by Carly Fall
As the whiskey seeped into her bones and she ate her omelet, she decided she would get what she wanted, no matter who she pissed off.
Garrett pretended to sleep, but his mind buzzed with exhaustion and thoughts of the future. He hadn’t slept a wink while he guarded Ruby, and although he tried to drift off now, the deep slumber he needed eluded him.
Guilt ate at him for his crassness and the way he’d cut himself off from Ruby. Her soft cries had ripped at his heart, one small, tiny cut at a time. He’d breathed a sigh of relief when she’d finally slept, but the sounds of the forest at night had kept him on full alert.
No one would ever get to Ruby unless they got through him, and chances of that were slim.
He didn’t care about the assumption that amateurs had come to the house. As far as he was concerned, he stood at war against an unknown assailant, and he’d do anything to protect the prize—Ruby.
And that meant blocking his feelings for her, and letting her go.
As they’d boarded the plane, he’d noticed the look of pleading in her eyes as he’d sat down next to her, begging him to talk to her, to bring things back to the place they’d been the past week.
He couldn’t go there.
Too much adrenaline coursed through his body, his muscles strained, his head ached with thoughts he’d had all night long of how the intruders could still get to her.
By the time day broke, he had come to one conclusion: Ruby belonged in her gold-plated castle, where everything was as it should be, where no questions about reality should exist, where no harm could come to her. He’d talk to her parents about hiring some more security for her, basically caging her even more than she’d told him.
He hated to do that, but if it kept her safe, that’s all that mattered.
Chapter 36
They landed in Dallas, and Ruby walked out onto the empty tarmac. The spring sun felt hotter on her skin than it did in the mountains of Arizona, the air a little thicker.
She inhaled deeply, gathering the courage to keep her plan in place. She knew they would hurry her away to her parents’ house, and frankly, she wasn’t ready. With all that they’d been through, she needed more time with Garrett to say goodbye, and she planned on getting it.
Garrett and Thomas escorted her from the plane to where another van waited for them. Joe wheeled himself up, a grin on his face.
“Ruby! Hello!” he said as he approached.
She smiled. “Hi, Joe.”
“I trust you found the stay at the cabin to your satisfaction?”
She looked over at the stoned-faced Garrett and thought about all the satisfaction she’d found at the hideaway. “Yes. It was wonderful. And thank you for allowing us to ride the horses.”
“Of course. I’m happy to entrust Boesel and Richards to the right people, and with your background in riding, it was an easy decision. Shall we?” He motioned to the van.
She took a deep breath. Now was the time for her to stand up for what she wanted. “Where are you taking me, Joe?”
He looked confused. “Well, back to your parents’ place, of course. They’re looking forward to seeing you.”
“I’m not going.”
A simple statement, she noted, that caused all eyes to focus on her. Garrett didn’t even glance her way, but stood next to her, his stony face unmoving.
“What do you mean?” Joe asked, honestly perplexed.
“I’m not ready to see my parents, Joe. I need … I need a night to myself. Take me back to my apartment, please.”
“Ruby, I can’t do that. I’ve promised your parents that you would be home today.”
She shook her head, determined to see her plan through. If she played this right, she’d have one last night with Garrett. “No. You tell them whatever you need to tell them, but I need to spend the night in my apartment tonight.”
“Ruby, I don’t know what to say, except that you will be going to your parents’.”
She had to bring out the big guns, and pulled down the collar of her blouse, revealing a nasty bruise on her shoulder. “If you take me back to my parents’ house, I’ll tell them that I got this under your watch. If you let me have one night in my apartment, then I don’t say a word.”
Joe flashed Garrett a furious look.
“Yes, Garrett is responsible for this, but he gave it to me while saving my ass from some bullets. He didn’t do this on purpose, but if you don’t let me have this one simple request, I will scream to the top of the hills that he beat me.”
She swallowed and tried to hide her nervousness. She didn’t want Garrett in trouble—she only wanted one last night with him.
“That’s blackmail, Ruby,” Joe said, a slight grin on his lips.
“I don’t know what it’s called, but if blackmail gets me one night alone in my apartment before I have to see my family again, then so be it.”
Joe laced his fingers together as he studied her for a long while, and she felt like she would lose this battle.
“Very well, Ruby. I will tell your parents that we will have you under guard at your apartment. I know they still have crews coming in for the clean-up after the party, so I will strongly suggest we keep you safe until they are finished. However, you will not be staying alone. The danger is still very real.”
She nodded and glanced over at Garrett, pleading with him to volunteer.
“Garrett will stay with you,” Joe announced, narrowing his gaze on both of them. “I think that’s the best plan of action considering the circumstances. You two are not to leave that apartment, though. Do you understand?”
Ruby nodded, her nervousness fading. Pride swirled within her for finally standing up for herself and fighting to get what she wanted. She grinned. “Thank you. I’ll be ready to see my parents tomorrow morning.”
“Very well, Ruby. Thomas, please take Garrett and Ruby to her apartment. Help Garrett clear it and make sure it’s secure. I’ll have the pilot drive me back to the hotel.”
She trailed them to the van, noting Garrett hadn’t even cast a glance at her since they’d landed. Was it because of the situation, and he didn’t want Joe to know they had been messing around, or had the magic of what they’d experienced in Flagstaff worn off?
As the van lurched forward, she decided she’d find out soon enough.
Chapter 37
Garrett approached the unassuming apartment complex, wondering why Ruby didn’t live in a nicer place. Her father had more money than he knew what to do with, and certainly, some of that had trickled down to her, hadn’t it?
Then he remembered her telling him that she didn’t use any of the money from her trust fund, but she did work in the local library and supported herself.
She opened the door to the lobby, and he cringed at the lack of security. Mailboxes sat on the left, an elevator to the right, and a flight of stairs straight ahead. Their footsteps echoed on the white tile as he followed her up the stairs and down the hall to the last apartment on the left. After finding her keys in her suitcase, she opened the door, and he tossed his duffel bag aside and followed Thomas through the doorway, motioning to her to stay outside.
The small, one-bedroom apartment looked neat and orderly. The kitchen to the left, the living room to the right. Pink and white throw pillows lined the black couch, and the coffee table stood empty except for a laptop. The T.V. seemed to be one of the higher end models.
He glanced out the sliding glass door and noted the little deck with two white, plastic chairs and a small table between them overlooking a small, wooded park across the street. She didn’t even have a security stick at the bottom of the door, and it made him crazy. What was this girl thinking? He made a mental note to get her one before he left her.
Following Thomas down the hall, he couldn’t help but feel sad for her. This place was simple, which was fine, but it lacked life, the kind of spark he’d come to associate with Ruby.
The bedroom housed a queen-sized bed covered in a white duvet. Again, the furn
iture struck him as plain and not what he’d expect from Ruby. He’d thought he’d find bright yellow and vibrant reds in her private space, but everything just seemed so … bland—nothing like the girl he’d come to know. They went through the closets and peeked behind the shower curtain.
“Looks clear to me,” Thomas grumbled.
“Yeah. I agree. Let’s go get her.”
Thomas nodded and they walked to the front door. Ruby stood on the threshold, looking at them expectantly.
“Is everything okay?” she asked.
Garrett nodded, and Thomas said, “See you two in the morning.”
While bringing in their bags, Garrett felt awkward. He had stepped into her world now, and he felt out of place as he locked the front door.
Ruby walked into the kitchen and opened the refrigerator. “I don’t have much here. I have two beers, a bottle of wine, a six pack of diet Coke, and expired milk.”
Suddenly, exhaustion tore through him, and he glanced over at the couch. What he really wanted was a shower and a nap. He looked at the microwave and noted he’d been awake for just over twenty-eight hours.
“I’m good for now,” he said. “Can I use your shower?”
She nodded. “Of course.”
He went down the hall and into the hall bath. He shut the door and stripped down.
The water cascaded over his body, carrying away the stress he’d been under, leaving him feeling raw. He let go of the fear he’d felt for Ruby and the adrenaline that had kept him going. Now that his time with Ruby was coming to an end, a large sense of loss flooded him, and he reminded himself that they’d created their own reality up in those mountains. This apartment, this city, was Ruby’s true world, where she belonged, and he didn’t.
Stepping from the shower, he wrapped a towel around his waist and realized he hadn’t brought in any clothing with him, and his duffel bag sat in the middle of the living room.
Sighing, he opened the door, and startled when he noticed Ruby standing in the hallway.
“Thank you,” she said, leaning against the wall and crossing her arms over her chest.
“For what?”
“For keeping me safe last night, and this whole week. For letting me be me, and accepting me the way I am. For giving me experiences I’ve never had, for taking care of me.”
I was just doing my job sat on the tip of his tongue, but it wasn’t a true statement. It had been more than a job for him. Ruby had surprised him from the beginning, and each day, he’d grown to care about her more and more, and that’s why being here with her struck him as so difficult. He wanted it to end so she could go back to her life and he could go back to the hunt for those in Group Nine, but honestly, being with Ruby just seemed so right.
She walked over to him and placed her hand on his forearm. “You took care of me this past week, Garrett, and right now, you seem so tired. Please, let me take care of you, okay?”
The bruise peeked out from behind her blouse, and he cringed. Lifting his finger to her collarbone, he gently touched it. “I’m so sorry about this.”
She grinned. “I’m fine, Garrett. Please, don’t worry about it.”
Taking his hand, she led him the few steps to her bedroom. Pulling back the sheets, she motioned for him to get in. Sleeping should be the last thing on his mind, but as he stared at the crisp white sheets, they called to him. A nap wouldn’t hurt, and afterward, they could get something to eat.
He glanced at her as he dropped his towel to the floor. Her gaze raked over him appreciatively, and blood pooled in his groin. With just a look, the woman could excite him.
“Get into bed,” she whispered.
He wanted to drag her in with him, but he didn’t think he’d have the energy to do much but lie on his back, and he always liked to be a little more involved than that, especially with Ruby.
She gently kissed his forehead and shut the bedroom door. Sleep immediately gripped him, and as he drifted off, he thought of what his plan had been before they’d arrived at the apartment. He’d told himself that Ruby and he were done, that they both needed to get back to their own realities.
He rolled over, feeling the soft sheets against his skin, and he decided that one more night of being Ruby’s lover wouldn’t hurt either one of them.
Chapter 38
Garrett woke to darkness, and for a moment, wondered about the day, where he was, and what he should be doing except sleeping.
Sitting up in bed, he ran his hand over his face and looked around the room. The hallway light softly illuminated it, and he finally recalled he slept in Ruby’s bedroom.
He heard soft voices that sounded like a television from the living room. Throwing back the covers, he noticed Ruby had brought in his duffle bag, and he pulled out a pair of sweats and slipped them on.
Opening the door, he squinted at the bright light and made his way down the hallway. Ruby sat on the couch, curled up in a throw blanket while watching Law and Order on television and looking at her laptop. He wondered if this was what a normal night looked like for her, and if so, it really made him sad.
“Hey,” he said, his voice gruff.
“Hi,” she said, grinning at him. “Did you have a good sleep?”
He nodded and sat down next to her. He took one of her feet in his lap and massaged it. “I did.”
“That feels so good,” she purred.
They sat in silence for a moment, and then she asked, “Are you hungry?”
He nodded. “Starved.”
Standing up, she went to the kitchen. “I had my brother bring over some Chinese food and a six pack of beer, if you’re interested.”
Right now, he felt so hungry he would probably eat the family cat if offered. Chinese food sounded like a small slice of heaven.
“I’m very interested,” he said, getting up from the couch.
She stood in the kitchen dishing out all sorts of goodness from numerous white cartons while he helped himself to a beer from the fridge. It was odd having someone serve him as Ruby seemed to like to do. Growing up with his Nana, she’d been all about making him into a strong, independent man who took care of himself. He had to admit, he did like the pampering Ruby had given him this week with her homemade meals, and he had probably put on a few pounds.
The cold beer slid down his throat, tasting so good. Ruby shooed him out to the couch and brought over his plate. “Here you go.”
“Thanks, Ruby. I really appreciate it.”
They ate in silence as they watched television, and he noted the quiet didn’t seem uncomfortable, but a natural silence between two people who didn’t need to spend all their time together talking. Frankly, he found it refreshing.
After clearing his plate, he served himself seconds, loading up on the Mongolian Beef. Now, that was some good stuff.
As he sat down again, the television show ended, and he noted the time—7 p.m.—and grinned. Almost time for bed. Now that he felt well-rested and had been fed, he had all sorts of salacious thoughts running through his mind about his last night with Ruby.
After they finished, he insisted on washing up the dishes while she remained on the couch. He poured her a glass of wine, got himself another beer, and sat down next to her.
“Garrett?”
“Yeah?”
“I-I just wanted another night with you. You know I would never tell my parents that you hurt me, right?”
He chuckled. “I didn’t think you would, but that was some funny shit watching you blackmail Joe.”
She grinned. “I just wanted to be with you, and decided I would do what I had to in order to get what I wanted.”
“Come over here, Miss Ruby Rose,” he said, pulling her close.
The news came on and he picked up the remote and muted it. He had just over twelve more hours with her in their little cocoon, and he didn’t want the outside world intruding.
She snuggled in next to him, her head lying on his shoulder, and he realized how much he’d missed her last nig
ht. If he allowed himself, he could really get used to this.
“So, what do you want to do tonight?” he asked.
She shrugged.
“I have some ideas.”
She gazed up at him. “Like what? I didn’t think we were supposed to go anywhere.”
“Oh, I wasn’t thinking of leaving the apartment. All my ideas take place right here.”
“And what would those ideas be?” she asked, her voice husky as she licked her lips.
“Well, let’s start right here,” he said, brushing his thumb over her lower lip. Softly, he kissed her, and then knelt before her.
“After I’m done up there, I plan to do something right here,” he said, kissing her breast. “And then, I’m going to move down here.”
He raised her shirt to reveal her belly and caressed the silky skin. “After that, I plan to spend a whole bunch of time right here.” He pushed her thighs apart and traced the seam of her jeans.
She gazed down at him, her eyes twinkling, a sly grin on her lips.
“What do you think of my plans?”
“I like them a lot, Garrett,” she said, leaning forward and taking his face in her hands, her mouth meeting his in a passionate kiss that caused his body to explode in a desire so strong, he shuddered.
Twelve more hours with Ruby, and as he stood up and took her in his arms, he didn’t plan on wasting a second.
Chapter 39
Ruby woke to a sound in the hallway and rolled over, noticing the empty bed. Garrett must be in the kitchen or using the bathroom.
Turning over, she dozed off again, until she felt something cold against her temple. Her eyes flew open.
“Don’t move, and don’t scream,” a man’s voice whispered.
She pulled the sheet up around her torso as she trembled in terror. Where had Garrett gone?
“Now roll over,” he commanded. “But keep your eyes closed.”
She did as instructed, a tear slipping down her cheek as she pulled the sheet around her tighter. Garrett would walk in any second and this would be over. Her apartment wasn’t huge, and he eventually had to hear what was happening.
