Page 59 of From Wink to Kink

"Really," I say firmly. "Ruby, I don't want anyone else. I want you."

The words are out before I can stop them, hanging in the air between us. Ruby's eyes widen, and for a moment, I think I've screwed everything up.

But then she smiles, small and tentative, but real. "You do?"

I nod, reaching out to take her hand. "I do. That story I was making up? About the hot librarian? It wasn't a joke. It was about us. About how this crazy trip turned into something great. Unexpected and great."

As her smile grows, and I feel hope. But then she pulls her hand away, her expression clouding over.

"I... I don't know. This is all so complicated. We barely know each other, and now with all this..." She gestures vaguely, encompassing the whole bizarre situation we've found ourselves in.

I open my mouth to protest, to try and convince her, but she stands up before I can.

"I need some time to think," she says. "I'm sorry."

And then she's gone, leaving me alone with the sound of the fountains and the weight of everything said between us.

I sit there for I don't know how long, replaying our conversation in my head, trying to figure out where it all wentwrong. I'm so lost in thought that I don't notice the couple approaching until they're right in front of me.

"Well, hello there, handsome," the woman purrs, her hand already trailing down her partner's chest. "Room for two more?"

I look up to see the couple is already starting to... get comfortable with each other, right there in the secluded pool area. The man winks at me, reaching out a hand. "Care to join us?"

A week ago I might have been tempted. A no-strings-attached good time with two attractive people? That used to be right up my alley.

But now, all I can think about is Ruby. Ruby with her sarcastic comments and her love of books. Ruby who challenges me and makes me laugh and makes me want to be… different. Better.

"Thanks," I say, standing up. "But I'm good. I've got somewhere I need to be."

As I walk away, leaving the couple to their fun, I realize something. For the first time in my life, I'm not interested in easy or casual. I want something real. Something lasting.

I want Ruby.

Now I just have to figure out how to convince her of that. And in a place like this, that's going to be one hell of a challenge.

But as I head back to our bungalow, determined to come up with a plan, I can't help but smile. Because if there's one thing I've learned in my hockey career, it's this: the best wins are the ones you have to fight for.

And Ruby Brooks? She's worth fighting for.

29

CHUCK

I takea deep breath before opening the door to our bungalow. After our conversation by the pool, I'm not sure what to expect. Will Ruby even be here? And if she is, will she want to talk to me?

I spot her lying on the bed, curled up, her back to the door. The sight of her makes my heart ache. She looks small. Vulnerable. Sad.

Before I can overthink it, I kick off my shoes and climb in behind her. Carefully, giving her every opportunity to pull away, I wrap an arm around her waist.

"Hey.”

For a moment, she tenses. Then, to my relief, she relaxes.

"Hey," she whispers back.

We lie there in silence for a while, the only sound our synchronized breathing. Finally, I can't take it anymore.

"So," I say, trying to keep my tone light, "on a scale of one to ten, how would you rate our accidental foray into the world of swinging?"

---