Page 83 of From Wink to Kink

She's quiet for so long I think she might have hung up. "What do we do now?"

The 'we' catches me off guard, sending a flicker of hope through my chest. "I don't know. But maybe... maybe we could figure it out together? In person?"

I hold my breath, waiting for her rejection. Instead, she sighs. "Fine. One conversation. That's it."

An hour later, there's a knock at my door. I open it to find my girl, looking both beautiful and terrified. Seeing her in person after weeks apart is a punch to the gut.

"Hey," I manage.

"Hey," she echoes, stepping inside. "Nice place."

I shrug, suddenly self-conscious of my bachelor pad and the realization that she’s never even been here. "It does the job."

We stand there awkwardly for a moment, the air between us thick with unspoken words. Finally, she breaks the silence.

"So, these photos..."

I nod, pulling out my phone to show her. As she scrolls through them, I watch her face, trying to gauge her reaction. Is that a flicker of longing in her eyes, or just my imagination?

"We look..." she starts, then stops.

Yup. I see it too. It’s undeniable.

"Happy," I finish. "We look happy."

Shaking, she returns the phone. "It… doesn't change anything, Chuck,” she stammers. “I'm not cut out for your world."

"Myworld?" I repeat, frustration creeping into my voice. "Ruby, you're not some delicate flower. You're strong, andsmart, and more than capable of handling anything that comes your way."

She shakes her head. "You don't understand. I'm a librarian, Chuck. I like quiet evenings and book clubs. I'm not made for red carpets and paparazzi."

"Who says you have to be?" I counter, taking a step closer. "Ruby, I don't want a trophy wife or a PR prop. I want you. Just as you are."

For a moment, I see her resolve waver. Then she squares her shoulders. "It's not that simple. I've seen what this life is like through Tyler. The constant scrutiny, the lack of privacy. I can't live like that."

"Can't, or won't?" The words are out before I can stop them.

Ruby's eyes flash. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means," I say, taking another step closer, "I think you're scared. Not of the publicity or the lifestyle, but of us. Of what we could be."

"That's ridiculous," she scoffs, but doesn't back away.

"Is it?" We're toe to toe now, close enough that I can see the flecks of blue in her eyes, smell the faint scent of her shampoo. "Because from where I'm standing, it looks like you're using every excuse you can think of to push me away."

"I'm not— " she starts, but I cut her off.

"You're not shy, Ruby. And you're definitely not quiet. At least, not when it's just us."

Her cheeks flush, and for a moment, I think she might slap me. Instead, she grabs my shirt and pulls me into a kiss that steals my breath.

Goddamn it.

It's like a dam breaking. All the tension, the longing, the frustration of the past weeks releases. My hands find her waist, pulling her closer. Her fingers tangle in my hair, and I groan.

When we finally break apart, we're breathing hard. Her lips are swollen, her eyes dark with desire. She looks beautiful, and wild, and nothing like the shy librarian she keeps claiming to be.

"This doesn't change anything," she says, her voice lacking conviction.

---