Chapter 12
H ope’s birthday party at Fun Palace had gone off without a hitch. Well, if you didn’t count Jaxson kidnapping Jasmine. Thankfully, that was toward the end of the party, because it would have made Hope very upset. No one messed with my princess’s happiness, especially on her birthday.
Tyson had come to set up the breathtaking cake. Ruby hadn’t even wanted to cut it as she thought it was a masterpiece. Tyson had been acting odd. He had been muttering about having to move away for a year or so and raving on about the curse. I would have to find out what the hell had happened.
But all in all, Hope had a ball, and that was all that mattered. She didn’t even make it home before she passed out, asleep on my shoulder, as we were making sure we got everything from the venue.
Yesterday had ended perfectly when Ruby had jumped me as soon as Hope was in her bed and we’d gone to our room. She thanked me for the perfect birthday for her daughter and had made love to me to show just how grateful she was. I’d told her she never had to thank me and that I hadn’t done anything, it had been all her and my mother.
My whole family was having dinner with us tonight for Hope’s family birthday, and to meet Ruby. Cassie was getting bigger every time I saw her, and my brother beamed like a loon. He thought knocking up Cassie with triplets was an amazing feat, but multiples were common in our family. I was a twin myself.
I couldn’t wait for Ruby and I to have more children. I kind of hoped she would be pregnant now. I hadn’t been using any protection. I knew I needed to talk with her about it, but I liked that I might be planting my seed. I had never had this kink before Ruby, but maybe it was the curse. Whatever it was, I was having fun embracing it.
This would be the first time Ruby would meet my extended family, not just my brothers and their wives. She’d met Ryder when he was with the SWAT team that rescued her and later when he helped set up the safe houses. Not all my cousins had met Hope either. I knew they would fall in love with Ruby and Hope just like my parents had.
My mother had bought so many clothes for Hope that I just knew she could wear a new outfit every day. She held back on toys though. Oh, Hope had a bunch of new toys, but if my mother was really allowed to let herself go, we’d have a toy store in our house. But because they knew Ruby wasn’t used to people spending so much money on her, my mother had held off. Her brother had provided for her before, but their father had been an arsehole and didn’t help or make it easy.
My Uncle Carl had had the first girl born that I knew of in our family in over a hundred and fifty or so years. So Hope was a big deal.
Ruby kept fiddling with her clothing, straightening them and removing imaginary lint. There was no denying she was fretting. She had nothing to worry about though. I knew my family would adore her.
“Stop. You look perfect. You’ve met my close family before.”
“Yes, but those were your brothers and only a small group. This is everyone in Australia all together at a family dinner to meet me and Hope to celebrate her birthday. What my dad called family… well, let’s just say I didn’t enjoy those parties when they were all together.” She shivered and rolled her shoulders. I reached over to comfort her. Every time she got that distant look of fear and horror, I wished I could punish her father and his men.
“I can promise you that we are family by blood and through marriage and are nothing like your family.” I gathered her hands in mine just as she reached out to fix Hope’s pigtail for the sixth time. “You both look beautiful. You have nothing to worry about. My parents adore you. Cassie thinks you’re sweet and can’t wait to help show off Hope and brag she was the first to get to befriend you.”
Ruby shrugged and pulled Hope closer to her. “I haven’t had your mum and her sisters-in-law and your cousins all together in the same room with me. What if they act differently with everyone here?” I zoned in as her teeth came out and bit her bottom lip.
“Stop worrying. I promise this will go smoothly.” Giving her hands a gentle squeeze, I shook my head and smiled down at Hope as she turned to gaze up at her mother and me.
“Mummy, how longdded, I’d here forever?” Hope whined. “Nanny, Poppy saids babies coming and isza can holds thems.” She bounced on her toes, enforcing her excitement.
There was no doubt that Hope loved my parents, and they spoiled her rotten. If I was being truthful, my parents wouldn’t give Hope back when they had her, if it wasn’t for them knowing that Ruby wasn’t ready for her to have sleepovers in Nanny and Poppy’s wing just yet. They’d keep her with them as much as they were allowed though.
Kneeling, so I was at Hope’s level, I opened my arms and Hope inched closer but stopped when Ruby stiffened at the sound of the doorbell. I knew my family was doing this so that Ruby knew this house was her safe place and no one would come in without being invited. We were all so close that we never rang the doorbell.
I opened the door. My uncle held a baby in each arm as his wife glared at him.
“—mean I can’t hold my damn children. I’m not even that far alo…” Her words trailed off when she saw us. “Hi. Sorry about that.” Annabelle went bright red. “I’m Annabelle, and this caveman is my husband Carl, and he’s holding Jake and Angelica.”
The babies were about a year or so old. One wore a cute blue onesie, with the Cookie Monster on it. The other wore a pink baby-style tutu with matching shoes and a headband.
“Now that there is another little girl, I may get to hold my daughter.” Annabelle held out a present wrapped in pink paper.
“I doubt it,” Cassie said as she waddled in, barely fitting past people or waiting for them to move. There was no doubt she was going straight for the food.
Dustan gave a chin lift of acknowledgment. He was holding a pink present bag on his arm as he followed his wife like he was ready to catch her if she fell.
Andrew weaved through everyone and went straight to Hope, whose eyes lit up when she saw him. Andrew was kind of like a little kid himself, so I understood why my little princess loved him. “Hope, my princess. You up for some park action tomorrow? I’m thinking we start with the fort and then move to the slides.” Hope let Andrew pick her up and they started to organize their time while Ruby looked on, not only shocked, but a little annoyed.
I grabbed Andrew before he could wander off with Hope without even meeting her mother. “Andrew, you’re being a dick. Can you at least introduce yourself before you wander off with Hope?”
Oakley came out from behind his parents and took Hope and handed her to me, as my Uncle Albert came up and smacked his son, Andrew, upside the head. “I’m sorry for my youngest.”
“Yeah, we’d love to say our brother was dropped on his head, but he wasn’t, so there is no excuse for him being an idiot.” Zeck nudged his brother as he came in and held his hand out to Ruby. “I’m Zeck. The smartest, and apparently the politest, of my family.”
“Hey, I’ll have you know that I kicked all my brothers’ scores with their HSC.” Andrew puffed out his chest and wiggled his brows.
“We never said you weren’t smart. You are an idiot though, especially when you’re being rude and not the well-mannered son I raised.” My Aunt Gillian patted her son’s cheek and beamed at Hope before she handed her a doll. “You’ll soon learn, baby girl, that I’m your favorite aunty.” She then gave Hope a Kinder Surprise and a bag overflowing with presents, kissed her cheek, and walked into the house.
My grandparents came through with my Uncle Duncon and Aunt Carol and bags filled with presents too. My grandfather Russell beamed a charming smile at Ruby. “Welcome to the family.”
My grandmother, Shirley, patted Ruby’s arm. “This is for you.” She gave her a gift. It was wrapped in gold paper with a silver ribbon. I knew what was in the gift as soon as I saw it, and for my grandmother to give it to Ruby, I was speechless for the first time. Ruby clutched the small box to her chest like she knew something important was in there.
“Thank you so much.” A tear slid down her cheek. “I’ve never been given a gift by a grandparent. I’ve never had grandparents. Well, Toby’s grandmother was nice to me, but I never got anything from her.”
Ruby opened the gift, taking her time, peeling off the tape and carefully unraveling the paper to reveal a square, blue velvet box. She caressed the casing before she opened it. Inside sat a necklace with three rings, a plain gold band, a silver infinity ring, and a rose gold band with a diamond that slotted into the silver infinity band. It was a family heirloom that belonged to an eighth-removed grandmother. This was a big deal. I had been honored when my grandmother told me she was going to give them to Ruby. She had told me that Ruby’s bravery had won her over without even meeting her and she just knew they were meant for Ruby.
My grandmother wiped Ruby’s tears away and pulled her into her embrace. “You do now, gorgeous girl.” Grandmother glanced down at where she usually wore the necklace. “These are yours now.”
At that moment, I couldn’t love my grandparents more, and I knew Ruby would be okay. A milestone had been achieved.
Ruby
I couldn’t believe how nice Derick’s extended family was. Hope was in heaven. She was the center of attention and was getting so spoiled I was sure soon her face would freeze with a permanent smile. I felt silly for being so nervous about meeting them. I’d been so sure they’d hate me and be nasty because of what my father had put them through.
One thing I did notice though; there were a lot of males, and the men that had a partner gazed at them with so much love you’d have to be blind not to see it. I wondered if Derick looked at me like that.
As the night continued, I started to set some goals. I not only wanted to get an education, and a safe place to raise Hope, but I wanted Derick like the women in his family had their men. I wanted it all with him. I wanted what I saw in his family. I’d never had feelings for a man before. The only people I’d ever loved was my brother and Hope. They’d been my world for so long I didn’t know if I knew how to love the way a man and a woman were supposed to, but I did love him. The women all looked not just happy, but content and completely at ease. I wondered if I looked like them. I certainly felt safe, happy, and I’d never been content before, but I was calm and not worried. So I felt that was content.
I’d asked Derick and his parents not to go crazy buying Hope things. We’d take her shopping on my half day. I’d always been so frugal with my money. It had taken me a long time to prove I was who I was, thanks to my parents only doing my birth certificate and no other documents. They threw my original out, and when I didn’t have anything else to show who I was, it became another reason it was extremely hard to leave my father and why I’d had to count on my brother so much.
The hate I tried to keep under control for my father and all his friends flowed through me. I clenched my fist and told myself to stop my pity party and that as much as I wanted to change the past, I couldn’t. Dr. Heather was helping me move forward, and her techniques were better than any of the other therapist I’d seen. I counted down from ten and breathed in deeply and let my breath out slowly while I stared at my angel, Hope. She was the brightest light in my life, but lately Derick was shining just as bright too, so my gaze darted between them.
My luck had changed, and I was smart enough to know it was because of Derick. He was so patient with me. He’d told me the story about how he believed I was his soulmate. I believe it now too. I had never had a good example of couples, thanks to my dad, but I’d seen what it should be on TV, and after what I’d seen tonight, I knew what I wanted to strive for.
I think after tonight I was ready to let myself and my daughter be happy. I was all in.
The chef came into the loungeroom to tell us that dinner was ready. I smiled. I had a family now and was getting married.
Derick
Ruby was so happy. I didn’t think I’d seen her smile this much in the last two days. Today though, surrounded by my family, her beaming smile radiated her happiness. She laughed, giggled, and practically skipped as she walked. I loved that she was taking every opportunity to touch me too. It hadn’t gone unnoticed that she even let the male members of my family hug and touch her without flinching.
“Are you ever going to come back to university full time? I miss ya.” Stephan asked.
His question brought me out of my musing and had me shooting him a ‘shut the fuck up’ glare. I didn’t want Ruby to think she was taking me away from anything.
Stephan rolled his eyes. “I’m not scared of you, so save your glare for someone who is.” He wiggled his brows. “When are you getting married? Maybe that might help.”
I didn’t get the chance to reply because Jade elbowed her husband and snarled, “Don’t be an arse.”
I felt my eyebrows rise, and a chuckle escaped. I loved how Jade had grown so much that she was starting to become just as bossy as my aunts and Divinity.
“I’m assuming that laughing is at your brother and not me, Derick, since I’m on your side,” Jade said.
Raising my hands in surrender, I winked at Ruby, who had stayed quiet most of the night. “I would never laugh at you, Jade. Now, my brother, hell yes!” I wiggled back into my seat and smirked at my twin. “I know who the boss is.”
Cassie, Dustan’s wife, burst into a fit of giggles at the mock look of horror on my brother’s face, before he masked it and fluttered his eyes at his wife and gave her his most innocent look. “He’s laughing at me, little bit. You gunna let him treat me like that?”
“Really, Stephan,” my Aunt Gillian scoffed. “Do you have to speak like you are not educated?”
Stephan rolled his eyes, and Jade took pity on her husband and helped him and me out. “Ruby, tell Derick that you wouldn’t get upset if he stopped being free for you to see him twenty-four seven. The Silverman men have a thing about not knowing what ‘me time’ is. If I didn’t love and wasn’t married to one, it would scream ‘stalker’, because they have no boundaries.”
“Oh, I totally agree with you, Jade,” Cassie added.
Cassie and Jade had been close once, but when Cassie and Dustan had issues, their relationship suffered. I had noticed that since our big talk and admitting my fault in their trouble, and Jade’s apology, they were getting close again. But I knew they’d never be as close as they once were. I was kind of happy that this meant Ruby might be able to get close to my sisters-in-law because they weren’t all best friends anymore and it may have them all on the same level.
Blinking at realizing that my thoughts had drifted to what I would have called ‘silly women things’ before meeting Ruby, I knew I was falling more for her and the curse, er, gift, was in full swing, just manifesting different to my brothers. I would never have cared about something like my sisters-in-law’s friendships last year. I felt guilty for my part in ruining their friendship, but I was happy that Ruby wouldn’t feel like she was coming in on two best buddies and would be on more even footing.
“I like him just the way he is.” Ruby speaks up, surprising me. “It’s nice to know he cares. His education is important, and I’ve told him to go to university, but he likes spending time with me, and truthfully, I love being with him. I’ve never had anyone treat me like he does, and it just makes me fall more in love with him. So no, I love not having any me time. I’ve had a lot of me time in my life, and I can tell you all that now I’m so much happier. I feel beyond blessed and so lucky to have Derick.” Her eyes were gold as she beamed at me.
“Next weekend.” My gaze is captivated by hers, and I don’t even look at my family as I make the announcement. “We’re getting married Sunday next week. I would love to say tomorrow, but I know you’ll need a dress and shoes, and we need to get the paperwork done.”
“Oh my God. Really?” Ruby gasped. “We haven’t even been engaged for a week.”
I stood and gathered her against me. Fuck this. It was late, everyone could go home. I was done and so was Ruby. Hope was asleep on her poppy. She adored my father.
“Mum. Dad. Hope’s staying with you tonight. Love you guys, but bye.” I didn’t reply to Ruby, but before she could say anything my lips claimed hers in a kiss that showed her that tonight I planned to convince her that Sunday we were getting married.
My cousins hooted with laughter when I ended the kiss and picked up Ruby in a fireman’s hold and left, going toward our rooms.
Ruby
My cheeks heated as I heard the laughter as Derick carried me out of the family room and headed toward our room. His steps quickened and I started to bounce and had to hold on. I did something so unlike me, I slapped his butt. “Derick, what are you doing?”
He stopped at the stairs, and I squealed when his fingers gripped my arse before he smacked it twice. I wiggled. “I thought the kiss and telling my parents they were having Hope for the night made what I’m doing clear.” He tapped my arse again. “Stop moving, precious. I’m going up the stairs and I don’t want to take any chances.”
He placed a hand on each of my arse cheeks as he walked up the stairs. I giggled and he squeezed. I’d never been away from Hope a night since she was born, but she would still be in the same house—well, mega mansion that had wings. She would just be in another wing. I could handle that. Hope had an amazing day. I knew she was safe. I wanted Derick, and I had decided I was all in, so why not give in to what he was offering?
Sunday. He’d just told his family he was marrying me on Sunday. That wasn’t even a week away. I was going to marry Derick Silverman. I would be a Silverman in a week. What had just happened? Stephan had asked about when we’d get married, and then it had just escalated from there. What I’d said to everyone was true. I loved how Derick treated me. I liked that he wanted to be with me all the time. I even liked his need to know where I was and his jealousy.
Derick put me down and opened the first door to our quarters. He gathered me against him as he guided me in and to our room. He shut the main door but didn’t bother with the bedroom because his lips claimed mine. His fingers ran down my body, resting at my breasts. He massaged them before he tweaked my nipples through my clothes. Shots of delight pulsed through me.
He undressed me between kisses. I tugged and pulled at his clothes, consumed with the need for more. I was just as hot for him as it seemed he was for me. I didn’t care that his family saw me getting carried away like he had, it was just like a romance book, and I was so turned on.
“I want to be on top. Please.” I pushed him back toward the bed, eager to be the one that set the pace for once.
His chuckle was deep and damn sexy. He sat on the edge of the bed and gathered me between his thighs.
“You need to know, precious, saying what you did in front of my family, you’ve just released the beast. We are getting married on Sunday. We will start the process of changing your last name tomorrow. We haven’t talked about this, but are you on any contraceptive? Because I want you off them. You’re mine, and I want to make our family larger. We have all the money we could ever need or want. When we want, we can always get whatever education we want. My family owns everything from houses to businesses, or we could just buy whatever. I can’t wait to see you full with our child. I want to give Hope a brother. I want a whole team of kids. I’ll need all those boys to help me protect their sister.”
I laughed on a hiccupped sob. This man was beyond anything I could dream of. Should I be freaked out? I didn’t know. I was so damn turned on right now. I loved his rambling, and I wanted everything he was saying.
I smashed my mouth to his. Letting my fingers explore, I traced the ridges of his back before coming around and trailing the pads over every crevice and muscle. I loved the feel of his body. He didn’t have a big, bodybuilder type, Derick was slimmer, all muscle though. A six-pack with soft, blond hair on his chest. And his arms—I couldn’t wrap my hands around them. His body was a work of art, and when I worship him like this, I felt my body heating.
I sighed in pure bliss as he flexed as my fingers smoothed over his abs. Derick looked after himself. Not that I thought I’d care if he didn’t. I loved how he treated me and made me feel.
The kiss deepened. Derick ravaged my mouth. I matched him, tangling my tongue with his and moving my lips to match his rhythm. He tasted amazing. Like the strawberries he’d had for dessert.
Derick rubbed against me, his dick spreading my folds. Circling my arms around him, I ran the pads of my fingers up and down his back as I eased my legs further apart. His mouth tore from mine on a groan, and I panted for breath.
“No contraceptive. I didn’t even think about it,” I said between gasps. “I want what you said though. I want everything with you.”
He rested his face into my neck and sucked on my skin. Shards of tingles shot to my pussy. His mouth moved to my ears, and his tongue slipped out and licked before he nibbled on the tip. Holy shit, sparks fluttered through me and the tingling in my core intensified.
“I’m going to fill you so full of my cum. I can’t wait to see you full and round. I’m going to drink from these.” Derick eased further down, and his hot breath feathered over my puckered nipples.
I took deep breaths as my body shook as he sucked one pebbled nipple before repeating with the other. Bringing my hands up, I gripped his hair, holding him against my skin that now burned with need for more.
He slid two fingers into my pussy and moaned against my skin. He pumped his fingers, and I rose and fell, riding his hand. I was wet and I wanted him so bad. “I want you. Please,” I begged. “Please, I want you inside me. Please.”
His fingers left my core, and I looked down as his cock lined up with my entrance. His fingers parted my pussy lips as the head of his dick disappeared as I took him in and stilled with his cock buried deep. My hands rested on his chest, enjoying the feel of him. My body was on fire. I felt like a coil sprung too tight that was getting ready to unravel.
Derick stretched me in the most delicious ways. I squeezed my pussy as I looked into his warm, brown eyes and focused on the sensations flowing through my body. I felt light, but full and ready to burst. When I moved up, my hands slid over his chest, and feeling his muscles as I rode him heightened my pleasure. I liked the fact that I got to watch his face and was in so much control this way. I was a mass of tingles as pleasure shot through me as I picked up my pace.
“I’m going to fill you so full of my fucking cum. You’re so fucking hot right now riding me. Your tits are bouncing, and I can’t wait until they drip milk while I lick and suck them as I fuck you the way I know you crave. I’m going to mark you.” He touched my neck before his mouth came down to suck.
His dirty talk was driving me crazy. My pussy spasmed, and I groaned as I held back, determined to last a little longer, enjoying myself. As he sucked on my neck, I panted as I tried not to come right then. He felt amazing.
“Oh, I’m going to come. Please. Derick. Please.”
He eased back. “I fucking love it when my cock is buried deep inside you and you’re begging.”
Staring at Derick, I watched as his muscles strained and tensed as he moved his hips up, helping me. He sat up and started pumping into me hard and deep. His grip tightened on me as he slammed me down onto him. I moaned as he adjusted his angle. I was already feeling blissful. As I ran my hands over his chest and back, his lips came to my ear.
“I’m going to burry myself deep and leave marks on your neck as I pump you full of my seed. I’m going plant myself so deep, precious.” He drove himself deep as he bit down on my neck and sucked hard, and his hand gripped my arse and squeezed.
I shrieked loudly as I shattered. I came apart as my whole body went up in flames and then fell apart. Immense ecstasy flowed through me, and his hands smacked my arse, once, twice, and a third time before he roared his own release. Holy fuck, I felt how hard he came, and I smiled blissfully as his weight came down on me a second before he rolled us, but his dick didn’t leave me.
“Sunday you will be Ruby Silverman.”
“Mmm,” I moaned. I was looking forward to being Ruby Silverman, but right now I basked in my euphoria.