Chapter 29
Ruby
His mouth is on mine again before I can think, not gentle this time, not testing.
Hungry.
Certain.
His hands bracket my hips, fingers sliding under the hem of my blouse, warm against my skin. My breath catches hard. I grip his shoulders like I’m afraid I’ll fall even though I’m already sitting on the desk.
“Jaxon..."
He kisses me deeper, swallowing my voice with a low sound that makes my thighs tighten around him on instinct.
His thumbs stroke the skin at my waist, slow and deliberate, like he’s mapping out places he wants to touch next.
My whole body shivers.
He pulls back only enough to look at me, my lips, my face, the way my chest rises too fast.
“Tell me to stop,” he murmurs, voice deep and warm. “Right now. Last chance.”
I swallow hard.
“I don’t want you to stop.”
His breath slips out in a controlled rush, like he’s holding back everything all at once.
“Then let me touch you,” he whispers.
I nod.
His hands slide up my waist, under the fabric of my blouse, fingertips tracing the curve of my ribs. Heat ripples through me, tightening low in my belly.
He kisses me again, slow at first then harder, deeper, his hands moving higher, teasing the side of my breast without fully touching.
I gasp into his mouth.
He swallows the sound.
His lips trail down my jaw, then along my throat, warm, open-mouthed kisses that make my head fall back.
“You make the sweetest sounds,” he murmurs against my neck.
“Oh god,” I breathe.
He smiles against my skin. “Don’t hide them.”
I grip the back of his neck, pulling him closer, my thighs tightening around him.
His hands finally cup my breasts through the lace, a soft squeeze, his thumbs circling slowly, teasing.
A broken sound escapes me.
His voice drops lower, rougher:
“That’s it. Let me hear you.”
He lifts my blouse higher, eyes flicking to mine for permission, I nod before he even asks.
He pushes the fabric up, revealing lace and skin. His hands slide over me, slow, reverent, hungry, and then his mouth follows.
He kisses the top of my breast.
Then lower.
Then gently, teasingly, he drags his tongue along the lace.
My back arches hard.
“Please,” I whisper.
He looks up at me with a slow, devastating smile.
“I love when you plead.”
My whole body trembles.
He kisses a path up my chest, reclaiming my mouth with another deep, hungry kiss while his hands explore every inch of bare skin he’s exposed.
Heat builds between my thighs, pulsing, aching, needy.
I’m shaking.
Completely undone.
I whisper against his mouth, “I need..."
His hands grip my waist firmly, pinning me to the desk.
“I know what you need,” he murmurs. “And I’m going to give it to you.”
My breath catches.
“Lie back,” he whispers.
I shiver. But I do.
His hands slide to the inside of my thighs, opening, positioning, control without force.
And then, the way he looks at me… God. I forget how to breathe.
“Beautiful,” he says softly. “So damn beautiful.”
His palms glide higher, fingertips teasing the edge of my panties, and I make a sound I’ve never made before.
“Jaxon…”
“Yes.”
“Please..."
“I’ve got you.”
He leans in. His mouth finds my throat again. His hands slide under the lace.
The first touch is soft… but the second is not.
JAXON
She falls apart so beautifully.
Her thighs tense under my hands, her breath breaking in quick, soft sounds that shoot straight through me. Every time she says my name, every whisper, every gasp, I feel her sinking deeper, giving more.
I’ve wanted this. More than I should. More than I planned. More than I ever admit.
But now that I have her? There’s no restraint left.
Her legs tremble as I stroke her slowly at first, testing, watching her reaction, the way her mouth falls open, the way her hips lift into my hand.
Good.
I lower my mouth to her collarbone. She arches. Perfect.
“Look at me,” I whisper against her skin.
Her eyes meet mine, shy, flushed, wrecked.
Beautiful.
I slide my fingers over her again, firmer this time.
She cries out softly.
“That’s it,” I murmur. “Let me hear you.”
Her breath stutters. Her hips move. Her fingers tangle in my hair and pull me closer.
I groan into her neck.
She feels everything. So intensely. So honestly.
I kiss her again, rougher, deeper, while my hand works her slowly, building heat, building tension, building the moment she’s about to fall apart in my hands.
Her breath breaks in a gasp.
“Jaxon, I..."
“I know,” I whisper. “Let go for me.”
Her thighs tighten.
Her whole body shudders.
And then she breaks.
Softly. Powerfully. Completely.
I hold her through it, steady, controlled, kissing her slow as she trembles.
Her breath falls against my mouth. Her fingers clutch my shoulders. Her body melts into mine.
When she finally collapses softly against my chest, I stroke her hair, calming her, bringing her back.
“That’s it,” I whisper. “I’ve got you.”
And god help me, I never want to let go.
RUBY
I can’t move.
I can’t speak.
I can barely even think.
He’s holding me, my head against his shoulder, his lips brushing my hair, his hand warm on my waist.
I’m floating. Shaking. Trying to remember how breathing works.
He kisses the side of my head softly.
“Ruby,” he murmurs, “look at me.”
I lift my eyes.
He cups my face with the gentlest touch I’ve felt in my life.
“You’re mine,” he whispers.
And I don’t argue.
I don’t panic.
I don’t run.
I whisper back, voice barely there:
“I know.”
His eyes darken with something deep, want, yes but something else something dangerous something real something that scares me and pulls me closer at the same time.
He smiles slowly.
Then he kisses me again, softly this time, sweetly, his thumb stroking my cheek.
“Good,” he whispers. “Because I’m not done with you.”
My whole body shivers.
Neither am I.