“True.”
“So what about your first date?”
Ruby shook her head. “I don’t…”
“Come on,” I said. “Do you want to announce it? Tell everyone here that you and Garcia were a thing? I’m sure he was all your firsts. I’m sure he captured your heart. And then he ruined it. And fuck that guy for doing that to you. But own it, girl.”
“He took me to the movies,” Ruby said. “He lived across the street from me. So we always had something. I mean, I had other boyfriends I guess. That stupid young stuff. But my first real first date he took me to the movies.”
“Did you watch the movie?” I asked.
Ruby lifted her eyebrow. “Yeah. He ignored me the whole time.”
“See… the movies are a trap. You need to find something that you won’t missseeing.”
“So you’ve gone to movies with girls before?”
“Nah,” I said. “I keep things straight and to the point.”
“I guess you do,” Ruby said.
“But let’s be real, Ruby. This is one hell of a first date.”
She laugh-snorted. “I don’t know what this is. Everything we’ve already done…”
“True. Sleeping together before the first date. You’re a dirty girl.”
“Excuse me?” Ruby asked.
I laughed.
After we finished eating, we left and the bikes were still on the sidewalk.
The ride back to the beach was much calmer.
And Ruby stayed on the sidewalk this time.
I stayed behind her for the obvious reasons again. And that was perfectly fine by me.
When we got back to my SUV, I put the bikes away.
I left the surfboards up there too because we were going to head back to my place to surf there.
Once I had everything secured, I jumped off the top of the SUV.
I caught Ruby staring at the camera.
I got close enough to her to see she was staring at the picture I took of her.
“Told you you were beautiful, girl,” I whispered.
“It’s not that, Kip.”
“Then what is it? Thought you were going to delete them all?”
Ruby looked up at me. She swallowed hard. “I’ve never seen a picture of me looking so happy.”
* * *
Ruby sat on my surfboard next to me.
We were on the beach, both agreeing that the crazy day of fun was done. For now.
She keep teasing me about what I wanted to add to the list.
And I just kept on teasing her.
Because it was easy and fun.
Ruby put her head to my shoulder. “So, I suck at surfing.”
“No, you don’t,” I said.
“Kip…”
“Girl, it’s not a once and done thing,” I said. “You have to keep practicing. Getting your balance is hard.”
“No shit,” she said.
I turned my head and looked down at her. “You did great. Plus, you sucking at surfing just gives me more excuses to touch you. You know, to keep you safe out there.”
“Like I didn’t notice that,” Ruby said. She lifted her head. “Or maybe I actually know how to surf. Maybe I’m better than you at it. But I just played stupid to get you to touch me.”
I grinned.
I’m falling in love with you, girl.
I blinked fast.
“You know, if you wanted me to touch you… just breathe.”
Ruby laugh-snorted.
I touched her cheek and dug my fingers a little into the back of her neck.
She realized right then how serious of a moment this was becoming between us.
Words lingering on my lips that would change both of our lives.
She had a lot more to lose than I did.
There wasn’t anything I could do to keep her from touching the flames. No amount of money could keep her from chasing down the demons she swore she left behind.
But I could damn love her through it all…
“Kip…”
“Girl…”
“Aw, I think they’re going to kiss.”
I turned my head and saw Tinsley with Pres and Barr.
She had her hands clapped together with excitement.
“Kiss him?” Ruby asked. “Ew. He smells like sweat. He needs a shower to start.”
“Oh yeah?” I asked. “Then what?”
“I don’t know… a full makeover. This whole bad boy surfer look is so two years ago.”
“Oh, that’s right,” I said. “You’d prefer a drug dealing criminal. Right, girl?”
Tinsley gasped.
Ruby laugh-snorted and punched me in the shoulder.
She stood up and hurried to Tinsley for a hug.
I made fists and swallowed down everything I had been thinking.
I slowly stood up and faced everyone.
Tinsley held hands with Ruby. Then she reached for Pres’s hand.
She pulled the two of them toward me.
“I was wrong,” Tinsley said. “I’m going to end this crap right now. I was wrong. I was scared and wrong.”
“What are you talking about?” Ruby asked.
“Kip and Pres are fighting because of me and you,” Tinsley said.
“Fighting?” Ruby asked.
“He punched me,” I said.
“You deserved it,” Pres said.
“I didn’t ask you to come to that apartment,” I said.
“They were going to kill you,” Pres said.
“Kill you?” Ruby asked. “What?”
“Nothing, girl,” I said. “What matters is that you got your ring back.”
“This is my fault,” Tinsley yelled. “I made all this happen. Ruby, I’m sorry I’ve been hovering over your life. I stand by what I said about Kip though. He’s an asshole. He’s rude. He’s obnoxious. His pick-up lines are cheap. But… he’s got a heart that not many have.”
“I’m seeing all of that,” Ruby said.
“Kip,” Tinsley said. “I’m sorry.”
“It’s all good, girl,” I said. I looked at Pres. “It’s all good.”
Pres nodded. “Yeah. It’s all good.”
“Now kiss and make up,” Tinsley said.
“I know where Pres’s mouth has been,” I said with a wink.
Tinsley gasped again. “Perv.”
“He’s got a point, sugar,” Pres said, finally letting a flicker of a grin creep across his face.
“Oh, what a fucking moment,” Barr said, busting between Tinsley and Pres. He put his arms around them, a cigarette bouncing between his lips. “The gang is back together. I’m going to fucking cry.”
“No you’re not,” Tinsley said. “You need to have a heart to cry.”
“I left my heart with you, love,” Barr said to Tinsley. “And you left it behind.”
I looked at Ruby and smiled.
She shook her head.
She mouthed Don’t say anything… I swear on my fucking life…
“I tried to leave my heart with Ruby,” I said.
“Oh yeah?” Tinsley asked.
“But I couldn’t.”
“Why not?” Barr asked.
“Because it was too late. She already stole it.”
Barr burst out laughing.
“Of course,” Tinsley said. She sighed and looked at Ruby. “You don’t fall for this, do you?”
“Actually… I kind of do,” Ruby admitted.
I grabbed my chest and fell to my knees.
“Wow,” Pres said. “I’d never seen someone still wearing clothes bring Kip to his knees.”
“Get used to it,” Ruby said. “I own him now.”
“Goddamn,” Barr said. “I just got chills.”
I looked at Ruby and smiled.
We’re going to tear each other apart, girl… and I can’t fucking wait for it.
Chapter 14
“This is a little weird for me, Kip,” Ruby confessed.
“What’s tha
t, girl?”
“Not getting all crazy while hanging out with friends.”
“Oh, we’re crazy. Just a different kind.”
“I sort of feel like I ruined the night.”
“How?”
“You’d all be drinking and stuff. I’m sure.”
“I’m not worried about it,” I said. “And Barr does his own thing. Smokes and a drink. I think he’s an asshole for doing that near you…”
“No. It’s okay. I need to be near it. I need to figure this out in the real world.”
Ruby kicked her feet in the pool water.
I sat next to her, my feet in the water too.
Like I was some chick.
“I think you’re fucking strong for being here,” I said. “Just saying.”
“Yeah. Thanks. I’m taking a risk here, Kip. I told Gram I was with Tinsley. She talked to Tinsley on the phone. Tore her apart.”
“She just loves you.”
“And it’s all lies.”
“Little lies,” I said. “Good lies.”
“No lies are good, Kip.”
“If it gets you to stay the night here, it’s a good lie.”
Ruby smiled. “I take it I’m sleeping on the couch again?”
I shook my head. “No, girl. It’s my guesthouse. Which means it’s your guesthouse. I told Pres and Tinsley to disappear. Barr too. In fact… oh, look, they’re gone.”
Ruby looked around. “You asshole.”
“What? You did the same thing to me. You tricked me before, right? You left without saying goodbye.”
“Kip…”
“The guesthouse is yours. Ours. We can do whatever we want. Get naked and make grilled cheese sandwiches.”
“Or stay clothed and make hot tea?” Ruby asked.
“That’s even better.”
Ruby laugh-snorted. She elbowed me. “You’re such an asshole, Kip.”
“I know.” I pulled my feet from the water and stood up. “Let’s get you that hot tea, Ruby.”
She offered her hand and I helped her to her feet.
She quickly grabbed my shirt.
“Hey. Listen.” She swallowed hard. “About today.”
“Nothing to say.”
“Yes, there is. Today was amazing. And not just because you bought things for me. I mean, yeah, I grew up poor. And I never really got things in life. I don’t know what it’s like to want something and then get it. So that part is kind of cool. But it’s just… you did all that for me. And you remembered me telling you everything I wanted to do. I was honestly just naming random things that night. But you remembered. And you did something with it. And if you did it just to get my attention or get me to fool around with you again, that’s fine. I get it. But it means something to me. And no matter what-”
I kissed her.
To shut her up.
Just a quick kiss.
“You were starting to ramble, girl,” I said. “Had no choice. Hate for you to look pathetic in front of a guy like me. You know… hot, perfect…”
Ruby curled her lip. “You’re going to use everything I ever say against me, aren’t you?”
“That I am, girl.”
“Fuck,” Ruby said.
She walked away from me toward the guesthouse.
Okay, Kip… there’s no more falling… you’re there… fuck, man, you’re falling in love with Tinsley’s hot friend…
* * *
Ruby shivered as she stood at the counter.
She hugged herself and rubbed her arms.
I smiled at her, loving the way she looked. After a long day of picture taking, painting, running, bike riding, and surfing…
“You okay, girl?” I asked.
“No. I think I want to take a shower.”
“Have at it,” I said. “Use the bathroom in the bedroom.”
“Why?”
“That’s where Tinsley has stuff. So you can use some girly shampoo and stuff.”
“I can’t use yours?” Ruby asked. “So I can smell like you?”
“Fine with me,” I said. “I love the smell of myself.”
“Of course you’d say that.”
“Of course I would,” I said. “There’s towels in there. I’m sure you can figure out how to use the shower. You just sync it up to the app on your phone and the water changes temperature and the lights change color…”
“What?” Ruby asked.
I laughed. “I’m kidding, girl. But there is a bathroom like that in the main house.”
“Are you kidding me?”
“Nope. Technology.”
“Rich people,” Ruby said. “Yuck.”
“We’re the worst,” I said.
Ruby took one step and I touched her hand. “Hey. Are you afraid of monsters?”
“What?”
“Monsters. I mean, if you’re afraid, it’s okay to leave the door unlocked. I’ll keep an eye on things.”
Ruby shook her head. “So fucking cheap, Kip.”
“I know,” I said. “But it always works for me.”
“You think that?”
“I know it, girl.”
“You really think I’m going to go take a shower and leave the bathroom door unlocked? Why? So you could creep in and try to look at me?”
I nodded. “That’s exactly what I think.”
“Don’t bother me, Kip. We’ve had a good day. Don’t ruin it.”
Ruby left the kitchen.
I stared at the stainless steel tea kettle and turned the stove burner off.
We weren’t fucking drinking hot tea.
Fuck that.
Even though I had already put mugs on the counter with a tea bag in each, along with a ton of sugar.
I waited patiently for the shower water to turn on.
And then I waited again, giving Ruby a chance to get into the shower.
I walked right to the door and saw it was left open a crack.
That was good enough for me.
I stepped into the bathroom and smiled at the silhouette of Ruby in the shower.
“Don’t say or do anything stupid,” she called out. “Remember who left the door unlocked. This is what I want.”
“Of course,” I said as I took off my shirt. “I’m just being a good host here. That’s all.”
Ruby poked her head out of the shower. “Tell me this shower isn’t tarnished with dozens of dumb blondes…”
“It gets cleaned three times a week by the cleaning people who take care of the house,” I said.
Ruby groaned. “No more talking.”
“Deal,” I said.
I stepped out of my board shorts and walked to the shower.
As I stepped inside, I saw Ruby as she faced the water, her head back, her wet hair touching down the small of her back. I studied curves that had been covered up for way too long. I was so attracted to her that even the backs of her knees were sexy.
Why the fuck are you looking at the backs of her knees?
I inched toward her and touched her hips.
She reached for my bar of soap and started to lather herself with it.
The smell that grazed my skin all day and all night hit my nose and suddenly became something very different. Just seeing the places that bar of soap were touching… I’d never be able to use my soap again without getting turned on.
Fucking Ruby… ruining everything.
She put the soap back and let the water wash it all away.
My right hand slid around to the front of her body.
I pulled her against me, making it damn known she was mine for the moment.
My fingertips traced a line between her legs and settled right there, making circles that made her hips rock left to right.
Ruby put her head back against my chest and closed her eyes.
Her lips parted and she let out a long breath.
My left hand climbed up her body slowly and with care.
As I moved over her left breast, I pressed the fingers of my right
hand against her body harder, feeling her body welcoming me.
Ruby turned her head and groaned melting into me.
I stayed right there with her, my right hand moving faster by the second.
Ruby reached forward with one hand and made the water hotter.
The steam started to collect around us, making it harder to take a breath.
Her body moved with my touch as I guided her to a wave she could definitely ride without worry of falling off of.
I put my lips to her shoulder and kissed.
I shut my eyes and took a deep breath. The steam squeezed against my throat and lungs. The smell of my soap on her skin damn near killed me. The sound of her breaths and noises against my ear left my body feeling tense and in need.
“Kip…”
She whispered my name twice and then stopped.
Her body pressed forward and held there.
Her hand grabbed my wrist, her nails digging into my skin.
I stayed right there with her, feeling the moment and the wave beginning to crest.
Ruby lifted up onto her toes for a few seconds and then came crashing down.
She leaned forward and put her hands to the shower wall.
I gently took my hands from her body and stood there trying to catch my own breath.
There was no hiding what touching her did to me.
Ruby turned and looked more beautiful than she ever had before. It was everything about her. Her eyes. Hair. Her body. The way she moved when I touched her. The way she kissed. The way she was falling for me but played tough in front of everyone else.
Ruby jumped toward me and grabbed my face.
My hands touched her hips again, but quickly slid down to the backs of her legs.
I lifted her up and knew I needed to get something before this moment went too far.
But as I held her, she looked me in the eyes.
“Promise me you won’t hurt me or leave me,” she whispered.
“I fucking promise, Ruby. I fucking promise.”
We started to kiss, the hot shower water still hitting our skin, the steam getting thicker by the second.
Ruby reached down between our bodies and I let out a growl.
I didn’t need to stop and get something.
Because Ruby was that something.
No… she was everything.
KIP: a bay falls high novel Page 14
