Chapter 5
CHAPTER FIVE
Ruby
We spent the night talking and laughing between rounds of sex. We might’ve eaten a few too many bakery treats as well, but no one needed to know. It was our little secret. I was confident we burned most of it off, anyway.
When I woke up the following morning, Austin’s large, warm frame was wrapped around me. I didn’t want to move, but I needed to pee. I also saw the clock on the nightstand was flashing. Our power had come back.
Good. I needed to start on those muffins.
I had no idea what time it was, and I hoped I didn’t sleep half the morning away. But first, I needed coffee.
Lots and lots of coffee. Not only were the muffins on my to-do list, but the every day stock and orders.
I slid out from under Austin as quietly as I could and tiptoed to the bathroom. But how quiet I was didn’t matter when a sixty-pound Labrador heard your every move.
Kane was up the second my feet hit the floor, and he followed me to the bathroom and then the kitchen. He probably needed to go, but one look out the window told me it was nasty out there. It was still drizzling, and the mud was worse than last night.
Ugh. Looks like it’ll be a slow day.
Oh well, gave me plenty of time to make more muffins.
As I made a pot of coffee, I looked at Kane who sat by the back door. When I turned away to pull out a couple of mugs, he barked. I laughed.
“I know you need to go out, boy, but where is your leash? I don’t know if you’ll run off, and I don’t want your father being mad at me.”
Kane whimpered. Man, this dog was good.
“I could never be mad at you.” Austin’s deep voice floated my way as he entered the kitchen. Kane was already at his feet, running in circles and wagging his tail. “Relax, boy. You’ll go out in a minute.”
When our eyes met, my heart kicked into high gear. “I wasn’t sure where his leash was, or I would’ve taken him out.”
Austin strode toward me, purpose in his step, and desire, so much desire, in his gaze. I gripped the counter so I wouldn’t melt into the floor.
Swoon and swoon and more swoon.
All I thought about was how sexy I knew that body of his was under all those clothes. Stupid clothes. Covering up all the good parts.
Austin stopped in front of me and dipped his head down. His lips touched mine, and all of the same explosions from the night before went off again.
How is every kiss so damn intoxicating?
“Morning. Did you sleep well?” Austin asked while tucking a strand of my hair behind my ear. Something I’ve noticed he liked to do often. I didn’t mind.
“Mmm, I did. When we weren’t…you know.”
He nuzzled my neck, and goose bumps scattered along my arms. “Oh, I know. But I’d love to be reminded.” He grabbed me by the hips and pressed me against him. I felt his bulge, and heat flooded between my legs.
“Me too,” I whispered. I’d love for him to lift me onto this counter and fuck the shit out of me. But I have muffins to bake and a business to run. So I placed my hands on his chest and broke free from his grasp. “But we’ll have to be patient. I need to bake first.”
Austin groaned, but a grin spread across his face, and he winked at me. My heart went on a spree. “Let me take Kane out for a walk, and I’ll help. Looks like it’ll be a while before the mud dries up some. Save me a cup of coffee, please.” He kissed me once more and disappeared out the back door, Kane already ahead of him.
I chuckled at the dog and shook my head. How had so much happened in less than twenty-four hours? It was insane. But I couldn’t focus on that. I had people to call and things to do.
I called Gran to check in, but she didn’t answer. Afterward, I sent Lena a text.
Ruby: GURRRLLLL. Tell me everything you know about Austin Delaney.
Lena: Austin Delaney?? The older guy who runs a tow truck company, right? He seems nice, kind of quiet, keeps to himself. Total hunk, though. Why?
Ruby: Well, you’re never going to believe this, but he showed up here last night. We ended up stranded from the storm, and we kind of hooked up.
Lena: Kind of?? What does kind of mean??
Ruby: LOL. We had wild sex all night.
Lena: OMG! Yahhhhssss girl! Get it! Please tell me the sex was hot as fuck. It must’ve been.
Ruby: Unbelievable. I lost count of how many times I orgasmed. And you know your girl has never orgasmed during sex before.
Lena: AHHHH! I want all the deets! I’ll stop by later! I also have some tea to spill- not my own but even better- my brother Graham’s, haha
Ruby: Oh God, what’s he gotten into now? Can’t wait to hear. Ttyl, love u xoxo
Lena: love u more, xoxo
I put down my phone and turned on some music. I felt giddy, like a little kid at their birthday party. I danced as I grabbed what I needed for the muffins and sang like no one was watching.
Or I thought no one was watching…
“Please. Don’t stop because of me,” Austin said from where he stood in the doorway.
“My show isn’t free,” I teased.
Kane trotted over to me, and I nuzzled his snout and gave him a cookie.
Austin laughed as he rolled up his sleeves and washed his hands at the sink. He dried them on a towel and helped himself to a cup of coffee. “Tell me what to do, and I’m on it.”
“You got it.”
We worked side by side and whipped up the batches of muffins in no time. Austin surprised me with how well he worked in the kitchen, and with the music and good energy flowing, we were having a ball.
That was, until Austin tossed a handful of flour at me.
What ensued was quite the messy flour fight.
But it ended with us in a heap on the floor, laughing uncontrollably which then turned to frantic kissing.
Clothes came off as the muffins baked in the oven, and when he slid his cock deep inside me right there on the kitchen floor, I knew my life had changed forever.
This man had wormed his way into my heart already.
It was intense.
Too intense.
And it happened so fast. Too fast.
When we finished, Austin took my face in his hands and kissed my lips softly. “I know this is crazy, Ruby, but move in with me. Be mine. I want to marry you and fill you with babies. I want a life with you. I knew it the moment I laid eyes on you.”
His words took my breath away.
It was crazy. It was all so unbelievable. But I was feeling it too. As if we were just made for each other. “Austin…”
“I’m tired of being alone, Ruby. I was perfectly content before, with it just being Kane and me. But something inside me changed when I met you. I know you must think it’s wild because I think it’s crazy too. But isn’t love supposed to be that way?”
I didn’t know how to answer.
Instead, I stood and ran to the bathroom.