Peer Review_A Ruby Romp Novella

by Ruby Rowe

  “Who’s that?”

  He gives a short laugh. “Me.”

  “Oh. I assumed you and Candice were serious.”

  “Like I told you, we’re only having some fun. It doesn’t mean we can’t, too.”

  “Yeah, it does mean that. Candice and I aren’t super close, but I do consider her a friend, and I believe she likes you. I wouldn’t do that to her.”

  He holds his hands up. “All right. Sorry. She sees other people, too, so I didn’t think it was a big deal.”

  “I guess sleeping around isn’t for a lot of people, but it is to me.” Feeling like a prudish teenager, I look at the floor. “I hope we can still be friends.”

  “Of course. Uh, I better get back to work.”

  Dan strides away, likely wanting to be anywhere but here, and I’m grateful. I pull my phone from my jeans pocket to send Jason a text.

  Me: Thank you for the flowers. They’re pretty, and I love the Halloween theme. It’s one of my favorite holidays since I can get away with pretending to be someone I’m not. Ha ha.

  Jason: That sounds intriguing, and you’re welcome.

  Me: Oh, and you were wrong about Dan. He is interested in me, but I turned him down like the good girl I am.

  Jason: You can be a bad girl with me. I won’t tell a soul.

  Me: Maybe I’ll be one for Halloween.

  Jason: You’re tormenting me. That’s what this is, right?

  Me: No, the ginger ale, Tums and flowers won me over. Oh, and that kiss might have played a tiny part in it, too.

  Jason: Only a tiny part? Then I need to step it up.

  Me: No, that’s not what I was saying.

  Jason: Too late.

  Grinning, I put my phone away and find two girls in line, waiting for assistance. Shit, and here I thought Dan was a distraction. He doesn’t hold a candle to Jason.

  CHAPTER ELEVEN

  Jason

  “Thank you for dinner. You’re a good cook,” I say to Laurel at the kitchen table.

  “I’d be a better one if I could stock the pantry.”

  “I’m getting the impression you entirely support yourself.”

  She shrugs. “My schooling was paid for with my parents’ help, along with scholarships, and my car was given to me by my parents, but otherwise, yes.

  “I’m not speaking to them right now, so I’m responsible for my own housing, phone and insurance. Oh, food and gas, too.” She giggles. “Not much is left in the budget for those, so I eat cheap and go very few places.”

  “I’m sorry you don’t have your parents. My mom and dad are great, and I guess I take them for granted at times. Honestly, I’ve treated my mom and sister like crap since high school, but I’m doing better.”

  “Why did you do that?”

  “Uh, it’s a personal story I’m not ready to talk about.” I stare at my plate while I mess with the cloth placemat beneath it.

  “I can respect that. I haven’t told anyone other than Chloe about what happened with my family.”

  “Maybe one day we can share our secrets with each other. For now, let’s begin with the easy stuff. What’s your major?”

  “English and Creative Writing. What’s yours?”

  “Biology. Then, on to med school. Hey, would you mind helping me study for the MCAT exam?”

  Her mouth goes slack, and she shakes her head fast, giving me an adamant no.

  “I can’t. I don’t want to talk about why, but I can’t.”

  “OK. I see med school really is a sore subject.”

  “I was pre-med, but unforeseen reasons required I change majors, so it’s difficult for me to even think about.”

  Reaching across the table, I squeeze her hand.

  “I’m sorry. I’ll try not to discuss med school again.”

  She drags her bottom lip through her teeth and scrunches her forehead.

  “No. That’s not fair of me if we’re going to do this hanging out thing. I’ll help you study.”

  “Maybe another day. I prefer to see you smiling. After we do our homework, would you watch another documentary with me?”

  “Sounds perfect.”

  Laurel and I start cleaning up the kitchen. She insists on doing the dishes, so I find excuses to graze her backside with the front of my body.

  Each time I pass her and look back, I catch glimpses of her smiling, her head lowered with embarrassment. I’ve got to get this girl to loosen up.

  She has a naughty side. I’m certain of it. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have kissed me like she was in heat the other day. I’m going to bring it out of her, and I don’t feel a bit bad about it since I never plan to let her go.

  ***

  “Homework sucks. Do you like your peer review partner in Advanced Poetry?” Laurel asks as we sit next to each other on the sofa.

  “Uh, overall mine’s cool. A little critical. Do you like yours?”

  “He was a real ass at first, but he’s redeeming himself.”

  I struggle not to laugh. Maybe it would be OK to tell her I’m her partner, but what if I’m wrong? Time to change the subject.

  “Should I be worried you’ll want to date Dan the Douche?”

  Turning her head to face me, she gives me a sweet smile with her full wine-tinted lips. I think it’s her auburn hair that enhances their appearance.

  “No. He likes to hang out with more than one girl at a time, if you know what I mean.”

  “I’m glad Dan’s being a douche. I’d hate to have competition since I’m already fighting an uphill battle here.”

  I lean in to kiss her, but she stops me by pushing on my chest.

  “Wait–this is progressing faster than we agreed upon. The kiss right after we talked … the flowers … they all sped this up, and I still can’t help but worry that once you’ve had the entire pint of me, you’ll want a different flavor. Maybe three scoops of different flavors.”

  I grin. “I’m impressed by your descriptive, clever metaphor, and I can’t blame you for being reluctant, but I’m certain I won’t want any other flavors.”

  Biting her lip, she whispers, “Don’t hurt me. I couldn’t take another man letting me down. Not right now.”

  I reach behind her and pull out the holder in her hair. As she trembles, I finger her soft waves and stare into her glowing green eyes.

  “I’m ready for this, Laurel, and it’s only because it’s with you. I don’t want to spend time with any other woman. I won’t.”

  She smiles, and her eyes become more vivid from the tears that coat them.

  “OK. Then kiss me.”

  And dammit will I ever. I devour her lips while I shift her body sideways so that her back’s against the arm of the couch.

  She lets me open her legs so I can move between them. I skirt my hand up her thigh, and as I grip her waist, the tender spot is like a button to release her whimpers.

  Fuck, Laurel’s body… I need my hands and mouth all over it. It’s not pencil-thin or toned too much. It’s soft and curvy. Her body is sensational.

  Tilting her head back, she lets my mouth go, and the move gives me access to her smooth neck. I kiss down her throat, and she swallows, the guttural sound vibrating against my lips.

  “No one has ever kissed me the way you do.”

  “Good. I want you to remember there’s always more where that came from and only from me.” I pull the top of her t-shirt down into a V before kissing the swell of her breasts.

  Just imagining how wet she must be and how close my hand is to feeling it, causes my chest to rumble. I slip my fingers under her shirt and grope her bare breast.

  I fucking love that she never wears a bra while at home. Each time I check out her tits, I’m stealthy about it for fear she’ll start wearing one.

  As I pinch her stiff nipple, she thrusts her pelvis upward. Damn, I love how she responds to me. I do it again and again while growling under my breath.

  I’ve always provided pleasure to my sexual partners, but ultimately, it was f
or my enjoyment. Not with Laurel. I want to make her feel so fucking good.

  “Baby, let me touch you everywhere,” I whisper as I palm and knead her tits.

  “Promise me you won’t drop me like a hot potato if I say yes.”

  “I promise.”

  “OK. Touch me everywhere.”

  Growling, I move down her body and lift her shirt, desperate to have her tits in my mouth. There’s a hard knock on the door, and Laurel jumps.

  “Whoever that is, I’m going to murder them,” I snarl.

  She giggles and yanks down her shirt. Getting up, I adjust my throbbing cock as I walk to the door.

  “Colton, bad fucking timing.”

  “Summer’s pissed at me. Can I come in?”

  Exhaling a long breath, I step back for him to enter.

  “Sure.”

  Spotting Laurel, he says, “Hi.” She’s red-faced, her waves a just-fucked mess, if only, and it’s more than obvious we were in the middle of something fantastic.

  She jumps to her feet and walks over to him, sticking her hand out to shake.

  “Hi, I’m Laurel.”

  “Colton.” He glances to me and grins. “Sorry to interrupt.”

  “Shut up, asshole.”

  “I’ll leave you two alone,” Laurel says before she bolts from the room.

  I look at Colton. “I’ll be right back.” I follow Laurel, and when she reaches her bedroom door, she turns around, having sensed I’m on her heels.

  “Go talk to your friend. I feel like this was a sign, anyway.”

  “What the hell does that mean?”

  “It means we’re moving too fast. It’s not what I initially wanted, but you’re a master of persuasion.”

  I drag a hand over my face. “I told you there won’t be anyone else.”

  “I want to believe you, but for over three years, I’ve watched how you operate. I don’t understand how knowing me a couple of weeks could change that behavior.”

  “For me, it’s been more than a couple of weeks, but I’m beginning to think you wouldn’t forgive me even if you knew the whole damn truth.”

  I turn around and walk away. I guess I’m being a dick, but I’m sexually frustrated, and I don’t know how to open up to her, something I’ve never done with a chick. How do I tell her I’ve had it bad for her for years?

  Marching back to the living room, I flinch when I hear Laurel’s door slam. Fucking wonderful. Once Colton’s in sight, I glare at him.

  “Shit … sorry, man,” he says.

  “What’s Summer pissed about?”

  “Next weekend, when we go back to Savannah for your birthday, she wants us to tell your parents we’re dating.

  “She also wants me to sleep in her room while we’re there. That’s not fucking happening, and I don’t even know if it’s wise to tell them we’re dating yet.”

  “That’s what this is about? It could’ve waited.”

  “No, it couldn’t. I can’t stand when she’s upset. She thinks I’m backpedaling on our relationship, and that’s not what this is about.

  “Your parents have always looked at me like another son. You know I’m worried they’ll never see me the same or trust me again.”

  I shake my head. “We’ve had this conversation. It will shock them at first, like it did me, but then they’ll be happy she’s with you since they know you’re a guy we can all trust.”

  “OK, but I’m not sleeping in her room. I should visit with my folks as much as possible, anyway.”

  “I agree, and I’ll talk to her about it. I think it’s a fair compromise.”

  “Cool. Can you do it soon?”

  “Yes, I’ll call her when you leave.” I glance back toward the kitchen. “It seems I won’t be doing anything else tonight.”

  “What’s the problem with Laurel?”

  “She doesn’t trust me.”

  “Can you blame her?”

  “No, and that’s why I’m pissed. I’m not a patient person. I don’t want to wait the time it will take for her to believe I’m a man of my word. She doesn’t know it, but I’ve wanted her for years.”

  He lifts his eyebrows. “Years? I’m kinda hurt I’m only now hearing about this.”

  “Sorry, but it’s humiliating. I’ve not felt worthy of her time, so I’ve been waiting for the right opportunity.”

  I look away from him. “Our talk about Kayla this summer helped, along with seeing you have a relationship with my sister. I’m ready to have the same with Laurel.”

  “I’m sure it will work out, but you can’t force it, or you’ll scare her off.”

  “I’m seeing that. Look, I need to apologize to her. I’ll call Summer afterward.”

  “Thanks, bro.”

  “Anytime.”

  Laurel

  I stare at the ceiling as I lie on my bed. I think I screwed up with Jason, pushing him away. Is this my issue or his? Is he moving too fast, or am I not letting my guard down because of what my father did?

  Dad caused my trust issues. He hurt me in a profound way, and I couldn’t survive another dose of pain and betrayal.

  I doubt anyone could top my father’s deplorable actions, but I also would’ve bet my life on his innocence. I would’ve lost that bet, so I don’t want to be naïve again.

  There’s a faint tap on my door, so I sit up.

  “Come in.”

  Jason opens it, but he doesn’t walk inside. His frustration has drawn a crease across his forehead, and his sadness is evident from his droopy mouth.

  “I’m going to give you space the rest of the week, but I do hope you’ll still go to the party with me on Saturday.”

  “I want to go.”

  “Listen, I know I’ve given you no reason to trust me other than saying that you can, and you don’t know me well enough to take that at face value.

  “I’ll back off, but I want to reiterate that I only want you, and I’ll wait as long as it takes for you to believe it. But with that said, you need to remember that you’re not the only one who could get hurt. I’m taking a leap of faith myself that I might be a man you’ll want.”

  His gaze lingers... “Goodnight, Laurel.” He shuts my door, and I fall back on my bed. The tears come fast and heavily, and I know what I must do if I want to give Jason and myself an honest chance. I have to pay my father a visit.

  CHAPTER TWELVE

  Laurel

  The metal door slams shut, and I flinch as my father walks over to sit in front of me. He gives me a hesitant smile before he picks up the phone next to him.

  I remain stoic, staring somberly through the glass into his green eyes that are reflections of my own. I still can’t believe he’s in jail, and I’m even more shocked I’m here to see him.

  The once admired man, in his late forties, appears older and thinner. He traded in his white lab coat for an orange jumpsuit. He also exchanged his prestigious physician’s title for an assigned prisoner number.

  He’s a criminal, and it’s still hard to fathom.

  Pointing to the phone, he nods for me to pick it up. With a trembling hand, I do it and hold the receiver to my ear.

  “Sweetheart, I’m so glad you came to see me.”

  “Don’t call me sweetheart ever again. You lost that privilege when you plead guilty to violating those innocent women in your exam rooms.”

  He exhales, his smile leaving the premises. That’s the only part of his body leaving this scary place.

  “At least you came to see me. That’s a start, and I’m grateful. It’s lonely in my cell.”

  “Good. That’s exactly what you deserve.”

  “I see you’re just as angry as you were in the beginning, so what made you decide to come see me?”

  “I need to know why. Why did you do it?” I hold my hand up. “No, don’t answer that. I can’t unhear what you say.”

  “I did it because I had an illness.”

  I laugh sardonically. “Had an illness? You’re still ill. At least, that’s wh
at I tell myself. I have to believe a faulty brain caused your behavior. Not that you’re evil and deviant.”

  “I’m still the caring father you once knew.”

  I lean in closer to the glass. “No. You were never caring. A caring man wouldn’t have jeopardized his relationship with his wife and daughter. He wouldn’t have risked humiliating them and destroying their lives.

  “Do you know Mom lost all but one of her friends? She’s probably standing by your side because she has no one else in her life. She’ll forever be pitied or shunned, and I’ll never understand how she found it in her heart to forgive you.”

  “It’s called love, sweethe—Laurel. One day, you’ll understand. Your mother and I took a vow: for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”

  “Yes, and she’s been dealt the worst, poorest and sickest husband. Bravo for living up to your vows. I’m determined not to end up with a man like you.

  “I only came here today to find out if there was something Mom or I did to make you throw away your life and ruin ours.”

  Flattening his palm against the glass, my father says, “Laurel, you’re an angel in my eyes. Losing you has been the hardest part of this. Living in prison will be far easier than living with the guilt of hurting you.”

  “You did hurt me, and I’ll never respect you again. Not ever.” I sit back in my seat, causing the phone cord to tighten. I need to get away from him.

  “It was foolish of me to come here. What you did to your patients was because of your sick urges and lack of respect for humankind. It had nothing to do with me.”

  “You can admit you came here to unleash your anger on me, and I deserve it.”

  “Fine, I’ll admit it. You hurt and betrayed me. You’re the reason I’m leery of trusting others. I want to trust a man right now, but I’m worried he’ll devastate me like you did.”

  “I beg you to take one piece of advice from your father. Don’t let what I did ruin your future. Don’t let it hold you back or prevent you from loving someone.”

  “You’re right. I shouldn’t. This was your horrible mistake, not mine. I don’t know if you’ll ever hear from me again, so this is goodbye.”