Page 75 of Grumpy Boss in Love

With a seething glare, I got up and walked to the stairs.

“Go ahead, take the coward’s way out,” Ben taunted.

My molars were almost grounded to dust by the time I stopped and turned back to him. “Ben, not everyone is gung-ho about fairy tale marriages and domestic bliss like you are. You found your so-called soulmate, and things have worked out for a decade. You got lucky. Not everyone is, and not everyone is searching for domestic bliss. I’m fine the way I am. Things with Ruby are fine the way they are.”

He held my gaze for a moment, tilting his head to one side. No doubt his psychologist’s brain was working a mile a minute. He probably had me diagnosed with something already. Finally, he nodded. “Noted, Elliot. I’m sorry for pushing.”

Yet, he looked at me with that irritating, knowing gleam in his eyes. It was as if he was in on some big secret I had yet to discover. What the hell did he know that I didn’t? Giving him one more dirty look, I marched up the stairs. Sweet escape.

* * *

Ruby and I sat on the balcony of our suite at The Ritz. The food was good and so was the view. Ruby seemed to be enjoying it. Her gaze constantly strayed to the captivating blend of urban appeal and natural tranquility that was offered below. We could see the lush expanse of Green Park from here. Yet, I stared at her.

When she glanced back at me and caught me watching her, her cheeks flushed. Tucking a lock of hair behind her ear, she said, “Elliot, you’ve been staring at me all morning. No, since we got on your private jet.” She frowned. “Is something wrong?”

Yes, something was wrong… with me. Thanks to my conversation with Ben the other day, I had been driving myself crazy trying to figure out if the deeper feelings I had for Ruby was the love that Ben raved about. It made me feel like a stupid kid rather than a man of thirty-four years.

“No,” I said, reaching for my glass of orange juice. “I’m just wondering if you’re enjoying yourself.”

Her smile rivaled the sun. “Are you kidding? I’m having the time of my life. I’ve dreamed about traveling and London was high on my list. Not only am I here, but I got to enjoy your fancy jet and I’m sitting pretty in The Ritz. Best birthday weekend ever.”

Her joy made me happy. “Good. So what other places are on your travel list?”

That got my attention because I could work with that. Admittedly, since I was new to the dating thing, I wracked my brain for places to take Ruby and things to do with her. She was so fun and vivacious, and I wasn’t. I didn’t want her to get bored with me.

“I need to make it to Paris before I die,” she said. “Oh, and Tahiti. My sister, April, and her husband went there on their honeymoon. She raved about it.”

“Hmm. Okay.”

“Hmmokay, what?” She gazed at me with laughter in her eyes.

“Now I know where to take you on our next date.”

Ruby took a sip from her glass and started to cough.

I watched her with concern. “Are you alright?”

Sobering, she took a deep breath. “Fine. Elliot, normal people consider dinner and a movie a date. Not hopping around the world in private jets.”

“Oh…” My eyebrows puckered. “So, no Paris then?”

Her giggles floated around the balcony like butterfly wings. “You are so adorable.”

“Adorable?” I scoffed. “Ruby, no man wants to be called adorable.”

She rolled her eyes. “I just mean that you’re not used to dating and you’re trying for me. I appreciate it.”

Her expression softened, and she hit me with the sweetest smile. My heart fluttered as if it lost its balance and flailed around a little. Well. Shit. Maybe I was in love.

“You’re doing it again,” she said.

“What?”

“Looking at me funny.” Ruby canted her head. “Are you sure you’re okay?”

“I’m sure. It’s about time I started getting ready for that meeting.”

Her eyes narrowed on me, but then she nodded. “Of course. Breakfast was great, but I enjoyed the company more.”

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