I roll my head to the side, taking in her profile, sunlight streaming through the windows illuminating her delicate features. Her eyes are somehow brighter in this light, or maybeI’m imagining things. “Thanks again for doing this, Ruby. Don’t know what we would've done without you.”
“You would’ve figured something out like you always do,” she says. “You’ve always stepped up for Aiden. It’s about time someone did the same for you.”
Her words pierce through me, tearing open the part of me that worries I’m not good enough for him. I’ve spent years doing everything I can to compensate for his mother’s absence, but it’s never enough. I doubt I’ll ever be able to give him the life and the family he deserves. Guilt eats me up inside more often than I’m willing to admit.
I smile, but it’s forced. “Breakfast?”
“You know I’m not one to turn down food.”
“I’ll take him to bed. Meet me in the kitchen.”
I scoop Aiden into my arms, and he barely stirs, his head rolling against my shoulder.
He smells like Ruby.
Once I get him into his bed, with his dinosaur stuffy and a worn blanket tucked around him, I head into the kitchen. Ruby’s already there, making herself a cup of coffee. She’s dressed in another one of those pajama sets, pink this time, with flimsy straps and sleep shorts barely skimming the tops of her thick thighs.
If only she knew the things I want to do to her. How I’d tear that top right off her and wrap those legs around my waist.
Fuck. Now is not the time to be getting hard.
I step over to the fridge and peer inside. “Omelet? Pancakes? Pick your poison.”
She opens her mouth to speak, but I cut her off.
“If you say Froot Loops, I'm gonna haul you over my lap and spank your ass. You can’t eat sugary cereal for breakfast every day of the week.”
She quirks a brow. “First of all, I wasgoingto say omelet.And secondly…” She saunters over to me like a walking temptation and trails one perfectly manicured finger down my chest. Popping onto her toes, she leans in next to my ear. “Do it. I dare you.”
Her hot breath fans over my neck, and the intoxicating scent of her body lotion floods my senses. It’s warm like vanilla with a hint of something floral underneath. Something distinctly Ruby.
My nostrils flare as I fight an internal battle to resist her. I didn’t expect her to be into it, but fuck, what I wouldn’t give to feel my palm connect with her ass.
With her arms crossed over her chest, she smirks. “That’s what I thought.”
She turns to the island, placing her palms around her coffee mug. I step up behind her with one arm on either side of her hips, careful not to let her feel exactly what she does to me.
“Don’t mistake my restraint for weakness. If you think for one second I won’t spank your ass raw, you’re dead fucking wrong. I don’t think you’re ready for what that means, so I’m gonna let it go this time. Challenge me again, and I can’t promise I won’t rise to the occasion.” My words are a quiet rumble in my chest.
I don’t miss the goosebumps taking shape along every inch of her exposed flesh. I want to trail my lips over them, taste exactly what I do to her. It’s a damn feat that I’m able to step back when all I want to do is kiss a line up her collarbone and behind her ear and take her just like that, up against the kitchen island.
I clear my throat. “What do you want in your omelet? I have cheese, ham, and veggies. Might even have some jalapenos.”
Flustered, she says, “I um… I’m not picky. Just surprise me.”
She settles on a stool and scrolls through her phone while I set to work on breakfast. A few minutes later, an alert pops up on my phone. I glance over my shoulder, checking to make sure she’s not looking, and swipe to the article.
Country Music Darling, Ruby Lynn Hayes, is responding to allegations made by her former label with claims of her own. Miss Hayes, who recently parted ways with C&L Entertainment at the conclusion of her North American tour, has released a statement confirming the rumors that she is not signing a renewal. She claims label execs forced her to perform three shows after a doctor diagnosed her with the flu and recommended physical rest and vocal rest. Representatives from Ruby’s camp have provided medical records to back up their claims. Ruby is also claiming predatory practices, including limited creative freedom and unfair royalty shares. It is unclear whether either camp will be taking legal action. The label has thus far declined to comment.
Anger surges through me. I knew something was off with her in Nashville, but she’s a goddamn powerhouse and never let on for one second that she was unwell.
When she played that song—our song—something shifted. Right before my eyes, she went fromtheRuby Lynn Hayes to just… Ruby. I don’t know if anybody else saw the change that night, or if it was simply because I’m so goddamn aware of her at all times, but I saw it. I noticed… I always fucking notice. Just like I noticed she was wearingmyshirt—the one from that night at the waterfall ten years ago. It filled me with a possessiveness I’ve never felt before.
My grip tightens on the spatula as I flip the omelet with too much force. Some of the egg splatters, and I pinch my eyes shut, exhaling a ragged breath.
Ruby’s amused voice brings me back to the present. “Everything ok over there? Did that omelet offend you?”
“All good.” I plate the omelets and slide one across the island with a bottle of water. “Here. You can’t live off of caffeine.”
