The Way You Are

by Carly Fall

  If she chose to sleep with Garrett, it could very well be one of the best experiences of her life.

  What would her mom say? Ruby shook her head, trying to clear the thought. Her mother had no business being in her head messing up her sexual fantasies about Garrett. However, she had no doubt her mother would disapprove as she always tried to set Ruby up with people from her social class. If her mother found out she’d slept with a kid who grew up in the projects of New York and went on to become a Marine … She smiled just thinking of the meltdown.

  Hot breath against her nape startled her, but then strong arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her close. She sighed and leaned her head back as Garrett peppered her neck with slow, warm kisses, running his hands over her hips.

  “Zach went to bed,” he whispered.

  She glanced over at the clock that read 9 p.m. It seemed a little early to go to bed, but in a way, she was thankful. It seemed Zach had a knack for interrupting them.

  “What’s it going to be, Ruby? Do you want this, as well? Was I wrong on that? Are you going to make me wait?”

  Time to make a decision. As his tongue swirled over her earlobe, she knew there really wasn’t a decision to be made. She needed this, and for once in her life, she would take what she wanted.

  Turning to him, her lips met his as she stood on her toes and wrapped her arms around his neck. His hand traveled up and down her back as their tongues danced lazily.

  Yes, this was the right thing to do; no doubt resided in her mind.

  “I’m done waiting, Garrett,” she whispered.

  He grinned and looked at her like a cat looks at a mouse before it devours it, sending a shiver up her spine. He took her hand, switched off the light, and led her down the hall to his room.

  Garrett gently shut the door, the nightlight casting a soft glow around the room. He hated sleeping in the dark. He wasn’t afraid; he just liked opening his eyes and being able to see everything around him.

  He took Ruby’s hand and led her next to the bed. Kissing her, he found the hem of her shirt and slipped his hands under to feel her silken skin. Gently, he lifted it overhead to reveal a simple, white bra. For some reason, it struck him as one of the sexiest pieces of lingerie he’d ever seen, and he smiled at the thought. He’d been with a lot of women and seen a lot of undergarments. The black and red lace, the push up bras … none of them compared to the simple white bra housing Ruby’s breasts.

  His hands shook as he reached for the clasp, his whole body humming. She gazed up at him, and he thought he read a little bit of nervousness in her face, making him determined to replace it with passion and satisfaction.

  The bra came undone, and he pushed the cups to the side.

  “Sweet Jesus,” he muttered as he palmed her full breasts, the pink tips hardening under his touch.

  Pulling off his own shirt, he tossed it to the floor and drew her to him, their lips meeting once again in a relaxed dance.

  The skin-to-skin contact nearly brought him to his knees as his body pulsed with need and she slipped her arms around his neck.

  He ran his hands slowly up her back, tracing her spine. “You feel so good,” he whispered against her mouth.

  Opening his eyes, she grinned at him, her green gaze dancing.

  “Let’s get rid of the rest of these damn clothes. I want to feel all of you, Ruby. Every blessed inch of this milky skin.”

  He gently laid her down on the bed and undid her jeans, pulling them down her legs to reveal blue underwear. For some reason, he really appreciated that it didn’t match her bra. He kissed her knees as he removed her socks, then his mouth met her thighs, and finally, the apex of her sex through the blue fabric. She gasped and shuddered.

  “Let’s get you under those covers,” he whispered, reaching over to yank them back. Ruby slid under the beige sheets and pulled them up to her chest.

  “Don’t you be thinking you’re going to hide from me, Ruby McDermott,” he said as he unbuckled his jeans and kicked off his boots. “I’ve been looking at your body for too many days, wanting it, wanting to see your flesh, wanting to explore it. I’m not going to let you hide from me now, woman.”

  Her eyes widened as he slipped off his jeans and his cock jutted out from his hips. He stood there as she looked him over.

  “You like what you see?” he asked, hoping like hell she’d say yes.

  She nodded, and he pulled back the covers again, slipping in next to her. “Good, because I intend to cover your body with mine all night long.”

  He kissed her deeply as she turned on her side to meet him. Running his hand over her ribcage and down her hip, he lost himself in her fresh smell and her tender touch as she grazed her fingers over his chest, leaving a burning trail in her wake. He got to his knees and swirled his tongue over her left breast, bringing the pink tip to a hardened peak as she gasped. He palmed the other globe, gently massaging it. Her back arched as she moaned. He’d just found erogenous zone number one on her.

  He believed every woman was different; each had their special areas they wanted touched, the zones that excited them. He intended to explore every inch of Ruby and find all of hers.

  Making his way down her torso, he gently kissed her ribs and ran his tongue around her belly button, eliciting a giggle from her.

  He licked her hip and hooked his fingers into her underwear. “I’m going to get rid of these, if that’s okay,” he murmured.

  She gazed down her body at him and nodded.

  Peppering her legs with slow kisses, he quickly disposed of the blue silk. He spread her thighs with his hands and kissed her upper quads as her scent engulfed him. Ruby sighed as he moved up her thigh, letting him know he’d found zone number two.

  Zone three proved to be a no-brainer. Running his tongue along her slick flesh, he tasted her essence as she gasped and fisted the sheet. Sliding a finger into her tight core, he gently massaged her inner walls.

  “Oh my God,” she whispered after a few moments.

  Chuckling, he removed his finger and moved up her torso. She looked at him as he claimed her mouth and settled on top of her, his cock painfully hard, the need to slide inside her overwhelming him.

  Her green eyes glittered in the nightlight as he pressed his hips forward, the tip of his sex at her entrance. He rested his elbows on each side of her head and played with her hair as her legs wrapped around his waist, urging him on. He gazed at her pretty face, never wanting the moment to end. The sheer anticipation of what would come made his heart pound and his body trembled.

  “Condom,” she whispered.

  Crap. Right.

  He reluctantly got up and found his duffle bag in the closet. Rummaging through it, he finally found three condoms, and made a note to figure out how to get some more tomorrow. Maybe Joe or Thomas would show up and he could scoot into town. Ruby still had a few more days under his care, and he planned to spend as much time with her naked as he could.

  Returning to the bed, he laid down next to her. “Care to do the honors?”

  She grinned and took the packet from him. He moaned as she rolled it down his shaft, her light, shaky touch jacking him up even more. She caressed him for a moment, and when he couldn’t take it anymore, he pulled her hand away.

  “Come here,” he whispered, guiding her so she straddled him. “I want to watch you.”

  Her cheeks colored further as he stood his cock up, and she gazed down at him with uncertainty. A thought struck him like a two-by-four to the head. “This isn’t your first time, is it?”

  “No,” she said huskily as she took him in her palm. “With someone like you, yes.”

  He almost asked her what she meant by that, but then she slid down his cock. He watched himself disappear within her, the sensations rocketing through his body. He gazed up at her as she slowly rocked her hips—eyes closed, her porcelain skin glowing in the dim light, her lips moist and slightly swollen from his kisses.

  Planting her hands on his chest, she leaned f
orward and they moved together in perfect harmony, her heavy breasts swaying with each of his thrusts.

  He trailed his hands down to her hips and he kneaded the flesh, loving the feeling of it beneath his hands. Being with Ruby excited him more than he’d ever thought possible.

  Because of said excitement, he certainly wouldn’t last long.

  “Come on, baby,” he whispered between gritted teeth as he watched her breasts sway. “Let me feel you come.”

  She rocked against him with more force as she panted, her breath coming in short spurts through her open lips. He could see her working toward climax, and he was damned determined to make sure she got there.

  Taking her hands, he pushed her slightly so she sat upright, giving him a clear view of where they were joined. Pressing his thumb to her swollen nub, he gently circled it, her slick essence coating his finger.

  A moment later, she cried out, her channel milking him with such force, his own orgasm tackled him from behind, sending his hips bowing off the bed.

  Ruby collapsed on top of him, and they lay together like that for a while, both breathing hard, both coated in a light sheen of sweat. She rolled off of him and laid her head on his chest. He circled his arms around her, the silence as well as the thick scent of sex filling the air.

  “That’s never happened to me before,” she whispered as he discarded the condom to the floor.

  “What’s that?”

  “I-I’ve never had an orgasm during sex.”

  She glanced up at him, and he couldn’t help but grin like a damn fool, his ego inflating more than it should. “Seriously?”

  She nodded.

  “Well, Miss Ruby Rose, I promise you that one will be the first of many tonight.”

  She propped herself up on her elbow and stared down at him. “Really?”

  “Oh, yeah,” he whispered, running his forefinger down her cheek. “What can I tell you? You turn me on. I guarantee you I haven’t had enough yet.”

  Taking her hand, he slipped it under the covers to his cock, already engorging again. Her eyes widened and she pulled her hand away.

  “What’s wrong, Ruby? Can’t handle that you’re a wanted woman?”

  “No, it’s just that—“

  “I’m not done with you, woman!” he yelled as he sat up and pounced on her, settling his weight on top of her.

  She laughed and wrapped her arms around his neck.

  “And you’re going to come for me. Again and again,” he whispered, then kissed her long and slow.

  Chapter 24

  “Tell me about your family,” Garrett said, tracing his finger down her shoulder.

  “What do you want to know?”

  “What are they like?”

  She sighed. How did she explain her family without talking badly about them? She supposed they who were they were, and although she didn’t feel she fit in with them, she still called them family.

  “I’m different from them,” she said, caressing his cheek as they lay on their sides facing each other.

  “How?”

  She shrugged. “They’re all skinny, blond, and beautiful, and I’m not.”

  “In my book, skinny and blond are way over-rated. Right now, I’m totally digging this curvy redhead I’m sleeping with.”

  She laughed.

  “How else are you different?”

  Rolling onto her back, she tried to form her thoughts without sounding like she put them down.

  “My dad’s the CEO of McDermott Oil. He works a lot, but I relate to him the most, although I didn’t see much of him growing up. My mom is a socialite, meeting her friends at the club or for Bridge games, and she’s heavily involved in the Dallas fashion scene. My brother is the Dallas party animal who every girl is trying to bed, probably in the hopes of getting knocked up so she can cash in. While I, on the other hand, don’t use any of the money in my trust fund. I work and pay my own way.”

  “You’re right, you don’t sound anything like them.”

  Turning back over on her side, she gazed at him. “How do I come across to you?”

  “You’re nothing like I expected.”

  “You keep saying that. What does it mean?”

  “I thought I’d be spending the week with a complete rich bitch, but I was wrong.”

  She considered his statement, and imagined he thought he’d be meeting a younger version of her mother. “So, how do you see me, Garrett?”

  His honeyed gaze bore into her, and he became very serious.

  “You’re sweet and kind, smart, and funny.” He grabbed onto her ass and squeezed. “And as I’ve told you, I think your body is better than any twiggy little thing. I like something to hold on to when I have sex.”

  She couldn’t help but grin. He made her feel good about herself, something she hadn’t done in a long time. All she remembered was being described as ‘husky.’ Garrett made her feel sexy, confident, and strong. “Thank you for saying that.”

  He propped himself up on his elbow and gazed down at her earnestly.

  “It’s the God-honest truth. You jack me up. Not only are you sweet as cotton candy, you’ve got the curves of a Greek Goddess. Honest truth there, Ruby.” He cupped her cheek and kissed her deep and slow. “You’re the whole package, baby, just the way you are. I’m glad you aren’t like your family.”

  “I love them, and they mean well, but my mom can especially be overbearing, overprotective, and likes to intrude on my life, make decisions for me, and be a general pain in the ass.”

  “Why do you let her do that?”

  She shrugged. “I just have a hard time telling her to back off.”

  “That surprises me, Ruby. You seem so strong, so sure of yourself, so in control of everything.”

  They stared at each other for a beat.

  “Tell me about your time in the military,” she said, almost feeling uncomfortable with the compliments and wanting to change the subject.

  He grinned, and for a second, she thought she saw his features harden, but he kissed her again, and it disappeared.

  “Maybe some other time. Right now, I’ve got to get down to business with this sexy redhead in my arms.”

  As he rolled on top of her, she suckled his lower lip, her confidence growing by the second. She didn’t know what the future held, but tonight, she’d throw her insecurities out of her mind and allow herself to enjoy the experience with a man who said he liked her just the way she was.

  Ruby woke before the sun came up to an empty bed, her hips and lower back sore. As she stretched, she couldn’t help but grin. Oh, the things they’d done last night. She blushed just thinking about them.

  Rolling onto her stomach, she recalled every touch, every thrust. Her body hummed despite the aches, and she wondered if someone could become addicted to sex after one night of multiple orgasms.

  Exhaustion rolled through her, but at the same time, she felt invigorated, almost like a new person. Last night, she’d let go of any inhibitions about her body and just allowed herself to enjoy Garrett’s ministrations. What that man could do with his tongue ... she giggled just thinking about his face buried between her thighs.

  Where had he gone? She got out of bed and used the restroom, shivering in the early morning air. When she returned to the bed, something caught her eye outside. She went to the window and gasped as a black bear came meandering from the woods, illuminated by the setting moon.

  Staying very still, she watched it as it stopped, sniffed the air, and looked around. It came closer to the house, and her heart pounded. What if it tried to get in? She glanced over her shoulder at the door. Where did Garrett go?

  The bear moved along the side of the house, and she rubbed her eyes. Did it glow?

  It stopped, just before turning the corner to the front of the house, and yes, it glowed a golden color that only seemed to be getting brighter.

  She rubbed her eyes again, and the shimmer grew, almost making it impossible to see, but she swore the bear’s body ch
anged right before her eyes. Its back legs grew, the head shrunk, and its hair disappeared, revealing smooth, black skin. After a moment, the glimmer subsided, and Ruby placed her hand over her mouth to keep from screaming as a naked man stood upright.

  “No,” she whispered. “It can’t be.”

  But as the man turned around to survey the area, there wasn’t any doubt. She saw his face in the moonlight.

  Garrett.

  “Oh. My. God.”

  She flew out of the room and down the hall to her own bedroom, quietly locking the door as she heard footsteps in the hallway.

  “Ruby?” Garrett said, and she backed away from the door, her body trembling in fear.

  “Ruby!” he called a little louder.

  If she didn’t answer, he’d barge in, for sure. “Yes?”

  “You okay?”

  “I-I’m fine.”

  A long beat of silence ensued.

  “Okay. Let me know if you need anything.”

  “I will.”

  Garrett’s door shut and she scampered over to her bed and pulled the covers over her head.

  What the hell had just happened?

  Chapter 25

  Garrett woke mid-morning, disappointment rolling through him as he remembered Ruby had gone back to her own room. He wondered what had caused her sudden exit.

  He hadn’t been able to sleep in the early morning hours, his thoughts a muddled mess. He’d gotten what he wanted—Ruby in the sack—and he should have been happy about it. However, something just seemed off with him as she lay beside him. He’d decided he’d take a walk and try to sort out his feelings. As he’d left her snuggled in his bed, he couldn’t have helped but smile. She looked so cozy, and he wished he could rest as peacefully as she did.

  After shifting, he’d meandered through the forest, considering what would happen after he’d completed his job with Ruby, and a sense of loss had clenched at his heart, which seemed ridiculous since he’d only known her a few short days. Besides, he was a man on a mission. He had to find the rest of his unit and then dismantle Group Nine. He had to keep his priorities straight. The pretty redhead with the curves couldn’t take precedence over his initial plan of setting his wrongs straight.