Page 26 of Conflicted
“No, no, the wings were more rounded and the tail longer.”
Ruby made some adjustments and held up the pad for her mother to see. Jewel chewed on her bottom lip. “Well, it looks mostly like it, but it’s not quite right. I don’t know what’s wrong with it.”
Will, who had been quiet for the entire time, placed his large hand over Jewel’s fumbling fingers. “Don’t fret. This is amazing news.” He studied the drawing. “Can I have that? It isn’t an image I recognize from common prison tattoos, but we have an entire database of them, and I’m not exactly an expert on the topic.”
“Sure you can, but let me make another copy. Something about this design is familiar to me, but I can’t put my finger on it, and I want to show it to Rebecca.”
“I can do better than that.” Will grinned. “Aside from horrible coffee, we also have a temperamental photocopier.”
His joke lightened the mood even more, and when he left the room with Ruby’s sketch pad in hand, Jewel grabbed Ruby’s left hand with surprising strength. “What do you think? Will this help to catch the man?”
Ruby place her right hand on top of Jewel’s. “I’m positive this is the breakthrough we were hoping for!”
When Will returned and handed Ruby her sketches back, he leaned down and whispered in her ear, “How about some predicament bondage tonight at my place? I feel like celebrating, and I’m dying to try a new idea.”
“I’m honored but no thank you, Sir,” Ruby answered in a low voice. “With all that’s going on, I’d rather stick to club play. Besides, I really should get Jewel home and keep an eye on her.”
Stressed and frustrated by her conflicted feelings over the trust fund, continuing worries about Jewel’s health and the kernel of hope of finding the mugger, Ruby gladly accepted Bob’s invitation for a Netflix and chill evening at his place. Having a male friend was new, but she found hanging out with Bob a pleasant diversion.
Curled up on Bob’s couch, Ruby pulled her sleeve over the heel of her hand and wiped the tears from her eyes. Bob grinned widely at her before he leaned forward to grab the remote control.
“Monty Python and the Holy Grail is absolutely hilarious. Thank you, Bob, I needed this.” She held her left arm over her belly. “My stomach hurts from laughing.”
“I agree, British humor is amazing, and John Cleese is a legend.” Bob switched off the television. “You need to laugh and relax more.” He pulled her right foot from under her and gently held it.
Ruby grabbed the back of the couch and blinked in surprise. What is he up to now?
After a few heartbeats, Bob started to glide his hands from her ankle downwards to her toes, engulfing her foot in his strong warm hands.
The long slow strokes and his warm hand were relaxing and comforting, and her eyes gradually fluttered closed.
Bob lifted her foot and cupped her heel. He carefully pressed and ran his fingers along the Achilles’ tendon.
Ruby sighed in satisfaction. “That’s so good.”
Bob hummed and continued the massage. Next, he used his thumb to put pressure on the ankle and moved the digit around in a circular motion.
Amazingly, the almost tickling had an arousing effect on her, but before she became worked up, he switched the position of his hands again. With his fingers resting on the top of her foot, he ran his thumb along the ball of her foot, using just the right amount of light pressure.
A sense of contentment spread like warmth through her chest, and she leaned her head against the backrest.
Bob continued with massaging the underside of her foot. Rubbing circles and lightly pulling her toes.
Ruby moaned. “You’re very good at that.”
“Am I now?” He sounded highly amused.
“Uh-huh.” She opened one eye. “I bet you seduced your fair share of women with this technique.”
Bob chuckled. “A gentleman doesn’t kiss and tell.”
“Uh-huh.” She closed her eyes again, allowing the sensation to flow through her.
Bob firmly cradled her foot and now ran his thumbs along the top of the foot.
By the time he finished with the first foot, she was a happy puddle, and she gladly allowed him to pull her other foot in his lap for the same attention. Such a pity I’m not in love with this man. He has become a close friend in a short time.
“What should I do about Will and Nathan?” The question popped out of her mouth before she consciously registered where her mind had drifted.
