Chapter 7

Ruby

The smile on my face grows wider as I continue reading my own words, my heart thumping hard in my chest. Every fantasy of my younger self plays vividly through my mind, sending chills racing down my spine.

It’s funny; even after all this time, it seems my need hasn’t diminished any. In fact, I’d venture to say it’s grown.

I’m so deeply captured by my reading that I almost miss him enter, his well-polished shoes moving soundlessly across the floor. It isn’t until he’s right in front of me that I sense him.

I slam the journal shut in a hurry, the sound of the covers snapping like a gunshot in the enclosed space.

“I’m sorry,” Fentress croons, leaning over the desk to glance at the book. “Didn’t mean to scare you.”

“Oh—no. I just—I was just reading something.”

“Anything good?” he asks, leaning even further.

I smile, trying my best to look timid and innocent as I slide the journal from my desk.

“Nope, not really,” I say simply, dropping it into my still open drawer.

“Really? You looked pretty fascinated.”

I glance up, catching the mischievous glint in his eyes. Clearly, he knows I don’t want him seeing what’s in the book. I pointedly shove it in the drawer, closing it as I look up to meet his eyes.

“Something I can help you with Mr. Fentress?”

He raises a single eyebrow in a way that makes me think he’s not about to drop it, but the look quickly fades.

“Yes, actually,” he says, now back to his interpretation of a sultry tone. “I just wanted to tell you that I was serious about my offer earlier. Very serious.”

I know exactly what he’s talking about. Of course, I do. But since working here, I’ve had to learn a few unfortunate truths—one being that when it comes to Fentress, acknowledgment reads as interest.

“I’m sorry—what offer?”

His laugh sends chills rushing through me…and not in a good way.

“I do love when you play coy.”

I force the smile back to my lips, looking at him with my best I-have-no-idea what-you-mean face.

Again with the creepy laugh.

“Alright,” he says, leaning in even closer. “I mean my offer for a more… personal show of gratitude.”

“Oh,” I say simply. “No, thank you, Mr. Fentress.”

He inhales sharply as if he’s been stung, but the shit-eating grin never leaves his face.

“You’re sure?”

“Yes, I—”

“Because I really think it might help you loosen up a bit. If you don’t mind me saying, you’re looking a little tense, Ruby.”

I’ve barely opened my mouth to respond when walks around my desk. He crosses behind me, and any retort seems to die on my lips.

I feel his hands come to rest on my shoulders, and I stifle my gag reflex for probably the third time today.

“Oh, yes,” he almost whispers, beginning to massage me. “Very tense.”

I fight the urge to tell him that I wasn’t before he walked into the room. But really—what’s the point? He’d probably just think I was flirting.

It’s amazing the way this man can twist things in his mind.

With every move of his hands, I feel my muscles tightening further, my body going taut in response to the invasion of space. I fight to keep the frustrated groan from escaping my lips.

I feel him leaning towards me, feel the brush of his breath against my neck as he speaks again.

“Really, Ruby…” he whispers. He’s still leaning in, his presence pressing against me like an invisible force. “I think—”

I’m blessedly saved from learning whatever is flitting through his mind as the office door opens, bright sunlight washing across the room.

“What the fuck?” a deep voice asks, anger flashing through the words.

Fentress’s hands come away from me quickly, my entire body seeming to relax the moment they do.

It takes me a second longer to identify the source of the voice but the moment I do, I feel my muscles tighten again.

Wyatt.

Holy fuck. No, my fantasies did not do him justice.

He stands in the doorway, a look of consternation on his fucking gorgeous face and Jake at his back.

“Is this guy bothering you, Ruby?” he asks, his eyes meeting mine for the first time.

I open my mouth to answer, my throat suddenly feeling very dry.

“I—um—”

“This guy is her boss,” Fentress answers for me, his tone defensive.

“Ah,” Wyatt says, calmly walking into the office. “Well, I think her boss should probably know enough to keep his hands to himself.”

There’s a smile pulling at his lips, but no humor in his expression. His words, simple as they might be, seem to carry all the weight of a threat. I notice his hands, bunching tightly at his sides, his posture straight and serious.

I’m shocked at his boldness, at his intensity. I wouldn’t have expected him to be so aggressive over what basically amounts to a back rub. At the same time though, my heart has started to jackhammer inside me, my stomach tightening at the sight of him.

Fentress grumbles behind me, his words lost even in my proximity.

“What was that?” Wyatt asks, again with that same tone.

“I said, we’re working here. Is there something we can help you with?”

“As a matter of fact,” Jake pipes up. “You can. We’re here to get my sister.”

He punctuates this last word with a nod in my direction.

“Oh, of course. The vacation,” Fentress says, his voice now reverting back to his usual, charming tone. “Why didn’t you say so?”

I sense him stepping backward and turning to get a better view. He gestures invitingly with one arm.

“By all means,” he says.

I hear a grunt come from Wyatt’s direction, but he doesn’t say anything further, merely walks over to my desk looking like some kind of Greek God.

“Ruby,” he says politely in greeting, his voice noticeably dropping an octave.

“Wyatt,” I reply, struggling to keep the tremble from my voice.

A genuine smile pulls at his lips now, his deep blue eyes seeming to pierce through me.

“It’s nice to see you,” he says.

“Mmm,” I mumble. It’s all I can muster in reply.

I feel the blood rushing to my face, unable to stop it. Regretfully, I turn my face downward. As much as I’d like to keep looking at him—like, forever—I don’t want him to see how deeply I’m blushing.

“I just need to grab a couple things,” I say, still directing my gaze towards my desk, and pointlessly shuffling papers.

“Sure,” he says lightly. Then, directing his gaze back to Fentress. “We’ll wait.”

A nervous laugh threatens to bubble up my throat, and I forcefully shove it back down.

“Okay,” I manage.

“Well,” Fentress chimes in. “If there’s nothing else, Ruby.”

Like there was something to begin with?

“No, we’re fine. Thank you, Mr. Fentress.”

He grunts as he rounds my desk again, heading for his office. I wait until I hear the click of his door to raise my head again.

Wyatt still gazes down at me, that smile drawing my eyes like a magnet.

“All set? Do you have a suitcase or anything?”

“Yeah, over here at my desk,” I answer, standing.

“I’ll get it.”

I watch as he grabs the overly full luggage, still unable to drag my eyes from him.

He’s huge, practically overburdened with muscles.

My pussy aches just looking at him, already soaking wet.

“Is this all?” he asks, holding the large luggage as if it weighs a mere pound.

“Yeah, that’s all.”

“Good,” Jake says. “Then let’s get the fuck out of here.”

I laugh and follow him to the door, still trying to peel my eyes away from the fantasy come to life that is Wyatt Lawrence.

He reaches the door before me, holding it open with his free hand.

I smile in thanks, nearly through the doorway before I realize what I’ve forgotten.

“Oh wait,” I turn, walking quickly back to my desk. Smiling like a fool, I grab my journal from the drawer.

Can’t forget this.