Ruby’s Pride
A Wonderland After Dark Reverse Harem Novel
Romy Lockhart
Contents
Chapter 1
Chapter 2
Chapter 3
Chapter 4
Chapter 5
Chapter 6
Chapter 7
Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10
Chapter 11
Chapter 12
Chapter 13
Chapter 14
Chapter 15
Chapter 16
Chapter 17
Chapter 18
Chapter 19
Chapter 20
Chapter 21
Chapter 22
Chapter 23
Chapter 24
Chapter 25
Chapter 26
Chapter 27
Chapter 28
Chapter 29
Chapter 30
Chapter 31
Chapter 32
Chapter 33
Chapter 34
Chapter 35
Chapter 36
Chapter 37
Chapter 38
Chapter 39
Chapter 40
Chapter 41
Chapter 42
Chapter 43
Chapter 44
Chapter 45
Chapter 46
Chapter 47
Author’s Note
RUBY’S PRIDE
Copyright © 2019 Romy Lockhart
All rights reserved.
No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any other information storage and retrieval system without the written permission of the author, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews. This book is a work of fiction, all names, characters, places, and events are the products of the author’s imagination, or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events, or locations is entirely coincidental. All rights reserved. Except as permitted under the UK Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988.
Formatting by Leanne Clugston
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Cover art by Najla Qamber
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Chapter 1
Tomorrow my whole life is about to change, and not just because it’s the day I wave goodbye to my twenties. That’s coincidental. I lean back in one of many of the lunch room’s hard plastic seats and take a sip of weak-ass coffee that’s already gone cold. It’s eight p.m. and I’m sitting here trying to cram enough caffeine into my bloodstream to force another couple of productive hours out of my tired ass before I call it a day. I want to start fresh with a clean slate in the morning.
My lips twitch into a smile. How could they not?
There’s only one more day until I’m sitting in a high-backed soft leather chair, looking out over the city I call home from the office I’ve shed buckets of blood, sweat and tears to get into. My time has finally come and I couldn’t be more ready for it.
Then my miserable excuse for a co-worker sighs deeply and drops his fork into the limp, watery disaster of a microwave meal that smells almost as good as it looks. I frown at him as he decides to explain why he doesn’t want to continue eating. As if I might want to know. Clearly my resting bitch face needs work.
“I don’t know if I can keep this up,” Brian tells me, his voice a little scratchy. He hasn’t been sleeping well, and he’s not even smart enough to hide the exhaustion with drops.
The whiny jerk looks like shit and only smells marginally less awful. Still, he walked into this place six months ago with limited experience and it was instantly clear he was on the fast track to management, thanks to the pathetic lump of flesh between his legs. That’s what it takes to make it in this world. Be born male, and white, and preferably with a silver spoon in your mouth, but that last one isn’t a deal-breaker. Not by a long shot.
“Oh, come on, you say that every week.” I’m sick to death of hearing it. He’s got it made. I saw the way Clipper looked at him in that meeting, when he basically sucked his way right up the boss’s asshole. Does the old man’s stomach taste good, Brian? You sure make it look that way.
“Becky thinks I’m cheating. All the overtime. I don’t know what else I can do to prove I’m not.”
He gives me a despairing look. Oh wait, what?
“You want me to give you advice?” I choke down a snort.
He’s serious. Damn. This Becky of his must really be something. I wonder what she does that the other girls don’t. What she gives him that makes him feel so sick at the thought of her leaving. Probably out of his league. Wouldn’t take much.
“You’re a girl. You must know what it’s like.”
Oh, he really doesn’t know who he’s speaking to. I feel a gentle tugging at the corners of my mouth. I push the smirk back before it can spoil this. He’s giving me an opportunity. That doesn’t happen very often around here.
“Invite her to have dinner with you at work tonight.” I shrug slowly as he lets the idea sink in, getting up and going over to the coffee pot to refill my mug.
He nods. “Right. Show her nothing’s going on. Thanks, Ruby.”
“No problem.” I pour my cup of coffee and leave the kitchen.
I grace the hallway with my presence while I listen in on Brian’s call. He sounds so earnest, so happy when his girl accepts the invitation. He makes another call straight after, ordering from the most expensive Chinese restaurant in town. I move on, disinterested in his menu choices. I know what time Becky’s going to be here. It’s soon. I know where Brian’s office is. That’s enough.
The big, empty corner office is directly across from Brian’s little closet. This is the office I’ve earned. Eight years of twelve and fourteen hour days. Eight years of navigating a temperamental asshole of a boss. Eight years of blood, sweat and tears. All to earn my way into that soft leather chair. I want another glimpse of it before the announcement is made tomorrow. Before Clipper’s evaluation makes it obvious that job is mine.
He went home a few hours ago, winked at me as he went. A sly sign that I’ve got it in the bag. About time. I’ve played the game. I’ve jumped through every last one of the sexist-bullshit-coated hoops and it’s all about to be made worth it.
I hope.
That little uncertain voice in my head really pisses me off. There should be no doubt. I’ve been loyal, I’ve worked hard, and I’ve outlasted a dozen guys in my same position. Brian’s new. He’s barely been in the job for six months. Trouble is, I’ve seen how Clipper gets around him. How impressed he is by the same basic shit I’ve been getting condescending smiles fired at me for pointing out.
I push those thoughts out of my head. The damned job is mine. I’ve earned it.
I stare into the office, coffee cup warming my hands, seeing the outline of that high-backed chair and closing my eyes briefly. I can see myself in that seat, looking like the cat that got the cream. It’s about damned time.
I open my eyes again when I hear footsteps coming. The janitor rounds the corner, looks me up and down slowly and goes about his sweeping, his gaze lingering before he turns away. Hell and damn. The guy is young and attractive, and on any other day I might have been tempted to flirt with his attention.
Tonight, I have better things to think about. I feel his gaze swing back to me as I walk across the hall to Brian’s office. The black bandage dress I’m painted into shows off my feminine assets well. I don’t have a lot of advantages around here; a girl needs to use everything she’s got. Dressing like a guy got me no-where. Back in the beginning, I’d assumed that was all I needed to do to be taken seriously
. I was so fucking naive.
I look around inside the windowless sweatbox that is Brian’s office. Ugh, the smell. Like used socks and wet dog. I’m reconsidering my evil plan already. Surely Becky will take one sniff and decide this guy isn’t worth the hassle.
Then my gaze catches on a little white envelope on his desk, and my heart drops into my stomach where the acid just might dissolve it. I put my coffee down quickly, hearing it slosh over the rim and not giving a shit that it just soaked whatever damn file I placed it on top of. The envelope is all I can see.
No. This can’t be real. Tell me I’m hallucinating. I pick it up and tear it open. I skim over the letter, the congratulatory words catching and swirling through my head. This is a nightmare. My grip tightens on the letter. Why the hell did Clipper wink at me as he was leaving? If he was giving his new boy-wonder the job, why fuck with me like that?
I don’t know why I’m even asking. I already know the answer. I’ve been naive again. Only this time it really fucking hurts.
I crush the letter and drop it onto the desk. I can hear footsteps nearing, and I turn gracefully as Brian enters the room, jumping when he sees me. He looks like a scared little rabbit caught in my headlights. Well now I’ve got the stupid prick right where I want him.
“There you are,” I say, in my sultriest tone.
His wide eyes fix on my legs as I do a practiced hip-wiggle and hand-rubbing move to get out of my little lacy panties. They slip down to my heels and I step out of them and lift a leg to take them in hand.
“Um, what...”
“I was hoping you could help me with something,” I tell him, reaching for his tie to pull him into the room. He offers no resistance. None of them ever do.
Tell me not to use sex as a weapon. Give me another choice. My hands are tied. It’s all I have. Nothing I do matters. Never mind how hard I work, or how often I prove myself. I’ve been a fool to keep trying in vain. I’m worth nothing more than my body. As long as this world belongs to men, that’s never going to change.
“Ruby, I...” He shakes his head. “I had no idea...”
His hands brush my hips. There’s a quiver in his voice as I lock eyes with him. He’s forgotten what’s-her-name already. He wants this. He can’t believe it’s happening to him, but he wants it. Badly. I smile, running my fingers down his tie.
“How could you never have noticed the way I look at you?” Contempt isn’t exactly ambiguous, but my sweet tone right now is all it takes to fool him.
He’s melting before me. He has no clue that this isn’t real. His head is dipping in towards mine. He hesitates, his lips inches from my own. His stale breath almost makes me reconsider my move. I force myself to weather it. It’s all going to be over soon. Don’t fuck this up, Ruby. This only goes as far as you want it to. Just far enough to ruin his chances of ever getting laid again.
“Damn, you’re so hot,” he whispers, one hand moving to stroke over my ass. He groans and my moment comes. Finally.
“Oh, Brian,” I moan. “Screw me on your desk one last time.”
He blinks. I grin. Becky has arrived and her deflated gasp behind him is just as satisfying as I’d hoped it’d be. Take my job, asshole? I’m taking your girl.
He moves quickly, but it’s too late. He’s already lost. Oh, Becky. She’s very pretty, definitely too good for this sweaty, opportunist fuckwit. She shakes her head, her blonde hair bouncing, and runs off with a choked sob as her only response. He... doesn’t go after her. I raise an eyebrow as he turns back to me. He opens his mouth and I know by the way he grasps my hips that he’s still caught on the revelation that I’m into him. I laugh, and shove my panties into his mouth. He frowns.
“Why the hell would Clipper give an idiot like you my promotion?” I shove him out of my way.
I’m done here. It’s time to hand in my resignation. Let them try to run this fucking place without me. I don’t give a shit anymore. Eight goddamned years down the drain. I refuse to waste a single minute more of my time in this chauvinistic hellhole.
Brian takes my panties out of his mouth as I leave his office, coughing a little. He looks pissed when I glance his way. It’s coincidental, that quick meeting of our eyes. I don’t feel anything when my gaze brushes over his sorry ass. I’m just looking for something big enough to make a decent cannon. The metal chair by his office door seems like it might be perfect.
“You fucking bitch,” he snaps at me.
“Oh, sorry, I forgot to say congratulations.” I pick up the chair and he backs away. It’s heavy, but pure rage seems to give me super-strength. I swing and throw it towards that corner office, to the big window that looks into the hall. The glass shatters into a million pieces, as the chair crashes through it and flies into the room, the sound vibrating through me.
“Holy fucking shit,” Brian sounds positively petrified. He slams his door closed as I turn. “Crazy goddamned bitch!” I hear the lock turn. It amuses me that he’s afraid. He didn’t seem quite so smart before.
I see the janitor has stopped working. He’s gazing at me as if I just did something interesting. I bite on my bottom lip. He’s dark-skinned and looks well-muscled under his overalls. Definitely attractive. I move closer. I could use another outlet for my rage. It’s not quite sated. I need something. Why not him?
“Doing anything tonight?” I stroke down the front of his overalls. Hard muscle. My gaze moves to his deep, dark eyes.
“Now I am.” He drops the brush and pulls me to him, delving straight into a heated embrace.
I enjoy the feel of his thick lips against mine, but I can’t handle much more of his kiss without stripping and demanding he take me. This isn’t the place for that. I pull back. “Let’s get the fuck out of here.”
So we leave, and just as we’re walking out, a whole load of fancy Chinese food arrives. The guy with the bag passes it straight to me, and walks away. Brian must have paid up over the phone. How convenient.
Hot janitor raises his eyebrows at me as I pull him toward my car. “So, where are we going?”
“My apartment.” I pass him the food. “Don’t worry. That’s just for after.”
Chapter 2
I awaken entangled in heavy limbs that aren’t familiar. My head is pounding and I seriously need to pee. My choice of Bedroom Olympics partner from the night before weighs a ton when he’s unconscious. My wriggling is determined but careful. I manage to pry myself free and make it to the bathroom.
The rage I was stewing in last night is still lingering but I’m not interested in round two with the guy in my bed. He did too much talking last night. Seems he’d had his eye on me for a while. Exactly the opposite of what I wanted. Though I’d been pissed enough not to care about that when I really should have. Like when he was removing my bra with his teeth. How do you break that kind of news to someone anyway? Oh, hey, I’m not actually interested in starting something, big boy. I was just pissed the hell off and needed someone to bang that anger out of me. You looked like the right kind of guy for the job.
Yeah, I’m sure he’ll take it real well. I move into the living room quietly. Maybe if I get the hell out before he wakes up he’ll take the hint. I pull off his T-shirt, dropping it with a shiver. It was just the first thing that I could find last night before actually collapsing to sleep. I don’t make a habit of sleeping in the clothes of random strangers, but I don’t sleep naked either.
I find my dress half wedged under the couch and shove it on, just as the front door opens and my petite blonde roommate Crystal enters. She’s jogging on the spot, her body covered in a fine layer of sweat. Her face is bright pink and she’s staring at the Fitbit on her wrist. “Two more seconds, done.”
She breathes out a sigh as she stops moving. “You’re home.”
I nod. “Quit the rat race. Taking some time off.”
I ignore the fact that I can’t afford more than a couple of weeks without a job. I don’t want to even think about getting out there and looking for something el
se.
“You quit?” She sounds shocked.
“It’s no big deal.” As long as she doesn’t make it into one, by mentioning the rent is almost due.
She heads for the fridge and grabs a bottle of water. “Do you still feel like going out tonight? Pearl found this new night club she thinks you’ll love.”
Considering I haven’t been into clubbing much for the last four or five years, I doubt it, but what do I have to lose? “Okay, but birthday girls don’t pay.”
Crystal takes a sip of her water and rolls her big blue eyes. “As if we don’t know that by now. Please.”
She puts the bottle down and trots off to the bathroom, stepping out of her sneakers just outside the door. I wait until she locks the door to kick them into her bedroom. Don’t want the damn things stinking up the whole apartment.
That’s when I see the box on her bed, and I let out an excited squeal. My favorite shoe store, Click Three Times, has very distinctive golden boxes with red sparkly writing. I have so many damn pairs from that store my closet glows like a briefcase full of gold bars.
Temptation kicks in as the shower begins to run. One little peek, and I’ll leave. I know how to act surprised. My dad never suspected a thing every Christmas when I ‘oohed’ and ‘ahed’ over everything I’d already hunted out beforehand to peek at. He was never much good at hiding gifts. Under the bed or at the bottom of his bedroom closet was the furthest I’d ever had to look.
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