Chapter 16
Parker
As soon as Ry dropped me off in front of the cabin, the first thing I did was head into the bedroom to gather my clothes.
I was down to the last outfit that I’d brought with me.
If I wanted to wear something clean tomorrow, I needed to get my clothing laundered tonight.
I knew it was presumptuous, but I really hoped they wouldn’t mind if I borrowed the washing machine at the main house.
I glanced over at the window and couldn’t help the pang of disappointment at the sight of the closed curtains across the way. With a pout, I told myself that I wasn’t at all disappointed not to see a naked Dante coming out of the shower again.
I grabbed the mesh laundry bag that I kept in my suitcase for dirty clothes while traveling and shoved my used clothing into it.
I pulled the drawstring tight after glancing around, double-checking for any missed articles of clothing.
When I was satisfied I’d found everything, I headed towards the door.
I walked up the wooden steps of the main house and knocked on the door. Just a moment later, Ruby answered with a grin.
“Hey there, darling,” she greeted with a smile. She was stunning, her hair piled on top of her head in a messy bun, with a full face of makeup. For someone who I was certain had been busy all day cleaning and cooking, she looked effortlessly beautiful.
I smiled back sheepishly and gestured to my laundry bag. “Hi, Ruby. I hate to impose, and I completely understand if it’s too much to ask, but I ran out of clean clothes today.”
She waved her hand and reached out for my bag before I could continue explaining. “Say no more, honey. I’ve got you.”
I blinked as she didn’t hesitate to heft the bag into her arms. “I can do it,” I protested.
“Nonsense. That’s what I’m here for.” I had to practically jog behind her as she began walking through the house. “Do any of these need special treatment?” she questioned over her shoulder to me.
I shook my head. “No. They’re all just your basic articles of clothing.” I tried not to let my embarrassment show at how little I had managed to spend on my clothing. I was just getting started in my career and couldn’t afford the greatest quality yet. “Nothing special.”
She guided me down another hall and then stopped in front of the laundry room. “What about what you’re wearing?”
I glanced down at myself. “What about it?”
She laughed. “Do you want those washed, too?”
I hesitated, “This is all I have left.”
“Why don’t I give you something to wear, and I can wash those along with these. That way, you can start fresh?”
“You don’t have to do that,” I protested. “You’re already doing too much.”
“Darlin’,” she said as she eyed me knowingly, “you need to let people do things for you sometimes. Let me set these down, and I’ll go grab you something to wear.”
I knew the woman wasn’t going to let me argue with her and just needed to accept that she was going to do something nice for me, no matter how much I resisted.
We stepped into a laundry room that was as big as the bedroom in the apartment I rented in Virginia.
The washer and dryer looked like something out of a sci-fi movie with more dials and flashing lights than a car dashboard.
I had no idea what most of them were even for.
While I was still staring at the display, fascinated and confused, Ruby walked back in, holding a pair of shorts and a tank top. Here you go, darlin’,” she said, shoving them into my arms.
“Thank you for this, Ruby. It’s really sweet of you.”
“You’re more than welcome. Now, why don’t you go into the bathroom and change so you can give me those clothes you’re wearing?”
I nodded and turned around to do what she said.
It only took me a couple of minutes to slip into the pair of black cotton shorts and red tank top she’d loaned me.
I thought about it for a moment, debating washing them in the sink in the cabin, but eventually I took off the panties I was wearing so they could be washed with everything else.
Slipping them in between my slacks and blouse, I handed them to her, then watched as she separated the black slacks and blouses into two different piles, which was far more than I usually did.
Once Ruby added the slacks to the machine and water began to fill the tub, she turned and eyed me again, and I just knew there was more trouble coming. “How many bras did you bring with you?”
“What? I asked.
“How many do you have left that are clean?”
I glanced down at myself and mumbled. “None. I was just going to wash this one in the sink.”
“Honey,” she sighed dramatically, making me already want to give in just so I would stop disappointing the poor woman. “I’m already washing these, might as well wash it with the rest of them.”
“But, I won’t have anything else to wear,” I glanced down at myself and gestured.
“Nobody around here is going to mind seeing a woman’s beautiful body,” she stared at me with an eyebrow raised and a knowing smirk on her face.
I finally gave in to the pressure and reached behind me. Under the tank top, I unclasped my bra, then slipped the straps down my arms, pulling the cups out from beneath the top. I handed the still warm, lacy white bra over to Ruby.
“That’s pretty,” Ruby said as she held up the lace to the light.
“I can’t get away with so little material.
These things need more support.” She cupped her full, round breasts that were probably at least a D cup, then sighed as she dropped my bra on top of the blouses.
“I used to be able to wear pretty bras like this when I was in high school, but now I have to wear full coverage for the added support.” She shook her head.
“Wish I had bigger boobs like yours,” I blurted out.
She laughed and leaned against the washing machine.
“Big tits are nice and fun. Both the guys and girls like them well enough, but you give up being able to wear certain sexy lingerie with minimal support. Bralettes? Yeah, not gonna happen with these babies,” she patted her right boob and shook her head ruefully.
“I guess you’re right,” I acknowledged. “Everyone always wants what they don’t have. People with straight hair want curly, brunettes want to be blonde...”
She gave me a wink. “Now you’re getting it. All while someone else out there is envious of them. I’ll have your clothes ready for you before bedtime. Why don’t you find the boys in the study? Make them happy.”
I shook my head and laughed softly. “You’re relentless. Okay, I’ll go look for them. You’re really sweet, Ruby. I appreciate you.”
I watched, fascinated, as the buxom, bossy, and brash woman blushed with my compliment. Without waiting for a response, I turned and headed down the hall.
I walked through the house with my arms crossed over my chest, feeling strangely exposed without my bra on. I was realizing that I hadn’t asked for directions to the study when I finally heard voices and headed in that direction. As I got closer, I could hear Ry and Gage talking.
Ry was telling Gage about the case that he’d picked up today. A man allegedly beat and raped his fiancée, causing her to have a miscarriage. The poor woman had been in pain and heartbroken, but she’d crawled into her car and driven herself to the hospital.
Amy Fuller had been diagnosed with a broken rib and a fractured jaw. She was currently in the process of being forced to deliver the baby that had been killed in utero. She would have a long recovery, long after her physical injuries healed.
When Detective Nakamura and his partner showed up at their house, the man had been passed out drunk in his armchair.
He’d been arrested despite his claims that the woman had fallen down the stairs.
Ry had told me on the drive home that his dad was the minister at the largest Methodist Church in Selene, and he would likely make bail by dinner time.
As I listened to them talk, I was surprised by Gage’s response. He seemed particularly angry about the case. The vehemence of his tone was shocking. I wondered if he’d known the woman since he sounded like he wanted to hurt the man for what he was being accused of.
Ry’s tone was soothing, attempting to calm Gage as he cursed viciously.
I suddenly heard a sound as I stood in the hallway where I had been attempting to give them privacy.
Angry grunts and rustling clothing had my concern rising, so I stepped up to the door.
I didn’t know what I would do to stop them, but I couldn’t stand the thought of the men fighting each other if that was what was happening.
As soon as the room came into view, I froze.
There on his knees was Ryu Nakamura. Gage was sitting on a brown leather sofa against the wall of the study, with a mixed expression of anger and almost tortured pleasure on his handsome face.
His jaw was tight as he glared down at the top of Ry’s head.
Gage’s jeans were open, unzipped, and pulled to below his hips.
His thick cock was standing out thick, red, and throbbing.
Ry’s hand was wrapped around it, gripping it in what looked like a stranglehold.
I watched, transfixed, as his hand stroked up to the head and then back down. As his hand made the journey, a translucent drop of thick liquid seeped from the slit at the top of Gage’s cock.
“Stop fucking around. Lick it,” Gage growled low in his throat, sounding like he was seconds away from violence. His hands fisted at his sides, and I briefly wondered if he didn’t trust himself to touch Ry.