Ruby Rose Read online

  She heard Evan's breath hitch. “You're making it very hard for me not to hop in my car, pick you up, and keep you with me always.”

  Ruby giggled. “Sweet dreams, Evan.”

  “My dreams will be of you.”

  Ruby held the phone to her heart for a while after they’d hung up and wondered how she could go another moment without Evan in her life.

  ****

  True to his word, Evan didn't keep their relationship a secret. As soon as he saw her at work, Evan was all over her. He walked behind the bar and wrapped his arms around Ruby's waist, kissing her neck.

  Evan obviously felt comfortable with his dominance. He knew he could pretty much do anything at this club, and he had no problem showing affection to Ruby. Evan didn't hold back a thing. He could hardly keep his hands off her.

  “I don't like sharing you. I'm selfish. I want you all to myself,” Evan explained, intertwining his fingers with Ruby's. “Is it quitting time yet?”

  “I thought you had a job to do? Aren't you supposed to be mingling with all the club-goers?” Ruby inquired somewhat timidly. She hoped Evan enjoyed their flirtations as much as she did.

  “I'm mingling with the staff. Much more than I ever have before,” Evan declared, glancing up at her suggestively as he continued playing with Ruby's hand behind the bar. Ruby couldn't help but smile at that as she looked up from their restless hands to gaze at Evan flirtatiously. She felt a shudder run through her when she saw the predatory look in his eyes.

  “I should probably get back to work,” Ruby said softly, reluctantly pulling her hand away from Evan's. She needed to focus her attention back to pouring drinks before she slid under the counter and did something decidedly inappropriate at work.

  “Aren't you done yet?” Evan whined, and Ruby half-expected him to start pouting like a little boy. An incredibly sexy little boy.

  “Soon,” she replied. Evan reached out and took Ruby's hand again, using his index finger to lightly trace patterns along Ruby's palm. “And then I'm all yours.”

  “Can't you just clock out early?” Evan suggested, sticking out his lower lip petulantly. How was it possible for anyone to look so adorable and deliciously dangerous at the same time?

  “I guess I could clock out,” she conceded. “I'm not of much help right now, anyway.” For some reason, Ruby found it impossible to say no to Evan.

  “Good,” Evan said, interrupting her wayward thoughts. “Because I want to introduce you to some more of my friends.”

  “I thought you wanted me all to yourself?” Ruby asked in confusion.

  Evan followed her to the back room with a dominant presence, causing her heart to skip a beat. He slowly walked over to Ruby and tugged her softly into his arms. He pulled away and placed a palm of his hand on each side of her face. Very closely, he examined Ruby’s eyes. “I do,” Evan admitted, and Ruby eyed him suspiciously as they walked to the timecard machine. “But I also want everyone to know you belong to me.”

  “Are you sure? You don't have to do that,” Ruby asked, nervously licking her lips as she clocked out and took off her apron.

  “Yes, I do,” Evan stated, reaching out to run his finger down the length of Ruby's arm. “I want everyone to know I’ve fallen hard.”

  “Fallen?” Ruby asked anxiously.

  Evan leaned forward and pressed his lips against hers, effectively shutting her up. The kiss was chaste, less intimate than the gentle exploration of mouths they had exchanged the day before. Evan's lips ruthlessly stroked her own, sending little jolts of pleasure through her body. Ruby kissed him back, her lips parting slightly as she sighed in contentment. Kissing Evan Steel was quickly becoming a habit she had no intention of ever giving up. She moaned softly when she felt Evan's tongue gently lapping at her lower lip, demanding entrance. Opening her mouth a bit wider, she eagerly anticipated the feel of Evan's tongue slipping past her lips and into the warm confines of her mouth. But instead of deepening the kiss, Evan ended it. With one last gentle nip to her lower lip, Evan pulled back slightly, looking entirely too pleased with himself when Ruby groaned in protest.

  “Yes. Fallen,” Evan answered, his voice taking on a seductive quality that made Ruby's stomach do a little flip flop.

  “Oh, yeah.” Ruby sighed, grinning at him in satisfaction. “But just let the record show that technically, I’ve fallen harder.”

  “Sounds like someone has a bit of a competitive streak,” Evan teased, returning her smile.

  “I do. You should know that I never lose,” Ruby replied confidently. She immensely enjoyed this little game and flirtation of theirs. But she knew she needed to cool things down or she would demand for him to take her right then and there. But was that really a bad thing? Accepting his lifestyle still confused her. Even more so, now that her feelings grew stronger by the moment, but one thing was very clear: she wanted Evan.

  “Well then, maybe I should give you a challenge.” Evan leered at her suggestively, leaning in for another kiss.

  Ruby closed her eyes for a moment, searching her entire being for the courage for what she was about to do. “Challenge accepted.” She paused. “I want this moment. I want this moment to feel you.” Ruby tentatively pressed her palm to his chest. “I want this moment to taste you.” Ruby lowered her hand to the bulge in Evan’s pants. “I want this moment to feel your cock between my lips.” Ruby quickly undid Evan’s pants releasing him from his confines. For the first time in Ruby's life, she allowed her passion to rule over her mind. She couldn’t believe she’d actually said the word ‘cock’. Something was changing in her. Something was awakening.

  Evan stood still, never making a move to stop Ruby in her mission. She took this as a sign to continue on. She knelt down and softly placed his hardened cock on the base of her tongue and closed her lips tightly around him. Looking up into his eyes, she began to move her mouth up and down along his shaft. Evan never looked away. He never closed his eyes for a moment. He watched as Ruby began her seduction. She tightened her lips, and worked her tongue in small circles along the entire length. His taste, his smell, and his entire aura were everything Ruby had imagined.

  Evan reached for Ruby's hair to stop her. “Ruby,” he moaned.

  Ruby looked up into his eyes with his cock still in her mouth. She pulled it out enough to whisper, “Don't, Evan. I'm not the innocent, naïve girl you see. I am a woman with desires, needs, and a hunger for you like nothing I could have imagined.” She lowered her mouth down to the base of his cock and slowly back to the tip. Removing his penis just enough to speak again, she rasped, “Let me pleasure you.”

  Evan closed his eyes and threw his head back in euphoric surrender. Ruby knew she had won this battle. She smiled wickedly at her success and continued her quest to please Evan like he had never experienced before.

  Suddenly the break-room door opened with a gust of loud music pouring in. A woman in a black dress and even blacker hair engulfing her pale face stood in the doorway. Dilated eyes were almost hidden by even darker circles underneath them. Scarlet lips worked their way into a smirk as she crossed her arms across her ample breasts.

  “Oh, don’t mind me. Please continue on,” she offered with the most seductive voice Ruby had ever heard.

  Evan pulled away. “Maxine, what are you doing here?”

  Ruby scrambled to her feet in shock and embarrassment as Evan quickly adjusted his pants.

  “Well, obviously not nearly having as much fun as you. My, my, Evan. Just when I thought you were getting boring. Public play… I like. Care to share?”

  “Get out of here, Maxine,” Evan demanded as he marched toward the door.

  The biting command stung Ruby to the core. She had never heard Evan talk with such a demanding voice before. She had never seen Evan lose control of his temper like she saw now. Obviously, the woman had a negative effect on him.

  “Don't get mad, Evan. Well, unless you want to spank my naughty bottom,” Maxine giggled as she seductively licked her lips.
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br />   Ruby stiffened her spine.

  Evan moved with lightning speed until he glared down at Maxine's small frame. “I said get out! I'm not in the mood for your bratty games.” Evan ushered Maxine out the door and turned to Ruby. “I'm so sorry. When Maxine drinks… well actually, that's just Maxine. I'm sorry if she embarrassed you.”

  Ruby forced a fake smile. “It's okay.”

  “No, it's not. But I don't want to think about that crazy drunk anymore.”

  Ruby looked into his deep eyes and said nothing. She met his gaze and allowed for him to truly see the embarrassment of being caught in such an intimate act. For some reason, Ruby had no reason to hide her feelings.

  Evan pulled her into his arms harshly. He pressed her head to his chest with more force than she had ever experienced. “I won't let it happen again. I'll make sure I protect you from all the insanity of my life. I want to never be the cause of your heartache.” Without releasing his grip, he continued, “But I have to warn you that my image as this alpha dominant tends to attract the mentally unstable fans at times. I swear to you my loyalty, but being with me can be really hard on trust.”

  Ruby pulled from his strong embrace. “I trust you, Evan. I know you'd never hurt me.” Ruby smiled. “Weren't you going to introduce me to your friends?” Ruby reminded him, leaning away from Evan as she grabbed her purse from the locker and prepared to leave.

  “Don't I at least get a kiss to hold me off?” Evan teased.

  “Nope,” Ruby replied casually, offering him a playful wink.

  “Why not?” he complained, his puppy dog eyes pleading with her to stay.

  Seductively, Ruby wrapped her arms around Evan's neck and moved her mouth until it was pressed up against Evan's ear. “Because the next time you kiss me, I won't want you to stop,” she whispered, feeling him shudder as Ruby's warm breath tickled Evan's earlobe. And with that, she led Evan over to join his friends.

  Hanging out in the VIP section with an unlimited amount of booze was a whole new experience. Everyone watched and examined their every move. It was like being inside a fish bowl. The curiosity about this new girl with Evan caused quite the stir, although Evan didn't seem affected by all the attention in the slightest.

  They were undeniably a couple. She received a few dirty looks and heard whispered comments from Evan's groupies, but if Evan noticed, he didn’t say a word. Ruby had expected Evan to be somewhat tense or cautious in showing affection. But his blatant show of attention made it very clear to all that Ruby was his girl. The way Evan acted and carried himself throughout the night made Ruby fall for him even more… if that was even possible.

  Although Evan’s friends seemed surprised, they didn’t say much. Adam just smiled and made a point to include Ruby in conversation. Gage also did his part in welcoming Ruby to the group.

  By the end of the night, it was out there for everyone to see. Evan and Ruby were inseparable.

  ****

  After a few weeks, they had slipped into a comfortable routine. Ruby would work behind the bar while Evan worked the room with his friends. They’d always meet afterwards to hang out there or at whatever club paid Evan to appear that night. They would then go grab something to eat and indulge in some much-needed alone time. Ruby was becoming quite the night owl, and loving every minute of it.

  Everything between them was going perfectly, except for a couple of incidents with Maxine. She had made it a point to flirt with Evan as often as she got the chance. Ruby had seen the displays, but chose to ignore it. Evan didn't feed into it and at times seemed oblivious to Maxine throwing herself on him. The rest of the girls tossing their barely clad bodies on him were even more pathetic. She found it annoying at times, but harmless.

  All that mattered at this point was that Evan and she were solid. She felt happier than she ever had, and she actually looked forward to the future, as uncertain as it was. Nothing could bring Ruby down from the high she felt. Life with Evan was beyond anything she could have pictured. Happiness wasn't a strong enough word.

  Chapter 8

  Evan had a photo shoot for a new BDSM magazine, a restaurant appearance, and then a bar's grand opening to attend. He had agreed to meet Ruby afterwards at her work and pick her up at the end of her shift. All Evan wanted was to be alone with Ruby and have some peace and quiet. The night's schedule was a true test in time management.

  He walked into the club with Gage and Adam, looking around for Ruby. They had run behind schedule and he hoped he hadn't kept her waiting for too long. He spotted Melanie first, and then he saw Ruby. There were a few guys talking to them, causing him to suddenly tense up. The feeling was ridiculous since he knew Ruby was his, but seeing Ruby talk to a man sent a sickening feeling to his gut. Evan walked straight to her and took her hand immediately, hating the jealousy that racked his body. Pulling her back away from everyone, he kissed her. To Evan's delight, she didn't resist. Ruby kissed him readily and with passion.

  “I've missed you.” Ruby smiled against Evan's kiss.

  Evan pulled back and stared at her, holding her tighter. “You’re beautiful, Ruby. Walking into this club, I realized you are the most stunning woman in this room.”

  “There you go, melting my heart again.” She tilted her head sideways. Rising on her tiptoes, she whispered in Evan's ear, “Do you want to get out of here, or do you think you need to stay for a while?”

  “I'm not getting paid to be here tonight. So, yes, I want to be alone with you.” Evan pulled her even closer.

  They barely made it to Evan’s car before they started caressing, kissing, driving each other crazy with each touch. The passion between them grew heavier and heavier every day that passed. Evan had been patient and tried to take things slow. He didn't want to scare Ruby, or make Ruby doubt her relationship with him. He was dying to take it to the next level, but wanted to leave that in Ruby's hands. On the surface it appeared Ruby felt comfortable with everything, but Evan knew she struggled with her sexual thoughts. Being submissive for the first time was a big deal and needed to be done right. He didn't want it to be a 'drunken naughty experiment'. If they were to make love, Evan wanted it to be just that: making love.

  When they got to Evan's loft, Ruby sat down on the leather couch, gazing at the city lights out the bay window. Her hair, illuminated by the moonlight, captured Evan's soul. He felt like the air had been knocked out of him. Ruby almost appeared angelic.

  “I'll get us some wine,” Evan offered as he walked to the kitchen to pour the glasses.

  “I really love your place. This view makes me never want to leave.” Ruby turned to watch Evan pour the wine. “You make me never want to leave.”

  Evan walked over to where Ruby sat and handed her the glass. “Then don't. I don't want you to.”

  They both sat there in silence for a moment, taking in the words Evan had just spoken. Neither wanted to broach the subject lingering between them since they started dating. When was Ruby leaving? Would she still leave? Would she ever really live the DD life? Was it realistic to think she could?

  “Remember when I told you about my thoughts on Domestic Discipline?” He paused and watched Ruby nod. “I need to know if you can accept my beliefs. Is this a type of relationship you can embrace?”

  Ruby took a large gulp of wine and instantly looked uncomfortable. Evan knew this topic was bound to come up. He wanted to give Ruby whatever she wanted. He wanted to give the woman everything she desired. But she was completely naïve when it came to this. Ruby had never participated in this lifestyle before. All she knew was what Evan had told her. Evan wanted a relationship with her that would last a lifetime, and having DD was the key to making that happen.

  “Yes… I mean… I don’t really know what that means. Do I have to cook and clean and serve you? Do I have to call you Sir? Are you my Master? I just don’t really…”

  Evan put down his wine and reached for Ruby's hands. “No, you don’t have to do any of that. Many people who practice BDSM want that, but like I
said before, it's different. There is no Master and no Sir when it comes to me. We are, and always will be, equals. We are a team making decisions together. I'll never treat you lesser, or treat you with anything but with respect and love. I'll always cherish you and take care of you.” He leaned in and placed a gentle kiss on her lips. “But at the end of the day, I am the Head of the Household. The ultimate responsibility is placed on my shoulders, and I would expect you to honor and obey what I say. I would expect you to trust me and to trust what I ask of you.”

  “So you said you want Domestic Discipline. Does that mean you’re going to spank me? Like really spank me?” Ruby asked, her face turning red.

  Evan reached out to stroke her blushed cheek. “Yes.” He paused to see how she would react to the answer. When Ruby simply took a drink of her wine, he continued. “I will, if I feel it’s needed, and I would expect you to let me.”

  She slowly nodded. “When would you feel it would be needed?” Her questions were so direct, almost like she was doing an interview.

  Evan grew serious. “If you put yourself in danger, or if you do something I disapprove of. I'll also spank you if I feel you need to be reminded of who is the Head of the Household. I want you to be the wonderful, perfect woman you are, and a spanking may occur to guarantee you don’t become anything but. I also spank instead of fighting. Sometimes that is all it takes to keep a fight from spiraling out of control. Dominance and submission are powerful tools if used correctly.”

  “I’ve never been spanked before. Will it hurt?”

  Evan smiled reassuringly. “Yes, but it doesn’t last long. And hopefully it’s replaced with a feeling of being loved and cared for. I would never really hurt you or cause permanent damage. It's more about the act itself that works. It's not about the pain, but the surrender. It would never be abuse of any sort. I would never lose control or do it in the heat of a battle. And it would hopefully end with you and me making love, feeling closer than ever.”