Revealing Ruby (Bound and Determined #1.5)(26)

He sat on the bed, swinging his muscled legs over the edge. “You are correct. And I do understand.” He ran a hand through his hair and it was hard to imagine the laughing man of moments before.

What did she want his answer to be? One was always more likely to succeed if one actually knew what one wanted.

She wanted him.

That was easy.

But for how long?

And under what circumstances?

Those questions were much harder.

She was making this too difficult. It wasn’t like she had to answer these questions for a lifetime. She only had to answer for right now.

“Will I see you tonight?” she asked.

His fingers ruffled those sunny locks one more time. “I am supposed to be traveling to Manchester in the morning. Family business.”

“Hmmm.”

“But I would like to see you when I return. I am happy to make arrangements if…”

“No, I can make arrangements. But do not tell me to unless you are sure. You do not need to lie to me. I am a woman who likes the truth. I do not need sweet words. I need honesty. Now and always. That is the one thing, the only thing I will require of you. If you do not wish to tell me something, fine. But do not lie. I have had enough lies in my life.”

He looked at her, stared deep into her soul. For a moment she thought she saw something in his eyes, something not happy, something to be wary of, but when he spoke his voice was steady. “I can do that.”

“Good.” She smiled at him, let the shirt fall open, very aware of the picture she must present, flushed, naked skin, soft white linen, blond curls all atumble. She never wore white when she was Madame Rouge, but her natural coloring became almost angelic when paired with virginal white. The captain clearly liked it.

She let her eyes drift down to settle between his legs.

Yes, he liked it a lot.

She stepped forward, licking her lips, leaving them glistening.

Stopping a few feet before him, she looked up into his eyes. “I do want you to know that whatever happens in the next hours is not influenced by whether we plan to see each other again or not. If you change your words and tell me this is it, then I will be all the more eager to enjoy what time we have. I am not a woman who lays a hidden cost on things.” Then she did smile. “I am always very clear about the price up front.”

He snorted, an actual snort. “I had heard that about this establishment. That and that bartering was no use.”

“Yes, you always get exactly what you pay for with me.”

Another snort.

She was glad he caught the humor in her words and did not take them at their face value—at least not completely.

With grace she’d learned from a Arabian dancer, she sank to her knees before him. Placing a hand on each firm thigh, she leaned forward, blew.

He danced before her. It was her turn to snort at her own fancy.

“There are moments when a man does not like to be laughed at.”

Leaning forward, she placed a soft kiss on his hard length. “It doesn’t seem to bother you, but I am sure you know that I am not laughing at my dragon.”

“Your dragon? I do believe this youthful bit of folly is distinctly mine.”

“And don’t you wish me to claim him?” She followed the kiss with a long, slow lick, the entire length of his cock.

“I might be willing to grant you temporary ownership.” He slid forward on the bed, spreading his legs farther.

“You might? I am not sure that I think there’s much ‘might’ about it.” Turning her face, she stared down at the dragon’s head, reaching up to trace his maw with a finger. “I don’t know why I find him so fascinating. I know it’s just ink and skin, but he seems so alive.” A soft kiss upon the dragon’s mouth. Letting her tongue travel down the emerald neck and along the strong, scaled back, Ruby tasted and enjoyed.

Derek quivered beneath her touch, his hands rapidly tightening to fists. Enjoying his excitement, Ruby nipped at the arch of the dragon’s back, that tender spot where skin grew taut over the jut of hip bone. Then, working her way down that ridge of muscle that led to his groin, she followed the dragon’s tail until it reached the base of his cock. She paused there, considered. How to approach this?

Reaching out with one hand, she circled the base, her fingers not quite meeting. She stroked up, holding the skin tight, stretching the curling tail. With her own smile of satisfaction, she brought her lips back to his flesh, letting them settle upon his skin, watching the dragon move at her touch.

“You are killing me.” It was a flat statement.

“Hmm, and I was just thinking how alive both you and your dragon seemed.”

“So he’s mine again?”

“For the moment. I have always wanted to slay a dragon, although yours does seem to rise again. Perhaps he is, in fact, a phoenix. Should I see if he bursts into flame?”

She gave him one last smile, and then rounded her lips about the head of his cock, drawing the helmet deep.

His only answer was a long, drawn-out groan.

Her lips tightened about him as her tongue darted out to press against the pulsing vein that ran along the lower side.

Another groan. “God, it’s better than I imagined—and my imagination painted quite the picture.”

She pulled back enough that she could speak. “Do you mean when I came upon you in the shower bath?”