Authors: Ruby Duvall
EscapeWithMe (25 page)
He lifted her and laid her on the bed. She opened her legs
wide, which finally got a noise from him, a growl from deep in his chest. He
didn’t come to her though. She saw his hands were shaking.
“I…don’t know how long I…”
“Me too,” she whispered. “I need you.”
He was on her and it was only a quick adjustment before he
was pushing inside her. One pump of his hips and she was leaving marks in his
shoulders with her nails. Another and she wrapped her legs around his waist.
“I…can’t…” he groaned.
She almost asked him what was wrong, but then his control
snapped and she understood just what he was restraining. He buried his face in
her hair, and he went hard and fast. An orgasm immediately lit her up.
He followed a few seconds later and she held him tight as he
shook with ecstasy over her.
When he rolled to his side, he pulled her with him and they
lay for a moment in silence to catch their breath. Sam smiled.
“I’m glad I could please you,” Ryder said with a chuckle.
“No, I—well yes, you definitely did—but I was just thinking
that we’ll get to do a lot of that.”
Ryder practically purred. “We have many hours left in the
evening.”
“But I’m hungry.”
“I would be honored to feed you, my love, and you must tell
me about this…geological event—the volcano. It’s all the townsfolk can talk
about.”
“Be ready to have your mind blown.”
Ryder laughed and Sam knew for the hundredth time that she
had made the right choice. Forging a new life was frightening, but when she
looked at Ryder, she also felt immense hope. Her old life dimmed in comparison
to the bright future she faced with him.
* * * * *
The grave of Ryder’s mother was well tended by his
grandparents, who still lived in Poole. Ryder did not conceal the truth of how
his mother died or the identity of his real father. He asked that Henry Webb be
buried next to her and they wept as they gave their consent.
The funeral didn’t last long, for the air was still thick
with what Samantha had described as fallout. His mother’s parents invited
everyone to their home for dinner and as the attendees dispersed, he lingered
by the fresh grave. Samantha stayed by his side.
He nearly couldn’t believe the miracle of her love. When
they had stayed at the inn in Christchurch two nights previous, he had been at
a loss for words to express his utter joy. His body expressed it for him,
worshipping her and atoning for their first night together when he had taken
her virginity with far less reverence than she deserved.
“I wonder what the purpose of the locket is,” he mused. “It
brought you to me and I shall be forever grateful, but…”
“You’re worried about your father,” she said quietly. He
nodded. When they had brought Webb’s body to the undertaker, Ryder asked that
the locket be buried with his father, but when they returned for his coffin the
next morning, the undertaker insisted he didn’t find a locket. It was assumed
that it had been lost on the journey to Christchurch, but Ryder and Samantha
had another theory.
“I think the locket gives a second chance at life and love,”
she said.
“Then you think he’s alive somewhere?”
“I do.” She held his hand tightly.
“Will he be happy there, I wonder.”
“He’ll find happiness, just like I have.” She smiled and her
eyes were full of love.
Ryder turned to her, feeling tall. He laid his hand against
her cheek. They shared a kiss and his heart was so full it ached. He then
offered his arm and she took his elbow. As they walked back to the hackney, he
grinned.
“What?” she asked with a confused smile.
“I wonder if Kelter ever got his kiss from MacKenzie.” They
both laughed, and Ryder realized the locket indeed gave a second chance at life
and love—and not just for the one who wore it.
About Ruby Duvall
Ruby Duvall is an avid reader of many romance and erotica
genres, but her favorites are fantasy and paranormal. She also enjoys movies,
RPGs and maybe a little shopping too. She currently lives in Washington.
Ruby welcomes comments from readers. You can find her
website and email addresses on her
author bio page
at
www.ellorascave.com
.
Tell Us What You Think
We appreciate hearing reader opinions about our books. You
can email
the
author
directly or you can email us at
[email protected]
(when
contacting Customer Service, be sure to state the book title and author).
Also by
Ruby Duvall
Print books by Ruby Duvall
Ellora’s Cave Publishing
Escape With Me
ISBN 9781419944833
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Escape With Me Copyright © 2013 Ruby Duvall
Edited by Grace Bradley
Photography and cover design by Syneca
Additional Photo: Terri Francis/Shutterstock.com
Models: Austin and Miss Taylor
Electronic book Publication March 2013
The terms Romantica® and Quickies® are registered trademarks of
Ellora’s Cave Publishing.
With the exception of quotes used in reviews, this book may not
be reproduced or used in whole or in part by any means existing without written
permission from the publisher, Ellora’s Cave Publishing, Inc.® 1056 Home
Avenue, Akron OH 44310-3502.
Warning: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this
copyrighted work is illegal. No part of this book may be scanned, uploaded or
distributed via the Internet or any other means, electronic or print, without
the publisher’s permission. Criminal copyright infringement, including
infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is
punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.
(http://www.fbi.gov/ipr/). Please purchase only authorized electronic or print
editions and do not participate in or encourage the electronic piracy of
copyrighted material. Your support of the author’s rights is appreciated.
This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons,
living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The
characters are productions of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.
The publisher and author(s) acknowledge the trademark status and
trademark ownership of all trademarks, service marks and word marks mentioned
in this book.
The publisher does not have any control over, and does not assume
any responsibility for, author or third-party websites or their content.
Discover for yourself why readers can’t get enough of the
multiple award-winning publisher Ellora’s Cave. Be sure to visit EC on the web
at www.ellorascave.com to find erotic reading experiences that will leave you
breathless. You can also find our books at all the major e-tailers (Barnes
& Noble, Amazon Kindle, Sony, Kobo, Google, Apple iBookstore, All Romance
eBooks, and others).