Page 41 of Freeing Ruby

“Do you want your earbuds?” Jason asks her.

She looks unsure. “Do you mind?” she asks me.

“Of course not. Go ahead.” Now I’m really confused.

Layla fishes her earbuds out of her hoodie pocket, pops them in her ears, and fiddles a moment with her phone. I get the feeling she’s selecting a playlist to listen to. She glances at me. “Thanks. They help me concentrate.”

“No problem.” When I smile at her, she smiles back, seemingly relieved.

Despite her attention being split in multiple directions, Layla wins the first game hands down. Miguel wins the second game.

Just as we finish the second game, our food arrives, and we spread our feast out on the table. We ordered an assortment of kebabs, roasted vegetables, and rice. The food smells divine.

Miguel and I raid the kitchen for plates and silverware. I happen to glance over at the table to see Jason and Layla deep in quiet conversation. I watch as he reaches out and gently caresses her cheek. Nodding, she closes her eyes and leans into his touch. My chest tightens as I watch them expressing their obvious affection for each other.

Dinner is very enjoyable. Jason and Layla are fun, easy-going people. I notice Layla’s attention drifting off several times during the meal, and each time, Jason gently guides her back to the conversation.

“I like your friends,” I tell Miguel later that evening, after they’ve gone and we’re hanging out in the living room. I’m sitting on the sofa with my book in my hands, watching Miguel pick up the smallest of the three pairs of dumbbells that Jason brought over. He curls his left arm, then lowers it. Then he does the same with his right arm.

“How much do those weigh?” I ask.

“These are just ten pounds each. They’re good for warming up.”

I whistle. “I doubt I could lift ten pounds with just one hand.”

He laughs, and I watch his biceps bunch and flex as he raises and lowers the weights. He’s changed into a black, sleeveless T-shirt that gives me an unrestricted view of his muscles.

After he does a number of reps, as he calls them, with the ten pound weights, he trades them in for a bigger set.

“How much do those weigh?” I ask.

“These are twenty pounds each, and the other pair are thirty pounds each.”

While he goes through his reps, I get ready for bed and change into my nightgown. When I’m out of the bathroom, he goes in to get ready for bed.

“Let’s hope we have a quiet night tonight,” he says as he comes out of the bathroom. He’s wearing a pair of gray sweatpants and nothing else. Bare chest.

I look away so I don’t get caught ogling him.

“Hey, speaking of tonight,” he says, “do you want me to sleep in your bed again?”

I feel my face heating as I nod. “If you don’t mind.”

“No, I don’t mind.”

While I turn off all the lights, Miguel checks the door locks and turns on the security system. It’s nearly midnight when we finally head to bed.

I climb into bed on my side. He turns off the bedroom light and slips into bed on his side. “Sleep well,” he says as he gets comfortable on his back. His low voice sends a shiver down my spine.

“Same to you,” I say. After I pop melatonin into my mouth, I turn onto my side, facing away from him, and more importantly away from temptation. It’s hard enough for me to fall asleep at the best of times, but when there’s a man I find very attractive in bed with me, it seems like a Herculean feat.

I close my eyes and desperately start counting sheep again.

Chapter 15

Miguel

At three o’clock in the morning, all hell breaks loose. We’re awakened by the blaring sound of a car alarm going off in the parking lot outside Ruby’s bedroom window. Ruby sits up. I sigh as I swing my feet to the floor.

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