Page 27 of Conflicted
“What do you want to do about it?”
Ruby opened her eyes and glared. “You’re such a therapist.”
He made his eyes comically large and innocent.
“Don’t play dumb. Why is it therapists never answer questions anyway?”
Bob grinned and continued working on her other foot. “Because it isn’t my job to provide answers. People know their answers. Sometimes they just need some guidance finding them.” He leisurely circled her ankle with his thumb. “Another question is, what are you going to do about your parents?”
“How so?”
“Aren’t you curious about your father?”
“The sperm donor? Hell no!” She tried to pull her foot from his lap – getting absolutely nowhere. Only his hold on her foot prevented Ruby from moving from the couch.
“His, um, gift is... generous,” Bob prompted.
Ruby crossed her arms in front of her chest. “I’m not for sale.”
Bob shook his head and pressed firmly in the underside of her foot. Ruby simply couldn’t hold her rigid posture and slumped back on the couch. She sighed again. “At least momma can buy a car now and be safe.”
Chapter Seven
As soon as Nathan spotted Ruby entering Club Indigo the next Friday, he apologized profusely about his squabble with Will and ended with the question, "Have I ruined our friendship?"
He looked like a little boy who broke a window, and Ruby couldn't muster the strength to stay angry with him, but she couldn't suppress the urge to tease him. "I don't know. Were we friends?"
A flash of hurt crossed his face before his eyes narrowed and his lips formed a firm, disapproving line. "Are you teasing me?"
Ruby stiffened, but when she tore her stare from his mouth and lifted her focus to meet his eyes, she noticed the sun lines beside his eyes and the twinkle in it. "Damn it, for a moment, I believed you were mad at me for real." She folded her arms in front of her. "You know, it's not nice to mock me like this."
With his dark brown orbs, Ruby didn't consider it possible, but they darkened as he leaned forward and whispered. "But I love to torment you."
A delicious chill ran from the base of her skull to her tailbone, and her core clenched. She had to admit she craved Nathan's brand of dominance, but she had to take in account Will's feelings, too. "I would enjoy playing, Sir, but I will be doing scenes with Will as well. He's a dear friend and a skilled Bakushi. Can you handle that?"
His jaw tightened, and some heat left his eyes, but he gave a dispassionate shrug and a nonchalant, "Sure."
