“What do you want?” she asked, despite knowing what.

“You know why you came here.” He leaned lower. She became all too aware of the scent of him, his aftershave, cologne, his rough stubble brushing against her cheek. “Pay up, sweetheart.”

Her heart threatened to burst out of her chest.

It was wrong, to want Sergei this much, to surrender to him. Let him do what he wanted to her, and she would take it, finally turn her erotic fantasies to reality.

It didn’t help her body betrayed her. Ruby could feel her nipples tightening to hard points. Moisture seeped into her panties. She tried clenching her thighs together, but had a feeling he saw right through her.

Sergei reminded her of a patient predator, but he considered the hunt over. Another woman would have balked, be insulted by his offer. She wasn’t just any strange woman. Ruby saw the truth in his words. Ten years ago, they hadn’t met by accident. After crossing paths with him, she measured every man that came after against him.

None of them could compare to him. He ruined love for her.

“Yes.” She flung the word out, recklessly, impulsively, yet her heart soared and her soul wept in relief.

“I’m not going to ask again.”

“I know you’re man who always gets what he wants.”

“Except the only thing I’ve held myself back from,” he replied, taking a step from her.

He offered her a hand up, but she knew he was no gentleman. Ruby didn’t want gentle or sweet. She wanted rough, crass. Sergei.

Sergei yanked her close until her heavy breasts were pressed against his solid chest. He cupped her ass, rubbing his erection against her stomach. The hell with clothes. She wanted them to touch skin-to-skin.

He clasped the nape of her neck, holding her in place, so she was all but helpless to prevent his kiss. Ruby must have imagined this scenario a thousand times or more. Sergei didn’t disappoint. He nipped and sucked on her bottom lip. Sergei bit hard enough to draw blood.

He thrust heat into her. Her insides melted, her toes curling.

Ruby felt like she’d unleashed a beast that had been denied far too long, and yet she wanted him to ravage her, consume her. Possess her body in every way.