Chapter 22
Baddies & Daddies
? Power over me - Dermot Kennedy
Liam
When we arrive back at Ruby’s penthouse, she turns on the television and settles into the couch with her head in my lap.
Every news channel and gossip site has been reporting the outcome of the lawsuit with clips of Abby and Adam facing off with reporters on the courthouse steps.
Unbeknownst to the media, Ruby and I were quietly slipping out the back door while they were providing a distraction.
I absently run my fingers through her hair as we watch the coverage.
“How is Ruby feeling about the verdict and the three million dollar payout?” one reporter asks.
Adam looks at Abby, and she gives him a subtle nod of approval.
“She’s happy to have closure. Ruby was never in it for the money.
Every penny of the settlement is being donated to various charities throughout the country, focusing on equality and women’s rights.
C&L Entertainment is finally being held accountable for their mistreatment of women in the music industry, and we will be watching to ensure that they do better in the future.
Now, if you’ll excuse us, we have somewhere to be. ”
Adam grabs Abby’s hand and tugs her down the stairs after him. The reporters are still shouting out questions, but they ignore them and slide into a waiting SUV.
My brow furrows. “Are they—”
“Yeah, I’m pretty sure they’ve been together for a while,” Ruby says. “I haven’t called them out on it, but it seems pretty obvious.”
“Still wanna get those nipple piercings?” I ask.
“As much as I love the idea, I’m exhausted.” As if on cue, she lets out a slow yawn. “Maybe a celebratory nap instead.”
I switch off the TV and shift my body down the length of the sofa, adjusting her so she’s halfway on top of me with her palm flat against my chest, resting gently over the heart that already belongs to her.
She takes a deep breath in and releases a contented sigh. “Thanks for coming with me,” she murmurs.
I glance down at her pillowy soft lips, those long lashes fanned out across her sun freckled cheeks, and the slight upward curve of her nose, marveling at how goddamn lucky I am to call her mine.
There’s a lightness to her that wasn’t there when she first arrived in Oak Ridge, and I hope like hell I had something to do with it.
“You know I’d go anywhere with you.”
“Well, you’re gonna have to follow me into my dreams because I’m sleepy.”
Brushing my fingers up and down her arm in a soothing motion, I whisper, “Sleep, Goldie. I’ll find you there, too.”
I watch her drift off, her soft snores echoing off the ceiling of the quiet penthouse apartment.
“Ruby?” I murmur. “You awake?”
When she doesn’t so much as twitch, I let my quiet confessions drift out.
“I don’t know what I did in this life to deserve you. I run headlong into danger in the name of playing the hero, but the most terrifying thing I’ve ever done is let myself fall for you.”
I glide my knuckle over her jaw, but she doesn’t stir. “I’ll go to the ends of the earth for you, baby. I’ll even take your last name if you let me. I—”
My phone vibrates in my pocket, stealing the last words from my tongue. It’s the group chat with all of my best friends and their partners.
Miles has renamed the group chat: Oak Ridge Baddies and Daddies
Mags: Really, Miles? I told you I wouldn’t call you that.
Miles: I have a child!
Mags: Max is a dog.
Paige: Personally, I’m a fan.
Mags: You would be. ??
I type out a reply, careful not to jostle Ruby in the process.
Liam: I’m with your wife on this one, Barlow. Only ? of us are actually daddies.
Miles: Daddy is a state of mind.
Mags: So is delusion.
Suppressing my laughter so I don’t wake my girl, I swipe out of the group chat and open the camera app.
Resting my cheek on her head, I hold up my hand and snap a photo.
Only my beard is visible in the shot, with Ruby taking up the rest of the frame.
I set it as my lock screen and silence my notifications, placing the phone face down on the coffee table.
When sleep finally takes me, I find Ruby waiting for me on the tailgate with the stars overhead and a soft melody drifting on the breeze.
“Knew I’d find you here,” I murmur.
I wake to the soft sound of an acoustic guitar coming from somewhere above me.
I follow the music up the modern staircase, past a wall full of gold and platinum records, which leads to an expansive music room.
Ruby’s sitting beneath a huge disco ball on a pink leopard print rug in that goddamn T-shirt she wore on tour.
There’s a white baby grand in the corner, and a lineup of guitars hanging on the wall.
“Nice shirt.”
At the sound of my voice, her head snaps up. She smiles. “You jealous?”
“If it belonged to another man, I might be. But that’s my shirt.”
She smirks. “Is it?”
“Mhm.”
“Do you want it back?” Her voice comes out like a tease and a challenge at the same time.
I perch myself on the edge of the pink tufted sofa, elbows to knees. “Gonna give me a show, baby?”
She places her guitar in the case and stands. “Only good boys get rewarded.” She strips off the shirt to reveal a barely there lace bra, the color of her creamy skin. “Have you been a good boy, Mr. Murphy?”
Nobody’s ever called me a good boy before, and fuck if it doesn’t have my dick standing at attention.
She steps between my spread thighs, places her palm flat against my chest, and shoves me back against the cushions. Ever so slowly, she pops the button on her jean shorts and drags them down her thick thighs, giving me a glimpse of her matching thong.
“Look at you. So goddamn beautiful.”
My fingers itch to touch her all over. I slide one hand around her hip and tug her closer, but she pulls away. “No touching.”
“Fuck, baby. Let me feel you.”
“Are you being defiant?” she asks, her tone commanding.
“No ma’am,” I reply with a smirk. I don’t know where the hell this side of Ruby came from, but I’m all in. “What game are we playing, Goldie?”
She bites her bottom lip, and there's a glint of amusement in her eyes. “You can watch, and if you’re a very good boy, maybe I’ll let you have a taste. Can you do that?”
“Fuck yes.”
She reaches behind her back and unhooks her bra, letting her perfect tits fall against her belly. Pushing them together, she flicks her nipples, and the sight alone makes my cock grow impossibly hard beneath my sweatpants.
I’ve never been submissive in my goddamn life, but I’d get down on my knees and crawl for this woman. Throwing caution to the wind, I ask, “Can I touch myself?”
“I’ll allow it. But you can’t come.”
“You turning the tables on me?”
She doesn't respond, eyes locked on where my hand is sliding beneath my waistband. “Show me,” she says. “Let me see how hard you are for me.”
I tug them down, and my cock slaps against my stomach, hard as stone.
“Good boy.” She slides one hand down her soft stomach until she reaches the apex of her thighs. Her hand disappears under her panties, fingers stroking in slow circles.
I fist my cock and mimic her pace, gliding up and down my shaft. “Does that feel good?” I ask.
She moans and slides her hand lower.
“Show me. Please.”
Her gaze heats when I add the quiet plea. She makes a show of removing her panties with her back turned, giving me a stunning view of her round, dimpled ass. When she glances over her shoulder with a grin, I nearly come right then and there.
“Are you trying to kill me?”
She giggles and steps between my spread thighs, bending so her lips are barely a breath away from mine. “What’s wrong? Can’t handle a little show and tell?”
I close my eyes and groan. Her teasing words are like red-hot fire licking at my skin. She’s a goddamn wildfire, beautiful and untamed.
She tosses a pillow at the end of the couch and positions herself on her back, legs spread wide and pussy glistening with arousal.
She starts to pleasure herself again, only this time I can see everything she’s doing in glorious detail from the tips of her pink glitter fingernails to the jewel that spears through her clit.
Her lips part on a moan, and I stroke myself faster, getting off on the sight of her taking control of her pleasure. She slips two fingers inside and continues to circle her clit with the other hand, her back arching as she plunges deep into her core.
“God. I’m so close.” Her voice is breathy and seductive as she adds a third finger, her swollen pussy stretching to accommodate it.
“Me too.” I grit out the words, attempting to keep a tight hold on whatever remains of my self-control
“Don’t you dare fucking come, Liam. Oh fuck.”
She lets out a high-pitched sound. Her legs tremble, and her body bows off the couch as she screams out her release.
I grip the base of my shaft tightly to stop myself from coming, and nearly lose the battle, every muscle in my body seizing as I try to control my impending orgasm.
Her breathing slows, and she sits up, eyes heavily lidded.
She bites down on her bottom lip and stares at where I’m barely holding on. “Were you a good boy for me?”
Swallowing thickly, I nod, unable to speak.
“Do you think you deserve a reward?” she asks, voice breathy and still somehow commanding.
“Yes.”
“Yes, what?”
My nostrils flare, and I shove down the urge to turn the tables on her and have her at my mercy.
I have no doubt that this is Ruby’s way of asserting some sense of control in her life after years of bowing to everyone else.
I can give her that. I can be the tool that lets her explore this other side of her.
I change my position so I’m on my back across the sofa. “Please, baby. Sit on my face. I’ve been such a good boy for you.”
A small smile tugs at the corners of her mouth. She positions herself between my legs and sucks the tip of my cock between her pretty pink lips, lapping up my pre-cum with an exaggerated moan.
She starts to crawl over me, then stops. “Liam…” she mutters hesitantly.
“What’s wrong?”
Something like insecurity crosses her features. She looks away. “Tell me if I hurt you, and I’ll stop.”
“Look at me,” I command. Without an ounce of hesitation, she looks into my eyes, and her expression softens. “Don’t you fucking dare lose that spark now. I would rather die than stop.”
“Too soon,” she says.
“Shit, sorry.” We both laugh. When we lock eyes, the moment turns heated once again. I slide my body further down, giving her more room to settle herself above me. “Sit on my fucking face, Ruby. Drown me in that perfect cunt.”
“Say please.”
“Please,” I groan.
She swings one leg over me, straddling my head.
When I think she’s going to hesitate again, she surprises me and sits her ass down in the perfect spot for me to devour her whole.
Her entire body shivers at the first swipe of my tongue over her sensitive clit.
She tastes like my favorite fucking dessert.
I moan against her core and lap at her like a man starved. After a few more rough strokes, she takes over, rocking back and forth over my beard as my tongue slides through her soaked center from ass to clit. Her piercing clicks against my teeth before I suck—hard.
One of her hands slides through my hair, and she tugs, guiding me where she wants me. Her thighs tremble beneath my palms as I hold her against my mouth, quickly bringing her to the brink of a second orgasm. “Touch yourself,” she says firmly. “I want you to come with me.”
I snake one hand down to grip my already weeping cock, and stroke in time with her movements. I’m already so close to the edge, all it takes is three breathy words for me to spill all over my stomach.
“Come for me,” she says.
She shatters just as my own orgasm crashes over me. Holding onto the back of the couch for dear life, her movements cease, and she takes a few labored breaths. She’s still unsteady when she flops down beside me. Her head lolls to the side, eyes glassy, and a contented smile on her face.
“Holy shit,” she breathes.
“Yeah. You can say that again.”
“Holy shit.”