by Virna DePaul
“Let’s do this.” Alec reached for the baseball bat, showing the kids how to hit the damn piñata and how to stay far away so you didn’t get hit by a wild swing. He handed the bat to Luke, who wound up like a major league pitcher and let the poor paper minion have it. Its body split on the side, but he had to hit it a few times to get it to crack open. “Not bad,” he told Luke.
“See, I told you I could beat you.”
The whole time, Mike took shots, and Alec had fun with it.After the kids ran off to find their parents, Mike followed, snapping photos here and there. Ruby emerged from a public bathroom and walked toward him. Alec definitely noticed the additional application of shiny lip gloss, which made her smile look like a million bucks.
Part of him wanted to take her behind a tree and take her hair down, find the sex goddess who’d shown up for a brief interlude the other night. Even as she looked now, with her hair in a tight bun and wearing a black suit with a gray silken blouse, she was hot as fuck.
“So?” he asked her. “What grade would you give me?”
“For what? Destroying the piñata?” Ruby tapped her bottom lip. “Probably a C. It took you a while to get the minion’s head off.”
“I was letting the kids do it, smartass.”
She smiled. “Yeah, well, we’ll take to Snapchat in the morning and see what people thought of your piñata skills.”
He frowned at her not-so-subtle reminder that she was here as his publicist and nothing else. He’d been a good boy. It was time to show Ruby he could still be a little bad, and that she’d like it.
“Snapchat?” he said, even as they walked together. “What the hell is Snapchat again?”
Ruby may have sighed impatiently, but he still saw a tiny smile on her lips. “It’s one of those things, on the Internet. You know, that thing people use all the time now?”
“Oh. I only just upgraded my rotary phone to a cordless one, so give me some time. I’m slow on the uptake. Just kidding. Jesus Christ, Ruby, I know what Snapchat is.”
They laughed again, and Alec couldn’t help but reflect on how right this felt. Making jokes, bantering, like they’d known each other for years. When had he felt this comfortable with another person? Probably never. He’d always been on his guard, wondering if someone had it out for him. Sadly, in his line of work, more often than not, women wanted something from him. Every woman he’d dated had wanted him for the fame or money that came along with dating him. Those women had wanted the man in him, too, but he knew, deep inside, they wouldn’t have been as interested if he weren’t a professional football player on one of the top teams in the country.
Ruby wanted something from him, too, but that was different. She was doing it for him, for both of them. Any other woman would’ve kept their relationship going, milking it for all it was worth, but not Ruby. She wanted to protect her own career and his. Protect her relationship with her father.
And, he suspected, most of all…protect her heart.
Somehow, as he and Ruby chatted, they ended up near a copse of trees that provided some amount of privacy from the event. Mike had disappeared—probably to get something to eat—and Alec realized Ruby hadn’t noticed they were alone yet.
Then again, maybe she’d already noticed and had decided she didn’t care. He felt like she was giving mixed messages, but maybe that was because he’d played things too well, and she didn’t know where he stood. “You know, seeing you today, I couldn’t help but wonder where that other Ruby had gone.”
She swiveled toward him. “The other Ruby?”
“You know. The Ruby who demanded I touch her. The Ruby who grabbed my cock and made it fit, made it work, then worked me. The Ruby who screamed my name when I—”
She pressed a finger to his mouth. “Alec, there are kids here!”
“What? Red, they’re all eating hotdogs like three hundred feet away. That’s a football field, you know.” He kissed her finger, dragged it across his bottom lip, but she pulled her hand away. “A football field is that place where people have sex. Usually with the woman on top. Her tits and gorgeous body on full display. God, I love football.”
Ruby blushed fifteen shades of red.
“There, I wanted to see if I could still make you blush. And I can. Alec LeBrun takes the lead,” he said, imitating an announcer’s voice then faking a crowd cheering.
“You’re the most arrogant, annoying man.”
“And yet, you’re still here. Isn’t that amazing?” He flashed her his famous smile.
She opened her mouth, but then shut it with a snap. “I shouldn’t be here,” she muttered. “I should walk away and never look back. But I’m an idiot, apparently.”
“You didn’t answer my question.”
“Which one?”
“I said, ‘Isn’t that amazing?’”
“That was rhetorical. It’s not amazing. I have to be here. It’s called my job.”
“So you’re saying if you weren’t my publicist, you wouldn’t spend time with me?” He cocked his head. Now, that was a valid question, and they wouldn’t be going anywhere until she answered it.
“We have to get going.”
“Not until you answer my question. If we didn’t have this—this client-publicist thing going…would you go out with me? Remember I’m shy and delicate. Be gentle when you respond.”
“Fuck no.” She giggled.
Alec gasped. “Such language! Do it again. It’s fucking hot. Come on. Say it.”
“No way.”
He couldn’t stop himself from touching her silky soft cheek. In the afternoon light, he could see those microscopic tiny blond hairs illuminating in the sun. “Maybe I should get you to put your hair down again,” he mused. “Is that the secret? When you have your hair up, you’re a good girl, but when it’s down, your bad side comes out?” He bit into his smile.
“Alec…”
“It is, isn’t it? A-ha. I’ve unlocked Level 2.”
“You haven’t unlocked shit.”
He reached to pull the pins from her hair, but she playfully slapped his hand away. “Don’t you touch the hair. Never, ever touch the hair, Alec. I’m warning you. Do you have any idea how annoying it is to redo it?”
“I won’t touch your hair,” he teased, “but only if you give me a kiss as payment.”
“That’s the second time you’ve asked for a kiss in exchange for doing me a favor.”
“What can I say? I need your kisses, Ruby. They’re like air. Or Wi-Fi.”
“Yeah, but—”
“But what?”
“I don’t want to feel like I owe you a kiss, Alec. If I ever kiss you again, it’ll be because I want to.” To his amazement and utter gratitude, she leaned closer…closer…they were inches away, and he leaned down to breathe in that sweet air right before a beautiful woman kisses you. Then, she ducked underneath his arm, laughing.
Before he could react, she’d scampered away like a mischievous little rabbit.
“You can run, but you can’t hide, Red!” he called, but he was laughing, too.
She waved a hand over her shoulder, but she didn’t turn back around. He sighed and, leaning against the tree behind him, he wondered what they would do next if he ever got her naked again. Whip her around against lockers and fuck her from behind? Throw her legs open and taste that sweetness in between? Watch those amazing lips of hers curl around his cock and suck it in deep?
Fuck.
Forcing himself to think of the least sexy things ever—cold showers, frogs, taxes—he finally got his unruly body under control so he could return to the job at hand—getting his life and career back under control, then focusing on winning Ruby’s heart.
Chapter Seven
Ruby caught her breath after running from Alec. She had to admit—it felt great to forget about her worries for a minute and just play. So many responsibilities hung over her head that taking the time to laugh was a welcome break.
The park was alive with energy—people drinking
punch and eating hamburgers, the smell of grass, smoked meat, and sunscreen filling the air. While Alec went back to the party pavilion, she sat on a bench watching two kids playing in the sandbox, not caring that they were sick. Seeing these determined kids in wheelchairs or on crutches reminded her that life was about making the most of your time. Part of her wanted to strip her career persona and just have fun.
I mean, look at them… Everywhere, kids played and families were having a good time. They kept her mood buoyant. Even Alec, now dancing the Electric Slide with a group of kids, made her smile. He would make an amazing father, she thought. She couldn’t stop the image of him holding his own son or daughter in his arms, how he’d play and laugh and teach his child how to play football. For the thousandth time, she cursed Colleen for the trauma she’d caused him.
How could anyone lie about being pregnant? That was such a pure, joyous moment that so many people cherished and others prayed for, and here she was making a mockery out of it. He must’ve been so devastated when he discovered her lie. Seeing him now, one would never know what he’d gone through, which only made Ruby care about him even more.
But I can’t let myself care that way. As a client, sure, but that’s where it ends.
Yet it didn’t stop her from wanting what she couldn’t have. When he’d started talking about them together back there in the trees, her body had responded with a chemical pull. If they were in another world, one without client-publicist lines, she would’ve kissed him. She would’ve let the trees sway around them and taken in his scents, sights, and flavors. Alec wasn’t just a handsome face and body on TV. Football players with good looks were a dime a dozen. No, what Alec possessed was definitely charm and charisma. She hated how well it worked.
Thinking about their near-kiss, her heart still pounded, and her body wished she’d lingered a little longer. The fact that Alec still wanted her and made it clear that one night would never be enough both empowered and aroused her. She definitely held the power in their relationship, if you could call it that, and the idea of that gave her goose bumps.
But their “relationship” was doomed from the start. She had to stop imagining herself in impossible scenarios with Alec. Sooner or later, Ruby was going to have to accept the truth—that she had to live without him.
Anxiety congealed in her gut where desire had been only moments earlier. What am I doing? She panicked. She looked out onto the charity event, unseeing, her thoughts whirling like a dervish. There was nothing funny or sweet or romantic about this. She shouldn’t have slept with Alec. It’d been stupid and irresponsible. It’d been—
“Hey…Ruby!”
Turning, she saw a beautiful, curvy brunette with a young girl next to her. It was Camille Dawson, Heath’s fiancée, and their daughter, Emma. “Camille, how are you?” Ruby and Camille had met when Camille had been hired to photograph a Bootleggers calendar a couple of months ago. In the time since, she’d been offered a permanent position as a photographer with the NFL, and most importantly, met and gotten engaged to wide receiver Heath Dawson in a whirlwind courtship. Last Ruby had heard, Camille was still negotiating the terms of her contract with the NFL; they wanted her, in spite of her engagement to a top NFL player, but she was taking her time putting the details in place.
“I’m great,” Camille replied, her expression brimming with happiness. “Emma, you remember Ruby, right? We used to work together.”
Emma was the spitting image of her mother, a spitfire who had her mom and Heath wrapped around her little finger. “Oh, yeah. I always want red hair every time I see you,” Emma said.
“Funny, because I always want dark hair when I see you!” Ruby beamed. “But it’s not all about hair. You have such an awesome, hardworking mom, too.”
“Aww, that’s sweet. Thanks.” Camille bit back a smile. “Emma, how about you go get us something to eat over there? I think they have other things besides hot dogs.”
“Okay!”
Emma ran off, and Camille looked on fondly. “She’s going to be a handful when she’s a teenager,” she said with a sigh.
“Aren’t they always? I know I was a real jerk when I was a teenager.”
Camille laughed. “I find that hard to believe. You’re the picture of professionalism and cool-headedness, Ruby.”
Internally, Ruby winced. If only that were true. At the moment, she was also the picture of hypo criticism and indecision. “I don’t know about that…”
“Seriously. Look at what a great job you’ve done turning Alec around. He was going through something hard, obviously, but you didn’t give up on him. You’re so loyal, as well as brilliant.”
Ruby stared at Camille, wanting to tell her she was the furthest thing from brilliant. She had no one to talk to about her conflicted feelings over Alec. Building a demanding career over the last few years hadn’t exactly given her enough time for friendships, and even if she did have friends she could trust, talking about her night with Alec LeBrun would still be considered the height of unprofessionalism.
Then again, if anyone would understand, it’d be Camille, who’d put her NFL job offer in jeopardy when she’d gotten involved with Heath. Plus, Heath was one of Alec’s best friends. Still undecided on whether or not to tell her, Ruby turned to look at Alec, who’d joined another group of kids. No matter where she was, she was always drawn to him. No matter where he was, she found that charming laugh.
“Ah…” Camille tilted her head at Ruby. “I see now.”
Ruby stilled. “See what?”
“Ruby, I’ve been there, done that. So, you and Alec, huh?”
It was as if someone had shot her with a bow and arrow. Stunned, then falling quickly to the ground. “Wait, what? Why would you say that?”
“Because I’ve been where you are. I may not know about lots of things, but one thing I do know about is falling for a guy I can’t have. Or thought I couldn’t have.”
There was no escaping it. Camille knew. She may as well just admit it. “Fine,” Ruby said with a heavy mind. She winced. “It was only once, I swear.”
“I don’t care if it was a hundred times, Ruby. Come on, tell me all about it. I’d have us go get drinks, but it’ll have to be virgin cocktails for me.”
They took a slow stroll around the park, as Ruby confided in Camille, telling her what had happened. If anyone would understand the situation, it was Camille, but she still felt strange bringing it all out into the open. As for the bits about Colleen, Ruby held back. That wasn’t her secret to tell, but then again, Camille probably knew. Whatever Alec knew, his buddies would know, and their wives possibly as well.
“So yeah, whatever he went through, it changed him. He’s determined now,” Ruby explained. “Angry but also ready to overcome it. I guess I saw something in him that few people have never really seen.”
“You don’t have to tell me twice, girl. I get it.”
“I know you do. And I appreciate that. I also slept with him, because for once in my life, I wanted to be spontaneous. This job of mine is super demanding. Sometimes I just need to let loose.”
“Trust me, I hear you. No judgment here. What does Alec think of all this?”
Ruby sighed. “I told him we can’t do it again, and he said he wants to ‘revisit’ the subject at a later time.”
“He’s not willing to give up easily.”
“No,” Ruby said. “So, now I don’t know what to do. He’s my client. I told my father I’d take on this project, that he could trust me, he didn’t need to worry about me.” She laughed bitterly. “And now, look at me.”
Camille patted her hand. “You’re still doing your job, Ruby. Alec’s behaving like his old self. I mean, Heath had been so worried, and I have to say, I’m glad he has you. You’re good for him, and, I think, he’s good for you. I mean, yeah, the client relationship thing is a little tricky, but if there’s something there? You’ll figure it out. The fact that you see Alec as more than a party boy with money is huge. I don’t think he’s
ever had a relationship with a woman that was real.”
Ruby wanted to argue that they didn’t have anything like a real relationship. One night of sex did not make them real. But then, she thought about what Camille said—how he’d never had a real woman, real relationship, and that made her sad. At least she’d had Nick back in college. Things may not have worked out between them, but at least Ruby had known some form of love once before.
“Thanks, Camille. It was awesome talking to you. I knew you’d understand.”
“Whatever you decide, I’ll support you. You know what’s best for you, right?” Camille smiled then they went on to talk about Kyle Young and his new girlfriend, Arabella, a true-to-life princess. When Camille left, however, Ruby couldn’t stop wondering… Did she know what was best for herself? At times she thought she did. She thought she had her life all under control. But then why, at times, did her feelings seem to spin out of control?
One night, she reminded herself, getting back on track.
One night was all she and Alec were ever going to have. People moved on from one-night stands all the time. Some even went on to be best friends. She would do the same. Expecting anything more would be beyond foolish.
A few days later, Ruby was in her father’s office giving him a report on her clients.
“Saw the photos from the charity event—great job, Ruby. You really nailed this one,” Phil, Ruby’s father, said with that pleased look that always made Ruby feel good inside. But part of her saddened. Would she ever stop wanting her father’s validation?
Sitting on his comfy couch, going through her schedule on her iPad, Ruby kept her face down. She tried not to let her eyes sparkle anytime her father mentioned Alec, afraid that one wrong look, and her father would have her figured out. “Look at him, cavorting with the kids, back on track…fantastic.”
