Since she walked into my shop two days ago with pie on her face.
This feels inevitable.
I could deny it. I could pretend tonight is born of the list, fueled by the last two nights of connection.
But the list is teaching both of us. She’s opening her heart and mind to new possibilities.
And I’m seeing the one in front of me.
Her.
She was never mine, and she’ll never be mine, but she’s the woman I want.
The woman I’ve wanted.
Desperately.
When I lift my hand, brush my fingers along her shoulder, I shudder.
Because this moment feels meant to be.
Once I admit that to myself, I release a shaky breath and let go of all the reasons I held back in the past.
For tonight—hell, for the next few days—there are no more limits.
No more denials.
Only this.
I push her other bra strap down then slide my hands around to her back, unhooking and letting the lace fall to the floor.
My breath catches.
“Extraordinary,” I say, mesmerized, repeating my word from earlier.
She is indeed stunning.
The breasts I’ve openly ogled in her sports bra are on display and even though I’m not a boob man, or an ass man, or a leg man—eyes and lips are my weakness—Ruby’s tits are everything.
As in, everything I could want.
“You,” I breathe out, since I’m knocked senseless by her. But not so senseless that I freeze.
Hell no.
I need to touch her everywhere. “Need my hands all over you,” I growl.
“I was hoping you’d say that.” Her breath hitches as she adds in a whisper, “I have a feeling you’re good with your hands.”
“Count on it, sweetheart,” I say with a devilish grin. I cup her breasts, sliding my thumbs over the nipples, brushing them until they’re diamond points.
She gasps, arching into my palms. “Feel free to do that all night.”
“There’s so much I want to do to you, Ruby.” It feels like the truest thing I’ve said in ages. “Starting with getting the rest of these damn clothes off of you.”
I tug at her overalls, guiding them down over her hips. “Let’s get you naked, woman.”
We do the undressing dance, quickly shedding the rest of our paint-streaked clothes, leaving a pile of shorts, shirts, and overalls on the floor.