Raw Desire by Kate Pearce

Ally, but she was trying to sort them out. She’d kicked the drugs, you know, and she volunteered at the charity shop every week.”
    Ally struggled to pick up the backpack and keep her face blank. She didn’t want to talk about Ruth. She really didn’t. There was nothing to say—nothing of any use anyway. She’d run out of excuses and sympathy for the woman years ago.
    â€œWell, it was nice to see you again, Mrs. Orchard,” Ally said brightly. “I’ll probably be back in a few days.”
    â€œI’m sure you will, but remember, you can renew your books online now. That’s what your mother used to do.”
    With a parting wave, Ally left the library and headed for home. Her steps slowed as she considered what Mrs. Orchard had said. Did her mom really have a computer buried under all that crap in the house? She supposed it was possible. It was more likely that her mom had pawned it for drugs or something, but she really should go and look.
    As she walked, she thought about Rob and how he’d stood up for her in the coffee shop. A wave of longing coalesced in the pit of her stomach. She wanted him so badly, wanted to let him take care of her, and she knew that he’d get it right too. But it would be on her terms this time. She wasn’t weak. She had plans. She was making the choice.
    Her battered truck came into view in her driveway, and she fished her key out of her jeans pocket. Tomorrow was the start of her new job, so tonight was hers and she intended to grab the moment.

7
    A lly fitted the key to the back door of Rob’s ranch house and stepped inside. The range hood light was on, and the scent of pizza and coffee lingered in the air. She half expected to see Rob’s mom cooking or Lauren sitting at the table watching TV and arguing with Rob. His parents had retired to Florida, but did Lauren still live there? Ally paused for a horrified moment. Surely Rob wouldn’t have invited her over if that was true.
    The hum of the TV and a faint glow of light illuminated the hallway that led to the family room and the three bedrooms beyond. Ally slid the key back into her pocket and bit her lip as she contemplated her next move. Rob’s truck was in the driveway, so she was pretty sure he was home. It was time to make a choice and live how she wanted to, even if only for a short while.
    She took off her flip-flops and walked barefoot on the warm cherrywood floorboards. She saw the back of Rob’s head first. He was lying on the couch watching some baseball game. He didn’t turn around as she approached, but she sensed he knew she was there. She came around the edge of the couch and deliberately dropped her gaze to the floor. With shaking fingers, she unbuttoned her thin pink blouse and took it off, then shimmied out of her jeans.
    â€œLeave your bra and panties on.”
    She still didn’t look at him as she sank to her knees and locked her hands in the small of her back.
    He reached out and caressed her cheek. “Yeah. That’s better. Move closer.”
    She shuffled awkwardly toward him until she knelt between his spread jean-covered knees. She held her breath as he cupped her breasts in his hands, his thumbs unerringly locating her nipples. She kept her gaze on his big hands as he plucked at her nipples with fingers and thumbs, drawing them into hard, aching points. He kept it up until the pleasure became edged with an intense throbbing, and she leaned into his touch.
    â€œTake your bra off.”
    She fumbled with the catch and caught her breath as the thin lace brushed against her hard nipples. He stared at her small breasts for so long that she almost wished to cover herself up again. His thumb circled her areola, and she fought back a whimper as he lowered his head.
    Her breast was small enough that he could draw almost all of it into his mouth. He sucked hard, forcing her already-tender nipple up to the roof of his mouth before