RubyWe pull into Karina and Mason's home, and immediately I see a Jeep that reminds me of Caleb's. Glancing over at him, I give him a grin. "Exactly how much are you and your dad alike?""So much!" Kelsea says as she jumps out of the backseat. "Sometimes I think Bubba and Dad share a brain.""She's not wrong." He hitches his chin toward the house. "C'mon."I'm slow getting out of the passenger's side, and I'm not sure why. I've seen Mason around school before, and I know we've said "Hi" a few times, but I'm nervous. After Caleb and I spent the night talking, I know how much his dad means to him. I know the relationship they've had with one another and just how much he seeks approval from Mason. It makes me want that approval too, and also gives me a fear that I won't live up to what Mason sees as the woman for his son.Caleb comes around to meet me, taking my hand in his. He turns me so that we're facing one another. His free hand comes up under my chin, tucking a finger the
Cruise"You seem tense," Ruby comments as we pull out of my parent's driveway.She's right, I am. There are some days I hate what I do because of the emotional toll it takes on me and the men on my team. Then there are days I love what I do because of all the shit we take off the streets. We make life safer for the citizens of the town we live in. No day is perfect, but this one was super shitty for my dad. I hate that he had to see what he had to see, and now he's gotta live with it. He'll need to process it and figure out how to not take it with him the next time he goes out on the streets."Just the stress of the job sometimes. Even though it didn't happen to me, I know what my dad's going through, and I worry about him." I shrug as I drive us along the deserted streets of Laurel Springs.At this hour everyone's closed up shop, the candy's all gone, and what's left are the reminders of a Halloween that's over. There are jack-o-lanterns sitting on steps, candy wrappers here a
RubyNovemberWhen I wake up the next morning, I feel like I'm a different person. Not only am I a different person, but I'm closer to Caleb than I've ever been to anyone else. Rolling over, I grab my cell phone, seeing I have a text from him. For a moment, I inhale the scent of the pillow he slept on, loving that now my bed smells like him.Glancing up at the clock, I see it's past ten; he's already been at work for a few hours.C: Morning, Red. You okay? You looked peaceful, and I didn't want to wake you up before I left.R: I'm good! I promise I would let you know if you hurt me. You so could have woken me up, it would have been fine.The way he commanded my body last night did frighten me, but not in the way he thinks. I've never had someone make me so aware of how another person can pleasure you so much.C: Did you like it?I contemplate lying to him. I really do. Not because I'm embarrassed at what we did, but I'm a little self-conscious at how I reacted to him. O
Ruby"Get it!"I'm not sure who's talking to me. I'm surrounded by a group of women, all telling me I need to get this dress I just impulsively grabbed and tried on."Whitney, don't pressure her if she doesn't want to," the red-head who we met at the mall, I think they called her Blaze, tells her friend."No, someone needs to pressure her, because if Caleb saw her in that? Oh my God, he'd be all over her. It'd be great for Valentine's Day. I mean he could take the skirt off and still keep the top on. Ya know, some men like that!""Hello! I'm his mother!"There's too much noise around me, but I do like the way this dress I picked up looks. It's on clearance for much less than its original price tag, and the deep pink color shows off the little bit of a tan I keep year-round. What's throwing me is the fact that it's a two-piece and where they meet in the middle, you can see a good portion of my stomach.As I listen to everyone voice their opinions behind me, I quickly take
RubyLate November"I'm warning you, my house isn't like yours." I fidget with my fingers as I hold my hands in my lap.Caleb's driving us to my parents' house for Thanksgiving dinner. Because of my extended family, we're actually having it on the Saturday after Thanksgiving. Which is good, since he wasn't scheduled to work today."I know, in the years I've been hanging out with friends and stuff, I've come to realize my family situation is way different than most. I'll be able to handle it, Red, it's okay."My parents are so much less laid back than Mason and Karina, they take things way too seriously when it comes to me, and let Lance run around like he has no responsibilities, or any kind of care in the world. It isn't fair, but it's what I live with. "I just hope you won't want to say fuck it with me after this."He reaches over, grabbing my hand. "I'll always want to fuck you, Red; you're hot as hell."My face flames. I'm still not used to the way he talks, even a fe
CruiseMid-December"Sorry I couldn't come and pick you up," I apologize as Ruby meets me outside the only Baptist Church in town.I had been cutting it close, working overnight. As it is, I've made it with ten minutes to spare, after going home, taking a shower, and changing into a pair of khakis and a button-down. My hair is still wet, and I didn't have time to shave, but they'll have to take me how I am."It's okay, I had Mom and Dad pick me up so I could ride back with you." She smiles up at me, leaning in for a kiss. She's wearing a modest dress with a cardigan over it, her hair half up in braid across the crown of her head, her curls a little unruly, just the way I like it. I like this buttoned up version of her; it makes me want to mess her up.It's been a few days since I've seen her, and if I let myself, I'd take what she's offering right now way too far for the church parking lot."You look tired." She runs the palm of her hand against the stubble on my face, her
CruiseNew Year's Eve"She needs to be in bed by eight," Karina tells me as Ruby and I wait for her and Dad to leave for their date.I shoot Ruby a look, before I put my hand over Karina's mouth. "Mom, I've watched my sister before, in fact, I watch her probably more often than most brothers do. I think I got this.""I know." She wraps her finger around her curl, before her eyes cut to Dad's. "It's just… I feel bad asking you to watch her on New Year's, especially when you have Ruby," she admits, looking apologetically at the both of us."I think we'll be fine." I roll my eyes. "You and Dad go out, have a blast, rent a room if you want. We got this.""Listen to your son." Dad puts his arm around Mom, pulling her toward the door. "He's got this.""I know he does," she worries again, biting on her nail. "I'm just really sorry you're spending your first New Year's together, watching your little sister.""Karina," Ruby laughs. "It's fine, I promise. We're gonna have a good
CruiseI'm wrecked as I lay panting, my head resting against the back of the couch, trying to figure out exactly where I am. If I've ever come that fucking hard, it's been a long time. When I hear a giggle, I pry my eyes open, seeing Ruby still kneeling in front of me. Her breasts are wet with me, and I wish we were alone, back in my apartment or her duplex. I would think nothing of jerking my shirt off and pressing our skin together. We aren't alone though, and we're lucky Kels hasn't woken up yet. I struggle out of my shirt, using it to clean her off, since we don't have anything around to do so. As good as I can, I stuff myself back into my jeans, before zipping, buttoning won't be happening for a while. I sigh, running my hands through my hair."You okay?" she asks, raking her nails along my stomach muscles. They contract roughly against her touch and my body instinctively wants to seek more from her.Leaning down, I capture the edge of her jaw with my fingers, holding her st