You Rock My World
Page 22
It was her promise ring.
“I gave you that after our first summer together.”
“I remember,” Ruby replied slowly, sliding the ring onto her finger, more than a little surprised it still fit. “We’d got into a fight because Marlene wouldn’t stop flirting with you, and you seemed to like it.”
“So you decided to get back at me by going to the drive-in with Pete McMillan.”
“I did.”
“To make me jealous.”
She laughed. “It worked.” But the laughter died at the look in his eyes. They were dark and intense, and suddenly, the air was charged with an electricity that had her hair standing on end.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
He set down the box. “How am I looking at you?”
Mouth dry, she held her breath when he bent forward and planted a kiss at the base of her neck. Her pulse went crazy, and she saw the half smile. He trailed kisses along her jaw and teased the corners of her mouth. She tried to turn to him, but he wouldn’t let her. He grabbed her arms and held them over her head, and then nuzzled between her breasts.
“Travis,” she breathed, arching into him. He yanked her top down, exposing her bra, and she groaned as he opened his hot, wet mouth over her nipple.
“We’ve never had sex in the kitchen,” he growled against her. He lifted her up and put her on the countertop.
His words penetrated the fog, and she shook her head. “Jesus, Trav. If Mrs. Davis is out back, she can see us from here.”
“Don’t worry about Mrs. Davis.” He kissed her then. A deep, intense, sensual kiss that spread tingles along her limbs and had her body humming an erotic melody. He tugged on her jeans, and she lifted her hips to help him. And by the time he had them down to her ankles, they were both breathing hard.
“Let me see you,” she whispered, tearing at his Henley. He lifted it over his head, and she sighed at the sight of all that muscle and definition. Her hands splayed across his chest, and she held on as he lifted her butt and positioned himself between her legs.
She looked into his eyes, and her heart jumped. She couldn’t tear her gaze away. Not when he eased himself inside her. Or when he began to move. Slowly. Then faster. She held his gaze until his eyes darkened like coal, and he rocked into her. Until her own cries matched his, and he collapsed against her.
Long moment passed, filled with deep breaths and accelerated hearts.
“Shoot,” he said, leaning close with a wicked grin.
“What?”
“Mrs. Davis.”
Ruby nearly fell off the counter. “You’re kidding? She’s out there?”
Travis chuckled. “Yeah.”
“Yes, you’re kidding or yes, she’s out there.”
He dropped a kiss to her mouth. “I’m kidding.”
He let her down, though his hand held hers tight. “What?” she asked, watching him closely. Travis didn’t say anything. He pulled off her promise ring and reached into the front pocket of his jeans. Exactly one second later, he held out a small black box and offered it to her.
“Open it,” he said, voice low and urgent.
Her heart beat so fast and hard, she could barely hear a thing. She opened the box, and nestled inside was a beautiful diamond solitaire. It was breathtaking. Simple and elegant and so perfect. She blinked back tears. They still had stuff to figure out. A lot of stuff. Logistics. Her business. Her baggage. Hell, his baggage. But they’d do it together.
“Yes,” she said.
Travis smiled wickedly. “I didn’t ask you anything.”
“I know.” He slid the ring onto her finger, and she smiled up at him. “But my answer is still yes.”
Travis held her close and rested his chin on top of her head. “Good, because that’s the only answer I will accept.”
She rested her head against Travis’s chest and for a long while they were silent.
“What are you thinking about?” he asked, gently stroking her hair.
“Ryder. I was thinking that he would be happy for me. For us.”
“He would.”
Ruby blew out a shaky breath as she tried to clamp down on her emotions. “I wanted so much for him.”
“He knew you loved him, Ruby.”
“Yes,” she whispered. “He did.”
She looked outside. Snow had started to fall. Great big fluffy flakes that fell lazily from the sky. It was like a new beginning. A new hope. The first snowfall of the season always felt the same. God willing, it would be the first of many, many more, and all of them shared with the man she loved.
About the Author
USA Today bestselling author and 2015 RITA® winner JULIANA STONE fell in love with books in the fifth grade when her teacher introduced her to Tom Sawyer. A tomboy at heart, she splits her time between baseball, books, and music. When she’s not singing with her band, she’s thrilled to be writing young adult as well as adult contemporary romance—books that have garnered starred reviews from Publishers Weekly & Booklist—from somewhere in the wilds of Canada.
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Lastly, if you have the time to leave an honest review of my books at point of purchase, or Goodreads, it would be much appreciated! Every little bit helps!
Xo
Juliana
Please visit me at the following places.
www.julianastone.com
juliana@julianastone.com
Also by Juliana Stone
The Blackwells of Crystal Lake
You Make Me Weak
You Drive Me Crazy
You Rock My World
Pre order your copy of book 4, Coming Spring 2018
You Own My Heart
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The Family Simon series…
Tucker -Free
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Cooper
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THE BARKER TRIPLETS TRILOGY
Offside - Free
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