RUTHLESS GAME

Chapter 3: One Night

Julian

I watched the pleasure flicker across Ruby's face. All I really knew about her was her name—if that was even her real name. We'd exchanged nothing but a few drinks, intriguing conversation, some laughs and then things had turned s****l.

Ruby, seemingly a little tipsy, had looked me in the eye and said she was interested in spending the night with me. She wanted nothing more than one night, which was fine with me. No strings attached was my forte and I couldn't believe this gorgeous gift had literally fallen into my arms. I usually hated my trips back to Omaha, but this one was off to a spectacular start.

I gazed down at Ruby's upturned face. Her eyes were the color of the golden hue reaching into the sky at sunrise. The s****l satisfaction that momentarily clouded them made them more beautiful. Great. I'd turned into a poet all of a suddenly. It wasn't time for romance―one night stands never were. And I had no interest in anything deeper than s*x.

I almost laughed out loud at the thought that I'd turned into Shakespeare in the short time of meeting Ruby and getting her back to my room. The woman was that good, and I could tell she had no idea of the power she wielded. She exuded innocent charm. The type that a woman obviously didn't know how captivating she was.

What really turned me on was how responsive she was to my touch. As I continued driving her to another orgasm, strumming her with my fingers, her hips moved in rhythm with my strokes. The sounds she made were like music to my ears.

"I'm about to orgasm again," Ruby panted, sounding amazed. "I swear, I've never had so many orgasms so fast," she muttered. Then her mouth clamped shut and her cheeks flushed pink.

I grinned. Ruby said the most delightful things… unintentionally, as I'd gathered. She had this whole awkward and cute, but sexy as sin thing going for her. I had no idea how she pulled off that combination. She was a breath of fresh air, a contrast from the parade of models, want to be models, and socialites that I was accustomed to. I had to keep reminding myself that it was for the best if we kept this a one time thing.

She tightened around my digits, and I picked up the pace, wanting to see her explode again. I was dying to slide between her thighs and have her incredibly long legs wrapped around me as I drove into her. I couldn't wait to feel her delicious curves pressed against me.

The magnetism I felt towards her was a little disturbing. Ruby was far from my type with her timid aura, sweetheart-shaped face, and wild chestnut curls. Yet, I wanted her. I peered at her closely, as if by looking at her I'd figure out why she stirred this intense need in me.

Since we met, several times the alarm went off in my head: She's not your type! I didn't do innocent, and Ruby struck me as too innocent. But I just couldn't resist her allure. My name rolling off her lips as she shattered again, pulled me from my confused haze. Watching her in the throes of passion was a beautiful sight. It was something I could get used to.

Immediately, I shut down the thought and reached for the box of condoms. There was no getting used to anything where the woman in my bed for the night was concerned. One night. That was all this was.

Before Ruby fully recovered from her second orgasm, I was sheathed and positioned at her entrance. Just as her eyes fluttered open, I slid between her folds. It was inexplicable why it felt so good and so right to be intimately connected with a virtual stranger.

That was something I didn't even want to analyze, so I carried my wayward thoughts back to the body beneath mine. Instead, I focused on the way her channel welcomed me. Ruby's palms slid over my back and her breath caressed my skin with each moan and sigh I drew from her. I wanted to bask in the sweet comfort of her warmth forever, but I could feel my body gearing up to explode.

Muttering a curse, I groaned. "Why do you feel so good?" And why did I want to see her again after tonight? Jaws clenched, I tried to hold on to my control. It was futile. My body's need overrode my effort for control. My thrusts became urgent, sending Ruby over the edge again.

"You're beautiful when you c*m," I mused, eyes fixed on her. Then I gave in to the feeling of ecstasy that wanted to pull me in. Even as I rode the waves of bliss, I already wanted more of Ruby.

Shuddering and momentarily weakened, I narrowly avoided collapsing on top of her. I dropped beside her and stared up at the ceiling while I listened to her unsteady breathing. The silence wasn't awkward as I expected it to be with someone I'd just met a couple of hours ago.

"That was unlike anything I've ever experienced," Ruby said, breaking the silence.

"I'm glad I could please," I drawled.

"Is this when I get going?" Her soft inquiry filtered into my s*x muddled brain. I liked her voice. I liked her. There was a serene aura about Ruby that I appreciated, and she made me laugh. That was why I'd spent so much time chatting with her up at the bar.

I cleared my throat. "Usually."

She turned to look at me. "But?"

"We can't leave an entire box of condoms unused," I said with a grin.

As expected, her eyes widened, and she flushed. With a chuckle, I got up and went to the bathroom. When I returned, Ruby sat in bed with a white silk sheet wrapped around her. I was disappointed to be robbed of the view of her bare breasts.

"What do you say, sweet Ruby? Stay the night?"

She nibbled her lower lip. "That isn't what we agreed on."

I should have stopped pressing and let her go for both our sakes, but I heard myself say, "I don't remember us setting any particular terms."

Her eyes met mine, and I could practically see her raging mental battle. "I want to say yes…"

"Then say yes." I shrugged and aimed for the minibar, all the while wondering what the hell I was thinking asking her to stay. Usually, I'd be itching to have a woman vacate my personal space after s*x.

"I've never done anything like this before," she said softly, absently.

My eyebrows elevated. "Having regrets already?" Annoyed that I cared so much about her response, I turned my attention to the bar.

"No." She let out a laugh. "How could I regret something so amazing? I meant that I've never had a one-night stand. I don't know what to do."

Ridiculously pleased, I said, "If you found round one amazing, stick around for round two. I guarantee it'll be even better." Flashing her a grin, I caught her amused expression and was almost positive she'd stay. I glanced down at the bottle in my hand, saw that it was scotch, and held it up to her in offering.

Ruby nodded. "Just a little."

"I guess you're staying then." I was hit with a shy smile that made my heart flutter. My gazed lingered on Ruby with concern. No way was she getting under my skin after mere hours. Impossible!

I wasn't one to press for information from someone I agreed to one night with, but what the hell? "So, tell me, is Ruby your real name?"

She swung her legs off the bed and accepted the glass I offered. "It is. Was I supposed to give you a fake name in the bar? Is that how these things work?"

Chuckling, I dropped to an armchair facing her. Drink in hand, I shrugged. "What makes you think I'm an expert in this kind of thing?"

"Well, you alluded to that earlier. Plus, you have a stranger in your hotel room, yet you seem quite comfortable. I assume this isn't your first fling."

My lips kicked up at the corners when her gaze dropped to my half-erect d**k. I hadn't bothered to cover up as Ruby had. She took a sip of her drink, winced, and then glared at her glass with disgust, making me smile harder.

"Come on, Ruby, we're hardly strangers after hanging out at a bar. And most definitely not after I've had my head between your legs. What's there to be shy about?"

She sputtered and coughed, her face becoming more flushed than I'd seen since meeting her. "You don't hold anything back, do you?"

I lifted a shoulder. "I'm a straightforward guy."

She studied me silently with her head tilted to one side and for once I wished I could read minds. "Is Julian your real name?"

"Of course."

"Julian," she whispered, making my d**k twitch in response. "It suits you."

Lifting a brow, I said, "It's just a name. I've never thought much about it." Downing the contents of my glass, I studied her. "I knew sleeping with someone you just met isn't you before you told me, Ruby. That was clear before we made it to this room."

"Really? How on earth could you tell?"

"I'm good at reading people." Innocent was practically stamped on Ruby's forehead.

She pursed her lips and ran her fingers through her hair, sending her curls into disarray. "Does a one-night stand usually involve this much talking?"

I threw his head back and laughed. "Not in my experience, but you have me intrigued. Humor me."

Her amber eyes sparkled with humor. "You're right, this most definitely isn't me. But since you have no idea who I am, I can be anyone I want to be tonight." She shrugged. "Maybe I just wanted a little adventure."

"Or maybe you wanted to take your mind off of something." Ruby was definitely here with me because she wanted a distraction.

She paused, and I caught the troubled expression that she quickly tried to cover up. Lifting one shoulder, she said, "Like I told you at the bar, I needed to blow off some steam."

I wanted to press for more information because I was surprisingly interested in her, but it was none of my business. I rested my empty glass on a table. "In that case, come here and let's blow off some more steam. I want you naked."

Amusement flickered across Ruby's face. "Do you always get what you want, Julian?" she asked as she set her glass down.

"I tend to."

Her soft laughter carried across the room as she allowed the sheet to float to the floor. With tentative steps, she came closer.

My eyes were steady on her, committing every dip and curve of her body to memory. When she was close enough, I pulled her onto my lap to straddle him.

"No more talking, sweet Ruby. Whatever is weighing on your mind, I'll make sure you forget all about it tonight."