RUBY
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Laying in my tiny bed, I stare at the bottom of Jisoo's empty bunk, wondering how long it takes a university to get wind of failures. How long until someone comes knocking on my door with an eviction notice. Not that I care about getting kicked out of this room. It's been nothing but a lonely place since we got here. A place I've sat, waiting for my best friend to come around and talk to me.
Playing house with Lisa had been a breath of fresh air. The two weeks I cozied up with her at her loft were like heaven. The way she tended to me. Fed me. Sated me. It allowed me to forget about all the sorority stress and my crumbling friendship with Jisoo.
The only thing that sucked was anytime I left the comforts of her loft to attend class, my anxiety returned until I made it back to the safety of her place, unscathed. Rosé had been leaving me alone, and it appeared Jisoo had moved into the sorority house since our dorm looked untouched every time I came back to shower or collect my books.
But now, being in here, alone, the weight of everything seems to almost bury me.
I curl into myself and let the tears come.
I'm so angry at how I let myself get taken advantage of. This is not me. Rosé is right to call me those names. That's who I've become. A call girl, running around with a woman who is using me. Why did I even think, for one second, I would be anything more than just a deal? That she would fall for someone like me? I'm plain and ugly and apparently a stupid, naïve idiot! I punch the bunk and grunt, holding my wounded hand. Flipping onto my stomach, I bury my face into my pillow. She even stopped bothering to dress me up. That's how pathetic she probably thinks I am—too dull to even attempt to shine. And here I was trying to show Rosé I was her shiny prize.
"I'm nothing but a fake. A loser," I cry, feeling so disappointed in myself. I cry at how upset my parents are going to be once they find out about my grade. Ms. Phillips has probably already contacted the student records department letting them know I suck and to cut off all funding.
What hurts the most is my heart. That stupid thing in my chest that got a taste of something wonderful. Maybe the truth was there the whole time, I just refused to believe it. I wanted what we had to be real so bad, maybe I can only blame myself for living in such a fantasy. I mean, who starts a relationship by signing a contract?
A knock sounds at my door.
"Not interested!" I yell.
"Not selling. Some guy dropped off a note for you."
I pop up, accidentally banging my head on the top bunk. "Ouch!" I climb out and throw open my door. Itzy from down the hall holds out a folded piece of paper.
"Thanks," I tell her, then shut the door.
I stand there staring at the small folded piece of paper.
I shouldn't open this.
Yes, you should.
I won't obey anything coming from her.
Maybe one last time?
I hate that my mind is even at battle with this. She's playing me, and I'm still exploding with anticipation on what her letter will say. What she'll request of me next.
With a deep breath, I unfold the piece of paper, going against my better judgment. I read the message requesting my presence, and my heart gets those flutters that always happens when she beckons me. Even after what I learned today, I still want to please her. Be with her. A single tear falls down my cheek in shame. No matter the cost, I'll still meet her anywhere.
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It's almost five after ten when I walk in. I decided if I'm doing this, I'm doing it at my own pace. And hopefully being five minutes late shows her she's not the boss of me. My stomach is in knots, and I'm not sure how to proceed once I see her. Slap her for deceiving me and making me fall for her? The thought to pretend I don't know her game crossed my mind more times than I'd like to admit.
My palms are sweaty. I'm nervous. Will she be able to tell the difference in me? See the pain in my eyes? Since the first day, she's always been good at reading me. I take in a breath and follow the instructions on the note, praying Ms. Phillips was lying to me and Lisa's going to prove to me what we have is real. Finding the door, I twist the nob and enter Private Room H at Exquisite.
The second the view before me registers, my hands cover my mouth and a wave of dizziness strikes, threatening to take me to the floor.
"Get out. This room is…" A look of shock covers Lisa's face. "Ruby?"
My stomach churns as bile rises into my throat. I'm going to throw up. "Oh God." I cover my mouth harder as if that's going to stop the vomit from expelling. Lisa is standing by the door, and in the corner, there's a woman on the bed.
Lisa whips her head from me to the stranger and back. "What the fuck?" I can't pull my eyes away from the woman in see-through pink lingerie. Her identity is hidden behind a burlesque mask and a wig.
But there's no need for the disguise.
I know exactly who's behind it.
Rosé.
"This some kind of joke?" Lisa barks, grabbing my attention as I pull my defeated eyes away from a smiling Rosé.
"I guess on me. Not into threesomes, so I'll pass. But go fuck yourself." I turn to escape out of the room, but her arm reaches out and wraps around my bicep. "Let me go, you asshole!" I yell, jerking against her grip.
"What the fuck is going on?" Lisa storms over to Rosé and rips the mask off her head, exposing her identity. She doesn't look scared or nervous that she's been caught. Her evil smile aimed right at me tells me one thing.
She won.
"Surprise," is all she says. It's all she needs to say.
Lisa turns back to me, rage flashing in her eyes. "Why would you send her here?"
"Me?" I gasp in shock. How could she think this was my doing? My shock morphs into disappointment, then quickly anger. My posture stiffens, and my defensive walls go up. "Yeah. Not my doing. After everything, I'm so glad you know me so well." But she doesn't seem to know me at all.
"Oh, come on," Lisa hisses. "You think I would touch her? I just walked in myself. The question is where were you and why did you send me here?" She looks angry, scary almost, but the giggling behind us just ignites my own hurt and anger.
"You make me sick," I cry. I run out of the room and race down the long, low-lit hallway. Lisa is close behind, shouting my name, demanding I stop. I get to the elevator and slam the up button to take me to the main floor when she catches me.
"What the fuck was that back there?" she growls.
I ignore her, counting to a billion in my head so I don't lose my shit.
"Look at me, dammit. What the fuck was—"
I whip around, jabbing my finger into her heaving chest. "It was you being played! That's what it was." I want to turn away from her, but she doesn't allow it. She clutches my shoulders, forcing me to keep eye contact with her.
"I got your note. You sent me to that room."
"Did I?" She doesn't immediately reply so I continue. "So, since we're just assuming now, I should go ahead and assume the message I got to show up here was from you, wanting me to catch you and her together?" My entire body is trembling. Just saying the words has me on the verge of sickness again.
Lisa stands there just as distraught as she studies my face. It takes a few seconds until it finally registers. We were set up. "Ruby."
"Oh, don't. Save your breath trying to bullshit me. I know you don't care about me."
"Of course I fucking care! I would never have touched—"
"But you did, though, right? How long have you two been in there? Or did I show up just in time for the big show? She's probably not even the only one, is she? God, I'm so dumb!" I shake my head, laughing a cynical laugh. "Well played, pal. Well played. I'm done with your fucking game—"
"Ruby, for Christ's sake, I told you I walked in just before you did. And stop saying you're some game to me. You're more than—"
"Stop! Stop lying to me. Ms. Phillips already blew your cover. The lies about selling the club. God! I've been so stupid with you."
She moves into me, clenching her fingers around my biceps. The touch of her warm hands burns into my skin. I fight her, needing space. Having her this close confuses me. Clouds my judgment. Her eyes are on fire, and I want to wrap my arms around her and beg her to tell me what I saw wasn't real. Her grip only tightens, and I groan as she corners me back against the wall.
"I don't know what you're going on about. I never lied to you about the sale of the club. What did Jihyo say to your prof?"
"So, you and your ex whore are on a first name basis? How cute. Did she have a contract too?"
She pulls me off the wall, hugging me too tightly to her chest. "Stop."
"No. Fuck you." I raise my hands to her chest and shove her with all my might, but her grip only squeezes harder.
"Watch your tone with me, Ruby. I am not a woman you want to provoke."
"Oh, so scary. The big bad son of Satan and her big bad sex club. I'm not scared of you. Or your threats."
It's like my words flip a switch. I'm off her chest and being pushed forward until my back is against the closed elevator door. She towers over me, her face mere centimeters from mine. "You fucking should be scared of me," she growls in a low voice, sending a wave of shivers down my spine. No longer do I see a woman, fighting for me to believe her. She's been pushed too far. I quickly regret being so mean. I want to understand. Want her to fight for my forgiveness. But her eyes cast a shade of darkness, showing me, I've lost. The only thing I can do now is free myself from her hateful scrutiny. I shove her again and again and again, but she's like a steel wall.
Her voice becomes eerily calm. "Remember, pet. You're the one who walked into my club. I make you sick, do I? How sick? Do I repulse you? Just how much? Not enough to sign a deal with the devil. Tell me, Ruby, who's the sick one here? I know exactly who I am. But do you? What does selling yourself to me for practically nothing make you?"
Her words are painful slivers cutting deep into my skin. How dare she cheapen what we have like that. Is that how she really sees me?
"Go to hell. I hate you!" I yell, causing my throat to burn. I shove her hard, the wave of tears cascading down my face. "I should've never gotten involved with you!"
Fury explodes behind her searing stare. I'm forced to jump back as she's in my face. "No, you shouldn't have!" she roars. Her hands go for my wrists, lifting them above my head. "You should've listened the first time I threw you out on your ass and told you to stay the fuck away. But no. You didn't. You had to come back like a lost cat, needing attention. Needing someone to take your childish bullshit!"
My tears fall harder. How could I see a person so wonderful in such a vindictive woman? "I hate you."
"Good! You should." She releases me and steps away, her chest heaving and eyes wild with anger. "Leave. Don't come back. This arrangement is finished."
I flinch as if she hit me. That's how powerful her words affect me. I want to attack her. Use force and hurt her the way she hurt me.
I can't breathe.
"Lisa, are you coming back?" We both turn to see Rosé standing some feet away, her robe open and body on display through the see-through lace.
"You! Get the fuck out of my club!" Lisa barks from behind me. I run down the hall and take the stairs two at a time to the first level. I make it to the side exit and bust through the door landing in the alley. A cab light is lit at the end of the street, and I book it, throwing open the passenger door.
"Ruby, fucking wait." I turn to see Lisa running after me. I can't. I won't have her beat me down with her insults. I climb into the cab.
"Hurry, please," I beg the driver. Lisa is screaming my name, but I don't look her way as the cab pulls away. I use the last of my energy to give the man my address, then throw myself against the backseat, and sob.
Why did I have to fall for a woman so out of my league? A woman who was never going to want me fully? I hate myself for being so naïve.
And fuck Rosé. I tighten my fists and slam them onto the seat cushion, more tears pouring down my face. Why couldn't Rosé just leave me alone? I was a nobody. She was the one who had it all, why did she have to take the one thing…
Red and blue lights flash behind me, and I spin as the cab pulls over to the side. "Why are we stopping? Are we getting pulled over?"
The driver rolls down his window. "Yes, officer, is there a problem? I wasn't aware I was speeding."
The officer glances at the driver, looking uninterested, then casts his gaze to the backseat. Right at me. "Miss, can I have you please step out of the vehicle?"
"Who, me?"
"Now, please."
Oh, crap. What if he saw me run out of the club and knows I'm underage? "Officer, I'm not sure I did—"
"Now, miss."
He opens my door and I scoot out before he can drag me out. He shuts my door and addresses the driver. "You can go. Have a nice night."
"Wait, what? No!" I plead, and the cab driver, that jerk, nods and pulls away. "I didn't do anything!" My heart begins to pound as my mind races through the number of scenarios of what could happen next.
Headlights speed toward us, and I'm forced to shield my eyes, but when the vehicle pulls up to the side, I understand.
Lisa climbs out of her car and storms over to us. "Thanks, Jerald. I've got her. I'll make sure to let Commissioner Stephens know what a fine officer he has on his staff."
The officer nods. "I appreciate that, Ms. Manoban. Have a good night now."
My mouth drops. She didn't. "You—you son of a bitch!" I scream. I turn to throw a closed fist her way, but she's faster, angrier. Her palm stops my swing, and she pulls me away from the street into the alley.
"You asshole! You can't just—"
"Shut the fuck up and listen," she barks, caging me against the cold brick building.
I push back, using all my force to fight her. "You have nothing I care to hear. You think I'm just a useless toy. How could you do that? Why Rosé? Make a fool out of me, fine, but her? Do you honestly think that low of me? Am I truly just a game to you?" I hate myself for crying, but I can't stop.
"I don't. Just…fuck. Listen to me."
"No! Let me go! Game's over. I'm done being some meaningless toy for you." I yank hard, freeing my hands. They slam against her chest, shoving her, to no avail.
Her hold on me only tightens and she presses me harder into the wall. "Dammit, you're not a game. Stop saying that."
Lies.
"No, I won't fall for your lies again. This is what you're good at."
"Oh, give me a break," she scoffs, taking a step back. Her hands are in her hair, tugging at her long strands. She looks maddened. Wild.
I shake my head. "You may think I'm dumb, but I'm smart enough to know when I'm being played. I no longer want anything to do with this. With you."
Her eyes dart to mine. "Bullshit, you're not done. You're just as much into this as I am," she says as if challenging me. But I'm stronger than she thinks.
"No, I'm not. I've been acting, just like you. You're not the only one who knows how to use someone—"
My breath catches as she darts back at me. Once again, she captures my wrists and wrenches them above my head. "Oh, yeah?" Her voice low. She thrusts herself into me.
"Let me go!" I yell, but she doesn't budge.
"No. Prove to me you don't want this."
I struggle under her hold. Her body is too close. My mind is fighting to stay focused. "You disgust me," I bite, pulling at my arms.
Her eyes light with a fire behind her irises. "I do, do I?" The hold she has on my wrists tighten, and I groan. She's starting to hurt me.
"Let me go!"
"Not a chance. You started this. You stormed into my club. My life. I didn't ask to have a fucking wrench thrown into my world because some beautiful girl had to fulfill a dare."
I cry, wishing she would just release me. I'm ashamed of the tears still racing down my face. She doesn't deserve them. "Well, I wish I never did."
"Too late. Too fucking late." Her mouth crushes over mine. Her kiss is rough, almost brutal. I fight her until I no longer can and give in, kissing her back, just as ruthlessly. She's quick, one hand locking around my wrists as the other lowers to my skirt. She's not gentle, nor does she ask for permission. She's lost in her own frustration. Her fingers rip at my panties and she's shoving two massive fingers inside me. I cry out in my own battle. Filling me, owning me, I feel alive. I want her to take me and control me. Push me to limits I've never known existed. But not like this. Not out of anger or regret.
"You're fucking soaking wet around my fingers," she growls, pulling out and slamming them back in.
God, fight her, Ruby.
"Your pussy is eating me up, baby. Tell me it's not because you want me here."
Thrust.
Thrust.
Thrust.
She pulls her lips away from mine. Her hand releases my captured wrists and they fall limp at my sides. I make no attempt to fend her off me or fight her to stop.
We're in an alleyway.
Anyone can see us.
This is wrong.
But I can't stop.
"Stop lying to yourself. You want this. Say it."
I refuse. I can't. "No…" I moan at the feel of her knuckles hitting my opening.
"Say it, goddammit! Say you want this just as much as I do."
Her unexpected confession detonates something inside me, and my insides clench around her.
"That's right. This orgasm is mine. You're mine. Fucking mine."
She thrusts inside me with the force of a wild bull as I pulsate around her. "Goddammit," she growls. "You madden me. I need to be completely inside you." She pulls out, and her frantic hands seize my waist. She flips me, and my hands go up against the brick building. My skirt is pushed up my thighs followed by the sound of her zipper. My heart kicks into overdrive as she forces my legs apart.
"Are you done denying this? Us?"
I don't answer fast enough, and a hard slap lands across my ass cheek.
"I'm not a patient man. Answer me." Her grip tightens, and a moan tumbles through me. Another slap. "Jesus, answer me." Her voice is low and rugged.
"Yes, I'm done. Please…" I moan, needing her to touch me. Be inside me.
"That's right. I win. I win you." She thrusts her hard cock into me from behind, thrusting rough and quick, bringing me to my second orgasm too quickly. I squeeze around her just as a low growl rumbles up her throat and she explodes. Her hot seed surges inside me, marking me as hers.
We're both panting loudly, struggling to breathe. With each strangled breath, I can't seem to get enough air into my lungs. My legs shake, threatening to give out, but her strong arms holding me prevent me from falling. The silence becomes too much for me, so I speak first. "What do you want from me, Lisa? You're confusing me, and I can't handle—"
"I'm sorry. God, I'm so fucking sorry." Her head dips, and the tip of her nose brushes against the column of my throat. Her mouth is soft as her hands put more pressure around my waist and her lips press against my skin. "I shouldn't have spoken to you like that earlier. I…I just fucking lost it." She pauses for a moment, running her tongue over my pulse point. "You just have no idea what it's like for me. How it's been since you showed up. You're not my normal. You're nothing I've been groomed to desire, but everything I want."
"I can't be like those women. I won't."
"Good. I don't want you to." She pulls out and adjusts my skirt back down my ass. I turn around as she's tucking herself back in her pants.
"I'm not experienced or beautiful like them."
"Dammit, Ruby." She cups my face with her large hand. "Don't you see? You're nothing like them because you're something so goddamn unique. I don't even know how to define you. You drive me mad. You push all my buttons. You make me want to tie you up and discipline you until you learn to listen, yet I thrive off your rebellion. Your disobedience. I crave your mouth. Your wittiness. Your beauty." She lowers her forehead to mine. "Being able to be the first and only one to show you what your body wants, craves—that's what I want."
Our bodies come together until we're pressed up against the cold brick. She's already hard against my stomach and I can't help but rub my swollen clit against her. "You're a fucking treasure, you know that?" Her mouth is back over mine, kissing me brutally until I'm breathless and lost. "I don't want you any other way. I want to teach you everything. Be the first to show you. Take you. Anything you feel, experience, I want it to be because I took you there. Made you feel it." She grinds into me again. "Fuck, if I had to even think about anyone else touching you, I'd kill 'em." Her hands are wild, traveling up my ribcage, cupping my breasts. I moan loudly, my tongue dancing around hers.
"Lisa." Her name a low whisper as my hands travel up into her scalp. I cup her head, needing her closer.
"You're mine. You hear me? This body? Fucking mine. Perfect and pure. All mine to take. Own. Devour." Her fingers latch onto my nipple over my thin shirt, and she pinches hard enough to extract a small yelp from my lips. "The sounds you make, they make me so hard, I can fuck you again and again." She releases her grip on me and goes back for my skirt.
"Wait," I stop her, the look in her eyes primal. "We're in an alley."
She pauses, taking in our surroundings. "Fuck. I'm sorry. I just…I got carried away. Let's go." She grabs my hand and leads me to her car.
"Lisa, wait. No." She stops and looks at me. "I…I can't go back there. To the club." I can't in fear of running into Rosé. I don't know what else she's up to. I can't see her there again.
"Fine. You're right. We can get a hotel. Then, tomorrow, I'm going to fill you in on so many fucking things, okay?"
Confusion strikes me. I'm not sure what those words mean, but she looks like a plan is brewing. I nod, and she smiles, bringing her lips to mine for a quick kiss. "Good. Now, we have to hurry. I have so many plans to tell you about."
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"I need you to know I didn't send you that letter."
We're lying in the most comfortable bed known to man at the Berkshire hotel, one of Chicago's world class luxurious hotels. Lisa brought us here after our very public fight and sexual outburst. She explained to me her original letter was to meet her at the planetarium.
I turn to her. "Well, I certainly didn't send you a letter telling you to meet me in one of your porn rooms to whip me as you please." What I saw still unsettles me…and what could have happened had I not walked in.
Lisa pulls me to her and kisses my bare shoulder. "You're not meant for those rooms," she says, but her comment does nothing to soothe the painful memory.
"Then why did you go? You looked pretty content when I walked in. Would you have known—"
"Don't even ask that. I would have known."
"But how could—"
She places her finger over my lips and leans in, replacing the digit with her mouth. "I would have known. There's not a single person who smells, tastes, and radiates beauty like you do."
Okay. Fine. I'll accept that answer if I have to.
"But Rosé is beaut—"
"You are. In every single way." She leans over me, pressing my back to the mattress. Her lips touch mine, then travel down my neck to my breast. I wince as her tongue grazes my sore nipple. She was anything but gentle last night. The vibrations of her chuckle around my breast send a wave of sensations down my belly, awakening my entire body. My hands thread through her hair, and I close my eyes, enjoying the magic of her mouth.
"I don't see how this is doing anything for you," I hum, feeling a wetness build between my legs. "I'm not going to let you flog me or chain me up and choke me until I call you daddy."
She nips at me, and I suck in a breath. "I've already flogged and tied you up. Not huge into choking, but feel free to call me daddy any time."
Shit. She's right. I'm making a failing attempt at convincing her I have no interest in her secret lifestyle. "Well then, don't even think about anything else. I'm a good Catholic girl. I like to keep things old school. Ya know, traditional…" I stop talking because my tongue starts to malfunction. Two fingers thrust in and out of me. Shit, what was I saying?
"When I'm done with you, every part of you will belong to me." Ahhh… I love when she adds finger number three. I'm so turned on, I'm almost embarrassed. "You will learn to love everything I do to you." She pulls out, smearing my juices along my slit. They continue back further than normal, and I quickly squirm.
She's about to fill me once again, but this time, I stop her. "Lisa, wait. We need to talk about something before we go any further. I need to know what we're doing here. What about the contract?"
Her hand halts at my entrance, and she sits up nervously. My stomach plummets. I feel like right now we're in such a perfect place, but it's nowhere near perfect with the contract hanging over us. God, please say something soon before I—
"I never planned on holding you to the contract."
"But wait, you said—"
"I said a lot of things. Forced you to know who was in charge. I couldn't allow you to think I was some weak schoolgirl falling for the innocent little smart mouth girl." She pauses for a few seconds. "I knew right away the contract meant nothing to me. Knew exactly when the thirty days was over. I kept quiet because I was afraid you'd walk away once it expired. I trapped you in this relationship, I didn't know where you stood. I also couldn't risk you leaving me just when I was starting to get a taste of something good."
Okay, I did not expect this response. "I wouldn't have left."
"And I wouldn't have let you. What we have, it's not due to that contract. If I could take it back and start over with you, I would. But if that's how I had to get you in my bed, then I wouldn't have done anything differently."
A sense of relief washes over me. Knowing everything we've experienced isn't based on an arrangement fills me with such hope for our future. And the way she's looking down at me reassures me we have just that.
"We good now, baby?" Her soft smile sets off butterflies in my stomach.
"Yeah, we're good."
"Good. Now relax, pet. You're in for a real treat…"
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"If you could travel anywhere, where would you go?" Lisa asks, giving me the world's most amazing massage. I'm lying on my stomach as she caresses my lower back with her hands, using her lips every so often on my skin as a special treat.
"I'd go to Rome. Be the basic tourist and tour the colosseum, Vatican, Piazza. Spend any time I could in Florence and Venice, which probably wouldn't be much with my pocketbook, but then I'd disappear off the grid. Find a small town in the southern part of Rome and study art. Take as many photos as I can. Eat till I explode and have to come back home."
"And what would you do if you didn't have to return home? If you could stay as long as your heart desired?" she asks, kneading my butt cheeks.
"Ummm…." Did I mention we were naked and her hard-on is poking me in the butt? "I'm not sure…" God, she has magical hands. They lower just below my butt cheeks and I know I'm in trouble. "What's with the inquiries? You going somewhere? Need travel advice?"
Her hands dig into my thighs and massage deep into my muscles. It feels absolutely wonderful after the position she got me into last night. The body sure is flexible.
"No, but soon. The club will be sold, and I'll be free." I lift my head to catch her eyes, then attempt to flip over because this is big news, but she doesn't allow it. "Not a chance. I'm not done with you."
"So, the sale is really happening? You're just going to walk away?"
"That's what I wanted to tell you. Yes, I'm done. In two weeks, it'll be out of my hands and I'll be free to live my life the way I've always wanted. And it's because of you."
I now fight to turn around, needing to see her. "I looked at some numbers. I don't even think they were accurate. Don't make it because of me—ouch!"
She slaps my ass and maneuvers me back onto my stomach. "What have I told you about listening?" She caresses my stinging butt cheek.
"To listen? I don't know, but for real…don't do it on my—ouch! Dammit."
Another smack, and this time, my legs open and she adjusts herself to where I want her to be. "It's happening. You've given me the power I need to make decisions—moves I would have never made if I hadn't met a beautiful, talented girl. I see myself in you—see what I could be with you next to me."
"You mean under you?" I say, because it's either be sarcastic or cry, her words touched me in so many ways.
"Take it as you will, pet. Can we finish your massage now?" she asks, pushing just past the brink of my opening. I don't say another word, but smile, knowing I'm about to get myself a happy ending as she thrusts into me.
God, I love her massages.
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LISA
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"I dread having to see them in class."
"Who?" I ask, sliding my tongue down her breastbone. Her skin is smooth as silk and I can't get enough of it.
"Rosé and her gang," she replies, followed by a sad sigh.
The name makes me cringe. Any mention of that little twit sends a fireball of anger up my spine. My blood instantly boils. If I could snap her little neck and get away with it, I would.
"Don't worry about it. I'll take care of her." I drop down to her taut belly when her fingers tangle into my hair, brushing against my scalp.
"Wait. What do you plan on doing?"
Ruining her entire being. She won't get away with what she's done. "I just plan on having lunch with the dean of the university. He's a close friend of mine, not to mention a member, and I plan on having a friendly conversation about a student who attends his college."
She throws me off her and sits up. She's so damn sexy when she pouts. "Nooooo way. You're just gonna make it worse for me. You don't get it. She's vile. She'll find a way to—"
I'm back in her personal space, putting my finger over her cute swollen lips. The quick flashback of them around my cock earlier has me swelling in my briefs. "No one fucks with what's mine. Better get used to it."
"Yeah, but—"
"No one." I get back down to business and jerk her hips forward, making her fall back on the mattress. I place my mouth over her naked flesh, my tongue stroking her clit. She's beautiful. Everywhere. I lick at her already building juices as my cock jolts at the thought of being so far inside her. I shove my tongue inside her cunt just as my phone alerts me to a text.
My spine stiffens.
The notification sound is the one I set for Kade. I left him in charge of the club and told him to contact me only if there was trouble. Ruby's little moans distract me, and I ignore the text. My thick finger finds her entrance, and I begin to tease her. Every sound she makes turns my cock to stone. I'm so hard, I doubt I'll get much farther before I'm shoving myself inside her. I take two fingers and slide them—
Ding.
"Fuck."
"What, is everything okay?"
I take a quick nip at her sweet cunt and pull away. "Yeah, gotta check that. It's about the club and might be important." I sit up, regretting my decision the moment I catch Ruby's glossed over eyes. They're filled with lust, my little naughty pet. Kade better have a damn good reason for interrupting me or he's gone.
I get up and search for my phone, making sure my dick doesn't knock anything over in the process. Fuck, I should just fuck her first. Grabbing it off the TV stand, I look at the message.
Kade: We have a problem.
His second text is an attachment. A few snapshots of Fredrick and Jihyo. What the fuck are they up to? I zoom in to see there's a third person with them. I hit call. "What the fuck is this? When were these taken?"
"About twenty minutes ago," Kade replies. "And it doesn't look good. They're up to something. I know the guy to the right. He's a heavy hitter in the real estate industry. But not the legal kind. If they're meeting with him, they're planning to strong-arm a sale. And by strong-arm, I mean do whatever possible to get what they want."
That son of a bitch.
I look at the time. It's well past one in the morning. "Are they still there?" I ask, walking and grabbing my slacks.
"Yeah, they're sittin' tight."
I throw my legs into my pants and grab for my shirt. "Do they suspect anything?"
"That I've notified you? Nah. I had a chick hand me my phone, so it looked like I was giving directions to someone. Which means I gotta drop off here quickly."
"I'm on my way in. Let me know if they leave." I hang up and shove my arms into my shirt. The sale of the club happens in less than two weeks. Everything is in place. What the fuck are they up to? They clearly want me to know by meeting at my club. Fredrick knows how it works. My employees are trained to notify me of anything suspicious. This meeting would be no different. They want me to know.
"What's going on?"
"Nothing. An issue at the club I need to attend to."
"I thought you had it taken care of?"
I did, until Fredrick thought he could overpower me. I should have cut ties with him years ago. Thinking I owed him for his dedication to my father was a mistake. He should have walked away and stayed away. Now, I won't hesitate to destroy him. "I did too. I won't be long. I need you to sit tight. Don't even think about putting any clothes on until I return. When you get hungry, order room service."
I lean over and kiss her lips.
"Food sounds tasty. Not sure about answering the door naked, though."
Jealousy flares inside me. The thought of anyone else seeing her naked body makes me want to explode and kill someone. "Fuck room service. I'll be back before you get hungry." She laughs, and I give her another quick kiss before I walk out.
I call the valet on my way down. Fredrick better be ready for the storm brewing inside me. If he thinks he's going to take Exquisite from me, then he has another thing coming. The goons he's hired don't scare me.
I climb into my car and speed off, ready to put an end to this all.
No one fucks with me, or my girl.
My girl.
That thought empowers me. She may be a bad fucking mistake, but there's no way she's leaving my side. She's changed me. I know there's so much shit to work out. She's so young. God, she's too young. There's a small pinch in my gut. The little warning that tries to tell me she's too good for a woman like me. She has her entire life ahead of her. I should fucking walk away.
But I won't.
She's so embedded in me, I would fight her even if she tried to leave. The last image of her lying in bed, beautiful and naked for me…I should just let Fredrick do his worst and go back to her. My gut tells me to turn around. With everything that's happening I shouldn't leave her alone. I swear if anyone touches her, I'll put them six feet under.
The traffic is light this early in the morning, so I whip through the dark streets as I make my way to Exquisite. Taking a sharp turn down Madison, my phone dings, indicating a text from Kade.
Kade: Had the waitress snap a pic of the documents on the table. You might be interested in them.
I look down, and the attached photo almost has me slamming into the vehicle in front of me. It's the contract to Exquisite I left on my desk, but between the stacks of papers, is a photo of Ruby standing outside a school building.
"What the fuck…?"
My defenses go up instantly. I'm suddenly on high alert. I quickly dial Ruby's number, but it goes to voicemail. "Fuck." I hang up and redial, getting the same thing. I shouldn't have left her. Unease settles in, and I pull a quick U-turn and head back to the hotel. I throw my car in park for the valet, jump out, and run inside. I call Ruby again, and hang up when her voicemail sounds.
"Goddammit." She better be taking a shower, or sleeping, or fucking meditating, I don't give a shit. She just better be okay. Dark thoughts swirl through my mind, and I try to talk myself down, convince myself she's just in the shower. When I get to that room and see her, I'm going to take my hand to her sweet ass for making me worry.
I get to our floor and swipe the key past the lock, then push through the door. "Ruby!" I yell, but my words die off at the scene before me. The room is trashed. "Ruby!" I race into the bathroom, but she's not there. The chaise is laying on its side and there's glass shattered all over the room. There was a struggle. My heart beats out of my chest as I search for—shit, I can't even think it. Fuck. I search for any sign of foul play. Blood. The panic inside me builds until I'm shaking uncontrollably.
"Ruby!" I scream her name and rage erupts inside me like a volcano and explodes. I pick up the chair and hurl it across the room. Whoever thinks they can mess with me is going to fucking die.
Sudden fear has me buckling over. My chest is too tight. Where is she? Who has her? Did they hurt her? Will they? The sheer white comforter lays at my feet crumpled on the floor. The more I focus on it, the sharper the pain as the recognition guts me. God no. Fuck no! My mind doesn't want to accept what I see, but I force my grip to latch around the bedding and lift causing my stomach to almost expel.
Blood.
"No…" I scan the side of the bed. More blood. Shattered lamp. "No…" My hands are shaking as I pull my phone out and call 9-1-1.
God, what have I dragged her into?
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"I just fucking told you, I have no idea what happened. I left her for twenty minutes tops, and when I came back, she was gone. Stop fucking wasting your time with me and do your job!" I snap at the rookie cop trying to overcompensate. The police showed up before Stephens did. They've been grilling me the entire time as if I hurt and kidnapped my own girlfriend. My frustration is at an all-time high. I'm about to fucking lose it.
"Ms. Manoban, would you know anyone who would want to hurt Miss Jane?"
Yeah, my ex-employee. My father's ex-mistress.
"Like I said, I don't." Where the fuck is Commissioner Stephens? I need to get to the club. This has Fredrick written all over it. "Listen, do your fucking job and stop focusing on me," I snarl, looking at my phone for any updates from Kade. I texted him telling him not to let Fredrick leave the club and to take any measures to do so.
"Ma'am, I don't think you've clearly explained why you were here with the young lady. You seem to be a bit out of her age—"
I jump at him, and my hands grip around his neck. "You watch who you're talking to, you mother—"
"Lisa!" Stephens shouts my name. He's behind me pulling me off his officer. I fight his grip. How dare this asshole question my relationship with her. He should be worried about who fucking took her! "Lisa, let him go. It's not going to help anyone."
I release my murderous grip and shove him away. My heart races and my hands shake uncontrollably. It's been over an hour. She's been gone over an hour. The things she may be enduring, and I'm not doing shit.
I turn to the commissioner. "She was taken from this room. It's been over an hour. They need to stop looking at me and start pointing out real suspects." My voice cracks at the end.
Fuck.
Kade's words strike me again.
They'll do whatever possible to get what they want.
Fuck!
The pain in my chest explodes. I need to get to the club. I need to do something. I drag Stephens away from his henchmen and give him the names of who I suspect, then tell him to keep it off the radar. I don't want anything illegal connecting me to what happens next.
I race out of the hotel, texting Kade that I'm on my way.
The image of her smile and the sound of her laughter play over and over in my head while I break every single road violation. I have a death grip on the steering wheel when each beautiful image of her is tainted with the image of blood on the floor.
Fredrick is a dead man.
The alley that leads to Exquisite comes into view, and I throw my car in park and jump out, running like a madman inside. The club is closed. It's close to four in the morning. The smell of booze and sex linger, and it makes me sick. I call for Kade but don't get a response.
"Kade!"
"Over here, boss."
My head snaps toward the bar. Kade is standing there, next to Fredrick, who's tied to a chair. He already looks to be in bad shape, blood dripping from his nose and his left eye swollen.
My emotions erupt. "You son of a bitch!" I'm on him in three short strides. I rip my arms out of my blazer and toss it to the ground. My phone falls out from the inside pocket and slides under the bar. My fist goes up and slams into his face. Once, twice, three times. I can't stop. He's going to pay. For every single hair harmed on Ruby's head, he will pay with a broken bone, a missing finger, his life.
"Where the fuck is she?" I bark, grabbing the lapel of his shirt and bringing my face up to his. "Tell me what you did, or I'll kill you right here."
My vision fogs over. A sense of madness resides in me. I've never been a violent man. Demanding. Controlling. But I have never used force on another person. The urge to rip his arms off until he talks takes over any sense of right and wrong.
"Tell me, you motherfucker! What did you do with—"
"Nothing! I swear, I did nothing!"
I cock my fist back and slam it into his face, satisfied by the crunch of his cheekbone under my fist. Fredrick howls, and I pull back to strike again. "You had her photo. Don't fucking lie to me. You using her to get me to sell to you? All for the fucking club?"
"No!"
Crunch.
His lip splits open, and blood splatters against my shirt. I cock my hand back again.
"Fine, yes! It was meant to provoke you. We weren't going to use it."
Crunch.
"Who's we? Who are you working with?"
"Jihyo. It was her idea. She said you would cave for the girl. She's the one who wanted to use her for collateral."
That greedy bitch. Hearing her name makes my rage boil. I turn to Kade. "Where is she?"
Kade nods toward my office. I turn and lift my eyes to the window. "I locked her in your office. She was a bit to handle." I turn back, now noticing the long scratch from her nails down his face.
"Lisa, I swear, I wasn't going to hurt her. It was all just to—"
"Have you been following her? Where the fuck is she?"
"No! I have no idea!"
Crunch.
"I swear! The information I had was only because of when you had me research her. Listen to me, Jihyo orchestrated this whole thing. She's obsessed. Your daddy made promises to her. The second she got wind of you selling, she lost her senses. She hired some goons. Bad guys to make sure the sale didn't go through. Your life was a casualty if needed. I want the club, I've earned it, but not the way she wants it. I told her I was out. I was leaving when Kade grabbed me."
I don't believe him. I pull my fist back again, and Fredrick pleads, "Please! I swear. I told Kade the same thing. I had nothing to do with her kidnapping! You're wasting your time with me. I just wanted what I felt was rightfully mine. I proved myself to this club. I wasn't willing to let you sell without throwing my hat in the game. I just wanted the club. I had no idea until tonight what Jihyo was truly capable of."
I've known Fredrick for years. I know when he's lying. My instincts are messing with me. He has to be the one who took her. But my gut is telling me he isn't.
But if he didn't take her, who did?
"Bullshit. You've been behind this the whole time. Trying to get Ruby out of the picture. Sabotage my relationship. I know you intercepted my letter. Gave her the one telling her to meet me at the club. You set us both up!"
"No! It was that girl. She sought me out."
"What girl?"
"The ritzy blonde. She approached me the day you fired me. She was practically waiting for me when I left. She remembered my name from the night I kicked her out. I was angry and she was just…there…"
Guilt washes over him. "What did you do?" My voice is eerily calm.
"Nothing."
I raise my fist.
"Okay! Okay. I was angry. She offered to take me somewhere and have a drink to help me calm down. I didn't think past her perky tits. She was giving vibes that she was easy and wanted something from me. I'm a man, so I went."
Jesus. Rosé. "What happened?"
"I talked. I told her how you were being blindsided by some child. I was going to stop after that, but she came on to me. Fuck, she was rubbing my thigh, convincing me to keep going. I did. She smelled good, and the way she was looking at me—"
My hands go back to his collar and I shake him. "I don't give a fuck about that! What happened!"
"She offered me sex if I helped her. She wanted me to help her get into the club."
That explains how she got there. No one would have let her into those private rooms without a pass. "What else?"
"She gave me the best blowjob of my life."
Jesus.
I release him, shoving him hard enough his chair falls backward. This has all been a waste. He knows nothing, then who the fuck has her?
"Fuck!" I roar, kicking the chair, and Fredrick grunts in pain. Too much time is passing. I have no idea where she is. How to find her. Where to start. My chest is so tight. I feel out of control. I grab at my scalp and yank roughly at my wild hair. If only I could figure out where she is.
Wait…
The phone. I have a tracker on her phone. I step away from Fredrick and dive for my blazer on the floor. I search through my inside pocket before remembering it fell out.
I'm on my knees searching when I see it way under. I stretch my arm—
"Boss, we have a problem," Kade says, his voice etched with concern.
"I know how to find her," I say, reaching but still finding an inch between my fingers and the device.
"No, we have a real problem. There's smoke coming from the storage warehouse behind the building. I checked the monitors. Someone's setting fires, blocking all three of the exits."
His words barely register. I just need to get to my phone.
"Boss, I think we need to—"
Kade is cut off by a loud explosion. A blast of flames shoots out from the back room. A loud rumble echoes throughout the bar. The walls shake around us, and a large piece of the ceiling falls. I'm forced to dive to the side to avoid it crushing me.
"Fuck, what was that?"
"We gotta get the fuck out of here. Someone is setting the club on fire."
Kade goes to grab for me, but I knock his hand away. "I need my phone." Another loud explosion blasts through the dance floor. The windows above from my office shatter, spitting glass everywhere. I block my face, but it doesn't stop shards of glass from stabbing into my forearms and legs.
"You're gonna have to get a new one. We need to go. Now."
I can't. I need that phone. It's the only chance I have of finding Ruby. I shove my arm under the bar. The bottom scrapes my skin, but I force my hand forward, to no avail.
"Lisa. Leave it!" Kade's hands are locked around my shoulders, pulling me away.
"No! Get the fuck off me! I need that phone!" I turn to throw a punch when another explosion sounds, and another chunk of the ceiling falls onto the bar, crushing the top. Flames explode, creating a barrier. I jump at it, not caring if I get burned, but Kade is on me. Fredrick is coddling his broken face as they both work together in dragging me across the dance floor toward the front exit. There's so much smoke. My skin burns from all the surrounding flames. I start to cough and cover my mouth.
Kade stops and looks up to my office. "Fuck, Jihyo. I can't leave her locked in there."
"Fuck her. She deserves to burn. Plus, you won't make it out if you try," Fredrick says through his own choked coughs.
"That's for the police to decide. I can't leave her. Get out. I'm right behind you." Kade pushes me toward the door and takes off down the smoke-filled hallway leading to the private stairway. I take a step in his direction to go with him. Jihyo might know where Ruby is. She might be my only way to find her. Just as I follow in the direction he disappeared, a ball of fire explodes from the hallway, throwing us both back.
Everything goes black.
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