Ruby Rose (6 page)

Ruby shrugged and took a sip of coffee. “Well, like I said, this is no big deal—”

“Yet,” Melanie interrupted. “We’ll see how quickly you guys get serious.”

“What makes you so sure we’ll be getting serious? You yourself said he’s never had a girlfriend. And have you forgotten about his kink?”

It was almost a rhetorical question. She didn’t really want to hear the answer. Melanie made this too stressful. It was way too soon to start worrying about what Evan really wanted out of all of this.

Melanie leaned back in the kitchen chair and crossed her legs. “We'll see. Mark my words, you guys will be a full-blown couple soon. Whether you’re into DD or not, Evan is going to have you naked over his lap in no time.”

Ruby almost choked on her coffee. “Melanie! Jesus!”

“I’m just saying.” Melanie laughed.

Chapter 6

Evan pulled up to the house and was getting out of the car when he saw Ruby come out the door. Immediately, Evan smiled like a silly schoolboy. He couldn't hide his excitement to see her. Ruby was dressed casually, so different from all the other women he had ever been interested in. Everything about her seemed natural and pure. Evan liked the simplicity in her beauty.

Her eyes were a brighter brown in the sunlight, so brown that Evan couldn't take his gaze off them as Ruby walked down the porch to the sidewalk. Evan rushed to meet her and took her hands in his. He loved the feel of Ruby's soft and delicate hand intertwined with his more masculine one. Evan wanted to kiss her, but he worried it would be too forward and too quick. Something about Ruby made him want to take his time. His control, however, wasn’t strong enough to fight off the urge to at least hug her, so he did, closely, intimately. He almost moaned, feeling Ruby's hair tickle his face, breathing in everything about her.

Grudgingly, Evan finally pulled away and let her go. Evan kept his hand still fastened to hers as he walked Ruby to the car and opened the door.

Once Evan started the car and drove off, he found it impossible to keep his hands off her. They made small talk, but every chance Evan got, he caressed her leg, her arm, her face. He couldn't shake the feeling that she belonged to him. That he belonged to her. The connection and the bond pulled at him with a full-strength intensity. He couldn't fight the urge to bring Ruby's hand to his mouth and kiss it. He had no idea what was happening. This was unlike him to be so affectionate and so attentive. Could Ruby possibly feel the same
?
Evan tried to control himself before he freaked Ruby out by acting too intense, but he couldn't help his actions. The only saving grace was it didn't seem like Ruby minded, and at times she even caressed him in return. She seemed to welcome his touch.

Evan was excited to take her someplace quiet and private, somewhere different than the clubs and bars. He wanted to talk to her, get to know more about her, more about who this woman who overpowered his entire being. He wanted to get closer. He wanted more. For the first time in Evan's life, he wanted Ruby and only Ruby. It was fast, impulsive, and downright crazy, but he knew Ruby was special and he didn't want to play around with the typical games. Evan knew it was risky acting too fast and pushing too much, but not riskier than denying the way he felt and letting her walk away.

Evan had packed a picnic lunch and planned to take her to a grassy park area overlooking the city skyline. He hoped Ruby enjoyed the place as much as he did. Evan smiled when he looked over at Ruby gazing out the window, admiring the amazing views.

“My god, this place is remarkable! You can see the entire city from here,” Ruby gushed.

Evan liked seeing her enthusiasm. No matter how many times Evan came up here, he always found it as awe-inspiring as the first time. He took a moment to admire the view before turning to Ruby. The view didn't measure up to the beauty sitting next to him. Ruby truly was the most attractive woman he had ever seen.

“I have a picnic for us. I thought we'd enjoy the peace and quiet.”

Ruby’s eyes widened a bit, but she smiled and got out of the car. They laid out the blanket and put down the basket. They both sat in silence, taking in the scenery. The silence didn’t feel awkward at all, but rather calm and relaxing. Everything seemed so natural and comfortable that Evan couldn't hold back any longer. He leaned in for a small but sensual kiss. A kiss that was soft and sweet, but passionate at the same time. Pressing her back gently, laying Ruby down on the blanket, Evan propped himself up on his elbow next to her. He positioned Ruby's body closer to his while his hand caressed her body over her clothes. Every touch slow, making sure he didn’t overstep.

Evan nibbled Ruby's lower lip softly, then worked his way down to her neck and the tip of her ear. Evan tasted, he licked, he relished in the delightful scent of Ruby. Everything about her intoxicated his senses. He ran his hand over Ruby's stomach and then down her outer thigh. Evan had never felt more aroused, nor had any other woman ever made him want to take it further so badly.

“Evan,” Ruby whispered, hoarsely.

Evan moaned softly as he continued to kiss and suckle her neck, wishing now they were somewhere where they could get more intimate.

“Evan.” He could feel how hard Ruby was breathing and was excited to see that she possibly wanted the same.

He kissed her with more fervor, dancing his tongue with Ruby’s. He kissed until their breaths united as one, merging a combined passion. Loving every moment, Evan pulled away so he could gaze into the depths of her eyes. Satisfied with the lust he saw swirling amongst the brown, he smiled.

“You're beautiful, Ruby.” He ran small circles on Ruby's stomach as he spoke.

“Evan, there's something I need to tell you. I'm… well, I've never been…” Ruby took a deep breath and looked away from Evan's locked stare. “I've never done anything like BDSM before. I've never been spanked, tied up, or anything. I'm pretty vanilla.”

Evan stared at her blankly for a second, not sure how to respond. It felt as if the air had been knocked out of him. The idea of being Ruby's first experience rattled every nerve in his body. Confusion mixed with shock kept all the words locked inside. Evan wasn't sure what to say. Hell, he wasn't even sure what he thought. When he didn’t respond immediately, Ruby sat up and pulled away from him.

“Wait, hold on…” Evan reached for her.

Ruby turned to face him with tears glistening in her eyes. “I'm sorry. I know I should've said something.”

Evan reached for Ruby's hands, his head spinning. “I'm confused. Have I been reading you wrong this whole time?”

Ruby looked embarrassed and bit her bottom lip, not making eye contact. “No, you haven't. I've been enjoying this. Enjoying you.” She took a deep breath. “I don't know what's going on.”

“So, you aren't into BDSM?”

Ruby shook her head. “No.” She paused and reluctantly looked up to meet Evan's eyes. “But with you… with you, I question my feelings. Maybe I'd like to try? I don't know. I'm confused.”

“I thought you were. You work at a BDSM club. You have to know that I am—”

“Melanie got me the job,” she interrupted. “And yes, I know who you are.” A tear escaped Ruby's eye. “I'm so sorry, Evan. I'm not leading you on, or messing with you. I swear.”

“It's okay. Just relax.” Evan caressed her cheek, wiping away the tear. “I’m sorry I came on so strong, I’m not usually like this. I hope I'm not scaring you away.”

“Don't apologize. I'm the one who should.”

Evan put his arm around Ruby and kissed her head. “We don't have to figure this out overnight. Do you want to explore this? See where this goes?”

“Do you?”

“Yes, very much.”

“What if I'm not into spanking at all? What if I'm against doing that?”

Evan frowned against the soft hair of Ruby's head. He pulled her closer and kissed the top of her head again. “Do you want to stop? Is this too much for you?” Evan's body tensed as he waited for the answer.

“No. I don't want this to stop at all.” Ruby snuggled her head under Evan's chin, wrapping her arms around Evan's chest. “Can you be patient with me? Help me through all of this?”

Evan squeezed her tight. “Yes, I can. I will.”

Ruby looked up at him and smiled. “All I know is, this feels right. You feel right.”

Evan loved seeing her smile. “I agree. I'll be here for you every step of the way. I want there to be an 'us'. But if this ever feels wrong—”

“I can't imagine that,” Ruby interrupted again.

“Then we'll figure this out. We'll make it work.”

****

Ruby sat across from Evan, eating her sandwich and admiring every move he made. Even the way he ate was sexy. Ruby still couldn't believe how understanding Evan was about the whole spanking issue. His calm demeanor, sensitivity, and compassion made Ruby care about him even more. She was falling for him, falling like she had never done before.

Ruby's ringing phone interrupted her thoughts. “Oh, sorry,” Ruby said as she scrambled to find her phone to dismiss the call.

Evan shook his head, wiping off his mouth. “No worries. Go ahead and answer it.”

Ruby looked down at the caller ID. “It's my friend, Harold. I'll just let it go to voicemail.”

Evan shrugged. “Go ahead and talk to him.” He smiled. “He could be calling for something important. I don't mind at all.”

Ruby felt her stomach stir. For some reason, Ruby didn't like the idea of talking to her editor in front of Evan. She knew Evan had no idea who Harold really was, but it felt wrong. Ruby's head still spun from the conversation they’d just had and her feelings about Evan. She’d never been a liar in her life, and leading Evan to believe Harold was only a friend was technically lying. Although she could also reason with herself that she’d never actually
said
Harold wasn't an editor and she wasn’t a writer. She should tell Evan; it really wasn't a big deal. She really should – but she couldn’t. She had already just dropped a bombshell. One confession at a time.

“No,” she said, a little too hastily. “I can call when I get home.” She leaned in and gave a quick peck to Evan's lips. “I want to spend time with you. No interruptions.”

“Come closer.” Evan opened his arms, smiling. “Let me hold you.”

Ruby moved into his embrace, cozying up to his warmth.

“Ruby, I hope this doesn’t sound too insane, but I really like you.” Evan reached for one of her hands and started to kiss her fingertips, one at a time. “I know I just met you, but I feel like I could spend every day and every moment with you… if you’d let me.”

Ruby gazed up into his eyes, swallowing the lump in the back of her throat. Her heart pounded and butterflies danced in her stomach. “I know what you mean,” she whispered.

“I know you said you’re only going to be here a short while. And I know the fact that I'm a big believer in Domestic Discipline is an issue. But I was hoping... I was hoping we could continue to spend time together.”

“Really?” Ruby giggled. She felt like she was a love-struck teenager. “Are you asking me to be your girlfriend?” she teased. Ruby joked, but there was a wishful thinking element to her comment.

Evan cleared his throat, obviously uncomfortable. “Well, yes. I mean, if the idea doesn't scare you off.” He pulled Ruby in closer. “I'm not good at stuff like this. There really is no easy way to broach this subject without sounding so cheesy. All I know is that I want you and me to be together... solely. At least while you're here.”

Ruby sat in silence, overwhelmed by the realization that she was about to become the girlfriend of Evan Steel, the man she had come to secretly get information on for her article. Her stomach did flips as she tried to take it all in.

Ruby's emotions jumbled: she was happy, ecstatic, scared, shocked, and timid. She turned to Evan with a serious expression. “What if I can't buy into this whole Domestic Discipline thing? I still haven't wrapped my head around allowing someone to spank me. That is what you expect, right?”

She saw Evan’s eyes narrow while he looked at Ruby skeptically. “I would never push you, or expect you to do something you're uncomfortable with. I don't know if you'll embrace DD or not. But why don't we agree to not make this about defining. Let's make this about two people who have feelings for each other, and take it from there.”

As much as Ruby wanted to believe him, she was terrified. Relationships in general were not something she was good at. She struggled with trusting, closeness, and acceptance. She had so many broken promises in her life, so many letdowns. She couldn’t endure another one. “And your lifestyle? Do I really fit in with that? You're famous, and every woman at these hot spots would die to be with you.”

“Ruby, it's a job. I would never betray you because of a paycheck.” He was firm. “My friends will love you because you're an amazing person. As for the fame, we'll muddle through it. It's a pain. I'm not going to lie. But I want you to be with me.”

Grinning from ear to ear, Ruby wrapped her arms around Evan's neck. “I would love to be your girlfriend!” She kissed Evan and pulled away quickly. “I love it!”

 Evan stared at her, expressionless, for an instant. Then, as if he suddenly comprehended what Ruby just agreed to, his grin matched hers. He put his hand behind Ruby's neck, pulling her closer, pressing Ruby's lips hard against his own. Their lips brushed and tested as they explored the growing connection between them. The touch of their lips was soft, unsure of what was to come. This kiss seemed as if their souls combined. Ruby took in Evan's breath, as he took in hers. They paused and took a moment to look into each other’s eyes. Ruby could feel the kiss in the depths of her heart. She could feel the most wonderful moment of her life.

Evan groaned. Ruby muffled the sound and tangled her tongue with Evan's, kissing him with all the passion that exploded from within, until she panted for more, until their bodies strained together and everything disappeared but the ravenous quest of their mouths. The hard, warm weight of Evan pressed against her, one hand slipping inside her loose blouse and behind her to trace the low curve of Ruby's spine, then ever so gently lower, to the top of her bottom, where his caress slid the material of her skirt in sinuous circles against her hyper-sensitive flesh.