Page 11 of Midnight Rose

I'd let this girl march me in front of a firing squad if that's what she wanted. But I guess it's best not to let her know she has that kind of power over me, at least not yet.

"Of course, I'd let you give me a massage. You're the one person I trust more than anyone else in this world. But even that trust has its limits." I level her with a cold stare that I can't seem to hold very long when I'm around her.

We head down to the spa for massages. It’s set up as a couple’s massage, so there are two tables right next to each other. But before we get settled, I push them closer, close enough that I can hold her hand the whole time. My men station themselves around the room, and there's one outside the door.

I don't like being this vulnerable and know I won't relax at all. But as long as she's able to relax and she enjoys it, that's all that matters. I went to great lengths to have the people who are giving the massages vetted and have the best female for her and a male for me.

I will say they take it all with grace, as I'm sure it can't be easy with all the instructions and the men glaring at them. Ruby lets me hold her hand the entire time, and that alone relaxes me.

Dinner is served in our suite, and afterward, we retreat to the master bedroom, where we can truly be alone. Then I sit in the seating area next to the window, pulling her onto my lap, and we watch the fish go by.

Her face has a blue tint from the water, and something about the low light and the shimmer of the water across Ruby and across the room allows me to let my defenses down.

"You know I've never done anything like this before," I admit, and Ruby's eyes turned to mine.

"Like what?"

"Date."

"Well, from what I understand, you've been busy. It was probably easier to have one-night stands." She shrugs, and even the thought of a one-night stand makes me sick, and I hate that she thinks that of me.

"Hard to have a one-night stand when you're still a virgin." I clamp my mouth shut after that and wait to see her reaction.

"But... why?"

Leave it to Ruby to ask why.

"It's not uncommon for other families to try to use girls as a way to manipulate. They'd send the girl to sleep with me and get them pregnant, forcing me into an alliance to try to control me. Plus, the biggest reason is that it's always been you."

She listens and takes in everything I tell her, but she doesn't say anything; she just watches the fish go by. I'm beginning to wonder if I've scared her off when she finally speaks.

"What a story to tell, losing your virginity underwater."

She completely misunderstood what I told her and why I told her. It was easy for me all these years to be emotionless, so I don't have practice expressing myself very well. Hopefully, she will bear with me as I learn for her.

"No, that's not what all this is about... "

"Yes, this is what I want because it's always been you, too."

Chapter 11

Ruby

I can't believe that I just admitted that to him. But I also can't believe that he's felt the same way. Though I knew he was different with me, he was softer and gentler. Until now, I guess I just didn't realize how special I was to him.

To be wanted by someone and not just seen as a bargaining chip or part of a contract is more than I could ever hope for. In the back of my head, I know we still have to deal with my father, but I get the impression that Orlando already has a plan for him.

I stand up from his lap, take his hand, and slowly lead us over to the bed in the middle of the room, facing the gigantic window of fish.

When I climb into bed, he stands next to it, watching me.

"Are you sure about this? I'll wait as long as you want, but just know, Ruby, once you give yourself to me, you are mine, and there is no going back. There is no changing your mind, and I will never let you go." His eyes go dark and get heated, almost like he's angry at even the thought of me leaving.

"You have no idea what being wanted does to me. Do you?"

That last piece of wall that was between us crumbles as he climbs into bed with me.

"You've always been wanted, Ruby. There's never been any question about it."

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