Ruby Rose (2 page)

“Well, have a good night,” Ruby said, and danced off, fading into the crowd of bodies.

Evan reluctantly made his way back to the VIP section to join his friends as his thoughts went back to those brown eyes cloaked in black lashes. Ruby Rose and the enticing eyes.

****

Ruby danced off, concentrating on trying to be as graceful as possible. She had a feeling Evan was still watching her, and she would die of embarrassment if she fell or stumbled. Her awkward nerves were out of control. How could she almost knock the man over? Of all people, it had to be the famous Evan Steel. She should’ve said more to him, but she'd been at a loss for words, and thoughts. All she could do was gawk at him like a crazed fan. Ruby was sure he thought she did it on purpose. He probably expected for her to ask for his autograph.

Her knees had almost buckled when she realized who she had accidentally danced into. Ruby had researched all about the great Evan Steel and his BDSM clan. By coincidence Melanie partied at the same hot spots as they did. Since Melanie had recently come out as a spanko and submissive, she held them in high regard and told Ruby about them all the time. Melanie desperately wanted to be let into their popular social circle. Ruby had never really grasped everything Melanie told her about Evan and his friends. She made them out to be movie-star, drop-dead gorgeous, and after seeing them in person, Ruby would have to agree.

Evan Steel was too gorgeous for his own good. Ruby's heart thumped wildly as she tried her best not to look over her shoulder. She wished she weren't so attracted to that man. But how could she not be? With that messy chocolate-brown hair, sexy, mysterious eyes, and lean, muscular body, Evan was a walking vision. The ink of his tattoos beckoned her curiosity. Everything about him teased her senses – his looks, his raspy baritone voice, his tantalizing, sultry scent.

Ruby made her way back to the bar and looked over at the VIP section where Evan sat with a large group of men and women, most clad in leather and collars. Evan and his friends seemed to glide in a lingering wave toward a group of girls. They had a mysticism in their actions. In the way they moved. Almost like vampires in a dark blockbuster movie. The women waited, their eager smiles reminding Ruby of teenyboppers at a boy band concert.

Evan wore a tight black shirt that showed off his firm arms. Tattoos marked his entire exposed skin. His black pants clung to his body as if they were designed just for him. Ruby had never seen a more seductive smile. His masculine look screamed alpha. Rough, rugged, and at the same time, handsome. The scar by his mouth had an incredible draw, giving him a lure that pulled anyone in. Ruby watched as one of the leather-clad women practically lunged into Evan’s arms, smothering Evan with her breasts, and then looked around nonchalantly to make sure everyone was watching.

“Is that Evan’s girlfriend?” Ruby asked Melanie as she leaned over to speak in her ear to be heard over the booming cadence.

Melanie shook her head. “Only in her wildest dreams. That’s Maxine, one of the groupies. She relentlessly tries to convince anyone who will listen that the two of them are a couple. Everyone knows Evan’s not interested in her. I’ve actually never seen Evan with a girlfriend. He seems to keep to himself. Although, many would volunteer to fill that position in a heartbeat. Just look at him. Yummy.”

Ruby took a small sip of the drink she nursed and just watched. The group of men Evan hung with seemed so experienced and composed. They laughed and flirted, but still appeared powerful and dominating. And all Ruby could do was almost knock the most admired person in the room down, and then fumble her way through a hopeless conversation. Even looking at them made her feel unworthy.

Sitting at the bar watching the ‘cool kids’ made her miss home, particularly holing up in her office writing. Maybe she shouldn't have agreed to this assignment. Ruby wasn't prepared to feel so inadequate.

If Harold hadn’t talked her into this, Ruby would be home with a glass of wine and a laptop as her only friend. Boring, maybe, but secure. Harold meant the world to her. He had become far more than just her editor. They’d been through so much over the years, last year especially when the nightmare of Ruby’s sister’s death almost destroyed her. Losing her last surviving family member had left her only with her best friend Harold to stand by her side. She didn’t really mind being alone with her words and her stories, but she appreciated having a friend who truly got her. Harold understood her sheltered ways. He understood her past, and would stand by her side as they walked into the future.

When Ruby decided to move to Seattle to work on this exposé, she and Harold made a promise to keep in touch daily. She wanted to make sure he helped her stay on task and give her the encouragement to do something completely out of her comfort zone. So far, since she had made the move, they talked and texted every day, and she had a rough outline on her story already under way. No matter how far away, Ruby was determined to keep Harold in her life forever, both professionally and personally.

Her goal was to get the info needed and write an incredible story, with Harold, back in San Francisco. She already had months’ worth of research, mostly candid interviews with women who willingly bent over a man's knee and got spanked. Between those and all the blog posts she had read, Ruby was close to reaching her goal. She could then get back to the way she preferred her life. Safe, sound, and predictable. Just the way she liked it. Seattle, this club, and Evan Steel were just stepping-stones to a brighter future.

Her thoughts were interrupted when she felt the warmth from a sweaty body press up against her. She fought the urge to roll her eyes as she attempted to move her body away. A man with short-cropped hair, lacking a masculine bone in his body, reached over to grab her hand.

“You seem like you’re in a whole other world,” he flirted.

“Just thinking. Getting ready to leave, actually.”

He moved closer. “Do you want to go dance?”

Ruby shook her head, not the least bit interested. “No, like I said, I’m getting ready to leave.”

“Do you want to leave together?” he said. “I’m ready to get out of here, too.”

Ruby’s eyes narrowed, and she stepped back. She had no desire to break it to him easy anymore. “I’m not interested. Sorry.”

The man leaned forward, and the stench of liquor on his breath overpowered her air space. “Well, then what are you doing in a place like this? Maybe you just need someone to show you what you’re missing. I can tell you want to be dominated, and taken in hand.” He leaned in, and began putting his arms around Ruby’s waist.

Ruby scowled, pushing him away. “I told you I’m not interested!”

Clearly annoyed, the man smirked and proceeded to move forward and force a hug. “Isn’t that why you came tonight? To see what being dominated would be like?”

“No. And even if I wanted to, it wouldn’t be you!” Ruby struggled to undo the man’s hands that clasped behind her waist. And then, suddenly, the man was yanked off her. It took Ruby a moment to understand what just happened before she realized someone had shoved him out of the way. To her surprise, her rescuer was Evan.

Chapter 2

“Get the hell away from her,” Evan demanded, his eyes dark with fury.

The man’s face went pale as he looked around to see who was watching. “Just a misunderstanding.” He quickly backed away and disappeared in the crowd without protest.

Evan turned to face Ruby. She stood there wide-eyed and embarrassed by the commotion the incident had caused. “Are you okay?”

A few people noticed the scuffle and slowed as they walked by, but the disruption was not enough to call the attention of security. The stares made Ruby want to crawl off into a hole. She hated being the center of attention.

Ruby nodded. “Yes, thank you.” She attempted to smile and wash away the fear. She was embarrassed to have so much attention on her. She also hoped her boss wouldn’t get wind of this. Off duty or not, she didn’t think he’d be happy about it.

An awkward silence sat between them.

“You didn’t have to do that. He was just being a little too forward. I could’ve handled it.” Ruby craned her neck, looking for Melanie, who had disappeared and missed the whole incident.

“I’m sure you could’ve. I just don’t like seeing men treat women like that. Nothing should be against a woman’s will. Ever. Sometimes in places like this, men can forget that.”

Ruby nodded, shrugged, and started toward the restrooms. She needed to get out of there fast. “I need to find my friend. I really do appreciate your help.”

Evan followed beside her, walking close. Ruby’s heart skipped when their hands touched for a mere moment. She tried to refocus her attention on finding Melanie and heading home. The night was long overdue to come to an end.

“Let me help you find her.”

Ruby noticed all the people in the VIP section now stared at them, especially Maxine. Evan seemed oblivious to the group. His eyes were fixed on Ruby now. “No, it’s all right. Really.”

Evan reached out and softly placed his hand on Ruby’s arm. The touch sent a shiver through her body. “I really hope to see you around.”

Ruby nodded, never completely looking Evan in the eye. She worried she would say or do something stupid. “Thanks again for helping back there. I really appreciate it.”

****

Evan couldn’t help but stare at Ruby’s eyes. No way was he letting her slip away. Something about this woman made Evan feel the need to be near her. Evan grabbed Ruby’s hand as she turned from him. It was soft and small, fingers intertwined with his own. Evan’s heart pounded as Ruby turned towards him. Evan tried focusing on something other than her eyes but found it impossible. Ruby had the power to captivate with one simple look.

“Would you like to go and hang out tomorrow night? I have an appearance at another club called Gaslight, and if you and your friend want to come, I would love to have you along. It's an invite-only party, but I'll add you two to the list.” Evan was sweating, nerves a foreign sensation for him. “It's pretty hard-core, though. So I hope that doesn't bother you.”

Ruby studied him for a moment, and then her voice cracked as she answered. “I can’t. I’m working.”

“Where do you work? Until what time?”

“I work here until eleven.”

Evan smiled. “You work here, huh? Well, I guess I’m going to see a lot more of you. I’m at this club a lot. What about after your shift? I don’t usually show up until then, anyway.”

“Okay, I’m sure Melanie would love it, too.” Ruby broke her hand free from Evan’s. “I really need to go, though. So, I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Evan stood staring after her as she walked away. Why did he feel like a love-struck schoolboy? Then it dawned on him. He hadn’t actually asked a girl out in a very long time. He’d always just hook up with someone at a bar or club, since all of them sought
his
attention. Evan never had the desire to ask anyone out… until he met Ruby.

****

Ruby sat in the kitchen, watching the phone, willing it to ring. She needed to talk to Harold. She’d already left a few messages for him, and he still hadn’t called her back. She tried to work on the initial outline of her story to keep her mind busy but couldn't focus long enough to even write a few words. Not to mention that she found describing a club next to impossible. All her attempts kept sounding like some paranormal novel in an underground coven. Ruby glanced at the clock as she typed the word ‘leather’ again. Wishing she could come up with a different word, she realized she’d hit her writing wall for the day.

Ruby jumped when the phone rang. She grabbed it as fast as she could. “Hey, Harold.”

“It’s good to hear your voice. How was your first day of work last night?”

“I’ve been dying to talk to you. You’re never gonna guess what happened.”

“What? You sound really happy.”

Ruby took a sip of her coffee before speaking. “Okay, remember I told you about that group of men Melanie always talks about? Well it's the same group Evan Steel hangs around with.”

“Evan Steel? He's the whole reason you're there.”

“Well, I met them! I met Evan Steel and he wants me to hang out after work. He invited me to an exclusive club. I got the in!” Ruby continued to explain the details of the night, barely pausing to take a breath. She was more excited than she’d realized.

Harold asked, “You gonna go?”

“I’m not sure. I feel so stupid around them. They’re completely above me. But if I want to truly get the meat for my story… I guess I have to. But I'm not sure if I'm ready to dive in so quickly.”

“Are you kidding me, Ruby? Shut up. This is your chance to have some fun out there and make some friends. This is also your chance to get the information you really need to make your story genuine. Not to mention that Melanie will kill you if you say no.”

Ruby smiled. Harold was so good for her. He was forever her built-in cheerleader. He always had a way of making her feel good about herself and give her the self-confidence she knew she lacked. “You don’t understand. I’ve seen the women he hangs out with. They’re so mysterious and sensual and… urban looking. Their style is their own. I honestly worry that I’ll look like a Plain Jane compared to them.”

She stood up with the phone against her ear, then walked over and stood in front of the mirror. No tattoos, no piercings, nothing original about her. She looked at her less-than-exciting clothes and grimaced. Although she couldn't picture herself in leather and a collar, either.

“Who cares? Let me tell you something, Ruby. You need to stop thinking so little of yourself. I can guarantee you this group of women would die for your natural beauty. Evan asked you out for a reason. Stop knocking yourself down.”

“I know. You’re right.” Hearing Harold’s advice made Ruby miss him even more.

“You need to promise me something?” he said.

Ruby hesitated. “What?”

“You’ll have a good time while you’re out there. Don’t limit yourself because you’re scared or lack the confidence. Step out of your introvert box and live a little. And don't forget to take mental notes. You'll have your story sooner than you think.”