A/N: Thanks to everyone who's read so far and a special thanks (imaginary cookies?) to sunthorn for reviewing! On with the naughtiness!
Tossing her apron in the laundry basket in her room (or the pile of laundry on top of it, to be precise) she gave a great sigh before collapsing on her bed. Burying her head in her pillow she groaned. Why was this still happening? She had…mated, she thought the word with distaste as it seemed to poorly describe what had passed between her and Jiminy the night before, and yet she was still...like this. Still needy, still feeling that awful, slippery emptiness, the throb of her pulse in her lower body. And just thinking about how Archie had settled those feelings yesterday made it worse. As her brain gleefully replayed how his hands had felt on her skin, how his eyes had bored into hers, how his clever fingers had…played her she felt the throbbing intensify. With a groan she pressed her thighs together, trying to smother the feeling and only succeeding in increasing the pressure.
She lasted two hours before it drove her to texting Archie.
"It" came back…Can I come over? R.
Of course, you're always welcome. A.
Standing outside his house, her heart beat heavily in her chest. It seemed to be a mix of anticipation, dread and embarrassment. At least this time she was slightly more prepared than last night. Just because she was the "instigator" it shouldn't mean she couldn't make it good for him too. And she thought was on under her coat would make it pretty good.
Knocking and stepping back, she nervously patted her hair and smoothed down her coat. Then she caught herself. This wasn't a date. You didn't go on dates with your friends who you'd roped in to sharing some benefits with. Especially not when you wore expensive lingerie, perfume and nothing else under your coat. She was being ridiculous. Then he opened any thoughts about dates left her head as he opened the door.
Had he always been this attractive? Of course she'd absentmindedly noted he was cute, she wouldn't be Red if she didn't. But now it was as if her eyes had suddenly been opened and she saw him for the first time. He had he greatest hair, soft and red, and the cutest eyes that twinkled. And a charming smile that made her stomach flip a little. He was solidly built and wore his clothes with an easy grace of someone comfortable with themselves. And she loved his hands. They were wide with long fingers and looked as if they'd belong on an artist or a violinist. And she knew they were quite skillful at other things as well. A delicious shiver chased down her spine at the thought.
"Red, come in," and his voice. She had always loved his voice, ever since she'd first heard it in a little cricket who was the conscience of a nation. It was dark and slightly raspy and she suddenly wished to hear him groan her name in desperation.
God, what is wrong with me? Here she stood, blatantly lusting after one of her best friends who probably saw her as a bizarre charity case he couldn't deny help out of the goodness in his heart.
"Jiminy. Thanks for…having me." She hadn't meant for it to come out suggestive but her earlier thoughts had to have colored her words as he blushed brightly.
"Of course, anytime." He stepped back to let her in, carefully locking the door. "I made some dinner, I thought we could-"
"Later," she interrupted and pounced on him. He seemed more prepared for it tonight and his arms went around her waist, pulling her closer without any hesitation. Stumbling towards what she assumed was his bedroom she succeeded to rid him of his tweed jacket and his belt, never quite stopping kissing him long enough to manage much else. Reaching the right door he nudged her inside and tripping a little she caught her balance, straightening up as her mouth fell open in shock. The room was simple enough, done in greens and browns with sturdy wooden furniture and nice watercolors. But everywhere were lit candles and from somewhere soft music was playing. The room was bathed in a gentle glow and she could smell clean sheets and warm wax. Taking advantage of her stunned position he reached around her from behind to undo the belt of her coat.
"Yesterday was how you wanted it. Today I get to choose." His breath was hot on her ear and Ruby swallowed. What he wanted? She knew it probably wasn't a hardship for him to sleep with her but she'd never imagined he would actually want to do this. Want to be with her. In a candlelit room and music playing. If she didn't know better she would say it was…romantic. The she hauled herself back from the dangerous path her thoughts had almost gone down. Archie was hardly the quick wham-bam-thank-you-ma'am type who settled for quick sex on diner floors. This was probably more similar to how it usually looked when he brought a woman home. How he was comfortable. She supposed it couldn't hurt to let him make the best of an awkward situation and she relaxed against him as he pulled her coat off her. She heard his sharp intake of breath and turned.
"What?" She panicked before realizing she'd forgotten she was supposed to expect that reaction. Under her coat was a set of matching deep red silk bra and panties with a garter belt in the same color holding up sheer, black, lace-topped stockings along with black kitten heels. His eyes had widened and she arched her back a little. "Right. I thought I'd make more of an effort this time." She looked around the candlelit room and suddenly wished she hadn't bothered. It made her feel cheap that when she said made an effort she meant sexy lingerie and when he said make an effort he meant candlelight and music.
"You look…incredible. Stunning." His voice sounded almost reverent and she recovered a little. Maybe she didn't look too cheap. If she did, Archie probably wouldn't look at her the way he was right now. His fingers gently ran along the top of the cup of the bra and she almost purred. Just one feather light touch and her knees were already weak. Just as gently he guided her backwards to the bed, pushing her down on it. Quickly she slithered up it and pulled him closer by his tie. Capturing his lips she arched under him to hurry things along, gain some relief from the insistent, aching, need. With impatient moves she tugged at his belt before he stopped her.
"Ruby, if you don't stop that this will be a lot quicker than I planned." She swallowed. Planned? Candles and music did indicate he had prepared for her coming over but had he imagined what he would do to her as she had imagined herself? Had he lain in his bed, thinking of her hands on him, her voice urging him on? Liquid heat rose inside her at the idea he would want her as she wanted him and she intensified her work on his belt. Gently he removed her hands and she stopped, breathing hard. Had he changed his mind? Did he realize this was a crazy idea and wanted her to leave?
"I guess I'll have to make you take it slow." Slowly, giving her time to adjust and carefully looking her in the eye, he raised her hands above her head, holding them with one of his. With the other he tugged off his tie and as his intention dawned on her she smiled in approval. She'd never been especially into being tied up before but imagining what Archie could do to her vulnerable, welcoming body had her mind racing.
Giving him an almost imperceptible nod he wound his silk tie around her wrists, securing them to the wooden slats of his headboard. To try the sensation she pulled against the restraints and felt them tighten, the silky fabric ensuring it wouldn't rub her wrists sore. It wasn't uncomfortable and she relaxed slightly, meeting his hooded eyes where he hovered above her. He seemed transfixed by the image and she wondered if it was the first time he'd tried tying a woman up. The thought aroused her, being his first of something. Ensuring he would always remember. Relaxing completely against the soft sheets he seemed to wake from his staring and smiled shyly.
Slowly, as if he couldn't believe she was really there, he ran his hands down her bound arms, down her sides, over the gentle flare of her hips, before trailing the soft skin at the top of her stockings.
His warm hands rested on top of her thighs as he bent, his hot lips meeting the side of her neck. Nipping gently at the sensitive spot where her neck met her shoulder she arched under him. At her obvious approval he soothed the mark on the tender skin and Ruby felt warmth spread from that spot through her whole body. With a tug he brought her bra down, moving his lips to the exposed flesh. She expected his hot lips on her nipple – few men didn't go straight there - and reveled in the anticipation. But Archie just brushed his lips against the underside of the soft mound and little jolts of shock danced in her mind. Still supporting his weight on his arms above her he freed one hand and held a finger to her mouth. Realizing what he wanted she parted them in welcome. Using whatever skill she had picked up along the way she sucked the digit deeper and he groaned, his eyes fluttering shut. But almost quick enough to insult her skill he withdrew it and brought the wet fingertip to her breast. Lazily he drew circles around the nipple in an ever-closing spiral, stopping ever so often for her to wet the finger again. But he still hadn't touched her aching nipples.
Keening she arched up, trying desperately to make his fingers wander where she wanted them.
"A…Archie…" But he didn't seem swayed by her plea as he started on her other breast. Ruby felt her nipples seeming to strain towards his hands, rock hard little nubs of almost painful need. She writhed, her unconscious seeking relief as urgently as her conscious.
Then he finally flicked his thumbs over the heated peaks and deep moan escaped her. The wetness on his fingers increased the friction and Ruby felt as if the two tips were attached by burning silken ropes to her core, as it all seemed to wind tighter, higher. Her head swum as his fingers built the sensation. Then he brought his lips to replace his fingers on one side, his tongue persistently worrying the nipple. Heat already pounding at her center seemed to beat heavier, hotter for every time his tongue touched the sensitive skin.
"Ah, Archie…I…I'm-" He left her breast to recapture her lips, his clever tongue plundering what she could give. His hand returned to her breast and rubbing small circles over the heated wet flesh Ruby was ready to beg, when he shifted slightly, one of his legs pushing against her heat.
The shock of it had her abruptly break the kiss as her head, seemingly on its own accord, threw itself back as her hips jerked desperately to find release. She felt the rough fabric of his tweed trousers through her lace panties made the friction unbearable. He could apparently see her need and pushed a bit harder as he pinched her nipple gently. Ruby felt the walls crash down around her as stars burst in front of her closed eyes and she she sucked in air in big greedy gulps.
All the tension gone she slumped back on the bed.
In surprise she met his eyes – she'd just come from second base and pressing herself against his leg.
"That was…"
"It looked pretty good from here."
"It was so great I can't see "pretty good" in the rearview mirror." He smiled and let his hands begin roam again.
"What are you doing?"
"Did I say I was done with you?" Ruby swallowed as the voice she had always loved now suddenly sounded sexy as hell. If they succeeded in going back to being friends again after this she doubted she'd be able to listen to him order scrambled eggs without getting turned on.
Gently but purposefully, as if here were committing her every feature to memory he ran his hands over her body. Ruby relaxed even further under ministrations – the man had golden hands. Imagine those on her feet after a long shift at the diner. Every knot she'd built up from the stress of this bizarre week dissipated under the searching hands.
As he reached her lower body she felt the embers of the earlier fire flicker to life and she was almost embarrassed to realize she was ready to go again. But only almost as it seemed he was too.
He'd still been wearing shirt and trousers and it felt delicious to have it rub over her but now he reached for the buttons on his slightly crumpled shirt. She wished she were the one doing it, splaying her hands over the exposed skin, feel his heartbeat race under her fingers. He pulled it off and her eyes travelled over his shape. He wasn't overly muscular like the men Ruby had usually gone for but he had broad shoulders and a sturdy build. He looked solid, safe. His skin was pale and looked almost delicate but the muscles under it looked anything but. She'd heard he sometimes helped Marco on his odd jobs and it had to be a regular thing – he didn't have the soft frame of someone who spent all his time in an office. She ached to touch, to explore but tonight was what Archie wanted.
He shifted slightly and she realized her ogling had made him nervous.
"I want to touch you."
"Not yet. I f I let you loose this won't last another two minutes." That much was true, she'd see to that. But if driving her slowly mental with want was what he wished that was his prerogative. She had agreed for this night to be what he wanted.
"So what do you want?" He grinned and hooked his arms under her legs.
"More." He set his lips to the inside of her knee – a spot Ruby knew for sure was ticklish but as he ran his lips over the spot she just felt the need stir again. It was as if the skin in that spot was thinner, which normally made it tickle but now only made her wonder if he'd found direct access to her nerve-endings.
Slowly he trailed his lips up the inside of her thigh. Red held her breath. Was he going to…? The kind of man Ruby Lucas had fancied had rarely been interested in a mutually giving sexual relationship and hadn't wanted to do that. But she sensed no hesitation as he reached her tender folds. Still slightly shocked she met his eyes as he hooked his fingers under the waistband of her panties, pulling them off in one smooth move. Then his mouth was back, hovering over her center and Ruby stilled. She felt his breaths as they played over the heated flesh. Then his tongue parted her folds and struck gold. He didn't seem to suffer from the typical male's inability to locate a clit and his tongue lapped at hers gently as if he wanted her to get used to the sensation. She could get used to it all right.
The wet, soft heat enclosed over the sensitive bud, the rhythmical manipulations and his obvious enjoyment in the task had the need rapidly rising to the boiling point. But every time it threatened to boil over he'd pull back and pause slightly. He'd press kissed to her upper thigh until the moment passed. Then back to running his tongue from her opening to the aching nub, worrying it until she thought she might go mad.
"Archie, please!" As she felt the coil winding tighter again, about to spring free she ground out between pants, hoping the urgency wasn't lost on him "I need…more!" He seemed to take mercy on her and she felt the slight intrusion when he slipped two fingers inside her moist heat. If she'd been aware of anything besides Archie's tongue she might have been surprised just how wet she was or heard his groan when his fingers slipped in. As it were she only felt the blissful stretching as the pressure climbed even higher. He only managed to pump his fingers three times before the coil sprung free. This time her hips lifted off the bed completely as she bucked violently. And this time she got no respite.
The second she was still again Archie continued his ministrations and her hypersensitive clit would have cried if it could. In gratitude or desperation Red wasn't sure. Then his fingers picked up again, pushing her recently clamped down muscles apart. It wasn't painful but the friction was three times greater. Keening and moaning Ruby writhed, rocking her hips and arching her back to pull him deeper, to ease the need that had never been so sharp. Pleas started to fall from her lips.
Abruptly he stopped and pulled himself up, positioning himself at her entrance in one swift move. Seeing it properly now she realized why she'd been a bit sore that morning. Though no pornstar he possessed a fine specimen indeed. Eagerly she pushed him forward using her heels. But he held strong. Ever so slowly he pushed into her. She felt her insides struggle to accommodate him, the sense of fullness almost enough to bring her over the edge. Fully sheathed she felt him brush a strand of hair from her face, a tender expression on his face. It felt strangely intimate – more intimate than before and she realized she had never before looked anyone straight in the eye when they were inside her and she blushed. Jiminy's eyes were dark and focused and she could see in that moment there was no one but her in his mind. Not someone prettier or someone he might have feelings for but her. Just her.
He pulled almost all the way out before just as slowly entering her again.
"Archie," she pleaded.
"I get to decide, remember?" He bent to capture her lips again, setting a tortuously slow pace. After a little while Ruby couldn't deny its impact as she felt every stroke as if it were the first, remaining slightly unaccustomed to his girth, reveling the slight stretching sensation of being filled.
"Jiminy, let me touch you."
"I just want this to last if…" She heard unspoken question and her heart clenched a little. He was the sweetest man.
"Oh, I'm definitely coming back." The words seemed to set him free and with an impatient tug he freed her bound hands. She wound her arms tightly around him as he sped up, driving into her faster and faster. Running her hands across the expanse of his back, scraping her nails over his shoulders. Hearing him groan she was happy to be giving something back and repeated the motion. She wrapped her legs around him and felt him reach even deeper inside her, hitting a spot that at first had her uncomfortably wondering if he'd reached her throat before slipping over it again and again added another layer of pleasure to the towering bliss.
She felt the pressure build yet again and marveled at the sensation. Never before had she been able to come just from having a man move inside her but now as Jiminy hit that spot over and over she had to redefine science.
"Jiminy, I'm going to…" He didn't respond but captured her lips in an almost bruising kiss and sent her over the edge. His lips stole the moans form hers as his thrusts grew erratic. Mischievously she tightened her inner muscles and panting, he came.
Thoughtful as always he rolled off her to not crush her with his weight. Feeling completely sated she nudged off the heels she now noticed she was still wearing. Glancing over she saw Archie was still wearing his trousers, slung low on his hips.
"One of these days I will manage to get you completely naked." He smiled, propping his head on his arm.
"Is that what you're thinking about right now? I was hoping to tire you out."
"You did. For now." She resisted the urge to cuddle up to him. They weren't together. Cuddles were for couples. "Thank you, Archie."
"Thank you." She smirked at his tone. He looked completely beat. And come to think of it, so was she.
"Is it okay if I stay over? I mean, it is your fault my legs are shaking."
"Sure." With what looked like monumental effort he pulled the duvet up from the bottom of the bed. Ruby shifted and felt a furious blush creep up her cheeks.
"Uh…could I join you on your side?" She gestured to the rather large wet patch on the bed where her juices had trickled down. He on the other hand didn't look embarrassed in the slightest, in fact he looked rather proud. For a reply he just hooked his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Then it seemed he was out.
In spite of being tired herself Ruby laid awake for long time. She wasn't used to being held.
A/N: I think I'm happier with this chapter than the first but I am writing this for practice so please let me know what you think. If there's anything in particular you'd like to see, a place or the like, let me know. SD.
