Ruby's Fantasy by Cathleen Ross Read Free Book Online Page A

soap and freshly-washed man tickled her nostrils. He’d already dressed. He walked towards her into the open-plan kitchen living room area, gave her a cheeky grin, bent down and kissed her.
    When his lips pressed against hers the shivery, excited feeling awakened in her body. His skin was taut where he’d freshly shaved and his lips possessive.
    â€˜Good morning, Princess. Sleep well?’
    â€˜Very.’
    â€˜Use me for stress relief anytime.’
    Ruby laughed. He was funny and cute with it. Just standing near him made her mouth dry. She couldn’t stop staring at him, taking in every inch. She noticed that he had a clean black tee-shirt on which read: Syrus Security Systems, and blue denim jeans that were ironed with a crease down the front. He hadn’t brought in an overnight bag. How had he come by a new set of clothes? His black boots were spit polished and although the whole effect was casual, he was immaculate.
    â€˜Thanks for organising coffee,’ she said, raising her cup and taking a long sip. In the morning light she realised that she didn’t even know his last name and the thought sat oddly with her because he made her feel so comfortable.
    He glanced at his watch. ‘I’ve pulled in a few favours to get the bullet-proof glass team out here early to replace your window. Come down when you’re ready. I’ll mount a surveillance camera above your shop door—’
    â€˜Stop. Wait a minute. I can’t afford this.’ There wasn’t much left in the twin’s account and she didn’t want to owe Jake money. Did she even want a surveillance camera? Would Jake be looking at her the whole time?
    Jake gripped her shoulders, his expression grim. ‘Ruby, you have to update your security. Your life’s in danger. Whatever your twin’s done, she’s annoyed someone big time. You do that in this area: you die. I’m going to put a security grill on your front door, run a wire under your floorboards and hook it to a push button at your counter so you can open it for clients. That way no one can get in without you approving it.’
    She should have been delighted that he was doing this for her, instead her stomach churned as panic set in as old memories slammed into her. Security was expensive. Debt. She hated it. Her gambling-addicted father had borrowed from friends and associates back home. Ruby had worked her butt off to pay everyone back after he’d died because she couldn’t live with the shame. ‘Jake. I can’t take money from you,’ she said, her voice firm, final.
    â€˜I’ll pay for the surveillance equipment and the security screen. I have standard ones in stock. The boys are doing the glass at cost. They owe me. You can pay me back for the window when you have it,’ he said.
    Ruby pressed her hands to her temple. He wasn’t listening to her. ‘I can’t borrow money from a stranger,’ she said through gritted teeth.
    Jake’s sensuous mouth tightened and hurt pierced his eyes. ‘I’m hardly a stranger, Ruby.’
    She thought about last night. With the morning’s troubles on her shoulders, the night seemed eons ago, part of a fantasy that didn’t belong in real life; certainly not life on the strip. Jake had been wonderful, kind and so, so sexy, yet the fact remained, they barely knew each other. She wouldn’t borrow money. Owing money to a man changed a relationship, took away a woman’s power. Life back home had taught her that when the drunks her father had fallen into debt to, had come to her home expecting to collect. ‘Jake, you’re not listening to me. I won’t borrow from any man.’
    She saw his features harden and his jaw set in a firm, grim line. ‘Why?’
    â€˜Because taking money off an acquaintance is wrong.’ A man thought he owned a woman when she was beholden to him. The reoccurring sinking, swirling feeling overtook