Page 61 of Swerve (Boosted Hearts 1)

She stared up at me, lids heavy as I dragged off the T-shirt she was wearing, one of mine, then tugged her panties down her legs.

She reached up and cupped may face. “What’s going on?”

“I just need you,” I choked out, the emotions inside me swirling, shit, fighting for dominance.

“Then take me,” she whispered through the darkness, pressing her lips to my jaw, my shoulder. “I’m here for you. I’ll always be here for you.”

I ground into her, kissed her deep, fucking lost in her. I was driven by a base need inside me, to claim what was mine, to mark her, own her. To make sure she knew she was mine and I was hers.

“Please tell me you’re ready for me, sweetheart?”

“I’m always ready for you,” she said back. “Give it to me, let me make it better, let me do that for you.”

I growled, and dropped down on top of her, using my thighs to shove hers apart . . . and slid home.

She moaned against my neck, arms tightening around me.

“I’m sorry,” I rasped as I slammed into her hard and deep, setting a frantic pace that was completely out of my control. “I’m so fucking sorry I let you go.” I was close to coming in minutes. I doubted she was anywhere near ready. She didn’t complain, though, just clung tighter to me, whispering words of encouragement. Telling me it was all right. That everything would be all right. Reading me like she always had, absorbing my pain, the battling emotions inside me. Giving me what I needed without question.

Ruby was stronger than I’d ever be.

Rearing back, I slid my hand between our bodies. I needed Ruby with me, every step of the way. I slid my thumb over her clit and she arched beneath me.

“That’s it, baby, come with me.”

She moaned then I felt her start to tighten around me. I grunted, fucking into her harder, a sound tearing from me that matched the animal inside as I came. I fell forward and bit down on her shoulder as I pumped her full of my come, marking my territory, covering her in my scent, shuddering and growling as I did.

She lay under me silent as I tried to catch my breath, her hands sliding over my overheated skin while I tried to get my shit back under control.

Finally, she kissed my throat and said, “What’s going on, Neco?”

I felt shaken from my loss of control, for how I’d come to her tonight, so close to the edge.

Fuck.

I dragged the covers away, grabbed my shirt, and started cleaning her up. “Jesus. I didn’t even use a condom.” But I’d known what I was doing, didn’t I? I’d appeased the monster inside me.

“I’m on the pill, it’ll . . .”

“Shit . . . Ruby . . .” Guilt slammed through me. “I’m gonna take care of you, baby.” I flung my shirt aside and kissed up her inner thigh. “Lay back, let me get you off again, sweetheart.”

She shook her head. “I don’t need to get off. I need you to tell me what’s going on.”

I kissed her hip, the Superman symbol. I was the complete opposite of a damned hero, but somehow, I had to give her back everything she gave me. I didn’t know how I could ever do that. “I’ll make you come so hard . . .”

“Neco . . .”

“Let me take care of you.” I kissed her pussy.

She tried to squirm away. “Neco . . .”

“Spread for me, baby. Let me . . .”

“No!” She shoved me then slid back, pulling her knees up.

I stared at her in shock. In trying to prove to myself that I wasn’t a selfish asshole, to appease my guilt, to make myself feel better—I’d almost forced her to give me what I needed. Again.

I shot to my feet, stumbling away from her, holding up my hands. “Fuck, Ruby. I’m sorry. I’d never . . . fuck.” I took another step back. I didn’t know what I was doing, but I needed to get the hell out of there.