by Alexia Praks
Ruby licked her lips, feeling thoroughly confused now.
"But, Alec, why have you kidnapped me? Why do I have to stay here with you until I go home?"
Alec was slightly distracted at seeing her lick her lips. He cleared his throat and told himself to concentrate on the subject at hand. He said, "That, Ruby, I cannot explain. Do we have a deal?"
Ruby hesitated. "Meanwhile, what do I do? It's my holiday. I'm not supposed to spend it imprisoned in your castle, Alec. I should be visiting famous castles and enjoying myself."
"Let's expand the terms then. I'll take you to visit other castles if we are nice to each other. Another stipulation: no more escaping; and no more swearing at me in Khmer, which I do not understand, and of course, you'll be having meals with me, like any other guest, in the dining room."
Ruby could only stare at him. "Really? You're joking, right?"
He chuckled. "Is it a deal?" He watched her nibbling her lower lip with worry.
A moment later, she nodded her head. "Deal!" she said, extending her hand.
Alec smiled and took her small hand into his large ones. When he let it go, he picked her up in his arms.
"Oh!" Ruby gasped, eyeing him.
"I'm sure you must be tired from limping all the way up here," he commented as he carried her to the door.
She wrapped her arms around his neck and reminded him, "You said I can have my belongings back."
"I'll get them for you later."
"And my bag too?"
"I only said you were allowed to have your clothing, and that's it."
"Meanie," she snapped.
When they were back in the bedroom, Alec put her on the bed before leaving again to get her suitcase. When he returned, she thanked him wholeheartedly.
"Another thing. Where will you be sleeping?" she asked as she checked through the contents of her suitcase.
"In here," was his terse reply.
"But I sleep here now. Why can't you sleep in another room?"
"Because this is my bedroom." He folded his arms across his chest as he watched her.
"I can't find my dress," she muttered to herself.
"Which one?"
She glanced up at him. "The one I wore when you, er, drove me here."
Alec remembered her white Fendi dress.
"Brian bought it for me on the condition that I visit his castle. I don't want to lose it. He wanted to see me in it when we have dinner together."
Alec grunted. Susan was right! Brian was buying her clothing--expensive clothing. On the condition that she visit his castle? What the hell does that mean? He bought her an expensive dress and then begged her to come to his castle?
"Why couldn't you sleep in another room?" she asked again.
"Because this is my room," he replied, still thinking about the dress and Brian.
She glanced up at him again. "But we can't sleep in the same bed. I don't share my bed with a stranger."
He wanted to say, And Brian isn't a stranger?
"Well," Alec replied as he walked to the door. "We'll have to, won't we?" That said, he left the room, closing the door behind him.
Ruby wondered what had gotten into him. He was very agreeable just moments before when they were making deals. Now, however, he seemed to be in a bad mood, somewhat disappointed, or angry at something. She shrugged her shoulders and continued examining the contents of her suitcase.
She changed, and got into bed an hour later, picking up the history book. Suddenly, she heard a commotion just outside the door.
Alec came into the room backward, carrying something heavy. She leaned over to have a better look and saw that he was lifting a large sofa into the bedroom. McKenzie was holding onto the other end.
They put it near the far side of the wall. McKenzie bowed at Alec and then left.
"What is that for?" she asked Alec, who was about to leave as well.
"My bed."
"I think it would be better if either I sleep in another room, or you sleep in another room, in a proper bed." She emphasized the word proper so that he'd understand what she meant.
"I'll be all right, ma'am. I need to keep an eye on you." That said, he left the room.
"Stubborn goat!" Ruby muttered before she continued her reading.
Alec returned after midnight, as he expected his captive would be asleep by then. He turned on the wall light near the sofa, found his pyjamas, and went into the bathroom to brush his teeth and change. When he came back, he frowned and thought that maybe she didn't need her clothing after all, since she was still wearing his shirt to bed.
Noticing her suitcase underneath the bed, he picked it up and took it into the walk-in wardrobe. He swung it over his head and rested it on the top shelf, then returned to the sofa and lay on his uncomfortable temporary bed. It's going to be a long night, he thought.
*
TEN
Ruby woke up the next morning feeling rather refreshed. Her foot seemed to have gotten better too. Finding it odd that she should feel happy, it made her wonder what was wrong with her. Recently, she had been waking up with a sense of dread, and the claustrophobic feeling of imprisonment. But not today, however. Today, she felt free. Maybe it was because of the deal they made last night.
She sighed and looked over at Alec, who was sleeping on the sofa. That man was a stubborn goat, all right. She was pretty sure he was very uncomfortable indeed, but she did not pity him one bit.
Alec turned his aching body and opened his eyes. He saw Ruby looking at him and gave her a handsome smile.
"Good morning."
Ruby wasn't impressed with his greeting, but it made her feel warm all over. "Good sleep?" she asked sarcastically.
"Very good, thank you," he replied, before taking a good stretch.
Crack!
Alec hissed and Ruby couldn't help bursting out laughing.
Alec glanced at her. My God, this was the first time he ever heard her laugh. The softness of her voice was sheer delight to his ears.
"I told you to sleep in another room, in a proper bed," she said, her eyes twinkling.
Alec climbed out of the uncomfortable sofa and came over to sit beside her on the bed. "I had a bed, but some nasty, little person stole it from me."
Ruby bit her lip as she stared at him. He was too close for her comfort. He was also too damn handsome for her wee heart to handle right then. She shifted off the bed as she said, "Well, it's not my fault. I did tell you to put me in another room. You refused, however, so don't blame other people for your sheer stubbornness."
"Why are you moving away?" he asked curiously.
To put some distance between us, you lout! she wanted to yell at him. But, of course, she didn't. Instead, she said, "I'm going to the bathroom."
She put her feet down on the soft carpet.
"Want any help?"
"No, thank you," she replied, about to get up.
In a flash, Alec was at her side and picking her up in his strong arms.
"Oh," Ruby gasped. "I can walk, you know."
"I know," he said as he carried her to the bathroom.
Inside the bathroom, he put her down, but still didn't let her go. Ruby looked up at him, wondering why both her legs suddenly felt like jelly. She couldn't seem to move an inch as she stood there, gazing up him.
Alec touched her bottom lip with his thumb. He stroked it gently, marveling at its softness.
Ruby blushed. Her heart started to thump so fast, she thought it'd probably pop out of her chest any moment. Not to mention her whole body was quivering with pleasure. All simply because he was rubbing her bottom lip.
Alec stopped his stroking and said, "We promised to be nice to each other. Be quick now." Then he left, giving her a smile that caused Ruby's breath to catch at the back of her throat.
Calm down, Ruby. She sighed, wondering if he really did care about her, or was he just pretending to be nice?
Then she thought about him stroking her lip. She shivered. She touch
ed her bottom lip and tried stroking it with her thumb, but felt nothing. It was just a lip. How could he have given her so much pleasure by just stroking her lip? Then she thought about the kiss.
Stop it! she silently chided herself.
She shook her head and went about showering. Once she was finished, she suddenly remembered she hadn't brought any clothing to wear.
Stupid! she cursed and, after wrapping the big towel securely around her body, poked her head out the door. The room was empty. Alec was gone. Good, she thought with glee, as she limped out.
She couldn't find her suitcase anywhere. Nibbling her lip, she wondered where it could have gone. Then she thought about the walk-in wardrobe.
She turned, opened the door, and slipped inside, looking for her luggage. Gosh, his wardrobe was very neat, with all his clothing and accessories arranged in an orderly manner.
Where the heck is my suitcase? She looked up and widened her eyes in shock.
Why the hell is my suitcase up there?
She stood on tiptoes and stretched her hands high for it, while grunting in annoyance. Her suitcase was all the way up on the very top shelf, and the tip of her middle finger couldn't even reach the third shelf. She swore again in irritation, something along the lines of: a mere male couldn't seem to do anything right.
When her arms grew too tired from reaching out, she knew she was not going to get anywhere if she continued down that path. She limped out into the bedroom and looked around for something that she could stand on, spotting the antique, wooden chair near the hearth.
That's it!
She picked it up and looked heavenward, thanking God the chair was light. She limped back into the walk-in wardrobe with the chair and put it down before climbing to stand on it.
This time, she managed to reach the suitcase. Then she started to pull it down. It was resting halfway between the top shelf and her when she realized that her suitcase was very heavy.
"Don't back down, Ruby, you can do this," she said, grunting loudly.
Oh shoot! Oh my God! She could feel it. She could feel the towel loosening around her chest.
"Stupid man!" she swore as one hand flew to hold the towel on her chest before it could unwrap itself from around her body and fall to the floor.
Ruby felt like screaming because she was frustrated that such a quirky situation should happen to her, and because her darn suitcase was extra heavy, making her arm very sore from supporting the weight of it.
Alec entered the room with the breakfast tray at that moment. He lay it on the bedside table and was about to leave when he heard "Stupid man!" coming from the walk-in wardrobe.
What is she doing in there? He rushed toward the walk-in wardrobe and opened the door. What the hell is she doing?
She was standing on the chair, one hand holding onto the towel that he could see was about to fall from her body, and the other hand holding onto the half-suspended suitcase.
"What the hell are you doing?" he shouted.
Ruby turned. "Oh, Alec, help me."
Alec rushed to her side and took hold of the suitcase. Because he was tall, he didn't even need the chair to reach it. He pulled it down for her and placed it on the floor.
Ruby was still shaking.
Alec turned to her and said, "What do you want that for?"
Ruby licked her dry lips. "I need my clothes. Why did you put it up there?" Her voice was barely a whisper.
Alec looked up at her. Standing on the chair, she was slightly taller than he. He couldn't help noticing how desirable she was with her cheeks a rosy pink, and her eyes shiny and bright as they stared down at him. Not to mention, she was only wearing a towel that was slowly slipping down at the back.
"Sorry. I thought you preferred wearing my shirt."
She frowned at him; her hands tightening about the towel at her chest. "I need proper clothing."
Alec put his arms around her thighs and lifted her up.
"Alec!" she gasped.
He walked to the door with her in his arms. "You didn't wear your own clothing last night."
She put her arms on his shoulders to balance herself. "I can walk, you know."
"Aye, ma'am, you can limp," was his reply. He put her down on the bed and went back to pick up the suitcase.
He started opening the suitcase when Ruby said, "Please don't."
He looked up, his eyes questioning.
"They're my personal things. I--I don't like people seeing them. Please go, I want to change alone."
He stood up. "As you please." Then he left the room.
Once the door was shut, Ruby slid down to sit on the floor and sort through her clothing. She found her skinny jeans and a light purple jersey. Yes, she'd feel much more comfortable wearing her own clothing.
As she picked up the jersey, she glimpsed a notebook. Her heart started to beat faster, and her hand shook as it moved toward the small book.
She picked it up and opened it. It was her address and phone book of overseas contacts. She thought she lost it.
Clutching the book to her chest, she glanced at the door to make sure Alec was not there, or about to enter. Flipping through the contents, she found Brian's number.
Ruby felt content that morning after breakfast. She lay on the sofa that was serving as Alec's bed and read. Then, just when her tummy started to grumble with hunger, Alec came into the room. Without saying anything, he took the book from her hands, picked her up in his arms, and carried her out the door.
"Where are you taking me?" she asked curiously. "I thought I was forbidden to go out."
He grinned at her, his eyes twinkling.
Stop fluttering so much, you stupid heart! she cursed silently, biting her lip as she stared at his face. Her heart didn't listen to her scolding, however. In fact, it was doing exactly the opposite. It sped up, and now and again, a good somersault was deftly performed.
"Of course, you can go out, as long as I'm with you."
She emitted a loud hum as they came down the stairs. Instead of taking her into the dining room as she expected, he directed her toward the front door.
"Where are we going?"
"Outside."
Of course, she could very well see that they were going outside. She was hoping they'd be having lunch in the dining room, since there would be a telephone in the dining room; of that, she was sure.
The sun was very nice. Finally, the storm moved on and now the sun came out to dry everything off. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. The air was cool and clean.
"Has it been that long?" he asked, watching her.
Ruby opened her eyes and looked at him. "What do you mean?"
"You like the fresh air?"
"I love the fresh air, thank you," she said. "Oh, look!"
Alec's gaze was on their destination, which Ruby had just noticed. On the other side of the garden, near the pond, Mrs. McKenzie and Lizzie were laying down the plaid blanket and putting out food and a bottle of chilled champagne. Captain Snow, who was running about wildly, barked loudly once he saw them coming.
"How exciting! Hello, Westies!"
"Who's Westies?" Alec asked.
"The dog. Isn't he cute?"
"Hmm," Alec responded. He put her down on the plaid blanket and sat beside her. Captain Snow came over to lick Ruby's hand. She patted him. The dog seemed to love it and climbed onto her lap. She laughed.
Alec watched in fascination. The blasted dog had never been so friendly to him.
"Anythin' else ya want, Master Alec?" Mrs. McKenzie asked.
Alec shook his head in the negative, and Mrs. McKenzie and Lizzie left them.
Alec reached for the champagne and poured the contents into two glasses. Ruby picked one red grape and popped it into her mouth.
"Why does she call you Master Alec?" she asked curiously. "Do you have another name before Alec?"
Alec glanced at her and wondered if she knew anything about the nobility. But, of course, since she read so many history books
, she must've understood how to address them, unless she couldn't understand Mrs. McKenzie's thick Scottish brogue.
He gave her a glass. She looked at him and then at the bubbly libation.
"I don't drink."
"You don't?"
She shook her head.
"Try it. It's nice," he urged. "Just one sip."
"Okay." She took the glass, and looked at him for a second. She saw him nod for encouragement and hesitantly took a sip. She tasted grapes. But it was also quite sharp and sweet.
"Well?"
"It's okay. Do you have any siblings?"
Alec raised his brows as he reached out for the sandwiches. "A sister."
"A sister? I've got four sisters. I beat you."
"Any brothers?"
She shook her head.
"So what do you do at home?"
She turned to look at him. "This and that."
"What is this and that?"
"I work part time, and I run the family business part time."
"You run the family business?"
"My, my, so many questions. What about you? What do you do? I mean, apart from kidnapping me and preventing me from running away?" she asked, looking at him.
Alec thought she was trying to get at him. Oh no, he wanted to enjoy today with her, and her sarcastic question was not going to rile him. He sat up and said, "This and that."
Ruby narrowed her eyes at him and snatched a sandwich. "So if you own the castle, that makes you very rich." She took a bite. "It means that either you're a businessman, gaining bucket loads of profits; or you inherited the money and this castle came from your parents. If you're a successful businessman and you bought this castle, of which I do not know the name of, you probably spent a ridiculous amount of money. If you inherited this castle, that means," She paused and looked at him, "either you're related to some dead, distant cousin from the nobility, or you, yourself, are one."
Alec was impressed.
"What's the name of the castle?"
"Hasting Manor."
"And your full name please?"
"Alec James Hasting."
She smiled; her eyes becoming brighter. "So you're the son of the Earl of Hayward?"
"No," he said. "I am the Earl of Hayward."
Ruby gasped. "Oh God, I'm sorry. What happened to your father?"
Alec picked another sandwich. "My parents both died in an accident in Greece."
