Page 15 of His Jewel

“Oh, come on, you see your face every day, you know it’s perfect.” She blushed. “I’m going to stop talking now.”

His smile grew bigger and then fell. Clara. Hanging off the arm of a billionaire thirty years her senior. She looked at him and her dark eyes bulged, making to walk over. No. He couldn’t have that.

He took Ruby’s hand into his own. She looked up at him, eyes full of questions.

It stopped Clara in her tracks.

“Just ... hold my hand. My ex is here, and I don’t need that drama today.”

Ruby glanced over at where Clara stood. “I can do better than that,” she said, her eyes flashing. Before he knew it, she was kissing him, just a light brushing of lips on his own, but it set his blood ablaze.

She pulled back. “There. That will make her jealous, I’m sure.”

He tried to drag his thoughts back to coherent ones that made sense. Because apparently Ruby had the power to rid him of that.

“Jealous? What? No.” He tightened his hand around hers. “You’ve got the wrong idea. She... used me for my money. I thought we loved each other but...” He used his other hand to run through his hair, seeking something to do, his limbs feeling like useless things. Was he really doing this? Explaining this sad part of his life to this beautiful woman? Who, let’s face it, probably thought he was a hot and cold asshole. He licked his lips. He could taste her lipstick. “No, I couldn’t give a fuck about that. About her. I just wanted her to see that I was with someone. That I couldn’t be bought.” He titled his head, preparing himself for what he was about to say next. Her beautiful eyes sparkled. “I do give a fuck about kissing you, though, Ruby Red. And I want you to hold that thought until the night’s over.”

Chapter Seven

Ruby

She couldn’t sit still. The night felt like it was charged, electric, after his admission. He’d asked her to hold that thought, as if she could pause it, but she could do anything but. She’d cursed herself for not finding her voice, for not telling him she felt the same. She couldn’t even believe that she’d kissed him ... but the second he’d told her about his ex, about how she’d treated him, and he’d gotten this look in his eyes, all she wanted to do was to take it away. So, she did. But now she wanted more.

The room was giant, bustling, with people mingling everywhere. She found herself by the bar. Everyone seemed to want to shake Josh’s hand, to have a conversation with him. She knew what she wanted to do with him...

She caught his gaze across the room. It was as if he could sense her thoughts. He shook the hands of the group he was talking with and headed for her. Her breathing quickened as he did, her chest rising and falling. She hoped to God he couldn’t tell.

“Ready to go?” he asked.

“Never been more ready,” she answered, taking his offered arm as they made their way out to his car.

She shivered against the cool night air and one second later his suit jacket draped over her shoulders. Yeah, she was in trouble. Who was this man? He was more like an angel than a devil. She could curse her past self for thinking anything less of him, for prejudging him.

“Thank you,” she whispered.

“No problem.” His gaze locked on hers. “Though I have a feeling I’ll be taking it off you soon.”

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