Chapter Ten

Even though he was in a moment, as Ruby turned around in all her naked glory, Alec couldn’t help but stop, his mind spinning a web of improbabilities. Here she was—the woman he’d pined over for so long, finally giving into him. Not just emotionally but physically, and in the most submissive sense ever. Tight ass up, arms folded over the backrest of the chair, as enticing as a woman could possibly get.

The elusive Ruby O’Brien, the one who told him this couldn’t happen, because of their professional relationship, was poised and ready for his cock.

Was there anything more beautiful?

Had it been any other woman with her ass in the air, Alec would’ve grinned at this moment—yeah, finally got what I want. He’d admit it, other women were merely conquests. But with Ruby, he almost felt the need to bow down before her, literally kiss her ass. And so he did.

“This…” he said, placing his hands on either side of her butt and lowering to kiss one cheek, then the other, “is something I’ve dreamed about for so long.”

“You’ve dreamed of my ass?” She laughed.

“I’ve dreamed of you, giving yourself to me.” He smoothed out her ass, feeling the roundness and perfect velvety softness of her skin. Had he been eighteen, he would’ve plunged into her already with no patience whatsoever, but he had to stop and admire the view, the pure vulnerability of the moment.

All in, she’d said. She’d get her wish.

“I trust you,” Ruby said, glancing over her shoulder. He understood what she meant. She was talking about not using a condom. “You would tell me if you shouldn’t, right?”

“God damn right,” he said. “I’d never lead you astray.” And he wouldn’t. But he also wasn’t sure he was ready to be a father. Not because he didn’t love kids—he adored them—but because he wanted to do this right. He wanted to date Ruby first, then who knew? Marry her one day, then start a family. With Ruby, he wanted everything to be perfect. Because she was perfect in his eyes. “And you?”

“I’m on the pill. Just do it already, Alec.”

“Do what, Ruby?” he teased. He knew she could hear it in his voice.

“Fuck me.”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear what you said. Can you repeat that?” Alec held his throbbing cock in one hand, pushing the head against her opening in big circles, teasing her entire cunt, feeling her twitch just beyond his reach.

She sighed slightly. “I said fuck me. Please.”

Now she was talking. There was that word again, ambrosia spilling from Ruby’s usually prim and proper mouth. “Oh, is it this you want?” He pushed in just a bit, hearing her moan with delight, then pushed in slowly some more. “Or this? Or maybe the whole thing…” He entered her all the way, a sword sheathing down to the hilt.

“Yessss…”

Good, she loved it. Her long, undulating moan made him so happy and fucking hot for her, he pulled out and this time, rammed her once. She cried out, fingers curling around the back of the chair, her back arching, wanting more. “You like it when I fuck you, Ruby?”

“Yes.”

“Yes, what? Tell me…”

“Yes, I love it.”

“Yes, you love it, what? What did you call me a minute ago?” he teased, holding his cock steady until she gave him what he wanted.

“Yes, sir.”

Bam—another thrust, ramming his balls against her pussy. She cried out. Did it matter they were outside and neighbors might possibly hear her from several yards away? He didn’t care. Part of him relished the thought. Look at me, world, I finally got the woman I wanted.

The woman I needed.

“Good girl,” he said. Yes, they were playing minor roles of submissive and dominant, but Ruby seemed to love it. It was no surprise. After working in a powerful, controlling career all day long, it was no wonder she relinquished so easily. Her hips felt good under his hands, her body like it was made for him. For a better traction, he placed a foot on the chair and fucked her even harder.

And she’d started touching herself, too, which meant she might come again if he kept it up. “I know how badly you’ve wanted my cock, Ruby, so here it is again.” He slammed against her again, pulling out and thrusting into her with purpose, each push sending a message. You’re mine. All mine.

She rubbed herself with renewed enthusiasm, pushing against his every jolt forward, even reaching back to hold on to his legs and drive him in harder. She wanted him, every inch of him. She wanted to feel his cock hit her deep inside, and the demand sent a tightness coiling up his body and into his balls. They fucked hard and long, working up their heat until they couldn’t take it anymore. Though he wanted so badly to let go, he wouldn’t until she’d come.

He needed to hear that sweet moan again.

Finally, Ruby shifted to the right, draping her head over the edge of the seat, so she could lie flat on her stomach, squeezing her thighs together, as her fingers worked at her clit. He shifted accordingly, driving his cock into her pussy so tightly, it almost felt like he was fucking her in her ass from this angle, and the thought nearly pushed him over the edge.

But then, Ruby cried out. And stiffened. And when he heard that beautiful sound and felt her muscles squeeze all around him, he knew it was time to let go. His climax came from the underbelly of his long, aching need, from a place of which he’d been dreaming for months now—since Ruby had come into his life. From the moment he met her and wanted to possess her. They held their breaths suspended in unison. He bent low so he could hear the cries escaping her mouth, hold her hair and neck in place.

“Are you still all in, babe?” he asked. If she didn’t want any part of this—because this was only the beginning of what she could expect if they were to be together—she should speak now or forever hold her peace.

“Yes,” she breathed low and long. Music to his ears.

“Then I’ll make it worth your while. More than worth your while.” When she was ready, he helped her flip over, curled up beside her, and covered her with his body, keeping her warm from the cooling night. Part of him wanted to finish by saying he loved her, but he knew she wouldn’t be ready to hear that.

In fact, he wasn’t sure he was ready for it either, considering all that had happened between him and Colleen. Trust would always be an issue with women, as much as he felt that Ruby would never keep secrets from him. Still, he held back. When the time is right, he thought.

He turned her cheek and kissed her gently. He could’ve kissed her all night.

But between the big, healthy meal and the massive outdoor sex, they fell asleep instantly, and by the time they woke up in the morning, covered in a blanket Alec assumed Ruby had gotten in the middle of the night, news had hit.

The Internet—the world—knew they were dating.

Alec ignored his calls for most of the day. Knowing that Ruby was already a bit freaked out about their relationship going “official,” even though her father believed it was all an act, he was hell-bent on making her feel comfortable. He didn’t want her to regret her decision for one second.

They went out for lunch in the middle of town, and though he wished the two of them could continue talking like they had last night when he’d cooked for her, this time, it was evident that people were watching. And listening. When he’d reach for her hand or smile because he couldn’t help himself—he was with the most gorgeous woman working in the NFL—he could feel the restaurant patrons taking secret photos with their phone cameras.

“It’s fine. Don’t let it get to you,” he mouthed to Ruby across the table.

She’d pinned her ginger hair up into a bun, fussed with the scarf he’d loaned her because it had been chilly when they’d left—“It’s my mom’s,” he’d quickly told her when she’d glared at him—and shook her head nervously.

“I don’t know how you can be so calm about all this. I’m so nervous right now, Alec. What if Sports Armour revokes their offer?” She bounced in her seat.

With his leg, he steadied hers under the table. “They won’t.”

“How do you know?”

“Because I’m not fucking up, Ruby. Going out with you is so opposite of fucking up, it’s not even funny. They’re going to see what a good influence you are on me.”

“Is that why you wanted to go out with me? For your image?” Even though she was smiling through her smirk, a little joke, he knew she was probably worried about this in the back of her mind.

He sipped from his glass, avoiding eye contact with a couple who walked past their table and perused them to make sure they were Alec LeBrun and his publicist who were reportedly dating, as of this morning. Once they were gone, he said, “Nah, I wanted to go out with you for your tits. Your tits are, without a doubt, the best part about you.”

He waited for the evil glare and got a kick under the table instead. Right into his knee.

“Ow!” He rubbed his knee and bit his smile.

“You better watch out, LeBrun,” she chastised, laughing. “I’m still your publicist and I will still knock you on your ass. Hear me?”

Alec nodded in surrender. “I hear you, loud and clear, Sergeant O’Brien. Holy shit. I love that you get my humor, Red. You know I’m pleased as punch that we’re dating, because I damn well don’t deserve you.”

Her eyes softened as she gazed at him. “Is that what you think?”

“It’s the truth.”

“That’s not true, Alec. I’m no better than you are. We’re equals.”

He wasn’t going to argue with her. Not on their first “official” date in public. But it most definitely was true. Ruby O’Brien was entirely out of his league, a fine woman who would be better off going out with a tax attorney, a banker, not a misbehaved, miscreant football player like him. That she had great tits was only the cherry on top of a highly unlikely hot fudge sundae. Two cherries, actually.

After their meal, Alec escorted Ruby out of the restaurant, his arm around her shoulders. He knew that some reporters waited for them outside and wanted to give them something to talk about. “You ready for this?” he mumbled into Ruby’s ear.

“Not really,” she replied nervously.

“Great. Here we go.” They pushed out the doors into the gorgeous October day.

“Mr. LeBrun!”

“Mr. LeBrun!”

“Alec!”

At first, he thought it’d been a small crowd, but then he spotted a bigger swarm of paparazzi coming toward them with cameras flashing, mics extended in front of them, and video rolling. He sensed Ruby tense by his side. He quickly checked around him to see if there was any way to get away, but his car was too far. “Let’s do this,” he told Ruby, throwing on the smile he’d used a thousand times before, waving friendly-like as they reached him.

“Fellas.” He used that charming southern drawl he’d almost forgotten wasn’t his natural speaking voice. “Lovely afternoon, huh? See that touchdown last Sunday? Pretty damn amazing, I know. Hey, who’s got me on their fantasy team?” He knew they didn’t give a rat’s ass about his touchdown or fantasy football this time around, but he tried to distract them from making Ruby uncomfortable anyway.

“Mr. LeBrun, can you tell us how long you and Ms. O’Brien have been dating?” one of the paparazzi asked and another shouted, “Is it serious?”

So much for the distraction technique, Alec thought, his mind racing. It was hard to think with so many people crowded around, mostly people who didn’t care about his feelings, who only wanted to make a profit off of his life’s dramas.

Ruby took a step back, as the reporters fought for front line action, snapping their cameras and asking questions.

“Is she the reason for the recent good boy act, LeBrun?” They turned their attentions to Ruby.

“Yeah, have you been cleaning up for her?” someone else asked.

Alec glanced back at Ruby, who had moved behind him, somewhat shading her face. He reached back and gave her his best, reassuring smile before pulling her forward into the limelight. “Quiet down, gentlemen, if you want me to answer any of your questions.” Once the crowd had quieted, he continued. “Like any relationship at its inception, it’s full of possibilities. Miss O’Brien has worked as my publicist for a year now. We’ve always been friends.”

“Are you sure it’s only been friends?” some asshole asked, suggesting he’d been involved with her even during Colleen.

Alec did not give him the benefit of an answer.

“As you all know,” he continued, unruffled, “she’s had to work a little harder than usual to help me redeem myself after some bad behavior. And, during that time, feelings developed. It’s complicated, what with her being my publicist and all, but if you think about it, it’s perfect. I need someone working with me who understands me, who has my back, and there’s no one I trust more than Ruby. So we’re going to see how this plays out. From my standpoint, I only expect great things.”

Everyone started shouting at once as casual observers started to fill the sidewalk all around them. Alec pulled Ruby closer to him. “One at a time,” he shouted.

“What about Colleen?”

“I wish Colleen the absolute best, but there is nothing more between us.”

“Why Ruby, Alec? Why not any other woman?”

Alec looked down at the woman by his side. His prize. “Ruby is an amazing woman who’s always had my respect. No other woman can come close to holding a candle to her.”

Ruby smiled. For a moment, it looked to him like she was trying to figure out whether he was saying this for the sake of the reporters or whether he truly believed it in his heart. She seemed to be searching for the answer and he hoped she could see it in his face despite the swarm of sharks all around them.

He hoped she could see the answer clear as day and would soon come to believe him. Ruby O’Brien made him not need to pretend anymore.