by Anna Brooks
She follows me around the gym and I wipe down a couple of machines and shut off all the lights.
“So do you like owning this place?” Her dainty arms flex when she grabs a free weight somebody didn’t put away.
“I do.”
“Impressive. A business owner at such a young age.”
I grab my bag from my office and shut that door behind me. “I suppose when you know what you want to do with the rest of your life, it doesn’t matter what age you are when you make your dreams come true.”
“Hmm.” She follows me down the hallway and waits for me to type in the security code. When it starts beeping, I open the front door for her and lock it from the outside.
“I can just meet you at the restaurant.” She begins digging through her purse, but I grab her forearm.
“I’ll drive. Do you want to drop your car off at home or get it after?”
“Well, I’m actually really hungry now, so let’s go eat and we’ll get it after.”
“Perfect.”
I toss my bag over one shoulder and open her car door for her, then throw the duffel in the trunk.
Chapter 17
Ruby
WHEN I WOKE UP this morning, I had a little extra pep in my step. Dinner, or breakfast, with Pierce last night was wonderful. We laughed about nothing until I cried and he was super polite, not pushing for anything else other than some company for dinner. I didn’t dwell on the fact that I practically jumped him at the gym, and he didn’t bring it up again.
I slept better than I have in months, years really, and I have Pierce to thank for that. Earlier today, I sat with my mom while I ate some toast, and Lucy joined us. We watched a talk show before I had to take off for work.
I’ve just walked in; Leroy is signing a clipboard from a deliveryman, and I wave at both of them when I pass them.
“Mornin’, Ruby,” Leroy says with a smile, but I notice he still looks a little pale.
“Hey, Leroy.”
I put my purse on the shelf below the counter and sit on the stool, twisting back and forth on the swivel seat. My jaw hurts from smiling just thinking about how happy Pierce makes me.
“Ruby, right?”
My attention is brought back to the present, and I catch Leroy out of the corner of my eye making his way to the back storage area with a couple of boxes, and the delivery guy is leaning on the counter in front of me.
“Yeah, hi.”
He smiles, and I get a glimpse of a chunk of chewing tobacco between his bottom lip. Gross.
“Hi.”
“Hi.”
“So you like working here?”
“Yeah, it’s great.”
“Yeah … So how late do you work tonight? Maybe we can grab dinner after.”
“Oh, umm. I, uh. I’m here till ten, so I’m usually pretty tired by then and just go home and go to sleep … besides, I have a boyfriend.” I throw that last bit in there just to deter him, but I have a feeling Pierce would be okay with me calling him that anyway.
A puff of air expels through his nose. “Of course, you do.”
Just then, Leroy walks back out, and the delivery guy, whose shirt says Evan, straightens and nods at me. “Well, have a good day then.” He walks out without a backward glance, and I breathe a sigh of relief.
Since there aren’t any customers, I straighten things on the shelf and make small talk with Leroy. “You feeling better? You still look a little sick.”
“Ehh.” He waves me off. “I’m okay. Just a little cold that I can’t seem to kick.”
“Did you take some medicine?”
“What are you, my wife?” He walks past and pats me on the shoulder. “Yes, I took some before I came in.”
“If you’re not feeling better, I can handle it on my own.”
“No way. I shouldn’t have left you alone before.”
A customer walks in and I go back behind the counter to check them out. The rest of the morning goes quickly, and I jump when my phone vibrates with a text message.
Pierce: Hi
Me: Hey :)
Pierce: Can you get away for lunch in about an hour?
Me: That’s perfect actually.
Me: I only have thirty minutes.
Pierce: I’ll take it. I’ll come get you
Me: Okay.
Pierce: C u soon
The next sixty minutes can’t go by fast enough, and when the chimes jingle on the door, I hold my breath at how hot Pierce is. Who knew a plain white t-shirt could be so sexy? His black basketball shorts are a stark contrast to the neon green tennis shoes he’s wearing. His hair is still a little wet, making it appear darker than it is, and his normally clean-shaven face has a little scruff on it.
“Hey.” He stops in front of the counter and I can’t form words. My entire body warms with desire. I’m used to using sex as a coping tool, but I don’t want to do that with him. I want it to be about emotion and love, even though my skin itches to feel him inside me … I think that’s my body’s way of telling my brain I am in love with him and to get with the program.
Like there’s a magnet in it, my head falls so I’m looking at my feet.
“Hey,” he whispers. “Look at me, angel.”
I bite my lip and look up, but glance around, avoiding eye contact with him, afraid that he’s going to see more than what I want him to.
“Ruby. What’s up?”
Deciding I need to put on my big girl pants, I shake my head, walk out from behind the counter, and shout for Leroy. “I’m going to lunch now.”
He emerges from the back room and coughs. “Okay. Have fun. Hey, Pierce.”
“You okay, Leroy?” Pierce inquires.
“Fine. Take care of my girl.”
“Always.” Pierce grabs my hand. We walk to the gym in silence, and I smile at the girl behind the desk as we walk by.
When we reach his office, he shuts the door behind us, presses me against the door, and gently holds my chin so I have no choice but to look at him. “You okay?”
The concern in both his voice and his eyes is heartwarming and I nod. “Yeah.”
“Liar.”
“I’m fine, really.”
“Ruby, what’s wrong?”
“Nothing, I just… I dunno.” I shrug. “I feel like a fish out of the water with you. I’m not used to having someone care about me and want more than … just …”
“It’s only me. I’d never want you to feel pressured.”
“You don’t. I want this,” I try to motion between us, but there’s no room.
“Good. I do, too.” He kisses me hard and fast then pulls back, searching my eyes for the confirmation I just verbalized. He must see it because he relaxes and nods over to his desk. “Hungry?”
“Yes.”
“I hope you like things other than bacon.”
“Yes, I love meat.”
As soon as the words leave my mouth, he laughs and I look away … can’t believe I walked into that one.
“Here.” He grabs my hand and pulls me closer, hiding his laughter. “I just ordered some subs.”
He pulls the chairs in front of his desk out so they’re facing each other and motions for me to sit. When I do, he opens a bag, takes out one for me, and grabs his own. My mouth waters when I see the bacon sticking out of it.
“What is this? It looks great.”
“Just a ham and cheese sub with bacon.”
“Yummy.” I take a bite and shake my head when he starts eating his. “What did you get?”
“Turkey and avocado in a lettuce wrap.”
I’ve never really been conscious of my body before, but he makes me unintentionally feel like I’m the unhealthiest person ever. “God, stop.”
“Stop what?”
“Making me feel like a fatty. You should have gotten me the same thing.”
He tilts his head. “Do you like turkey and avocado?”
“Well, no … but—”
“You like bacon, right?”
“Well, yeah … but—”
“So what’s the problem?”
I realize I’m losing this argument, so I concede. “Whatever. Next time we go out, I’m getting a salad with the dressing on the side. And water.”
* * *
“Leroy, go home. I’m fine.”
He coughs again, and I roll my eyes.
“That’s it. Out!” I grab his coat and toss it at him then give him a shove toward the exit. “There are only two hours until closing, and I do not want to get sick.” Plus, if I get sick, I can’t be around my mom; I worry about her catching anything.
“Tell ya what.” He pauses with his hand on the door. “Let’s close early. Then we can leave together.”
“Not my store, but if the boss says so!”
I run back to the register and make the deposit while he switches the open sign and shuts off the lights. As we’re walking to our cars, I decide to go see Pierce at the gym. He’s always the one who is coming to me, and if I want to have a relationship with him, I should do the same for him, right? After saying good-bye to Leroy, I call Lucy to make sure everything is okay and then walk across the dark parking lot to the gym.
When I open the door and step inside, there isn’t anybody at the desk, but I follow around the corner to where the noise is coming from. A wall of women block my view, but I walk to the end and smile at the sight in front of me. Pierce, decked out in some kind of padding, is surrounded by a bunch of little Girl Scouts, teaching them self-defense.
I lean on the wall admiring him and admiring how good he is at showing them what to do, encouraging them when they’re frustrated, and making them laugh. He’d be a really good dad one day. Maybe I shouldn’t be thinking this already, but I can’t help it. I’ve always wanted a family. I want to be able to give my kids what I didn’t have. I want to show them love and have a home filled with laughter.
“God, my ovaries hurt.”
I glance out of the corner of my eye to the lady next to me. I’m assuming she’s one of the moms. Her hair is in a high ponytail and her lips painted a bright red. The woman next to her, dressed in a short skirt and high heels, nods her head in agreement. “Right? And my friend Stacy said he’s into some really kinky shit.”
“Oh, do tell.”
“She told me about this one time he tied her up and …”
Her voice trails off as my heartbeat begins to echo in my head and memories invade my vision. My body shakes and wetness begins to form in my eyes. A thunderous round of applause sounds as I blink back the tears, and when I focus again, Pierce’s concerned eyes lock with mine. He drops all of his equipment and starts walking toward me.
“Hey, angel.” He cups the right side of my face and pulls me toward him to kiss me. Nothing inappropriate or anything, but not a friendly peck either. His lips slide against my cheek and settle against the shell of my ear. “You okay?”
I nod and I can feel him smile. “Yeah.” I might be fibbing a little bit, but the slightest touch from him sparks something in me that temporarily eases my vulnerability.
“Good.” When he steps away, he grabs my hand and tugs me toward where he dropped all of his equipment. “What are you doing here?” I suck in a breath, afraid he doesn’t want me here, but he quickly shakes his head. “I’m glad you are. But I thought you worked till ten.”
“Leroy wasn’t feeling well, so he closed early. He felt horrible leaving me alone once already, and since there were only a couple hours left, he just wanted to close. So …”
“I’m glad you came over. This was a last-minute arrangement and I’m just finishing up.”
“What were you teaching them?”
“Self-defense.”
“Cool.”
He grabs a couple of big pads and gives me a quick peck. “Be right back.”
“’Kay,” I mumble.
Can I really do this … can I really be with him? He’s obviously much more experienced than I am. His confidence kind of bleeds off him and I soak it up. When he’s right in front of me, when he touches me, even with just his eyes, he makes me feel like the woman I want to be. He gives me the confidence to believe in myself. To believe this can really work. It’s my own self-doubt that messes things up for me.
I walk around the room to go sit on a bench. The kids are happily shoving their faces with cupcakes and the moms are all … staring at me. I look behind me to see if there’s something on the wall, but nope, their dirty looks are directed at me.
The one with the bright red lips walks toward me. “Hi. Who are you?”
Her snide tone makes me cock my head. I’ve dealt with far worse and definitely more vile creatures than some pissed-off, jealous tramp, and I will not let her intimidate me.
“Ruby,” I answer, and wait for a reaction.
“How do you know Pierce?”
“None of your business.”
“Oh, I see.” She laughs. “You think you have a chance with him.”
Instead of dignifying her with a response, I stand from the bench and wave her off as I go to the middle of the gym and start picking up some smaller pads to keep myself busy. She huffs and storms away, crossing her arms and pouting like a child.
I have no clue where any of this stuff goes, but I set it on a shelf hoping it’s the right place. He’s still not back, so I wander around the corner and find a small waiting area, I think. There are a couch and a couple of chairs with a square table in the middle and a bunch of magazines and books about marital arts on it. The wall houses several framed pictures and articles, so I toe my way closer to see better.
An old newspaper clipping with Pierce and Joe, the old owner, hangs framed in the center. They’re shaking hands and Pierce has a huge smile on his face. Another article highlights Pierce and a group of tween girls getting self-defense lessons. Awards dating back over ten years, and certificates as new as last month. I run my finger down the picture of him flying through the air, breaking four … no, five boards.
“What are you doing over here?” He stands directly behind me and kisses my neck.
“You have a lot of awards and stuff.” I motion to the wall. “It’s really impressive.”
“I’m passionate about it, and I’ve been doing it for a long time.” He turns me in his arms and kisses the top of my head. “Everyone’s gone. Are you ready to leave?”
“Can you show me something first?”
“Yeah, sure. What do you want to see?” He raises an eyebrow, and I slap his shoulder.
I grab his hand and lead him over to the gym with the equipment. Once we reach the back wall, I take off my long-sleeve top so I’m left in my tank and a bra. “I’ve always wanted to try one of these.” I point to the red ball thingie.
“The speed bag?”
“Yeah.” I bounce on my toes and make fists, pretending to know what I’m doing.
“Oh, angel, you’ll break your thumb if you hit like that.” He grabs my wrist and adjusts my fingers so my thumb is wrapped around my fingers instead of sticking out like I had it. “Go ahead, hit it.” He nods toward the speed bag, and I punch it. When it bounces back almost immediately, I shriek a little and step back. He’s trying not to laugh, and I put my hands on my hips and glare at him.
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry. You’re too cute. Here.” He positions himself in front of the bag. “Let me show you.”
He uses his right hand and begins hitting it flawlessly. “I have a count going in my head, so every time I count to three, I hit it again. One, two, three.” He hits it and counts faster. “One, two, three.” Without a warning, he adds his left hand. “See how I’m kind of pulling my hands down, making circles?” He speeds up even faster and the back of his neck begins to perspire a bit. “It’s all about getting into a rhythm. Oh and don’t step back from the bag, you’ll lose your timing.”
He stops and the bag slaps around a few times before it stills.
“Okay, let me try.” I step up to the bag and try to hit it like he did, but can�
��t even get more than three punches in before I mess up. “God, how did you make it look so easy?”
“I have a lot of practice, Ruby. It takes time. There are a lot of other guys who can do it a lot better than I can. Boxing isn’t my forte. I just like to hit it every once in a while to stay fresh.”
He moves to stand next to me and grabs my hands to put them into the correct position. “Try it again. Just count. One, two, three. Hit. One, two, three, hit.”
I follow his direction, and after a few unsuccessful attempts, I throw my hands in the air. “Ugh. Whatever. I just wanted to try. I quit. I suck.”
“Nope. Not allowed in my gym.” He points to the huge painted mural with the words, No Quitting. “Let’s try again.”
I begin to protest, but he steps behind me, his warm breath right next to my ear. “I’ll help you. Make a fist.” He wraps his hands around mine and lifts them up to the bag. “One, two, three. Hit.” His strong arms lead the way, and before I have time to think about it, he’s continuing with the other hand. “One, two, three, hit.” We get going in a rhythm, and when my arms feel like they’re going to fall off, I drop them and turn around to hug him.
“Oh my God, I can’t feel my arms. That was so cool.” I pull back a bit and grab the sides of his face to press my lips to his. What was intended as an innocent gesture quickly turns heated when he leans down and grabs me by my butt and takes two long strides to press me against the wall.
Chapter 18
Pierce
MY HANDS CONNECT WITH the concrete wall before Ruby’s body does, and she wraps her legs around my waist. “Fuck Ruby, you’re killing me.” I grind my hardness into her softness, and she whimpers into my mouth.
Her nails bite into my scalp, and the pain makes my fucking tongue vibrate with need. My fingertips dig into her ass, and I take a half step away from the wall so she can move with me. She circles her hips and pants into my mouth.
“Tell me to stop.” I pull my mouth back and look into her heated eyes. “Tell me to stop, Ruby.”
She shakes her head and bites her lip. “I don’t want you to.”
“What do you want me to do?”
“Whatever you want.”