Reaching into the bag, I take out the list. "You said to cross it off. It wasn't safe, especially with a stranger." I point at the number. "Do you count as a stranger?" I bite my lip."What we have done so far is nothing. I won't do that with anyone until I get to know them and learn their limitations."He's refusing? "I'm not asking for the extreme Alaric, maybe just to be tied down and spanked." Leaning closer, I smile, "and fucked."Standing, he smiles. "Follow me." I nod and follow him to the guest room. I watch as he does something, and a bookcase moves. Stepping in, he waits for me.As I walk through, I watch as he closes it behind us. I see a door open inside an office. Turning, I look at him confused."Anything to do with those adult businesses is in this office. Jake has no idea about these rooms. Even now, I wouldn't want him to find any of the paperwork about those businesses." All I do is nod and follow him, watching as he scans his hand. A door unlocks, and he pushes it o
I follow him silently. "I have a question, Ruby." I nod at him, waiting for him to ask it. "From what I've heard, you never let Jake touch you when there was even the smallest amount of risk of someone seeing and knowing.""I'm not sure what the question is." That wasn't a question, more of a statement. We stop when we hear noise from the kitchen. His hand pushes me behind him. I watch as he unlocks a unit and takes out a gun."Why do you have a gun?"He points around us. "I've got money. It makes me a target. There's one in most rooms. Stay behind me." We step forward and hear something smash.Then Jake's voice, Alaric, seems to relax slightly until we hear a woman laughing."Quiet before you wake them." Jake laughs, and I hear her moan. Alaric moves forward, and my hand grips his arm."Don't.""That is damn disrespectful! He brought you here."I nod and smile. "I don't care, Alaric. We're not together. He can do who he wishes when he wants to." His eyes glance towards the kitchen. "
Nodding, I agree, and I know what it is: "We were at a party at the start. We had only been dating for about two weeks. We were in one of the rooms alone. I just remember the door opening and a guy walking in. I was facing the door. I tried to move, to cover myself, but Jake kept hold of me and kept going, telling the guy to get out." Maybe that was what caused the issue.The fact I couldn't just grab a sheet or something to cover myself, and Jake didn't seem to care that the guy was standing looking at me while he fucked me.Alaric sits staring at me. Now I realise that is the issue. I had no issue with going into that room with Jake and no issue with him fucking me while people were drinking around the house. After that, I did."I'm sorry. I'm still trying to understand that. Why wouldn't you just get dressed and walk out?"Shrugging, I laugh. "I wasn't thinking straight; I was highly drunk, and once the guy had left, I felt fine.""You didn't; the alcohol masked it." He's right, bu
The room is once again is silent, and I'm not sure what to say now. Alaric looks at me, and he sighs. His look says that this ends now. I don't blame him; I'm his son's ex-fiance; it's messed up."Ensure that you have everything, Ruby." He points around the room. That way, there is no reason for you to return once you leave," he says, and somehow, the words hurt. I wanted a reason to come back, even just once.He's right. I should ensure I get everything and take it with me. Yet, leaving something will give me a reason to come back, which I shouldn't do.Moving, I straddle him."Ruby, what are you doing?" He's staring at me."When I leave tomorrow, this ends, right?" I know it does, I don't want for his confirmation. "So let me have tonight, now." Leaning forward, I kiss him.His hand moves up and tangles in my hair. My hands move down and unfasten his shirt, and he releases my hair and helps me undress us both.With our clothes thrown to the floor, his body moves, rolling us over unt
A knocking wakes me, my mind trying to ignore it."Ruby! I need my fucking clothes." My body moves, and I see Alaric sitting up."Shit, I fell asleep." He moves and grabs his clothes."Alaric, he's right outside the room!" My words are whisper-shouted."Ruby! Open the fucking door." The bang makes me jump. As I rush to get dressed, Alaric looks around the room."Get behind the door." Alaric pushes me over, and I stand confused."Alaric." What is he doing?"I can't hide, you're smaller.""And where am I then?" He can't open the door and be in here."You're in my room. You were reluctant to go to bed because Jake would join you, so I gave you my room, and I slept in here."Oh, that could actually work.I watch him move the door and unlock the door. Opening it, he stands, blocking me."Dad?" Jake's voice shakes."Ruby is in my room. She wasn't willing to sleep in here in case you climbed into bed with her again," Alaric says, and I hear Jake laugh."She's overdramatic." I hear his bathro
We didn't speak, and an hour later, he stopped, and I looked around us confused."You said you needed a dress; considering my son left you in this situation, I figured I would make a detour, and then you can get one."Dress, I almost forgot about that. I glance towards the shops."Alaric...""Don't, yes, I'm paying. See it as an apology for his fucked up behaviour.""No." I can't let him buy me a dress."Ruby, no arguing, just let's buy a dress." He gets out. Sighing, I follow. Walking into the store, he smiles and sits. "Find the perfect dress, Ruby." I nod and walk through the store.I pick up a few dresses and walk to the changing room. After trying on the first dress, I stand looking in the mirror. I'm not sure. It's not often I wear long gowns.Smiling, I take a picture, hitting messages I find Alaric's name.Can't decide, help me. Hitting send on the message and attaching the picture, I get changed. As I fasten the dress, my phone vibrates.Well if that was a genuine choice, yo
As I walked upstairs, she followed me and looked at the items."So, he bought you gifts.""He bought my dress and mask for tomorrow night." She opens the box and stares."He has taste. I know you didn't choose either of these."I laugh and nod. Taking out my phone, I look at it. Is it really over? Clicking his name, I upload the videos from the last few days and hit send.Thank you for the last few days. I trust you. You kept your businesses hidden from Jake, so I know you will keep these safe.Maybe I'm hoping that him having the videos of us will make him want to reach out to me more. Maybe it won't."So, what is happening, and what happened?" Ivy walks in with glasses and a bottle."Honestly, nothing is happening, that's it now.""You don't sound happy about it." Bex looks at me."He's different, I felt completely safe with him, like I never had with anyone. I'm Jake's ex, though, and despite how bad Jake is, he's still his son.""Screw Jake! He didn't just use you to get money, bu
"Okay, blue it is." Bex laughs and gets changed. We leave together and get in the car. "Are your parents coming?" she asks, looking towards me."No, even after I said things with Jake were over, they haven't contacted me. Apparently, I am not worthy of their time." I shouldn't care, but I do."Well, at least you can enjoy tonight without worrying they will be watching."I know she is right. Still, I'm not sure I'm looking forward to this. It's meant to be a family ball, only my family won't be coming.The car stops, and we get out. Standing, I look at the people entering. Fastening on the mask, we walk in, and my eyes look around."I'm going to go see my parents. Are you coming?""No! I'm good, thanks. I will see you later." Walking to the bar, I order a drink. This is just awkward. Everyone's family is here, or they have brought a plus one. I'm alone.We get called through, and I find my seat. I purposely booked a seat next to Bex. I watch her walk over with her family, sitting we ea