Page 39 of Heart & Hope

“If you’ll excuse us, Mary-Sue. I’m going to take my wife and turn in early.” The words are sand in my mouth. Like I would be able to look at myself in the mirror ordering any woman around like she had no choice in the matter, no say in what we do.

“I’m sorry, I have a splitting headache.” Ruby rubs her temple and leans into me.

“Very well. I will catch you two tomorrow sometime. Good night.” Mary-Sue’s gaze is still alternating between us and Morley, face pinched.

Sweet Jesus.

“Night.” I can’t get Ruby out of that room fast enough. She’s quiet all the way back to the elevator. And when we stop at the silver doors, I smash a finger into the Up button. She takes her hand from mine, putting a step between us.

Fuck.

I run a hand through my hair and turn to apologize. But I slam my mouth shut when Mary-Sue is walking toward us in a hurry.

Here goes . . .

“Ruby! Honey, you forgot your purse.”

“Oh, thank you, Mary-Sue.” Ruby takes her purse from her client and offers a smile.

Mary-Sue glances between us and frowns. “Do you know the Rawlinses from Lewistown?”

Sweet Jesus.

“Nope, don’t think so.” I push the button again.

She steps closer. “My cousin went to high school over there. There was a Harry Rawlins in her grade. Nice enough guy, bitrough around the edges for most people. But she always spoke highly of him. I think she was sweet on him in senior.”

“Still not registering. Sorry, not sure how it’s related to Robbins?” I say, desperate to throw her off the trail.

“Oh well, must be getting my wires crossed. Night, you two.”

When the woman is out of earshot, Ruby curses. “She’s on to us, Reed.”

Worry floods her gaze. I have to fix this. Mary-Sue is milling about in the lobby as if waiting to catch us in a lie.

“Rubes.”

She turns back to me, and I take her hands as the elevator bings. “Don’t let her doubt you, not for a minute.”

She looks up at me. “How do I make sure she doesn’t?”

Mary-Sue is straightening the business cards at the front desk, obviously watching us. Waiting for a sign our story isn’t right.

“You trust me, baby?” I say softly.

When her brown eyes find mine, she breathes, “Yes.”

I take her face in my hands and cover her mouth with mine. Her soft lips are like silk. My body automatically presses into hers. She tastes divine. Sweet, fruity like the wine she was drinking and something very Ruby. Her fingers tangle in the opening of my shirt, and heat coils in my core, sending my cock hard in a heartbeat.

When Ruby breaks away from the kiss, I stay frozen, still holding her face. Still pressed against her. She’s breathing heavy. So am I.

A small smile pops over her stunned face. “That ought to do it, Reedsy.”

“Yeah, that did it,” I rasp.

The elevator doors swing open again for the third time since it binged. She pulls me inside. But the second the doors meet,she drops my hand, and a blush covers her neck and face. “Sorry about that.”

“It’s okay. I kind of thought that might come up eventually.”

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