Holy fuck.
That was the best sex of my life. No competition. No comparison.
Ruby was incredible: the way she moved on top of me, the sounds she made, how tight and wet she was around my cock. The way she looked at me like I was something special instead of the violent hothead everyone else sees.
I've had plenty of one-night stands. Quick fucks with women whose names I forgot before morning. But this? This was different. This meant something.
And there's no fucking way I'm leaving now.
I hear water running in the bathroom and smile. She's cleaning up, probably overthinking everything like I can tell she does. Wondering if I'm going to bail. If this was just a quick fuck to me.
I need to show her it wasn't.
The bathroom door opens and Ruby emerges, completely naked. Her breasts jiggle slightly with each step, her wet face glowing in the dim light. She looks nervous and hopeful and so fucking beautiful it makes my chest ache.
"You okay?" I ask.
"Yeah." She moves toward me slowly. "Are you?"
"More than okay." I reach out and pull her onto the couch beside me. "Ruby, I want to stay the night. If that's okay with you."
Her face lights up with the most beautiful smile. "I was about to ask you the same thing."
"Good." I pull her against my chest, wrapping my arms around her. "We're on the same frequency then."
She cuddles into me, her soft body pressed against mine. "We should probably talk," she murmurs. "About what this means. About the future."
"We will," I promise. "Tomorrow. We're both too tired right now. And still high from that incredible sex."
She laughs softly. "It was incredible, wasn't it?"
"Best I've ever had, I swear."
"Me too."
We lie there in silence, her breathing evening out as she starts to drift off. I should probably suggest we move to the bedroom, but I don't want to disturb her. I don’t want to break this perfect moment.
My own eyes grow heavy. The adrenaline from the sex is wearing off, leaving me pleasantly exhausted. Ruby's warm body against mine, the sound of her breathing, the feeling of safety and rightness, it all lulls me toward sleep.
This is what I've been missing my whole life. This connection. This peace.
I press a kiss to the top of her head and let myself drift off.
The Next Day
The pounding on the door jolts me awake so violently I nearly fall off the couch.
"Ruby!" Marcus's voice shouts from outside. "I know you're in there! Open this fucking door!"
Ruby gasps beside me, her body going rigid with fear. The morning light streams through the windows. We must haveslept for hours. My neck aches from the awkward position on the couch, but that discomfort vanishes the second I hear more voices outside.
"Come on out, you fucking whore!" Another male voice. Not Marcus.
"Yeah, we just want to talk!" A third voice, followed by cruel laughter.
I'm on my feet immediately, my protective instincts overriding everything else. Through the window, I count six figures on the porch and lawn. Marcus stands at the door, his nose still swollen and bruised from where I broke it yesterday. Five other guys flank him, and every single one of them is carrying a baseball bat.
"Fuck." I grab my jeans from the floor, yanking them on. "Ruby, get dressed. Now."
