"Morning, baby girl." Alaric's voice wakes me, and I open my eyes looking at him confused, he's dressed and everything? "You slept all morning, but you need to get up and eat after everything last night." He watches me, and I move to sit up as he holds out the food.Taking it, I look at him."Before you call me more names, let me explain." He looks at me, waiting for me to confirm I won't swear. Nodding, I wait."Max got in touch with Jake. Nothing bad happened. He apologised for what happened and wanted Jake to tell you. He warned Jake, though, that Beatrix had been asking him to help her get revenge.""So you knew?" He knew all this time and kept quiet."We were told Beatrix wanted to hurt you. Apparently, it was your fault she didn't get the money. He told Jake that it was her who set fire to the car. I didn't see the issue. It's Beatrix." He shrugs, but something tells me there is more."And?" I say, waiting for the full story."I got this." He slides the paper to me. "I wasn't wi
I watch Alaric as he moves around the room."Baby girl, have you sorted it?" He looks over at me."No, I just sat there for the fun of sir," I smirk and he groans."Behave, please. After last night, behave and just answer." He looks at me unamused."I sorted it," I say, standing I walk to him and hold it out."I don't need it now, put it away. Do I look like I could do anything right now?" he asks, and I step back, looking at him amused. "Brat."Laughing at his words, I nod. Leaning forward, I kiss him. "Hand her here, then you have two hands," I say, reaching for Isla, but his hand stops me."Or, you help." He smiles and walks across the room, putting her in the crib. Pouting, I nod. "Don't. She's settled, and you're helping me. Everyone will be here soon." He moves and begins to set the table. Okay, I will stop picking on him.Walking through I begin to sort out the food, my eyes on Isla, it's crazy to think that she is already nearly two months old. Even more crazy is when I consid
This room screams money, and it's not like I'm poor; I'm just not stupidly rich. Jake isn't yet. Sure, his dad is, but Jake was told until he proves himself, he won't get a penny. Sure, he gets money from his dad every month to live on and such.Yet, nothing else. Even though I know that his dad essentially paid for this ring I am wearing, Jake doesn't work, which means he no doubt had to ask his dad for money for the ring.It's looking like Jake might be getting his inheritance. News of this engagement has made his father see him in a whole new way—not just the engagement, but me, apparently. Dating me has made his son straighten his life out. I'm not sure how I helped. All I am doing is dating him.I didn't even know about his money until I met his dad, so it was a shock when Jake stopped at the house.They continued the conversation. His dad smiled at me and the ring. I'm still processing this. I mean, we've been dating for months, but dating and being engaged are two entirely diff
6 Months LaterSitting, I laugh. The slight feeling of being tipsy makes me happy."He's a grumpy nut!" Bex pushes me so hard that I almost fall off the stool."Maybe, but he's my grumpy nut!" I laugh and stand, and she pouts at me, sulking. "I'm going. I want to be with Jake when the new year begins. He wasn't feeling great." Hugging her, I walk home."Ruby, Ruby, Ruby!" I groan and stop at the door turning Ivy dances to me. "I'm glad you're here! I lost my keys."Laughing at her, I unlock the door. "You didn't lose them, Ivy. You never do. They are always inside where you left them." I walk in and go to the side, picking up the keys. I rattle them at her. "See."Laughing, she nods. Walking to the kitchen, I grab a drink and go upstairs, my head shaking at the fact she forgot her keys again. I had told her just before we left, get your keys. Laughing, I push the door open and freeze."Jake!" I stand shocked and sickened. He turns slightly and looks at me."Is this her?" The woman who
Today has gone quickly. Class has ended, and I'm determined to cross another item off the list. Parking the car, I walk to the shop. Standing outside, I look at the store. Sucking in a breath, I push the door open and walk in. I begin to look around.My hand trails over the leather lingerie. Picking up a set, I carry it with me as I continue to look through the lingerie and make my way towards the sex toys.I stop at them and glance around. Now what? My hand reaches out blindly and grabs three different ones. I've no idea what they are, but I'm not about to read the boxes in the shop. Walking towards the till to pay, I stop.My eyes see the items. I grab a pair of handcuffs and a flogger and continue to the till. I place the items down. I watch as she picks each item up and scans them all before I pay, and she hands me the bag.Getting into the car, I laugh. I did it. What the hell did I buy? I laugh, knowing that maybe I should have done research before. When I get home, I place the
The week has passed by quickly; I get lost in studying. I've signed up for dancing lessons, though. Two nights a week, I will do pole dancing, and another two nights a week, I will practice lap dances.I have to admit I had fun with Bex and Ivy that night once I let go of my fears. Pulling on the boots, I stand, and Bex walks in, her eyes widening."Why are you wearing hooker heels?" I laugh at her words. "I'm serious. Are you going out?""I'm doing pole dancing lessons. It's the first one tonight. I figured I would wear heels and learn while wearing them.""I'm coming!" she runs out of the room. I laugh, walk to her room, and watch her get ready. "I always wanted to learn, so I'm coming. Why pole dancing?" She turns and looks at me as she fastens her shoes."I have a slot in a few weeks dancing in a club." Her hands stop, and she looks at me. "Yes, I'm being serious." I laugh and watch her fasten her shoe."You're going to dance in a club?""Yes, I visited this week. It looked amazin
Stopping outside the house, I hit the button and waited; I slept in. So I had to get ready for tonight and wear the outfit under my dress."Yes?" I turn to the intercom. He will be working, but I know where the spare key is."Hi, Alaric, it's Ruby. If possible, I need to grab the things that I left here.""You don't need to ask." The intercom turns off, and the gates open. Driving in, I get out and walk up the steps. I stop noticing that the pot has moved. Turning, I see it.Leaning over, I lift it and look for the key; it's not here."Ahm." I stand and turn, Alaric is stating right where my ass was bent over."Sorry, I thought you would be at work. I was going to let myself in." Maybe I should have knocked first."No worries. Can I get you a drink?" He walks in, and I follow."Erm..." He's smiling at me, shit he doesn't know."Is everything okay?" He grabs a glass, and I nod. "Drink?"I nod at him, I thought Jake would have told him this was over? Now I feel more awkward than before,
"Ruby, come here." I look at him and shake my head. His hand grips mine, and he pulls me in front of him. He turns me so my back is against him. "What is this?" He taps the side, and I glance down.Shit, my list. I go to say I don't know when he speaks. "It fell out of your bag. You threw it down with that much force." He chuckles and waits."It was something to help me experience more, stop being a prude, and prove everyone wrong."He sighs and grabs a pen, placing it next to the paper. His hands grip the counter next to me. "Pick up the pen," he says, his breath washes over my neck. Reaching down, I get it."Cross off number eight.""W-what?""Cross of number eight. The list is a good idea, but number eight is a risk. Not only that, but you're not selling your body. You gain nothing from it.""I want to." It will help. It's different."No, you don't. Women dance there for money, and many are abused behind the scenes. If you want a list, fine, but make it safe. Cross it out."Nodding