ClaimingRuby Read Free Page B

inside her.
    Jamie bustled around, thankfully oblivious to Ruby’s
arousal. “Yeah, like seriously kinky. There was talk of sex parties where one
woman got pleasured by a group of guys. They say he likes to tie women up and
watch as other men fuck them.”
    A small whimper escaped her throat. She coughed, cleared her
throat and hoped Jamie hadn’t picked up on her arousal. “Is that what they say?”
    Joshua was a hardcore Dominant. Everything she ached for.
Everything she was afraid to embrace. She’d done the right thing last night;
she couldn’t handle his level of intensity.
    The bell above the door jingled and she blinked. Finally a
customer to distract her from the pulsing sensation between her thighs.
    She pasted on a smile and looked at her distraction. “Good
morning. Can I help…”
    The words died on her lips as a delivery man with the
biggest bunch of roses she’d ever seen hustled through the door.
    “Delivery for Miss Ruby Romano.”
    She picked her jaw off the floor and managed to choke out, “That’s
me.”
    Blooms of lemon and white roses obscured her view. A muffled
voice asked, “Where do you want me to put them?”
    Jamie swooped into action. “Over here. I’ll clear a spot.”
She moved aside piles of books and helped the guy set the flowers down.
    Ruby felt numb. Shocked. The delicate fragrance assaulted
her senses. They were beautiful—the colors blushed, blending together
perfectly. She adored roses.
    “Please sign here.” The man handed her a digital notepad and
pen. She scribbled her name and gave it back. Her gaze drifted over the
bouquet. “Here’s a letter from the sender. Have a nice day, ma’am.”
    The cream envelope was heavy, a sign of good quality paper.
A nervous feeling fluttered in her stomach. Were the flowers from Joshua? It
seemed strange that he’d come on to her less than twenty-four hours ago and now
an elaborate bouquet appeared on her doorstep. Did he want to apologize for
being a dick?
    She dismissed the girlish thought. She was leaping to
conclusions. Guys like him didn’t make apologies for their behavior.
    “For god’s sake, open it.” Jamie’s high-pitched squeal
spurred her into action.
    She ripped it and pulled out an expensive piece of paper.
Her pulse hammered as she unfolded the vellum. A masculine script adorned the
page with one simple sentence and a telephone number.
    I want to see you. J.
    No pretentious words. No apology, just a simple desire. Her
mind raged at his audacity. Her limbs become weak and pliant. Intense need
swept through her and almost buckled her knees.
    “What does it say? Gawd! Don’t leave me in suspense. You are
killing me!” Jamie practically hopped up and down.
    “‘I want to see you. J.’ Nothing else.”
    “Oh my gawd. Oh my gawd. You got flowers from the Iron Man!”
She bounced over and hugged Ruby. “Fucking awesome.”
    She couldn’t help but smile at Jamie’s enthusiasm. An
internal debate raged inside her. Only a few minutes ago she’d been ready to
dismiss him from her life. If all he wanted was a quick fuck, would he send
flowers? What kind of game was he playing? Should she make plans to see him?
    No. He was everything she hated. Rich. Arrogant. She bet
underneath the façade he wasn’t even a real Dominant, just an abusive asshole
who got off on the pretense.
    Pain reared its ugly head and threatened to consume her.She
slammed shut the memories that leaked into her head. She would never again
submit to a rich, arrogant asshole who broke her confidence. She refused to put
herself through it twice.
    Ruby tore the letter in two and tossed it in the trash.
    She sighed and said, “There. Decision made.” When Jamie
started to protest, Ruby cut her off with a slice of her hand. “I don’t want to
hear any more about Joshua Quinn. One more word and you’re fired.”
    “Yes, boss.” She sloped off into the storeroom, mumbling to
herself.
    With Jamie out of sight, Ruby allowed herself to look at