Chapter 7 Grant #2
As I predicted, I took up most of the space. Ruby sat wedged between me and the other end. I turned halfway so I could see her and reminded myself that I needed to touch her as little as possible or else I was going to forget myself.
“I’m listening.”
I knew what she was referring to and picked up the story from where I’d left off before.
“I wasn’t arrested. Roger’s dad said he would rather take care of it himself, and he made a deal with me. If I showed up at his house and did yard work for the whole summer, he wouldn’t turn me in.”
“That’s an interesting thing to do.”
“I still have no idea why he did it. I went there every single day, and Sybil and Thomas were there often.
One time, Thomas approached me and said his yard could use some capable hands too.
He asked if I could bring some extra help because he had a bigger project going on.
I told him about my brothers. Thomas was building a gazebo, and we all worked on it together.
“I learned a lot about construction, as did my brothers. Sybil would do motherly kinds of things, like baking cookies for us to take with us. We really liked them and looked forward to the work.
“And then one day, Sybil asked if we would consider moving in with them as foster children. I thought I’d heard her wrong.”
“Just like that?” Ruby was a good listener, and I could see the emotion—maybe pity too—in her eyes. My brothers and I went through hell after my parents’ car crash, and we’d seen a lot of pity over the years.
“Yeah. They’d gotten to know us by then because the yard work took a long time every day.
Sybil would give us lunch, bought us some new jeans because ours had holes, and was generally very kind and generous.
Their offer was a blessing and full of sincerity, but still, it came as a shock to me.
It never occurred to us that it would be an option. ”
“Not to your brothers either?”
“Well, maybe. They were a bit younger. Less cynical. But if they’d thought about it, they never told me so.”
It was bizarre that I was talking about this with her. I very rarely spoke about my childhood. I didn’t have anything to hide, of course, but it just wasn’t anyone’s business.
“And since our parents were friends, we saw each other very often, Roger and I.”
“I see,” Ruby murmured. “And his fun, teasing ways apparently didn’t have an influence on you, did they?”
“Nah. The damage was already done,” I told her. I’d meant this in jest, but her eyes softened.
“I don’t think that’s the right way to put it. You had a rough life. I don’t know you very well, but I feel like that’s just made you stronger, not damaged. Strong and sexy.” She pressed her lips together, then giggled.
I kissed her then, just like that. It was the perfect thing to do in the moment.
I needed her mouth, her tongue—I just needed her .
She tasted like vodka, and the way she immediately gave in to the kiss made me so fucking hard.
I felt her breasts pressing against me, but it wasn’t enough.
Wrapping my arms around her, I pulled her onto my lap.
Fuck yeah. I’d wanted this the entire evening.
I kissed her long and deep, and her body hummed as she put both hands on my chest, digging her fingers into my pecs.
I rested my hands at the small of her back, brushing her ass cheeks with my fingers, then cupping them.
Another thing I’d been fantasizing about all night.
Her muscles were strong. She was very fit—likely from walking around in heels all the time.
“Fuck,” I groaned as I pressed her closer to me. I couldn’t rub her against my cock. What the fuck was I thinking? So, even though I wanted nothing more than to deepen the kiss, I pressed my thumbs into her flesh and pushed her away from me.
Ruby hummed, closing her eyes. “Oh, wow. You’re an even better kisser than I thought you would be.”
I traced her lower lip with my thumb. “You gave this a lot of thought?”
“Oh yeah.”
“So did I,” I admitted.
She opened her eyes. “You did?”
“Hell yes. The whole evening.”
“Oh my God. You were sending me sexy vibes across the room, weren’t you?”
I furrowed my brow, confused. “What?”
“That’s why I had such a hard time focusing.”
I smirked. “You looked perfectly professional to me.”
“That’s because you don’t know how I usually am. I wasn’t up to speed tonight.” She punched my shoulder lightly.
“Ruby, damn it.” I pulled her closer. “All I want is to kiss you again.”
“I should’ve asked Daphne for more intel on you,” she murmured, clearly more for herself than for me.
She made me laugh. Being around this woman was an experience unlike anything I’d ever had. I was different when I was with her.
“You can ask me anything you want. But I know what Daphne would tell you.”
“Oh?” She looked at me with an expectant expression. Her eyes were wide, her lips slightly parted.
“She would tell you to stay away.”
“Really? Because she told me you’re a good guy. ”
I cocked a brow. “In relation to what? Women?”
“No... We didn’t get to that.”
I decided to lay all my cards out. “She’s warned me before to stay away from her friends.”
“Crap.” Her shoulders slumped. Then she quickly slid off my lap, pulling herself to her feet.
I got up as well, seeing this as an opportunity to call it a night. Who knew what might happen if I stayed too long?
“Ruby, thanks for tonight.”
“For the kiss, or all the other stuff?”
I laughed. She was determined to keep me on my toes. “For everything.”
“You didn’t exactly finish your nightcap.”
I looked at my glass. It was true—I’d only had a few sips.
“Oh, right, you came in your car,” she said before I could respond.
“That’s not the only reason. If I stay here any longer, then—”
“Let me guess, I might tempt you to do something reckless?” she teased.
I waggled my eyebrows. “Exactly.”
She brought out an ease in me that I hadn’t even known I possessed. I wasn’t one to banter with anyone except my brothers. It just wasn’t in my DNA—or so I thought.
“All right, then.” She started toward the door.
I couldn’t deny it. I was disappointed. But this was for the best. I followed her to the doorway.
“Thanks for changing the batteries and looking after Roger and Daphne by making sure nothing bad will happen at their engagement party.” She spoke in a very professional tone, very different from before.
“Good night, Ruby,” I said.
As soon as I walked out, she closed the door.
I took a deep breath and blew it out slowly.
What the hell just happened?