Ruby

As soon as I hit the button to darken the window, I rush back to bed to get under the sheets. Yes, the door's locked but every room in this place can be keyed open by Grandmother's prints. The locks are more of a warning than actual obstructions to entry, at least when it comes to her.

I close my eyes, lying still. God, I hope this works.

I hear the door open and then footsteps. "Why is the door locked…" Her voice trails away as she sees me in the bed.

I keep my breathing deep and even as I wonder if I left something out that could give me away. Like my panties. I can't even imagine how I'd explain why they were just flung out there. Maybe I could say I like to sleep in the buff? I mentally groan.

The lecture following that revelation would not be fun, though it would definitely be better than her finding out Zane managed to sneak in somehow.

A silent pause. I hold my breath. Clothes rustle.

And then the sound of Grandmother's footsteps leave as the door closes quietly behind her.

I let out a silent breath, opening my eyes. That was way too close. What was I thinking? Have I completely lost my mind? A quiet tap on the window.

No.

Seriously!?

I wait for another thirty seconds to make sure Grandmother isn't coming back in, taking the time to right my clothes. And then I leap out of bed to rush over to the window.

I can't believe he's still out there. I undo the tint and Zane's smiling face appears. He wiggles his fingers at me. Rolling my eyes, I open the window again. "What are you still doing here?" I ask in a low voice.

It would be just my luck if Grandmother was waiting outside the door, ready to jump back in to catch me. Like a gray haired ninja with the power to shame and embitter.

"Waiting for you," he says, resting his hip against the window ledge and crossing his arms. "You didn't think I was just going to leave, did you?"

I shake my head, completely exasperated.

Fine. Maybe a little charmed too. How could I not be? He's literally out on a ledge for me as we speak!

"Look, it was a mistake to let you in," I say, trying to sound reasonable. Though I don't know how well reason will work on someone willing to risk a fall like that one for a girl he just met. As flattering as it is. "I think it's best if you leave."

"Hmm. You know, I don't think it's best." He settles in like he can sit there all night. "See, I think you should come out with me. I'll show you a good time." He leans in. "I promise."

The smile he gives me hints at all sorts of pleasure. I believe him. And that smile. My body's still warm from what we just did. But this is definitely not a smart move.

"I can't. Grandmother will find out and then there will be hell to pay," I say, feeling more than a twinge of disappointment. I wish I could just throw caution to the wind like he seems to.

He nods, his eyes on my face. "True. Maybe she will find out. But do you want to be forever trapped by your family? By everyone else's expectations? What about what you want? Don't you want to live a little?" He leans in, his eyes on mine as he kisses my lips softly. I feel his light touch everywhere. "Don't you want to feel good?" he whispers, his lips brushing mine.

I swallow, his eyes taking up my whole field of vision. I want to go. I look back at the closed door. I am tired of always trying to color in the lines, make sure I'm not stepping on any toes, breaking any rules.

And here's Zane. The antithesis of every rule or guideline I've ever been given. Waiting for me to come jump off the cliff with him.

This isn't safe. Or smart. Or what a good girl would do.

But maybe I don't want to be her tonight.

I take a deep breath. Here goes nothing. "Okay," I whisper. "Let's go."

He grins, giving me a hard, fast kiss that has my toes tingling, before stepping onto the ledge outside again. "Excellent choice, my lady." He holds out his hand to help me out. "You will not be disappointed."

"Uh…" I lean out the window to check out the dizzying drop.

The street looks a mile away. Heights and I are not exactly friends. I respect them and they in turn don't kill me.

"Don't look down," Zane admonishes, tilting my face back up. "You only need to get over to the elevator three feet away. I'll help."

This is a terrible idea. And I'm doing it anyway. Taking a deep breath, I take Zane's hand and slide out of the window and onto the narrow ledge, using him to steady myself.

In for a penny…

I swallow. Just don't look down. My hair whips across my face. The wind this high up pretty strong. Don't look down.

A hover vehicle flies past, the couple inside gaping at us clinging to the side of the building. Nothing to see here, folks.

I almost hold my breath the whole time as we sidle to the elevator, my grip on Zane's hand tight enough that I know it has to be painful. But he doesn't complain.

"Here we go," he murmurs, stepping inside the open elevator, thankfully still waiting where he left it. He wraps his hands around my waist to lift me inside. "Piece of cake."

"Sure," I say faintly. "Cake."

He grins at me over his shoulder as he fiddles with the elevator's control panel. I have no idea what he's doing, but figure I don't need to do anything but breathe for the moment.

Then we're moving. Across, down, across again.

We come to a stop. The door opens to reveal the front of the building. I step out right away, thankful to be on solid ground. I'll be happy if I live the rest of my life without having to do something like that again.

"Have a good night!" the doorman calls out as we walk past, his face as cheerful as ever.

"Thank you," I murmur as Zane takes my hand in his again. "I hope I do," I mutter under my breath, already having second and third thoughts. Maybe fourth ones too.

"You will," Zane reassures me. Apparently, he has the hearing of a bat. "Trust me."

With no other option at this point, I follow him through the streets. Not at all afraid with him by my side. Probably stupid as well. He's only one man after all. And it isn't like he has superpowers, all jokes about climbing the building aside.

Maybe the decision making part of my brain is on hiatus permanently. Or at least taking some time off tonight during my uncontrollable spiral of reckless behavior. Guess I'll just go with the flow.

We walk a few blocks and turn onto a side street known for its clubs and partying. I've never been here, at least not at night when it's alive like this. I try to take in all the flashing lights, the sporadic holograms beckoning into each club. A snake darting forward with an open mouth, a pretty girl winking over her shoulder, a horse running in place. They're huge and they certainly draw attention, though Zane doesn't even spare them a glance.

Instead, he takes us directly to the one with the longest line, the music thumping out onto the street. The two large men standing at the front of the line, keeping everyone out, watch the crowd with stern faces. They're certainly intimidating, but they also add a feel of exclusivity to the place that an automated security bot wouldn't. I can see why they were hired for the job.

Zane bypasses the line and goes straight for them.

"Zane," I whisper, glancing at the glaring faces waiting to be let in.

"It's okay," he says, stopping at the front. "Hey guys."

The two bald bookends look over at him, their overly developed muscles straining their t-shirts. Probably have steroid implants. Maybe multiples. Illegal, but available to anyone who has contacts.

"Zane!" they greet in unison as the one closest undoes the velvet rope to let us in. "How's it going?"

"Good," Zane replies, fist bumping both of them. "Just out to have some fun."

Their eyes turn to me and their smiles turn to smirks. Now, doesn't that just make me feel special.

"Sure man. Have a good time."

How much does this guy party? I don't think I'm prepared for this at all.

But then we're walking into the club, the music loud and thumping, the people inside writhing against each other to the beat. The bar is three deep, the android bartenders working so fast their hands are blurs as they mix drinks and pass them out. I look up as Zane leads me to the dance floor, feeling a little dizzy as I see floor after floor of people dancing. The space in the center of the building is open, colored streaming holograms twisting and changing with the beat, adding to the ambiance.

And are those…?

I watch as two aerial dancers use small propulsion rockets on their feet and hands to paint a complicated picture, leaving behind some kind of colored smoke. That must take a lot of practice.

I look back down as Zane's hands slide around my waist and he pulls me in tight against him, his leg slipping between mine. Like it belongs there.

I watch as he combs my hair back from the side of my face, baring my neck and ear to the heat created by all those close bodies. He gently kisses the soft skin under my ear, a pulse of heat passing through me at even that small touch.

"Come on, Red. Let's dance," he murmurs, moving me to the beat. "I promise not to bite." He leans back, guiding me with his hands on my hips. His cock is hard and thick against me. "Unless you ask nicely," he adds. "I'd never want to disappoint a lady."

I shake my head at that line.

But then he's grinding against me to the driving beat of the song. And I'm moving back against him. I've never danced like this, but my body seems to know what to do. Where to go. But it also wants more.

I slide my hand down the firm muscle of Zane's arm as I move with him, the heat between my legs rising as he deliberately pushes his hard thigh against me, rubbing and pushing the seam of my jeans against me where I'm still wet from before.

Yes.

This is dangerous. Zane is dangerous.

His hand slides down to cup my butt, bringing us impossibly closer together, until I feel him everywhere. My body feels alive, singing with desire, sensations bombarding me. Maybe danger is exactly what I want. What I need right now.

I give myself over to the moment.

I'll deal with tomorrow when it comes.