Page 34 of Freeing Ruby

Ruby looks surprised. “Yeah.”

I unlock the door and open it a foot or so. Darren ignores me and peers through the opening. “Ruby? Can I talk to you?”

The guy’s tenacious, I’ll give him that. I don’t think he likes the fact that I’m encroaching on his territory.

Ruby joins me at the door. “Hi, Darren? What is it?”

Darren glowers at me. “Do you mind not eavesdropping on our conversation?”

Well, yeah. I do mind.

Before I can respond, Ruby nods to me. “It’s okay, Miguel.”

I take a few steps back, out of his sight, but close enough to monitor their conversation.

Darren lowers his voice to a whisper. “Ruby, I don’t like this guy being in your apartment. How well do you know him?”

“I know him well enough,” she says, sounding more than a little defensive.

Darren tries a different tack. “How long have you known him?”

“Just a couple of days, but it’s not what you think.”

“Oh, I think I know how it is,” Darren whispers. “You need to get rid of him, Ruby. He’s not safe.” Darren emphasizes the word safe. He sure knows how to prey on Ruby’s fears. “He’s a stranger. There’s no telling what he might do.”

“I’m fine, Darren,” she tells him. “You don’t need to worry. I have to go now. We’re watching something.”

Giving him an apologetic smile, Ruby slowly closes the door. At the last second, I catch a glimpse of his expression—he’s pissed.

“I’m sure you heard that,” Ruby says, looking apologetic. “I’m sure he didn’t mean that.” Ruby locks the door.

We return to the sofa and resume the show. It sure seems like a lot of people are miffed at the idea of me staying here with Ruby. I keep replaying every manipulative thing Darren said to Ruby and try to decide if he’s a real risk to her or just a jealous suitor who sees my presence in her apartment as a threat.

I’m hyperaware of Ruby’s presence beside me—just inches away. Long strands of her fiery red hair hang loose over her shoulder and down her back. I find myself wanting to reach out and touch the strands to see if they’re as silky as they look. She smells like roses. I don’t know if it’s from perfume or the scent of her soap or shampoo.

The longer I sit this close to her, the guiltier I feel. It’s wrong on so many levels for me to be attracted to her. I’m here as her protector, for fuck’s sake. I have no business moving in on her personal space.

Maybe I shouldn’t be so hasty to blame Darren for his concern. The truth is—I do think about Ruby in ways I shouldn’t. I’d never act on it—it would be blatantly unprofessional. And yet, as we’re sitting here together, so close that our arms almost touch, I’m aware of her every movement, every shift of her body, every sigh she makes.

We’re into the second episode now, and neither one of us seems ready to call it quits. When the current episode ends, Ruby gathers up our empty ice cream bowls and spoons and takes them to the kitchen. Pumpkin follows her, probably in case he might get a second dinner.

This time, I don’t follow her. I don’t offer to help. I think maybe it’s best if there’s a little space between us.

When she’s done in the kitchen, she switches off the light and returns to the living room. “It’s getting late, so I think I’ll head to bed now. Goodnight, Miguel. Thank you for a delicious dinner and for, well, everything.”

“My pleasure.”

I watch her walk away, already feeling the loss of her presence. “Goodnight, Ruby. Sleep well.”

She spends a few minutes in the bathroom before she disappears into her bedroom and shuts the door.

I get myself ready for bed and set the security alarm before making up my bed on the sofa. I lie down with my book and resume reading.

It’s just after midnight when I hear glass shatter. I jump up from the sofa and race down the hallway to Ruby’s bedroom. The door flies open just as I reach it.

Ruby’s standing there, her face flushed. She’s breathing hard as she holds up a rock the size of her fist. “It came right through the window!”

I swallow a curse and run to get my shoes and shirt on. I strap my gun holster to my chest, turn off the security system, and unlock the door. “Lock this behind me,” I say as I exit the apartment.

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