Hertattoo.
Maybe she didn’t notice.
Ruby
Am I pregnant? I think I might be, my lack of a sex life notwithstanding. Liam, shirtless and dripping in sweat, could definitely get me pregnant. Fucking hell… biceps and triceps and whatever-other-ceps. I think he has muscles I didn’t know existed. His body is like uncharted territory. What I wouldn’t give for the chance to put on a tricorne hat and go exploring.
Snap out of it, Ruby.
Do I really need to go into town right now? There’s a perfectly adequate vibrator upstairs in the suitcase that might be able to satiate my hunger more than any groceries ever could.
“If you don’t go now, you’re not going to go at all. Food now, vibrator later,” I mutter into the empty hallway as I hop into my favorite leather boots.
I head out to the market with an ache between my legs and a hunger in my belly that no Froot Loops will ever cure. When I pull over to the curb on Main Street, I decide to forego the groceries and step into the diner for a slice of pie instead.
If I can’t have a creampie, at least I can have pumpkin.
The bell chimes above the door, and several people turn tolook at me as I step inside. The locals have all started to ignore my presence, and it’s kind of nice to exist without any fanfare.
“Hey there, Superstar.” Rosie greets me with a kind smile and a wave. “Back for more pie?”
I giggle to myself internally as I stride to the counter—if she only knew. “Yes, ma’am.”
“Pumpkin?”
“You know it.”
The display case is lined with the most delicious treats imaginable, including cupcakes and macarons made by Olivia. She owns a mobile bakery now, but she still stocks the display case for her grandma.
Rosie serves me a way-too-big slice of pie topped with a dollop of whipped cream and a sprinkling of cinnamon sugar.
The first bite is almost orgasmic, the flavors mingling on my tongue. It’s the right blend of spice with a hint of sweetness from the whipped topping. I quietly hum around my fork, savoring the taste.
She huffs out a laugh. “That good?”
“You have no idea how bad I needed this, Ro.”
She pats the top of my hand. “Sometimes a girl just needs something sweet, huh? Must need an awful lot of sweetness to take the edge off when you’re living with that hunk of a man.”
“I—um…”
Words, Ruby. You should try using them.
She chuckles in that all-knowing way of hers. “How about I pack up the rest of the pie for you?”
I open my mouth to deny the insinuation, but release a resigned sigh instead, stabbing another forkful of my pie. “That would be great.”
“Well, if it isn’t the ever elusive Ruby Lynn Hayes. I heard you were back in town.”
I spin on my stool, coming face-to-face with one of Liam’s close friends, Paige. I played at her wedding as a favor to him afew years ago. She’s radiant in a black floral sundress with her long brown curls cascading over her shoulders. The bodice hugs her curves and flares out at the hips, flattering her pear-shaped figure.
“Paige! How are you?”
“I’m great. How have you been? Liam treating you well? If he’s not, I can send Cade over to kick his ass.”
My thoughts momentarily trail back to the sweaty man in the gym, and how his breath fanned over my lips the other night when he rested his forehead against mine. I sigh. “Liam’s a gentleman, as always.”
She smirks. “That’s a shame.”
