Page 19 of Taming Her Temptations

Bailing is the only option.

“I need to go home,” I say with the kind of threatening smile that hopefully says put the damn saber down and put your shirt on, or regret the consequences.

Asher just shrugs and hands the saber to someone I’ve never seen before and Dean places the glasses on a server’s tray, who looks both horrified and entertained.

“Next time then,” Asher gives a wave to the crowd that mostly looks disappointed.

“Come on, Ruby Rivers,” Dean throws his arm around me. “Let’s go home.”

CHAPTER TEN

Ruby

Three men stare at me across from the limo and I stare back in silence.

“This is scarier than if she were scolding us,” Dean whispers to Asher.

“Ruby, even you have to admit that event was boring.” Asher pours a glass of champagne and puts it into the cupholder next to me like it’s a peace offering.

I sigh. What can I say to them, really? Because them making asses of themselves saved me from making a bigger ass of myself by confronting Steven.

“You should fire me.” I finally say, whipping up the champagne glass and laying on my back to lounge as I drink it. This might be my last lap of luxury, even if it’s in a limo that looks like a Teletubby threw up all over it. At least the champagne is delicious.

“Admittedly, not the reaction I was expecting,” Levi’s voice piques with curiosity.

I slowly get up on my elbows so he can see my scowl. “Really, Levi? How did we even think this idea made sense? Someone else can give you access to the people you need to talk to. I’m a mess right now and of no use to anybody.”

He’s quiet. His intensely expressive face is unusually still, but I can see his eyes tracing up and down me, considering. I hate the way his gaze makes my heart race with excitement.

“You never asked us why we chose to invest with Steve,” Levi says in a low, calm voice.

I looked at him, confused. That has nothing to do with what we’re talking about.

“What was your impression of that night we all went out to dinner?” He continues.

“I don’t know,” I shrug. “I certainly wasn’t thinking, hey, maybe this guy’s sister is going to get impregnated by my husband.”

“Well, we didn’t even especially like Steve. In fact, he made a few too many comments criticizing the server for our taste. We would have ended that night going somewhere else if it wasn’t for you. You were one of the most genuine people I’ve met since I got a shit ton of money. You were kind and real and no bullshit. Dean and Asher agreed that Steve must not be all that bad if you were his wife. That’s the only reason Steve got our money.”

I sit up straight now, watching every word coming out of his mouth. I look at Dean and Asher to see if Levi is just pulling my strings, but they look straight back at me without flinching.

“It’s true,” Asher says quietly. “We all felt the same way about it.”

“And then seeing where you grew up.” Levi continues. “You didn’t grow up with the same opportunities as these people, but when we met you that night, we would have believed you were the damn Queen of Connecticut. It’s why we need you on our side.”

Their side? Sometimes they talk like they’re going to war with this town, not acclimating to it.

But those other words. Those other words are some nice words if I’ve ever heard them.

“I’m just…” I pause, not knowing how to put this.

I sit up and clutch my head in my hands and take a few deep breaths, then pull myself together and look back at them.

“I’m just embarrassed. Steven and I started dating when I was seventeen years old. Even though I know he’s not right for me anymore, I’ve given half my life to him. I helped him build his business. I gave him everything. I didn’t think I needed to protect myself. But here I am with nothing. I used to be able to hold my head high when I walked into a room. And now I cower. It’s just too humiliating to face everyone like this and I think if I weren’t working for you, I would just be able to take some time without it all.”

“You do anything but cower, Ruby Rivers.” Dean crosses the threshold of the limo and sits next to me. He takes my hand in his and the contact is delicious. Sure, I just really miss being touched. But I also happen to like his hands doing the touching.

“And we can’t let you hide away.” He continues, his deep brown eyes locked with mine feel like a warm balm on my soul. “We’ll be on our best behavior. No more sabering champagne bottles or running around formal events shirtless.”

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