“You are so beautiful, Ruby. I love the color of your hair. Sunset shot through with gold. Often when I come into the nursery, you were sitting so the sun caught it. I wanted to touch it. Take it out of that tight bun you favor and run my fingers through it.”
“Long hair can be annoying,” she said, making him smile. “But as short hair is not the done thing for women, we suffer with it.” The words were said in a nervous rush.
“Will you take it out for me?”
She did, releasing the tresses from their braid, and it was as beautiful as he had known it would be. He pushed his fingers through the heavy weight and massaged her scalp. She moaned.
“All those pins must hurt sometimes.”
“Oh yes, they do. Th-That is quite wonderful.” She sighed as he continued to stroke her head. Her eyes fluttered closed. Forrest kissed her again, deeper and harder this time. Her arms came around his neck and held him tight. He felt her bare breasts against his chest and suddenly needed to feel her skin pressed to his. Releasing her, he tore off his shirt and then pulled her close once more.
This, the feel of her body close to his, was a sensation he knew he would never tire of. His coupling with Helen had always been brief and she kept her nightdress on.
“Forrest… I…”
“I know.” Easing her away from him, he lowered his head and licked her breast. He needed to know all of this woman. Needed to feel every inch of her. Just holding and kissing her would never be enough.
“That is wonderful.” She sighed as he laved every inch of her breast before claiming her nipple.
“Oh lord, Forrest,” Ruby whispered.
He pushed her dress from her hips and ran his hands up her thighs. Her breath came in pants, and his was no different. His head was swimming with lust, and he was desperate to ease the ache in his loins, but he would not rush her. Could not rush her, as she was an innocent.
Releasing her, he let his eyes roam her lovely body, taking in the thatch of dark hair between her thighs and down her long legs to the toes. Everything about her was exquisite.
Lifting her into his arms, he lowered her to the floor before the fire, and then stood to remove his breeches.
Would what he uncovered scare her?
Forrest had been with women, but all were after the same thing as him. Slaking their lust. This, with Ruby, was different. This was so much more. He was about to lie with the woman he loved. It had to be right.
Her eyes ran over him. “Can I touch you?”
He had not expected those words but nodded. Forrest dropped to his knees before her and watched her do the same. Her hand stroked down his cheek.
“I’ve often wondered what you would feel like.”
“N-Now you know.”
“Now I know.” She continued her journey down his neck to his chest. Once there, the other hand joined in and began to explore.
“You have a lovely chest. Strong and warm. Ella is lucky to have it to rest upon.”
“You also have it,” he whispered.
Her eyes came to his, and her smile was so sweet he had to grit his teeth from hauling her into his body.
“I think I like that I can rest on your chest when I need to.”
“Have you never before had a chest to rest upon?”
She shook her head, and he hated her father in that moment even more. And the older brothers whose job had been to love her, as he knew she would have loved them.
“Let me love you, sweetheart,” Forrest whispered, baring his soul.
“Really?”
“Really.”
