Page 74 of What's the time, Mr. Wolfe
“Ithink I rolled over pretty quick,” I replied and sighed.
“You did what you did because you wanted it. It wasn’t to please me, or to get me. That’s the difference.”
“Do lots of women throw themselves at you?”
“They have.”
“Why?”
“You, Ruby, are so bad for my fucking ego! Maybe because I’m good looking, successful, wealthy, fucking ace in the sack.”
“Well, yes, you are all that, but I don’t think I’d throw myself at you just because of it.”
“Why do you, then?”
“Idon’t!” I shot him a stern glare before defrosting it into a small smile. “But if I did, it would be because under your ego there is someone like me,” I said, quietly.
“Both orphans, huh?”
I nodded.
“Finish your food,” he said.
“And, this sounds strange, but it’s nice to have someone take control for once. I don’t know if you know what I mean, but all I think about the next bill, the next meal, how to afford the basics like Tampax, even. With you, I don’t need to think. It’s... It’s refreshing. But I don’t want you to think that’s all I’m about… I don’t know how to explain this very well.”
He stared at me. “Maybe you would make a goodsub after all. But only if you learn to shut up when told. Although, I suspect you might struggle with that.” He was joking, of course, and trying to keep me smiling.
I rolled my eyes and shook my head. “Seriously, I don’t want you to pay for me, but it’s nice to think I’m not in this alone. That I have someone I can talk to, for once. It’s been a lonely existence until now.”
Sebastian picked up my hand. “You’re not alone, Ruby. I’m here, and I’m going nowhere.”
Chapter Thirteen
The following day, Sebastian took me back to the house. I’d said I wasn’t going to be there, but his talk of funerals had me wanting to find her documents. The funeral home had Grandma, and I’d realised they’d have no way of getting in touch with me. I’d needed to call them with my new mobile number.
I also wanted to pick out a nice outfit for her. One of her dresses from the trunk in the loft.
Sebastian panicked when I used the old wooden rickety ladder to gain access to the loft.
“For fuck’s sake, Ruby. Get down and let me get in there,” he said as I was halfway up.
“I’ve climbed this ladder more times than I’ve had hot dinners with you, so be quiet, you’re putting me off.”
“Be quiet?”
“Yes.Be quiet. I’m concentrating. One of these treads is dodgy…”
“Get the fuck down now, Ruby.” He snapped, and I giggled. Not because it was funny, but because I knew I wasn’t getting down and it was annoying him.
He reached up for me. I scooted upwards and launched myself into the loft hatch. “See, I’m up, all fine.”
I walked from beam to beam across the loft until I reached the trunk. I sat for a moment and rifled through. Towards the bottom was a dress wrapped in tissue paper. I smiled and brought it to the top. It was Grandma’s wedding dress. I’d seen it before, of course. It was a beautiful lace dress she’d made herself. I sat and remembered her telling me, pieces of lace had been woven by her mother and her grandmother. It would be perfect to go with her.
“Can you take this and be careful with it,” I said leaning out of the loft.
“I tell you know, Ruby, when you get down here, I’m... I’m going...” He shook his head and sighed. “Pass it down!”
I handed down the dress and then proceeded to climb out. Sebastian had climbed halfway up the ladder to ‘cradle’ me in case I fell. I highly doubted the ladder would hold us both if I slipped and landed on him, but I figured it best not to mention that. Whenmy arse was at his face height, he sunk his teeth in to it.
