Page 49 of Wild Hearts (Ruby Ridge #1)

carter

. . .

A week later

Vartan

So you’re ignoring me now? What the fuck is your deal?

Carter

Who is this?

I quickly pocket my phone, knowing damn well who that was, and pay attention to the group.

Catalina’s friends came as soon as they were able to celebrate their best friend.

Glasses clink, laughter bounces from wall to wall, and the scent of fried food and tequila lingers in the air.

Our table’s tucked into the back corner, already cluttered with shot glasses, crumpled napkins, and half-eaten fries.

The noise usually pisses me off, but I don’t give a damn about any of it, not when Catalina’s sitting on my lap in the booth, glowing like she’s the fucking sun.

I’ve got one arm hooked around her waist, as my fingers rest just beneath the hem of her top, her skin soft and warm under my hand.

I lean into her and brush a kiss to her shoulder because I can’t help it .

She’s in a black tube top and distressed denim clings to every supple curve of her body. Her hair is freshly curled, leaving a soft scent of vanilla as I breathe her in. She’s lit up with pure joy as we all sit and talk amongst each other.

“Alright, alright,” Maverick claps his hands, drawing attention to himself like the fucking peacock he is. “Let’s raise a glass to Catalina. For proving that being a spoiled rich kid doesn’t mean you can’t also be a bad bitch and do it on your own.”

Catalina rolls her eyes but grins, lifting her glass with everyone else.

“God, Maverick, could you be any more fucking annoying?” Amelia hisses, throwing the shot back without looking at him.

He leans over the table toward her, flashing that cocky grin that gets him out of speeding tickets and into way too many beds. “You say that now, dollface, but I saw you checking me out during that toast. It’s okay to be obsessed with me, most women are.”

Amelia doesn’t miss a beat. “I was checking to see if your forehead could reflect the neon sign in front of you. It can.”

The whole table laughs, and Maverick clutches his chest. “You wound me. But it’s fine. My love for you is strong enough for both of us.”

Layla leans over to Reed, whispering something that makes him chuckle under his breath. She’s wearing glitter under her eyes and Reed can’t stop staring at her like she’s the damn northern lights.

Amelia’s gaze flicks over to me and Catalina, where she’s nestled back into my chest, my hand still lazily stroking her hip.

Her brow lifts. “So what is this, then?” she asks, pointing between us. “Just fucking? Because Catalina hasn’t clarified anything to us yet.”

I feel Catalina tense slightly against me. I don’t even answer as I scowl across the table.

Catalina shifts, pulling back enough to face Amelia, her tone calm but firm. “Amelia? Not now.”

“What?” Amelia shrugs. “I’m just saying.”

Catalina softens slightly, but her grip on my hand tightens. “You’re such a bitch sometimes.”

Maverick whistles. “Anyways, attention back on me.”

“Don’t you have an entire football team to flirt with?” Reed mutters, sipping his bourbon.

“I do,” Maverick smirks. “But unfortunately for them, I only have eyes for Amelia.”

“In your dreams, golden boy,” she quips, sipping her drink. “Get the fuck away from me.”

Catalina laughs against my shoulder as her fingers curl into the collar of my shirt. I glance around the table—Reed, still stealing glances at Layla and Maverick, pouting dramatically across from Amelia.

And me? I have Catalina in my lap, my girl glowing from the inside out, and I don’t care who sees it.

This—this right here—is family.

She’s lying in my bed, glowing like a fever dream—hair messy from my hands, her lips swollen, and eyes glassy from the tequila.

She already came once on my mouth, her thighs still tremble from the way I’d tasted her like she was the only goddamn thing that could satisfy the ache under my skin.

I’m not done yet, not even close.

I crawl up her body, dragging my mouth along her stomach, pausing to press a slow kiss between the valley of her breasts. Her fingers tangle in my hair, pulling me closer, guiding me like she finally stopped pretending she doesn’t need this just as badly as I need her.

When I reach her lips, I pause, hovering over her, my cock hard and heavy against her inner thigh.

“You good, baby?” I ask softly, brushing my knuckles along her cheek.

She nods.

“Yeah,” she whispers. “I just… I’ve never seen you like this.”

I kiss her slowly as my tongue sweeps over hers as I shift my hips, dragging the head of my cock through her slick folds. She gasps into my mouth, her thighs parting wider, for me.

“I’ve never felt like this,” I admit, grinding against her clit just to hear her pretty little moan. “Not like this, darlin’. Not with anyone.”

She stares up at me, her fingers digging into my shoulders as I line myself up and begin to press in, slow and steady. Her mouth parts in a quiet gasp, and I watch every second of her face contorting in pleasure, her chest arching into mine.

“Fuck, baby,” I groan, sinking deeper. “You feel that? That’s my cock stretchin’ this pretty pussy, nice and slow. Just like you deserve.”

She nods frantically, her nails biting into my skin.

“You’re so big,” she breathes, her eyes fluttering closed.

My hand cups her jaw, firm but gentle. “Look at me, baby,” I whisper, dipping down to kiss her temple. “Wanna see those pretty eyes when I’m buried inside you.”

She blinks up at me, and I push the rest of the way in until I’m buried inside her, my hips flush with hers.

Her gasp turns into a moan, her legs wrap around my waist as I rock my hips forward just an inch, then back, keeping the rhythm slow.

“Jesus Christ,” I breathe, resting my forehead against hers. “You feel fuckin’ perfect.”

She kisses me, and I melt into it, letting it swallow me whole. Her hands cup my jaw as she whimpers into my mouth, rocking her hips up to meet mine.

“Take your time,” she whispers, holding my face in her hands. “Please… I want all of you.”

My cock throbs at her words, and I slow my strokes even more, dragging each thrust out until she’s whining beneath me, until I feel her walls clutching me tighter every time I slide back in.

“You got me, baby,” I whisper against her lips. “All of me.”

Her thighs tense around me, and I drop my head to her neck, kissing along the soft skin there, sucking gently until she arches up against me.

“You’re doin’ so good, darlin’,” I whisper, pulling back to look at her as my thumb rubs her pretty pout. “My sweet girl, taking me so goddamn well. Look at you, fuckin’ made for this cock.”

She moans, her eyes locked on mine as I stroke deep, grinding against her just right. Her fingers trail down my back as her nails drag slowly across my skin.

“I—Carter—please,” she chokes out.

I kiss her again, sucking her bottom lip between my teeth. “You close, baby?” I ask, brushing my thumb down to where our bodies are joined, circling her clit with slow, firm pressure.

She nods fast, whimpering. “I can’t… It’s too much?—”

“Yes, you can,” I whisper, moving my cock slow and deep, every thrust measured. “You can take it. You’re doin’ so fuckin’ good. Come for me, baby. Right on my cock.”

Her body shudders, her nails rake down my arms as she comes hard, moaning my name like it’s the only thing she knows how to say. Her thighs shake as I fuck her through it, whispering into her ear.

“That’s it. That’s my good girl. So fuckin’ pretty when you fall apart for me.”

She’s still trembling when I move faster, chasing my release. The way her pussy grips me, almost sends me over the edge instantly.

But I hold it, just long enough to kiss her again.

“Can I come inside you, baby?” I whisper, grinding in deeper, my cock throbbing inside her. “I wanna fill you up until you’re dripping.”

“Yes,” she breathes, her eyes heavy-lidded. “Please. I want it.”

I groan as I spill into her, thrusting deep with each pulse, filling her up, dragging every second out until I’ve got nothing left to give. I stay buried in her, panting, kissing her cheek as she clings to me.

“You drive me fucking crazy,” I whisper, pressing a final kiss to her forehead. “But I’m gone for you, Catalina.”