Page 62 of Grumpy Boss in Love

He made a soft grunting noise in his throat, and his eyebrows crinkled. “Why?”

“Because I’ve seen the real you. Underneath that intimidating, ever-scowling mask, you’re a good person. When you said you cared about me, I believed you.”

His expression softened. “And you were hurt because you think I don’t trust you?”

I didn’t want to admit it because making him aware of how much power he had over me felt like a risk. Still, he’d know if lied. Damn him. So I nodded. “Yes.”

“Why do you care so much about having my trust, Ruby?”

I’d been studying the rug beneath our feet, and my eyes snapped up to meet his. “It doesn’t matter.” Agitation trickled in and I shoved my fingers through my hair. “How did we get here? We’re supposed to be talking about what’s bothering you.”

Again, he deflected. “It does matter. I want to know why my trust is important to you.” He snagged my chin, his eyes dark and hot on me, and demanded, “Tell me.”

“Because I…” My face got hot. “Like you. A lot,” I breathed. Hell if I’d utter the L-word and humiliate myself because I was certain Elliot didn’t love me.

After a beat of silence, he murmured with a hint of amusement, “No one likes me…a lot.”

“Because you don’t give anyone the chance to, Elliot…”

A severe scowl didn’t overshadow his face as I expected. Instead, I saw sorrow in his eyes. “I know.” Our eyes locked and he added, “It’s hard for me to let people in.”

I smiled sadly and mimicked him. “I know… Commander Curmudgeon.”

His lips curved into a small smile, and I smirked.

“Am I forgiven?” he asked.

“Yes. Are we going to talk about you now?”

And just like that, his expression darkened. He still had my chin between his fingers and his thumb had been caressing my lower lip, but he dropped his hand. “No.”

I scoffed. “Really? You’re going to shut down after we just had a moment?” His annoyed scowl returned, and I rolled my eyes. “Hey, you’re the one who came over to see me.”

He used both hands to comb through his hair, and he softened again with a sigh. “I just wanted your company, that’s all. Thank you, Ruby.”

“For what?”

The battle for him to be honest or to deflect again played out on his face. I was surprised he didn’t hide it. In the end, he admitted. “You made me feel cared for. Wanted. I don’t get that much, and I really needed it tonight.”

My heart constricted yet again and then turned into a puddle in my chest. Elliot was an imposing character both in looks and presence. Yet, at the moment, he seemed so vulnerable that I wanted to wrap him in my arms all night. Perhaps that’s why I said, “Stay with me tonight,” before I even thought the words through.

He blinked at me, his throat working as he swallowed several times. Was he as terrified about getting accustomed to… us, like I was? Tooattached?

Finally, he said, “Okay.”

We stood in my living room just staring at each other for a while.

24

ELLIOT

Whatever was happening between Ruby and me… I decided not to worry about it. Not tonight. My mind and emotions had been in mayhem, and Ruby calmed the storm with her gentle compassion and forgiving nature. Why did I keep fighting this thing between us? Maybe I should… stop fighting it…? It was a terrifying thought only because I wasn’t accustomed to the things she made me feel.

She stared at me with doe eyes clouded with a hint of confusion. She was probably wondering what the hell was going on between us. We started out as enemies, then we got married for convenience, and now… Things were starting to feel too real.

Not thinking about it. My brain was too tired to analyze our situation. So, I stepped closer to her, stared into her eyes, and added, “I’d love to spend the night with you.” It would be a first for me, staying over at a lover’s place. I hadn’t gotten this close to a woman in ages.

“You won’t miss your swanky penthouse too much, I hope?” she joked.

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