by Anna Brooks
Does he think I’m not capable of taking care of myself or something? “Especially not me?”
“Yeah, Ruby. Especially not you. You’ve gotta know that I’m going to take care of you.”
Okay, so my defensive judgment was incorrect. He’s worried that something will happen to me, not that I’m an idiot. Even though I feel like one now for questioning him.
We stand there in the parking lot, the intensity of his gaze bringing warmth to my normally frigid core. Yes, I feel it. This connection, the spark, but hearing him say it is something that I need. I can’t get inside my head too much with him.
His hand stills and he gives my arm a small tug. “C’mon, it’s late.”
I’m not left with a choice, so I close my trunk and follow him up the walkway. His stride speaks confidence, his words full of promise. But his body? God, his body moves so fluidly it’s like art in motion and I find it difficult to look at anything but him. He pauses at the outside door and I unlock it and walk in before him, stopping at the first door on the right.
I stick the key in the lock and motion for my bags.
“I’ll take them in.”
“I’m fine, really.” I shake my head and look directly into his eyes. I don’t want him coming in. I don’t want to risk a run-in with my mom, and I don’t want to deal with the questions. I will tell him. Just not now, not this late. I don’t have the energy. “Thanks, though.”
He studies me and bends down slightly to set the bags on the floor and crosses his arms across his broad chest. “You scared of me or something?”
“No.”
“Then what’s going on, Ruby? I just want to bring your bags inside. I know you have something going on, and I want to be there for you. But I can’t help you if you don’t let me.” His entire demeanor has changed and he actually sounds hurt. He probably doesn’t know what it’s like to be helpless. To not feel safe. I envy him for that.
“I want to. But Pierce, if I let you in …” I point at the door, but I also mean letting him in my heart … even deeper. “Then I have to tell you everything and I’m not ready to.” He still looks unconvinced, so I throw a dagger in. “I don’t really know you enough to tell you everything yet.”
His eyes narrow and it hurts me to know my words hurt him. “You know me, Ruby.”
“No.” I stand firm, because even if I admitted how desperately I want to have him for support, for a sounding board, for fucking everything … it’s been like two days.
“Yes. You may not know my favorite color or what I like to eat, aside from egg whites. I’m sure you don’t know my middle name. You probably have no clue what kind of movie I like to watch. I know I don’t know any of those things about you.” He steps closer and rubs a finger down my face. “But you know what you feel like when I do this. I know that when I touch you, I’ve never wanted to hold on to something more in my life. I know that I want to feel more of it because this is just the beginning. What we already have is worth whatever risks you’re too afraid to take.”
I bite my lip and my body naturally sways toward his. His thumbs link through the loop on my shorts and he pulls me closer. “I want to know what it feels like to fall asleep with you in my arms. What it feels like to wake up starting my day off wrapped up in your wet heat.” His nose rubs against my neck when he inhales then presses an open-mouth kiss there. “I want to know what you taste like … everywhere.”
I whimper and he chuckles then steps back, his eyes gleaming with mischief. My knees buckle, and I grip the molding for support.
“Something else you should know about me. You told me no, and I would never, ever take something that wasn’t offered or do anything to make you uncomfortable. So I’m going to watch you walk inside and wait for your door to lock. Then I’m going to leave. Okay?”
He unlocks the door and pushes it open with one hand then picks up the groceries and sticks his hand out for me to take them. I robotically grab the handles and step inside. The old wooden door begins closing on its own, but Pierce sticks a foot in to halt its movements. He takes my keys out of the lock and drops them in my purse.
“Night, Ruby.” He steps back and the moment before the door shuts, our eyes connect. His a fiery swirl of possession, and mine … well, I’m assuming they look like a freaking deer in headlights, since that’s how I feel. I don’t know how he manages to read me as well as he does. He’s absolutely perfect. Doesn’t push too hard, knows what I need, says the exact right thing. Which is more than I can say, since I’m so damn confused myself.
“Night … Pierce.”
I shake myself out of this weird foggy bubble I’m in and put the groceries away and then go down the hall to check on my mom since her TV is still on. When I open the door, she looks at me from her corner chair. She has knitting material in her hand … yet nothing is done with it other than a couple of knots.
“Hi, Ruby. How was school?”
I decide not to even try to correct her. Instead, I go with it. I can’t believe she’s up, but this just means she’s going to sleep all day tomorrow.
“It was good. Do you remember me telling you about that cute boy in my class?” I fabricate my story to match hers. I need something to talk to her about, so this is a norm for me. I’ve told her all about Pierce, and when she was in her right mind, she told me to go to him, that she would be happy to go anywhere with me if it made me happy. So we’re here.
“Yes, I remember, silly.”
“You were right. I think I’m in love with him, but I’m so scared.”
“Why? Is he mean to you? Ruby, you don’t have to be with someone who makes you afraid.” Her voice becomes frantic, and I quickly shake my head.
“I don’t feel scared around him. It’s weird. I know he’d protect me, but the feelings I have, the good feelings scare me.” I leave out the part about the other stuff because sharing that with my mom is just too much. “Anyway, he walked me to my door, and I really want you to meet him. I thought about it for a second tonight. Maybe next time, which will probably be tomorrow.” I laugh and sit back down, grasping her frail fingers in my hand. “That would be kind of weird, though, huh? Is it too soon for him to meet you?”
“Oh, Ruby. You’re home. How was school?”
I sigh and kiss her cheek. “It was good, Mom. How was your day?”
Chapter 14
Pierce
MY ALARM BLARES AND I shut it off then throw my phone across the room, irritated as ever for not getting any sleep last night. All I could think about was Ruby. Her smile, her smooth skin, her pretty hair. I finally gave up and jacked off at around five in the morning, but here I am now, at seven with a boner that’s already dripping with the thought of her.
“Whatever,” I mumble to myself and think about getting punched in the gut during one of my classes. That doesn’t work, so I imagine anything else. Kittens, dog poop, my old teacher, Mrs. Mulosky. If anything, her wrinkly skin and mole with a foot-long hair growing out of it should make my hard-on go away. But nope. Nothing works, so I give up and get out of bed.
When I step into the shower, I let the warm water surround me and reach down to grab my ridiculously hard cock. “Jesus.” My fist tightens, and I rest my other hand on the cold tiles so I don’t slip. I pump up and down a few times before pre-cum starts leaking out. My wrist twists as I rub my jizz over the top of the engorged head and lubricate myself even more. I rock my hips into my hand and start fucking it like I wish it were Ruby. Her mouth, her tits, her pussy. Any and all of her. My balls draw up and I grit my teeth as I shoot a huge load on the wall. Even when I was a teenager, I didn’t come that fast. I haven’t even had sex with the girl yet, and she already has me by the balls.
As soon as I’m finished, I put on my workout clothes and drink a quick protein shake — with no kale — then head off to the gym a little earlier than normal.
Like every morning, I walk in and wave at Marcy, the daytime receptionist. She comes in at five and works the morning shift
since I always close at ten every night. I usually don’t come in until a little later, but since I couldn’t sleep, I figured I’d get a good workout in and some paperwork done.
A few hours later, Marcy knocks on my door and sticks her head in. “Hey, it’s noon. I’m gonna take off.”
“Already?” I glance down at the clock on my computer to confirm that much time has actually passed. “Is anybody else out there?”
“Nope. Just a couple of guys in the shower after sparring. Nothing until kickboxing later.”
“Cool, thanks. Have a good day.”
“You too.”
Since nobody else will need anything from me, I leave my door open just so I can hear what’s going on in the gym. The only person who comes in is a dad who wants to get info on classes for his son. I shoot a text to my brother, Declan, who I haven’t talked to in a couple of weeks. He replies ten minutes later, and we catch up. I miss the stupid fucker; it’s been too long since he’s come home.
A few hours later and I still can’t get Ruby out of the forefront of my brain. I lean back in my desk chair and look out the small window to see her car in the parking lot. Like it’s being used by a puppeteer, my dick stands to attention under my shorts. I want to go see her, but I have to wait until either Kim or Madison get here. They’re two high school girls who alternate shifts and Saturdays during classes when I’m not available to answer the phone. Kim is due to come in today but not until three, so I have time to dwell in my own pity because I’m not able to kiss my girl. I decide to at least shoot her a text.
Me: Hey.
Angel: Hi. How are you?
Me: Tired
Angel: Sorry you were up so late b/c of me.
Me: I would have been anyway. I couldn’t sleep cuz all I could think about is U
Angel: :)
Me: Talk later?
Angel: Yes.
Me: I’ll be thinking about you
Angel: You too …
I push away from my desk and head toward the treadmill since that seems to be the only thing that allows my mind to focus on something other than her. I run until my legs burn and my chest heaves. Travis, my buddy and also the man who married my baby cousin Charlotte, walks in and gives me a chin lift as he begins running next to me. I slow to a jog and then walk off the machine. The cold water I drink calms my erratic heart a bit. It’s only been an hour, so I grab the jump rope and begin to torture my calves, but the phone rings, so I drop the black rope and jog to answer it.
“Kelly’s gym.”
“Hey, Piercie,” my sister, Meara, singsongs through the line, and I roll my eyes even though she can’t see me.
“What’s up?”
“Can you bounce tonight? Pleaseeee? My guy called in sick.”
I’m beginning to think I’m too old for this working two jobs crap. I’ve been getting far too little sleep, and it’s starting to affect my concentration. But it’s my sister and my family’s business, so there’s an obligation there. “Yeah, sure. Be there normal time.” Which is usually around eleven.
“Perfect.”
“’Kay, see ya then.”
I hang up the phone and use a small white towel to absorb some of the sweat dripping down my skin. The door swings open from the kickboxing class and about a dozen women walk out. I nod at them but look down at the desk when I see Stacy.
“Hey, Pierce.” She leans on the counter and purposely pushes her boobs together, but I step back and cross my arms. “Whatcha doin’?”
“Working. You need something?”
“What time do you get off? Maybe we could—”
“No. Jesus, Stacy. How many times do I have to tell you? I don’t want to go out with you. What happened between us was a long time ago, and it didn’t mean anything.”
She pouts and twirls her blond hair. “Oh, come on. I know you remember what I let you do.” Despite how much she disgusts me with her whiny voice and desperate words, I do remember. Any red-blooded male would remember. But remembering does not equal desire. “I’ll be waiting whenever you wanna do it again.”
“I won’t.” All I want, all I’ll ever want, is Ruby.
Stacy licks her lips and winks at me before walking out the door, in what I’m sure she thinks is a sexy strut, but really makes her look like she’s got a stick up her ass.
“She doesn’t stop, does she?” Travis laughs as he grabs a towel from behind the desk.
“Dude.” I sigh.
“She was the one who ‘gave you a ride home’ the night I met Char, right?” He uses air quotes and smirks.
“Yes. Years ago, Travis.”
He wipes his mouth after finishing a bottle of water. “Why do you let her come for classes if she’s such a bitch?”
“’Cause she doesn’t do anything wrong. She’s harmless, just annoying.”
“Sure.” He leans in, even though the gym is empty except for the two of us now. “What’d she let you do?”
“Shut up.” I punch him in the shoulder, embarrassed about my behavior when I was younger, although I felt it was the only thing I could do at the time since I couldn’t find a woman who I was attracted to on that level. “Hey, you have five minutes to sit up here in case someone walks in? I just wanna grab a quick shower.”
“Yeah, no problem.”
After emerging about ten minutes later, Travis leaves and I mess around on the computer until Kim walks in. She tosses me a water, and I catch it with a question on my face. “What’s this?”
“That girl next door bought it for you. She said to tell you thanks again for last night. I don’t wanna know.” She shakes her head, tossing her bag in the locked cabinet and tucking the key in her pocket. “I’m just the messenger.”
“I just helped her out a little, that’s all.”
She hums and puts her fingers in her ears. “I said I don’t want to know.”
“You’re too young to think like that.”
“Ha! I’m seventeen, Mr. Kelly. Trust me, technology makes people grow up way faster nowadays.”
The phone rings and she reaches to answer it, and I walk back to my office pouting because I don’t have an excuse to go see Ruby anymore. I mean I could just go over there, but I don’t want to seem too desperate.
The rest of the night is normal, with the exception of thoughts of Ruby distracting me. I teach my normal classes and lock the door on my way out. Right when I’m about to turn the corner of the lot to get to my car, I see Ruby walking to her car. I had just texted her a few minutes ago to tell her to have a good night since I wouldn’t see her like I thought. She didn’t say anything about being alone or Leroy leaving early.
She’s staring at the ground and has her keys gripped in her hands. There are so many things wrong with this picture right now, but the first is that she’s walking in the parking lot by herself at night. Second is that she’s so scared. This is so not okay. I get to her just as she reaches her car. Her back is to me, and I call her name.
“Ahh!” She screams and drops her keys. Her feet tangle as she tries to back away and she falls on her butt. I’m not close enough to grab her, but I squat down and reach out for her. She pushes her glasses back up on her nose and her hair falls out of her ponytail as she shakes her head and scrambles even farther away.
“Hey, it’s just me.” I lower my voice and sit in front of her. I gently place my hand on her knee and rub my thumb over the denim. “Ruby, look at me.”
Slowly, she looks up, and when her tear-filled eyes meet mine, my heart sinks to the bottom of my chest. I hold back my rage at whatever has made her so fearful.
Chapter 15
Ruby
FEAR. THE ONLY THING I can comprehend right now is fear. I’m not normally this scared, but something about walking to my car alone at night freaks me out more. I can hear Pierce’s voice, and the soothing tone he’s using to try to calm me. Rationally, my mind tells me I’m fine, and knowing it’s him, I look up.
“There she is.” His beautiful face
comes into focus and I flinch when his hand comes at me, but relax when he wipes my tears away. What is it about him that makes it all go away? “You good to stand?”
I nod and place my hands in his, and he pulls me up with almost no effort on my part. “Thanks.”
“Sorry, I scared you.”
I try to pull my hands away, but his grip tightens and I look up at him. “It’s okay. I’m just not used to being by myself. I think I freak myself out more than I need to.”
“Why are you by yourself?” A hint of anger lances through his words.
“Leroy wasn’t feeling well, so he went home.”
Pierce’s thumbs rub small patterns on my hands and the comforting gesture relaxes me even more than his presence.
“If that happens again, call me so I can walk you out, okay? I’m here almost every night until ten and if I’m not, I’ll come back for you.”
“Pierce, I—”
“Don’t. Just call me, that’s all.”
He lifts my hand and presses a kiss there. My shaky nerves settle with his touch, and I reach up and wrap my arms around his neck. “Thank you.”
“You don’t need to thank me.”
He smooths my ponytail to the side and kisses my neck. “I wish I could see you more tonight, but I have to go.”
“It’s okay, I understand.”
He hesitates before we say good-bye, so I smile at him to assure him I’m okay. I get in my car, and he steps back and waves as I drive away. Just as I’m pulling into my parking spot, my phone rings. Lucy’s calling, but since I’m home, I ignore the call and rush inside. The second I open the door, my mother’s moans hit my ears and I toss my bag on the counter.
“Lucy, what’s wrong?” I ask her as I sit next to my mom. Her eyes are shut, but she’s rolling her head around and painful noises are coming from deep in her belly.
“She just started a few minutes ago, throwing things, hollering, crying.”
