by Roya Carmen
Ginger is curled up at the corner of my drafting table, sleeping soundly. I love having her by my side like this. I plan to work on my illustrations all day. I’m filled with an energy I haven’t felt in years. For the first time in a long time, I feel motivated to finish something. I’m not sure where I’m going with this book, but I like the idea of taking things into my own hands and self-publishing.
I swirl my favourite paintbrush, the one I paid a small fortune for, in a water container. I just have two illustrations to complete, then I can bring everything together. That’s when the real magic will happen, when the story and pictures weave together to create a special little world for a child. Well, hopefully many children will get to enjoy it.
Trevor bounds into my room, full of smiles and seven-year-old antics. His eyes grow wide when he spots the red dress already displayed on my fashion form. “Wow, that’s a big dress.”
“I know. Isn’t it pretty?”
“It’s your favourite colour.”
“Yes, I love it, and I have pretty shoes to go with it.”
He turns to me with an excited grin. “I have a new riddle, Auntie Ruby! What did the football coach say to the vending machine?”
I turn to smile at him, paintbrush midair. “Um, I don’t know…” I don’t even try to wager a guess because he always likes to blurt out the answer.
“Give me my quarter back!”
I laugh a little. “Clever.”
“Mommy wants to know if you want to come to the farmer’s market with us and Aiden and Hershey,” he says, all the while peeking at my work-in-progress. “And after, we’re all going to the park.”
I smile. “I’m actually going to stay here and finish working on my picture, but thank you so much for inviting me.”
He shrugs, turns around, and is out the door in a flash.
I bend my head over my work and get lost in my art and thoughts of August.
August
It’s just another Monday morning like any other. Yet things between Ruby and I have changed, and that has made all the difference. Suddenly, she isn’t just my assistant. She isn’t just the kind woman who wants to help me or even the sexy vixen I play with occasionally. We had sex. We’ve shared the most intimate act two people can share. How am I supposed to look at her as if she’s anything but my whole world?
I’m still not sure where she stands in all this. For me, having sex changed everything. It was more than sex; it meant so much more. But for her, I’m not sure. I wonder if it was just another fun night for her. She told me she wanted it hard and fast. She wanted to get off, and perhaps that’s all it was for her. My stomach feels heavy at the thought of her doing this kind of thing every weekend with other men – men younger and wilder than myself. I refuse to believe it. She’s not that kind of woman. I convince myself that it had to mean something to her too… but perhaps not as much as it meant to me. I’m determined to find out where she stands.
When I first spot her in the coat room, her head is bent as she’s slipping on blue heels. She wears a soft cream suit with blue detailing. When she shoots her head up and smiles at me, I almost melt. It’s not only her sweet smile – it’s the ruby necklace she wears. It looks just as stunning on her as it did when she wore the red dress. She holds a black portfolio under her arm, and I’m curious to see what’s inside.
“Good morning,” I say, feeling out of my element. Suddenly, I’m the shy kid in seventh grade again.
“Good morning. I’ve got something to show you,” she says. “I was working all yesterday on my book.”
The thought of seeing her progress brings a smile to my face. “Working on a Sunday? That’s dedication.” I walk slowly behind her and appreciate the view.
She turns back to me and smiles. “Well, I had some catching up to do. I played all day on Saturday,” she adds with a playful wink.
God, this woman will be the end of me.
As we enter my office, Miko whistles. “Ruby,” he singsongs. He’s as happy to see her as I am.
“Hello, Miko,” she says as she sets her portfolio on my desk.
I’m glad for this distraction. Her illustrations are an excellent icebreaker. When she flips the cover open and pulls out the first illustration, I’m filled with awe. The image is full of whimsy and soft colours. The two main characters are hanging from a tree branch, their bottoms comfortably perched on rustic swings. The details are impressive. From the stitches of their clothing to their fine whiskers, they’re so beautifully executed they almost seem real. I almost expect them to pop out of the page at any minute.
She shows me another illustration, and I become curious about the story. “You said you have the story written already, right?”
“I do. I want to wait until I can get it all together before I show you though. I want it to be perfect when you see it.”
“It doesn’t have to be perfect.”
“But it does.” She smiles as she tucks her work back into her portfolio.
We both stand still, looking at each other without a word.
“So…” she says.
“So…”
She plays with her ruby necklace, and my gaze is drawn to her red-tipped fingers. “I guess we’re just not talking about it? We’re pretending it never happened. You didn’t give me a beautiful dress then have your way with me on the floor. All that happened somewhere else, in a room far away.”
I smile. “I’m sorry for being awkward. I wasn’t sure if I should bring it up.”
She looks to the side, suddenly shy. She bites her bottom lip. “It was… amazing.”
“It was,” I say, closing the distance between us. “Don’t get me wrong, I agree with you – it was amazing – but…”
Her big blue eyes shoot up, vexed. “But what?”
“But it wasn’t quite how I’d planned it. You wanted it fast and hard, but I wanted it soft and slow.”
She smirks. “Such a romantic…”
“Oh, don’t get me wrong,” I counter. “I still wanted a taste of that gorgeous ass of yours, but I wanted it all. I wanted you naked. I wanted us to be able to explore each other, taste every inch. I wanted to enjoy you for hours.”
Her eyes darken, and I know she wanted the same things. But something was holding her back.
“I wanted to make love,” I go on. “I know you think I’m not ready to let anyone else in, and to tell you the truth, I’m not sure if I am either. I still love Olivia. I always will.”
She takes my hand. “I want you to love her. I never want you to stop loving her.”
I wrap my arms around her and hold her tightly. We stand in this embrace for the longest time. I haven’t held someone like this since Olivia, and at that realization, I pull away softly.
Ruby gives me a playful look. “So tell me, Mr. Hyde, what would you be willing to do to get what you want? Where would you be willing to venture to… to get me in a bed for hours?”
My heart swells, and my cock stiffens a bit at her words. Ruby, naked in bed, for hours. I like the sound of that. “I’m intrigued… what are you proposing, Miss Riverstone?”
“I’m proposing lovemaking in my bed followed by dinner at my house.”
My heart races. Lovemaking in her bed doesn’t seem too terrifying at all, but the thought of meeting her family has my pulse going.
I find myself at a loss for words, and I hate myself for it. My fears have gotten the best of me again: my fear of being judged, my fear of not being perfect in someone else’s eyes, my desperate need for approval.
“Well…” I start, not sure what to say. “I like the idea of you and me in your bed, but…” I try to be playful, but she’s clearly not in the mood to hear n.
“You don’t want to meet my family, is that it?”
“Well, you know I’m kind of a recluse. Isn’t that how everyone knows me?”
“Yes,” she hisses. “That’s how everyone sees you. They think you eat small children for lunch. I want them to see what a wonder
ful person you really are.”
I don’t know if I want to laugh or cry. I really want to meet her family, but I can already feel tension wash over my body from simply discussing it. I can’t even imagine how I would feel if faced with the real scenario.
“It would be a small dinner,” she goes on. “My sister Amber’s an amazing cook. And it would just be Amber and my nephew, Trevor, and Amber’s fiancé, Aiden, who you’ve already met. And maybe my brother, Flynn.”
I remain quiet, studying her features, observing her energy, wishing it could rub off on me.
“They’re all really nice. My family means everything to me,” she says softly as she inches closer. “And you mean everything to me too.”
My heart clenches, caught up in her words. I mean everything to her… that’s what I’ve wanted to hear. I wanted to know that I’m not just a fun experiment, a quick lay, a “let’s see what fucking my weirdo boss is like.” She cares about me as much as I care about her. I need to do this for her.
“If you want me, you must play by my rules, sir,” she adds, full of mischief.
Suddenly, I want to take her right here and now on my desk. “I want you. There’s no denying that. I guess I’ll have to play.”
A huge smile stretches across her face, so I grab her rear and pull her to me. She wraps her hand firmly around my wrist. “No funny business, Mr. Hyde. It’s not five o’clock yet, and I’ve got a lot of work to do today.”
She tears herself out of my grip, and I smile, knowing she won’t let me have her until it’s in her bed, under her terms. This is her way of pushing me further, of challenging me. As I watch her scurry out of my office, a huge grin plastered on her face, I know without a doubt that I’m falling in love with her.
Ruby
Not coming to work this morning. Please come to my house at 10:00 a.m. It is now or never. The house is empty. I will be waiting, half-naked.
My heart is pounding as I press the small envelope icon. I did it. I can’t believe I was so blunt. I am woman – hear me roar. Gone are the days where only men made the first move.
It truly is now or never. This is one of the very rare occasions when I’m alone in the house. Amber is at a conference for inn and hotel owners all day, Trevor is at school, and Aiden is working. There’s just Ginger and me in the house.
As I await his reply, I go a little stir-crazy. I honestly have no clue how he’ll react. My text was to the point. If he wants to be with me, he’ll have to get over his hang-ups. I live across the street – it’s not like I’m asking him to meet me in Tokyo. I pace my room as I wait. Ginger’s gaze follows me, her head cocking to the side. I know she wonders what’s up. Cats are so intuitive.
I can’t very well keep her in the dark. “I’ve just sent August a text, and he hasn’t replied yet.”
She stares at me wide-eyed, ears perked up.
“I know it was less than a minute ago. But when a woman texts a man for a booty call, he should damn well answer fast.”
She bobs her head. Yes, she knows what I’m talking about. I’m sure she has a boyfriend or two among all those cats at the barn. Ginger is slumming it, I’m sure.
I check my phone again, willing it to buzz. “So rude. I might just change my mind.”
I slump onto my bed, knowing I’m full of it. I won’t change my mind. I don’t remember ever wanting anything more. Just the thought of his lips on mine, his skin on mine, slow, for hours, melts me into a hopeless puddle.
My pulse races as my mobile chirps.
Wild horses couldn’t keep me away.
Just a few words fill me with excitement. I’m filled to the brim with arousal. “He’s coming!” I bounce off the bed. “I need to get ready.”
I look down at myself, unimpressed – plain cotton undies and T-shirt, fuzzy socks. This absolutely won’t do. I pull open the drawer where I keep all my naughty nighties.
“Hey, naughty thingies… I know, it’s been way too long, but I’m back,” I cheer as I dig into the hodgepodge of lace and silk.
I settle on demure blue lace panties and a yellow silk slip with pretty embroidered blue flowers. As I slip the teddy over my breasts, my nipples are already hard, my body preparing to take August’s. I know I won’t need a second of foreplay. I also know he’ll insist. He’s told me more than once that he wants to take things slow. I just don't know if I’ll be able to keep up with his pace. I’m going to want to just eat him up.
I stare at my reflection. I’ve got bedhead, but he loves me with my hair down and I don’t really have time to do anything with it. I apply makeup and put on my trademark red lipstick. I dab my favourite patchouli perfume under my earlobes, on my wrists, and under my knees.
I then quickly tidy my room and make my bed – a very rare occurrence. Everything looks perfect.
Now for the final touch – the shoes. I dig into my closet and reach for my tallest heels – nude round-toed five-inch platform heels. I can barely walk in these, but for sex, they’ll do. I slip them on and study my reflection once more. I feel pretty and sexy. I’m all worked up. I just want him to get here and take all this off, have me completely naked and under him… or over him… whatever suits him best.
I know I won’t hear the bell from my room, so I need to go downstairs to wait for him. I slip on a silky housecoat and venture down the stairs in my five-inch heels. I move slowly, full of anticipation.
I’m in the kitchen, enjoying a cup of tea, when I hear the bell chime. Full of nervous energy, I peek through one of the tall windows beside the front door. Yes, it’s him. He’s a vision in black. He’s slicking back his hair and looks so jittery.
I quickly open the door for him. “Come in.”
As soon as he’s inside, his gaze drops to my heels. “I love those.” His voice, usually so deep and measured, is soft, ragged… all over the place. “Take off the robe. I want to see you.”
Damn, the man doesn’t waste time. I can feel my pupils dilate as my face heats up and my body fills with lust. I revel in this moment. There are few sensations as intoxicating as a beautiful man’s intense arousal, his desperate craving for you. I pull the silk tie of my robe slowly and let it open. I reach for my shoulders, peel it off, and let it pool on the floor around my feet.
His eyes darken as he takes me in. Then he grabs the edges of my face into his large hands and pulls me to him. He’s rough and fast, and I love it. He presses his mouth against mine – hot, wet, and hungry. Our mouths are eager and impatient in the tempered frenzy of our kiss.
He catches my bottom lip between his teeth before he whispers, “Where is your room?”
I reluctantly pull away, grab my robe and give him my hand. “Come.”
He follows me up the stairs like a good boy, but when we reach the first landing, he pins me against the wall. He grabs my wrists and keeps them hostage above my head. He trails his tongue up my neck and bites my earlobe gently. “You smell amazing.”
I practically melt to the floor before he grabs my hand and we head up more stairs. I curse all the stairs. “I’m sorry. My room is all the way at the top, in the converted attic.”
He shoots me a wicked smile. “No worries. We can have fun on the way.”
When we reach the next floor, he pins me against the wall again. He steals another kiss and presses a hard hand between my thighs, right on my “hot spot.”
“You taste amazing,” he whispers.
I honestly don’t know if we’ll actually make it to my room at this rate. He trails his hand over my wet panties – just a second, a tease. And then we’re off, up the stairs again.
I know the plan is to take it slow today, but I don’t want to take it slow. I move as fast as I can possibly move in my heels, and when we hit the top floor, I’m the one who presses him against the wall. I grab the hem of his shirt and peel it up so I can revel in his smooth, hard abs. I trail my tongue along his salty skin and trace the dark line under his navel. A growl escapes from his beautiful mouth. I feel how hard he i
s under the thick fabric of his khakis, and I can’t wait to undo his belt and explore him further.
In a minute… as soon as we get to my room.
My heart threatens to tear my ribcage open as we find ourselves in the small room leading to my bedroom in the attic. A stairway, a small bookcase, and an armchair fill the quaint room.
August smirks. “More stairs.”
“Sorry.”
“Oh, are you really?” he asks as he grabs me by the waist. “I think you’re enjoying this.” I fall on top of him on the large orange armchair. “It’s okay. I’d follow you to the ends of the earth.”
His words warm my heart as I get lost in his kiss. I could kiss him forever, until my dying breath. We could probably have a lot of fun on this chair, but I want him in my bed. I peel my body from his unwillingly and pull him up my stairs.
We finally step into the serene oasis that is my room – all yellows and reds and vintage details. The dress stands in the middle and centres the room. Startled by the sight of August, Ginger dashes off. She’s not used to seeing a tall dark man in my room.
August doesn’t waste a second before pinning me against my dresser. “You’re finally mine.”
I like the sound of that. I’m his. I want to be his like I’ve never wanted to be anyone’s. No matter what I tell myself, this is more than sex. His mouth is the sweetest thing I’ve ever tasted, and I can’t get enough of it as my tongue dances around his.
But he’s cruel. He pulls away, trails his mouth down my neck, and presses a soft chaste kiss on my collarbone. “I like you in this silky little thing.”
He runs his hands along the smooth fabric around my hips. This is already the most amazing moment of my life, and he’s barely touched me. I run my hands through his perfect hair and mess it up.
“Take it off,” I plead. I want it all off. My slip, my panties, his clothes. Everything. I want the both of us completely naked.
He travels farther south and slides his hands under the skirt of my slip. He gets down on his knees as his hot mouth runs over the silky fabric. Warmth spreads through my insides when he kisses my belly.
