Chapter 16
CHAPTER 16
Leo closely watched Ruth as she tried to get Santos to talk to her. A short conversation, and yet enough time for Maria to plop herself in Ruth’s vacated seat.
“Evening,” she stated with a full-lipped smile.
“Hey.”
“How did you enjoy your meal?”
“Delicious. Thanks for recommending we try it.” The banal conversation roused his wariness.
She leaned forward, the neckline of her blouse gaping enough for him to see she wore no bra. “I was wondering if you still needed a guide? I’m not doing anything tomorrow if you’d like to see the sights.”
Leo didn’t immediately reply because he found himself fascinated by the tight expression on Ruth’s face as she returned to the table.
Could it be jealousy? The sparks in her eyes certainly indicated it.
Hot damn. That was a first, as Kylie never seemed to care if a woman paid him attention, but no denying his Buttercup wasn’t happy.
Meanwhile, she had nothing to worry about. Ruth was the one who consumed his thoughts—and inflated his cock. He stood, and before Ruth could say anything—and without warning either—he said, “Maria, I’d like you to meet my wife, Ruth.”
At the mention of wife, Ruth stumbled but didn’t fall since Leo caught her and tucked her close.
“I see your wife has recovered from her mishap,” Maria stated coolly, having leaned back in her seat.
“It was a close thing. First a spider tried to attack then a snake in the outhouse. Luckily, I saved her from both, and she’s doing better now that she’s put some food in her belly.” With ease, he managed to let Ruth know about the lie he’d told earlier to explain her unconscious state.
Ruth slid an arm around Leo’s waist and melted into him. “You must be Maria. Leo mentioned you’re a guide for these parts.”
“Not anymore. I’m actually here visiting my mother. But given Santos no longer offers tours, and your husband seemed interested in exploring, I offered my services.”
“How kind of you.” Ruth sounded sweet, but Leo caught the subtle undertone. “Apparently, your mother knew my father, Dr. Octavius Warmstone.”
“She did. Quite well, actually. He spent many late evenings in our house.” The feral smile, along with the insinuation, had Leo stiffening.
To his surprise, Ruth didn’t tense. On the contrary, amusement tinged her next words. “Funny, I don’t recall him mentioning anyone other than a witch in his journal.”
Maria put forth a fake smile and laughed. “I’m sure he didn’t want to reveal much, seeing as how he was married at the time.”
Ruth shifted slightly against Leo but remained pleasant. “Not happily, so I’m glad to know he found pleasure where he could. Although I am surprised.”
“By what?” Maria asked warily.
“Well, you’d think he’d have used his paramour as a guide, after all, more time alone, and yet he chose Santos over her. Guess she was only good for one thing.”
“The wrong choice, apparently, or he would have emerged from the jungle,” spat Maria.
Whoa. The conversation had turned ugly, and Leo prepared to step in when Ruth laughed.
“Perhaps he would have, but at the same time, your mother obviously didn’t know how to guide him to what he sought, which means, while it’s lovely you offered your services, we’ll have to pass.”
“Then I guess you’re not going to be exploring, since Santos won’t take you.”
“Even though Santos has refused, I wouldn’t hire you. I’d rather be lost in the woods than put my trust in someone of your character.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means, despite knowing Leo was married, you thought it appropriate to not only approach him but very obviously put your feminine wiles on display. You should value yourself more. A man who would cheat on his wife because you have nice breasts isn’t a man worth having,” Ruth stated with a shake of her head.
Leo couldn’t have punched harder if he’d tried. Ruth’s words struck, and Maria visibly flinched before her expression hardened.
“You’re just as rude as your father.”
“Wait, are you saying he turned down your mother? I can see why. He never was one for cheap reproductions.” Ruth deliberately let her gaze drop to Maria’s chest, and that was the final straw.
The woman stomped off, and Ruth sighed. “That was terrible of me.”
“I would have said entertaining. Jealous much?”
She stiffened. “I am not jealous.”
“It’s okay. As my wife, you had every right to put that tart in her place.”
She craned to give Leo a side-eye. “Wife?”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “I thought it would help to avoid unwanted attention.”
“It failed. That hussy flirted with you right in front of me.”
“I was talking more about the single men. And I agree it failed because they can’t keep their eyes off you.”
She arched a brow. “Get your eyes checked. There’s no one watching me.”
Could she be so oblivious? Did she not see them sipping their beers, their gazes watching her every move.
“You’re cute when you’re jealous,” he stated instead.
Her mouth rounded.
Before she could bluster, he dropped a kiss on her lips. “I think it’s time for bed, wife.”
She blushed, and he loved it.
Loved.
There was a word he never thought to think or feel again. However, a few days with Ruth and he was realizing life had so much to offer.
He kept his arm around her as he walked her back to their hut. Once inside, she cleared her throat. “I should wash up before bed.”
“I’ll go with you. Just in case.”
He could tell she wanted to argue but instead nodded. He followed her into the outhouse and kept an eye as she soaked a washcloth from their bag and wiped it over her face and arms. When she hesitated, he murmured, “You should probably take advantage of the bathing opportunity, as we might not get another for a while.”
She bit her lower lip. “I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because you’re standing right there.”
“I am, and I’m not going anywhere.” He tilted her chin and plucked the cloth from her hand. “Take off your shirt and let’s finish washing that luscious body of yours.”
She stared at him before grabbing the hem of her top and lifting.
Not arguing.
Not hiding.
She stood there in her bra, shivering slightly as he dragged the cloth over her shoulders, and down between the valley of her breasts. Her breath sucked in as he dragged it over her belly.
“Turn around,” he murmured.
She whirled, and he laved the smooth skin of her back with the cloth. Her pulse quickened with desire. When she turned to face him, he could see her nipples puckered with arousal.
Her head tilted back as his head came down. Their mouths met in sensuous embrace that made him dizzy but not stupid. He wasn’t about to make love to Ruth in a primitive bathroom.
He wrapped an arm around her waist and walked them back inside. The sleeping bag remained spread on the bed, and he lay her upon it. He took only a second to strip his shirt before he joined her, meshing their lips, combining their breath, rubbing his skin against hers.
Her breasts remained bound in a sports bra, but his deft fingers—while out of practice—made quick work of the clasp.
She gasped as he pulled a taut peak into his mouth and sucked. She grabbed at his hair as he played with the nipple, swirling his tongue around it, tugging it with his teeth. The breasts he fondled more than filled his palm. Full, rounded, perfect. Her nipples large and dark and puckered for his touch. When he stroked the calloused pad of his thumb over the tip, she shuddered.
He lay between her legs as he played, the heat of her sex radiating even through her pants. A treasure he wanted to devour but only once he’d had his fill of her taut buds. As he sucked and tugged the nipples with his mouth, she clutched at his head, moaning and squirming. So responsive to his touch.
If this weren’t their first time, he would have been tempted to push her full tits together and form a tight crevice. The thought of tapping the head of his cock against her lips as he slid back and forth in the valley of her breasts had him throbbing hard.
Maybe next time.
Because there would be a next time.
He wished he had the patience to truly take his time, but it had been so long, and she writhed and mewled with need.
It took only a moment to divest her of the rest of her clothing. The pants sliding down curved hips and rounded thighs. Her undies quickly followed. As she lay there flushed with pleasure, watching him through heavy-lidded eyes, he stripped, too, and stood there in his naked glory.
His cock jerked as she licked her lips.
It was like she tried to kill him. He quickly fumbled a condom on, having found one in his pack—thank you, Tower.
Given he worried he’d come to fast, he didn’t immediately fuck her. He knelt between her legs and began lapping his dessert. The sweetness of her honey had him humming in pleasure. The way she writhed and clutched at the sleeping bag only had him lapping faster.
She whimpered when he sucked at her clit. Bucked when he grabbed it lightly with his teeth. Came when he kept licking and thrust some fingers into her sex.
The waves of her climax squeezed his digits, and he kept playing with her until she gasped, “Oh god. I’m going to come again.”
That was his cue. He poised himself over her body, the tip of his cock spreading her damp nether lips. He teased her first, wetting the head with her honey, dragging it back and forth against her slit.
The most pleasurable kind of torture.
Slowly, he guided his shaft into the warm channel, feeling it squeeze, even as it stretched to accommodate his girth.
When he was fully seated, he paused to enjoy the pulse of her pussy, the heat of her.
Her hips wiggled, impatient. He obeyed, thrusting deeper and withdrawing halfway, only to slam in again.
As he pumped into her, he cupped a breast and stroked his thumb over the tip, watching her face. Her eyes closed. Her lips parted. Her breathing ragged.
Their bodies rocked in time, locked in an erotic dance that threatened to push him over the edge.
He had to hold off, just a little bit longer. Their rocking and grinding quickened.
Tightened.
With a sharp cry, she came, her muscles spasming around his cock, and he couldn’t hold off any longer. He orgasmed with her.
Nothing had ever felt this good or right.
It terrified.
What if?—
She cupped his face and kissed him, murmuring, “It’s okay. I’m not going anywhere.”
She couldn’t promise that. But it was too late to regret. Despite his fear he might lose her, Leo couldn’t walk away.
She’s mine.
And he’d fight the moon and stars themselves if anyone tried to take her.
“What are you thinking?” she asked.
“I’m thinking we should take advantage of this bed while we have it,” he growled as he rolled them so she sat on top.
His cock hardened, and her eyes widened.
“Already?”
His lips quirked. “Did I forget to mention Zodiacs have incredible stamina?”
He showed her, making love to her more slowly, taking his time exploring every inch of her body. Making her come so hard he thought she’d passed out.
Eventually they fell asleep, spooned together for a night with no dreams, or nightmares. Might have even slumbered until dawn if not for the rap at the door.
The sound saw him immediately rolling from the bed, gun in hand.
He tiptoed to the door and opened it a crack to see Santos standing outside looking twitchy.
“What is it?” he whispered, a little more harshly than the man deserved. In his defense, Leo knew he wouldn’t be able to return to the lovely and naked Ruth in bed.
“Leave. Now. Bad coming.”
He frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Strangers come. Have guns.”
The claim raised his brows. “Where are they?”
“By water. Maria talk them.” Santos managed to convey a sinister plot in those few words.
Leo cursed as he whirled and barked, “Buttercup, we gotta go.”
“What?” She roused and partially lifted herself. In the faint moonlight, with her tousled hair and naked upper body, she looked positively perfect.
And in danger.
“Looks like Maria sold us out. Santos says there’s some dudes with guns down by the stream. While I hate making assumptions?—”
“There’s a good chance they’re here for us.” Ruth went from half asleep to alert and rose from the bed in all her curvy glory.
His cock hardened, ready and willing, but there was no time.
They quickly dressed and exited the hut to a beckoning Santos, who adopted a rapid pace as he led them out of the village into the jungle.
By the time they heard distant shouts, they were long gone.