dexter kept brushing his leg against mine.

“Please ditch the family thing and come out Saturday?” Ash pleaded.

I wiggled closer to her and away from Dexter. “No. Not only is it Hope’s birthday weekend, but the family dinner is not just for her, it’s so I can meet the extended family. I’m looking forward to it.”

I was, but I was also dreading it. I wanted Derick’s family to like me and worried with who my father was that they might hold a grudge. Hope loved them all though. She’d met a bunch of Silverman family without me and told me all about them whenever she did. I knew she adored Derick’s cousin Andrew, but I hadn’t met him yet, and from what Hope had told me he was a character.

“Nooooo,” Ash moaned.

“What about next Saturday?” Lilly piped in.

“I can swap my shifts for next week better,” Lisa added.

Nodding, I smiled at my friends. “I’ll see if I can get a babysitter, but next Saturday sounds good.”

“If you can’t, we can hang out at my place,” Archer said before he shoved more of his lunch into his mouth.

“Yes, then we can meet Hope.” Courtney’s eyes lit up. She’d been asking to meet Hope for a while. She was taking courses to be a childcare worker and had told me several times that she loved kids and couldn’t wait to meet mine.

All my friends had asked about meeting Hope. I wasn’t keeping her away from them, it was just that with how busy I’d been I wanted to spend as much time as I could with Hope. Especially because lately I’d been sharing her with all the Silverman family.

I’d check with Derick, but I thought next week would be fine. “Okay, next Saturday it is.”

Ash leaned over and hugged me. “Yay. This is going to be awesome. I’m excited.” She squeezed me tighter. “I feel like I only get to spend time with you here.” She kissed my cheek. “Can you go shopping with us on Sunday? Hope can come too. Please.” She continued hugging me like if she let go, I’d say no, or disappear.

“Yeah, come join us,” Dexter said as he leaned in and hugged my back.

I cringed and fell off the seat to the dirt ground, quickly scrambling back up. Crap, I wished I’d worn leggings and not shorts. They weren’t short-shorts but sat mid-thighs. I’d scraped my knees when I got up and my pretty, green blouse now had some dirt on it.

Embarrassed, I looked around to see if everyone had seen me fall. I gasped when I was sure I saw two men with The Devil’s Queens vests on making their way over to me. My breath left me, and I darted my gaze around as I brushed myself off, not caring anymore about the dirt smudging my clothes. I will never be taken by them. I promised myself I would never go back to them. I couldn’t go through what they’d do to me. I would never let myself live that nightmare again.

“Fuck,” I moaned. I couldn’t breathe.

I could never go back to my father. I didn’t want to be anywhere near him or his men. I was dumb, I’d been a rat. I’d dobbed them in, telling the police everything I knew. If they got ahold of me, they wouldn’t just kill me, but torture me. I should have run somewhere my father and his friends would never find me. I should have left the country. I couldn’t go through any of how they treated me again. I didn’t want to. I was free and intended to stay that way.

Gasping for air, I searched for my safe people, sighing in relief as not just two of my bodyguards rushed to me, but I saw Derick dashing toward me too. Had I really seen my father’s men? Maybe I’d just overreacted because of Dexter. I had been so good lately and thought I could sit next to a man and not have my skin crawl or freak out.

Dexter reached out to me as Archer and the others started to gather even closer. Concern was clearly edged on their faces. I cowered away from their touch, but tried to keep some form of control. The problem was the circle around me now was so close that I felt I had no escape. My mind flashed back to times when this happened and nothing good came of it.

I felt tears slide down my cheeks just as Dean and Alex, my bodyguards, pushed everybody back and took control, making an excuse for me. I didn’t care. I was too lost in my panic. Derick came into my line of sight. The closer he got, the better my breathing got under control.

When he was before me, I didn’t care that everyone was watching, and what I thought I saw, I threw myself at him, climbing him like a tree. His laugh had any anxiety over what had just happened vanishing. I kissed him, holding him tight. He was the one. How did he know to be here when I needed him most? He was always so good to me.

He eased back and caressed my cheek. “You okay, precious?”

Taking a deep breath in, I slowly let it out, my gaze never leaving his. “I am n…now that you’re here. S…sorry, I…I ov…overreacted.” Groaning, I slid down him and rested my head on his chest. My stutter was back in full force, and I hated it.

Derick eased away and tilted my head back so I could see him shaking his head. “You don’t have to apologize to me, and never say you’re sorry when you’re uncomfortable. You have overcome so much. You’re free to have a say in whoever touches your body. I don’t want you to ever feel or be in the situation you’ve been in that you didn’t want or like before, ever again. If I could slay all your demons, I would, but until they are dead or gone, I will do everything to help keep them at bay.” He kissed my forehead.

This man, he was beyond anything I could ever have dreamed for. He treated me better than a goddess. He had my heart overflowing. “I love you.” I didn’t stutter as I gazed at Derick.

The beaming smile that spread over his face showed his perfect, white teeth, big warm chocolate brown eyes, and a light that radiated happiness. There was no way anyone could miss the reaction he’d had to my words.

“I love you too.” He leaned down, and in a softer voice that sent a wanton shiver through me, he rumbled, “I’ve told you that every night before I fall asleep since you started sleeping in our bed.” I just knew my face was bright red. My body heated, and I wasn’t even sure if it was from memories of what we did in our bed or embarrassment at what I would have to face when I turned around.

“Ruby, are you okay?” Archer asked.

“Do you need us to call someone for you?” Ash added.

“I can take you home if you like?” Dexter said.

Dexter’s comment had Derick spinning me so my back was to his front, and we faced my friends who now formed a semi-circle around us. Our guards completed the circle. I was sure there’d been more called, as I spotted eight of the Silverman guards. Which was way too excessive, I thought, but after what I thought I just saw, maybe not?

“Derick.” One of his arms circled my waist as he held his other hand out toward my group of friends. “Derick Silverman. I am Ruby’s fiancé, once I can convince her to say yes.”

I rolled my eyes and blew a raspberry at him, “Ha, ha. Oh you.” I shook my head. “Stop joking.”

“Oh, I wasn’t.” He pulled out an engagement ring and then got down on one knee and opened the box. Inside was a beautiful green ruby ring with yellow sapphires surrounding it and diamonds in the band. It was by far a statement as there was going to be no missing it. “I love you, Ruby, more than I could ever voice, but I will try to tell you every day for the rest of our lives.”

I gasped at the man I loved and shouted, “Yes!”

He slid the ring on my finger. He stood and picked me up, then sealed my lips to his. I was living a fairytale. I loved an amazing man who loved me back and wanted to marry me. Ruby Decker, the person that, besides my brother and daughter, no one loved. The girl who’d been beaten and neglected from day one, now had someone who loved her and wanted to marry her. In this moment nothing could bring me down. I felt like I was flying through the sky, the sun spreading its rays of light as I soaked it in. I’d never been this happy.

Derick groaned when clapping started around us. I buried my face in his chest. I wanted to stay in our bubble, so I didn’t resist when he rushed us back to a waiting car where he placed me in, put my seatbelt on, shut the door, and then went around to the other side and got in. He did his seatbelt and then tapped on the middle console, and a moment later, I felt the car move.

“I had a special day planned for today. A huge surprise, but I moved ahead. What do you want to do?” He leaned over and kissed my cheek as the driver left the TAFE grounds.

I couldn’t stop staring at my left hand with the large ring on it. I hadn’t even told my brother about Derick and I. We’d also been holding off his larger family too. I hoped I hadn’t jumped into something too quickly. All I felt right now was happiness. I was going to bask in it.

Derick gently caressed my cheek before his fingers tilted my chin up so I looked at him. My heart skipped a beat, and I didn’t care about anything else. I was being selfish. I loved this man. He gave me so many things that I wanted—no, needed—and more. I felt looked after, safe, secure, and most of all, loved. I prayed for the first time I could remember that it was enough when the other shoe dropped, because I just knew I wasn’t this lucky. I needed to stay positive though, and my luck had changed.

“I’m happy as long as I’m with you.” It was true. I enjoyed the time I spent with Derick. “Hope is in daycare for another couple of hours before she needs to be picked up.”

“Mum and Dad are picking her up and taking her to my aunt’s, and then they’re going to watch a new Disney movie. So they won’t be back until late. They may even have a cousin sleepover.” Derick wiggled his brows at me, and I giggled. He trailed his fingers up and down my arm. I inched as close to him as the seatbelt would let me.

“I know what I want to do.” Gathering some of my newfound courage, I trailed my finger up and down his chest. He had just proposed, so surely, he’d want to make love to me. I’d never had that, and I wanted to experience it. I wanted passion. The good butterflies and feelings of bliss. “I want to make love. I want to go all the way with you today. I love you. I want you. I’m ready.”

I heard the unclick of the seatbelt just before his mouth took mine. I melted against him, eager for more amazing memories.

Derick

I’d been going to surprise Ruby and pick her up from TAFE. I had planned a romantic evening where I was going to propose. To start off, I was taking her to a spa treatment, and the spoiling didn’t stop there. Next, she had her hair appointment booked into Divinity’s salon where she would also get her nails and makeup done. Lastly, she was going to an exclusive clothing boutique to choose whatever gown she wanted to wear out to dinner and dancing.

That plan had gone out the window when I saw her fall to the ground and the terrified look on her face. I had jumped the gun, so to speak, and proposed at TAFE in front of all her friends. I was damn happy she said yes and was a little surprised. Truthfully, I didn’t think she’d say yes, let alone be so open with me in front of her friends. Ruby surprised me and never did what I thought she would do.

Now we sat in the car, and she’d just blown me away by telling me she wanted me to make love to her. Holy fuck. I’d never made love to anybody. I wasn’t a virgin. I was far from the playboy my twin brother had been before he met Jade, but being a Silverman, I could pretty much have any woman. Most of the time, they threw themselves at me. I was fourteen when I lost my virginity to an older woman, but it had been sex, which was all I’d ever had, but I’d been dreaming of making love with Ruby. My dick was rock solid, but I wanted our first time to be for love and not just sex. I wanted her more than my next breath, and I wanted to start it now.

“Can I take you to my place—well, it was the place I lived before I moved in with Mum and Dad—to be close to you?” I asked.

We could easily go back to my parents’ house, it wasn’t far either, but I wanted alone time. I wanted a place of our own just for the two of us. I’d replaced the mattress the day after I’d met Ruby. I loved Hope, but she had been sleeping in our bed the last couple of nights, and I wanted us not to worry about being interrupted. My parents knew what I had planned and were happy to take Hope, but I knew if we went back to the house, Ruby would want to see Hope. I wanted to spend a night alone with just the two of us.

“What! How did I not know you had another place?” She nudged my shoulder.

Shrugging, I kissed her forehead. “It doesn’t matter, because I’d never live anywhere without you.” I cupped her cheeks. “You and Hope are my family. Where you and Hope are is where I will live, so my old place doesn’t matter.” I let my hands drop and rest on her hips. The car had stopped. “I kept it hoping we could use it for some alone time.”

Her eyes grew wide, and her lips turned up into a smirk. “I want alone time with you.”

The door opened, and I stepped out into the apartment garage. Holding my hand out, Ruby took it and looked around as her feet hit the concrete ground. I guided her to the private lift. Two guards entered and then the door closed, but my focus was on Ruby.

I gathered her into my embrace. “You’re so fucking perfect. I love you so damn much.”

I took her mouth to mine as the lift went straight to the top floors. Mouths still fused as our hands roamed, I lifted her and her legs came around my waist. She clung to me like she didn’t want to let me go, and it added to the high I was feeling. My woman said yes to marrying me and was ready for me to claim her in the way I’d been eager to since I’d first seen her. I couldn’t wait to sink into her heat and fill her with my cum. I wanted her to know who she belonged to. I wanted her to feel the crazy need I felt for her.

Grateful for my security, opening what needed to, and having a floor I shared with a cousin and the only ones with access to this lift, I wasn’t worried about anyone else seeing what we were doing.

Going straight to the main bedroom, I was happy that I still had cleaners maintain the apartment. I gently placed Ruby down in the middle of the bed. I stepped back and stared at her as I hovered over her. She was so sexy, with full, kiss-swollen lips, shiny and wet from our make out session. Her chest heaved, her cheeks were flushed, and her eyes were gold, portraying her desire.

“You’re so beautiful. So sexy. I love you so God damn much.” I leaned over and undid her shoes and slipped them off her, throwing them onto the floor.

She wiggled and tried reaching for me, but I had been imagining this for weeks now, and I intended to play out as many fantasies as she’d let me. She lifted her arse, and I curled my fingers into the waistband of her shorts, pulling them down and off onto the floor. Her panties were a black and green lace, and I was eager to see if her bra matched. Her fingers yanked on my shirt, and I helped her pull it off me, and it was flung too.

Leaning down, I kissed my way up her stomach as I undid the buttons on her blouse. I eased back to see the full image of my beautiful woman. She wore a matching lacy bra set, and she looked better than I even imagined. Her breasts were spilling out of the bra, and they looked so much bigger. Ruby’s hair had fallen out of the ponytail she’d had it in and was in a sexy, messy halo around her. Bright gold, lust-filled eyes stared at me, as her full lips parted in an inviting smile. A healthy, pink glow showed on her cheeks. Ruby was gorgeous, with full, round, perky breasts, skin that was silky smooth and right now flushed with her need. There was no evidence that she’d had a child. Her stomach was flat, and there were no stretch marks on it.

I loved touching her. Her skin felt so good, it was so soft. Trailing my fingers over her exposed skin, I committed every inch of her to memory. “You are so beautiful, Ruby. I’m a very lucky man.”

She shook her head, her smile slipping, and then sighed. “I am the lucky one.” She huffed. “I’m also very eager to see all of you and touch.” She eased up on an elbow and reached for me, trying to pull me closer. But I intended to kiss every part of her before I took her mouth to mine again.

Shaking my head, I slid down on the bed. “I’m going to kiss every part of you.”

I took one foot and started kissing from her dainty toes up her calves and thighs, then I repeated this with the other. The higher my kisses got, the more she wiggled and moaned. I was taking my time. We had all day. I wasn’t rushing this.

Ruby

Closing my eyes, I concentrated on the sensations spreading through me, building a need I had only been able to give to myself before I met Derick. His hands left trails of tingling delight, warming me and building a fire within me. He made me feel amazing. I’d never felt sexy before, but Derick had my libido skyrocketing.

All the dreams I’d had since meeting Derick were coming true. So many nights of imagining Derick’s lips on me, his hands on my body… It was nothing like the real thing. Sure, we had been making out a lot, and even given each other oral, but right now, this was on another level. It was better than anything we’d done because I knew he was going to take me fully.

Opening my eyes, I reached for him, eager for a kiss. His deep chuckle had shivers coursing through me and my pussy clenching in anticipation. He didn’t give me what I wanted, and I gave a frustrated grunt and gripped the sheets. His lips tickled as he brushed them over my stomach, pausing at my lace-covered breasts. I was grateful I’d worn the sexy lingerie set. I had heaps now as they seemed to magically appear in my drawer.

Now he was higher up, and my hands rose from gripping the sheets to explore over his well-defined body, and I let out a satisfied grumble at the smooth, hard six-pack. Oh my, how many times I had imagined doing this as he fucked me. I didn’t know—I’d lost count.

Gazing down the length of him as he kissed my exposed skin, I moaned at the sight of the huge bulge in his boxers. It was big. I hadn’t been able to take the whole of him when I’d given him a blow job. How was that going to fit inside me without pain? It had hurt really bad the last time. Those thoughts snapped me out of my passion-filled state.

Looking anywhere but at him, I tried to wiggle away. “Um, maybe I’m not ready for this. I don’t like pain. You’re big.” I scrambled off the bed only to be caught around the waist.

“Precious. I love you.” I shivered as he nipped and kissed my neck. “I promise we were made for each other.” His fingers slipped under the back of the bra and unclipped it. “What are you worried about?” he said between trailing kisses over my body. The heat rose again.

Spinning in his embrace, I laughed when the bra got tangled. I grabbed it, untangled it, and let it fall to the floor. I gazed into his gorgeous face. He was so handsome I couldn’t help myself; my fingers traced his chin and up his high cheekbones. His beard hair was soft and cut short, not scruffy, which was how I liked it. I took everything in and committed it to memory.

On a sigh, I rose up on tiptoes and took his lips to my own. When his huge cock rubbed against me, I pushed at his chest. “You’re really big. I haven’t done this—well, I have, but not since then, and I want to forget that. I’ve never done it willingly. I don’t want to think of the last time. I know I’m safe with you. I’ve only ever been attracted to you. This is going to replace that night, but I don’t remember ever having one… Well, I don’t remember, but you’re big. I have no idea how I used my mouth on you.” I pointed at his massive dick. I was frustrated, rambling, and I didn’t want to bring the mood down, but I never wanted to feel the pain I had last time ever again.

“It will fit without hurting,” he assured me. I felt my cheeks heat, and I groaned as he chuckled and pulled me tighter to him. “Don’t worry, precious. I’ll take care of you. I promise. We’re perfect for each other. We’re going to fit.” He picked me up and moved us back to the bed, kissing me until I was beneath him again on the bottom of the bed.

My mind was lost in him again. The huge, four-poster bed was high and the perfect height with me on the edge for him to stand, lean over, and touch me. I sat up as his mouth devoured mine. Derick’s hand trailed down my body and slid my panties down and off.

Panting, I eased away from his mouth, and when his fingers parted my folds and gently pushed inside, the need built within me. I stroked his back as I arched into his touch, trusting him. I loved him and knew he would prepare me. I was always so wet for him. I could do this. It was going to be amazing.

His two fingers started to move faster in and out of my pussy. Derick’s other hand rubbed my clit. His fingers turned my body into an inferno of need as the pressure in me was built and I craved the need to explode. I reached for the sensations needed, pushing myself up on him, barely able to stand it anymore.

“Derick. Oh, please. Make me... Please, I need you.”

He made a growling noise, which I loved, and it sent a delicious shiver coursing through me. He leaned down to suck a nipple into his mouth, drawing it out as he sucked it deeply before switching to do the same to the other.

I screamed as he gave me just what I needed. Tingles ran through my body as it exploded. I trembled in eagerness for more. His body eased away from me for a moment, and I struggled to not plop back on the bed. I was ready for more though, even in my blissed state.

Derick stepped further back and shoved his boxers down and kicked them off. Now he was naked, and I stared, transfixed, at his magnificent body. There wasn’t even an inch of fat on him. He was toned, tall, and built like a statue, except his man parts were a lot bigger. His muscles flexed as he brought his fingers, coated with my release, to his mouth and sucked on my essences. His groaning and heated gaze as he stared at me had the fire within coming alive again.

“Precious, you taste fucking amazing. I wanted to dive in and savor every delicious part of you. Please let me have you. I promise the next time we’ll go slow.”

He stalked to my legs and gently lifted me up so I was fully on the bed. I wiggled up to the pillows, my eyes focused on him as he crawled up until he hovered over me. His mouth claimed mine. His lips were gentle at first, slowly building to a faster and harder rhythm as his hand caressed my breasts.

When the tip of his cock rubbed my pussy lips, I let out a moan of pure need. I wanted this. Derick loved me. I wanted to experience him inside me. I could do this. I wanted to watch him as he came while we were joined. Everything he’d done always felt amazing. His dick was now settled just inside my pussy. He rocked his hips. It pushed him a little more in. It felt so good. Like a prickling energy that sparked when he moved. No pain at all.

“So tight,” he moaned.

I squirmed as he thrust farther in. Taking a deep breath as he came almost all the way out before he dived back in. I cried out as pleasure flowed through me. This felt so damn good. Clinging to him, I gazed into his warm, brown eyes as he stared down at me. He was buried deep and holding still. I kept clenching around him, and it sent delicious tingles through me.

He twitched his jaw like he was gritting his teeth and closed his eyes. My pussy clenched around his cock in a vise-like grip, basking in a newfound power I had with my man. His eyes snapped open. Derick took my mouth in a kiss that showed me how much he desired me. I panted for breath when his lips left mine, and I clawed at him, eager for more.

“Sorry. Was I a little too rough?” he asked. “You drive me crazy. You’re so sexy and all mine. I’ve been holding back for so long, I just want to devour you. I want to make this special, but right now I’m fighting with myself not to let go and rut you like the animal I feel like you’ve turned me into.”

His words didn’t cool my aching need, it only heightened it. I was all too happy to let him do what he wanted. I reached for him, cupping his face. “You have nothing to be sorry about. You weren’t rough. I’m happy with you. This feels amazing. I love the look on your face. Nothing you’ve said has me wanting to stop.” I closed my eyes and wiggled my hips, feeling his cock. “I want to do everything with you. I want you to let go.”

“Fuck, Ruby, you’re perfect.” He slid out only to propel himself back in.

I tilted my head up, grabbed him, and took his lips to my own as I slowly glided my legs up until they were wrapped around him.

His eyes closed again. “I have never seen a sexier sight. I’m so fucking turned on right now and trying hard not to come like an untried kid.” His eyes opened on a groan. “I can’t watch you without feeling like I’m going to blow my load.” He sighed and rolled so I straddled him. I gasped, and his dick moved with the new position, and blissful waves flowed through me.

“Derick. I like this new position.” I rested my hands on his chest to balance and leaned forward. “You feel deeper this way.”

“Precious, I’m not going to last long this first time.” His hands rested on my waist. “I can’t wait to fill you with cum. By the end of today, you’re never going to forget who you belong to or ever doubt it. I’m going to be dripping out of you for days.”

His dirty talk had my passion skyrocketing. I’d never been so turned on, and I was on a high and knew when I crashed it was going to be mind-blowing.

He raised me up, and my core clenched tight, not wanting to let him go. I enjoyed every stroke as I rose up and glided back down. His hands slid lower, going to my arse, and squeezed. His hips were now rising as I rode him.

“Fuck Ruby, you look like a goddess in the throes of passion. You’re mine. This cunt belongs to me. I’m going to fill you up until you never doubt who you belong to. I can’t wait to see you round with another child and your tits filled with milk. I’ll fuck you while I suck on them. You want that, don’t you, precious?” He sat up and took a nipple into his mouth and sucked as his other hand squeezed my other breast.

“Derick. Yes. Oh, anything. Yes.” His words were hot, and as his mouth took in my breast, I imagined what he’d said. I screamed and arched into him as I shattered into a million pieces.

His thrusts got more intense, faster and harder. I was lost in a euphoric state. He cupped my breasts, tweaking my nipples as he rode me hard. “You’re so perfect, do you know that?” He stroked my cheek. “I’m never giving you up now that I’ve got you. I shouldn’t have waited so long. You’re mine. This pussy is mine.” He grunted. “You’re all mine.”

Without letting me answer, he dived for my mouth and pistoned harder into me. All I could do was let him bounce me on his dick as my orgasm kept on the blissful high. He sat up, and our sweat-covered bodies slid against one another as he tilted me back. I was going to come again, and I wasn’t even over the orgasm I’d had only minutes before. I pushed at his chest and almost screamed into his mouth as my core quivered and tightened around him, and a rapture like nothing I’d ever felt washed over me.

Derick drove into me with one final thrust, holding himself still as he came on a roar. “Ruby.”

My pussy pulsed as aftershocks spread through me. I was in heaven. Who knew sex could be so amazing? I wondered if it felt this amazing for everybody else. After what I’d just experienced, I understood a little better why sex was so important to so many people.

Derick rolled us onto our side, his cock still semi-hard inside me. “I meant what I said, Ruby. I love you. You’re mine.”

I loved it when he talked like that. I had never been wanted, but Derick made sure I knew how much he wanted me and that I was loved. I kissed his chest, not caring that we were covered in sweat. “Thanks for that. I love you. That was perfect.”

Derick squeezed me against him. “I’m so damn lucky.” I closed my eyes, content. “Absolutely perfect,” he whispered, and I decided that a little doze might do me good before we saw if we could have more fun.

I heard the ringing and blindly reached for my mobile. I’d never had so little sleep. We’d gone home, and as soon as Hope was in bed, Derick’s lips claimed mine and I succumbed to what I knew would be a sensual night. I had no idea what time it was when I answered the phone.

“Ruby rare, it’s me. I’ll be back in town by tomorrow morning. Let’s meet at noon at the McDonald’s around the corner from the house you’re at.”

“Er, um, Toby?” Scrubbing my hand over my face, I pull the phone back to see it flashed Toby . It was close to midnight. Why on earth was he calling so late?

“Yeah, can’t talk, just stopped to fill up the tank. Sorry it’s late. I want to get back on time. Remember tomorrow I’ll meet you at noon at the Macca’s around the corner. Bye.”

He hung up before I could say anything more. Hope was an early riser and it sounded like it would be a busy day tomorrow. Tired, I rolled over, smiled, and snuggled against Derick’s naked chest. His arm came around me, holding me tight.

“Everything okay, precious?” he grumbled sleepily.

“Yeah. That was Toby. I’m meeting him at the McDonald’s near the recovery safe house at noon tomorrow.”

His fingers trailed up and down my back. “I’ll tell Brand when I get up. What time are we going?”

“Mmm, I want to see my brother, just me and Hope first, alone. I haven’t told him about moving in with you and your family. I haven’t told him about us. I want to talk with him first before I throw you in his face.”

He wiggled to a more upright position. “Ruby, you’re not going to throw me in his face. You’re my woman. We’re a team now. I support you in what you want to do. I want to be there for you, but I understand you need some time alone with your brother. I love you and will do what you need.”

My whole body heated, my heartbeat picked up, and I fell even more in love with Derick. I had never had someone treat me like he did. I hadn’t been loved and supported ever, so I was grateful for the man who held me against him.

“Thank you. I love you.” I kissed his chest. His hard muscles under my lips felt amazing, and I was tempted to continue kissing my way down his sculpted body. He moved back down into the bed, holding me tight. If I didn’t need sleep for the big days I knew were coming, I would do what I wanted to do and make love with Derick, showing him just how much I appreciate him. “Night.”

“Night, precious.”

I gave Derick’s chest another kiss and then closed my eyes. Safe, and even though I was nervous about seeing my brother, happy.