Authors: Evan Kelsey
"I
haven't given you anything your whole life. Please, I want to do
this."
I'm about
to refuse him again, but he stops me. "I have to. I don't expect
you to understand, but this is something I need to do for you. I'll
find you a place and have your things moved. You can't say no to
me, you said you'd give me a chance to be your father. I've heard
enough no's from your mother, can you please say, yes?" He sounds
so sincere.
I give
in. "Okay, but you don't need to do this. I still want you to be
apart of my life, apartment or not."
"Like I
said, I want to. I have a realtor I work with, I'll give him a
call. Are you going to stay here until we find
something?"
"Ruxin
offered to let me stay with him."
"You're
welcome to stay here."
"I think
you need to talk to Susan and Cindy first. They may not want me
here."
"It
doesn't matter what they want. They can live with you a few days
longer." I smile at him.
"I'd
rather keep the peace. I'll stay with Ruxin."
"You like
him? He certainly likes you. I've never seen him with a women
outside of an event. I've definitely never seen him affectionate
towards anyone, it's shocking."
"When was
he affectionate?" I ask, confused.
"He
called you Angel, played with your hair and sat so close to you,
you were practically on his lap." He chuckles.
"Yes, we
like each other." I respond, thinking about Ruxin at lunch. I guess
he defiantly made William a believer in our
'relationship.'
"It-"
William starts, but is interrupted by the door flying opening and
shaming against the wall. I jump and grip the arm rest of the
chair. I turn to see a very angry Ruxin at the door. His eyes
narrow on mine as he stands there. I swallow audibly, I've never
seen someone look so fierce and menacing.
"Ruxin."
William says, finding his voice and standing.
I stay
seated as Ruxin nods towards William, but remains eye contact with
me. I expected him to stomp to my side, yelling at me. I don't get
either. He slowly walks to me, in a natural predator walk, that he
makes look almost casual. This gets my heart racing even more. I
see that he's in control, but hanging on by a hair.
"Hi." I
say quietly. When he stops at my side.
"Hi?" He
replies, looking down at me clearly irritated by my audacity. I can
hear the undercurrent of his anger and I'm instantly intimidated.
Without thought I cringe, backing into the chair. "Why would you
leave when I told you explicitly to stay?"
"I had
things to take care of."
"How did
you get past the photographers?"
"The side
exit." I answer.
"When I
tell you to do something, I expect you to do it."
"I don't
work for you, Ruxin." I reply, finding my backbone.
If he was
a dog he'd be growling at me. For the first time I can see what
people mean when they say his eyes are cold. The way he is looking
at me right now could freeze boiling water. He closes his eyes and
opens them slowly, the cold replaced by fire. I don't know which
one is worse, they're both terrifying. "I'm aware of that fact.
However, you told me you trusted me to take care of the issue with
the photographers and you slipped out without bothering to tell me
you were going."
"I knew
you'd say no. So, why bother asking?"
I can see
his lips move and that he's trying not to smile. I keep watching to
see what part wins and his lips stop moving. Figures. "You could
have been hurt or harassed. You will not leave again without me or
someone else protecting you."
"I'm not
the crown jewels or one of your priceless art pieces. I can take
care of myself. Having you or someone else with me will only gain
more attention. Just keep me in the background and I won't be
hounded."
"That's
not how it works."
I know I
won't win this argument. I know I need to take his advice, but I
don't want my life to change. "Ruxin is right, Eva. If the press
knows you're together you can't be so careless."
"Careless? Coming here in broad daylight, is not
careless."
"It was
and it won't happen again. Get anything you might need, we're
leaving." Ruxin states, in his no nonsense way.
"I'm
already getting deployed? I didn't even go through the Ruxin Novak
boot camp." I fake pout.
I hear
William start to laugh, but coughs to cover the sound. I glace at
Ruxin noticing his mouth twitch again before he flattens it back
out into a scowl.
"Get your
things or you'll go without." He threatens.
"Fine." I
huff. "I think I have a pair of work boots and a camouflage
t-shirt. They'll have to do until you issue me a uniform." I say,
getting up and sliding past him. I know he's behind me the second I
take my first step. Why don't I find this annoying? I hate that his
presence comforts me and makes me feel safe.
It must
be because he's the only one I know of that scares Susan and Cindy.
I walk to the end of the hall to my room. I still have boxes lined
up against the wall. After my wonderful new family took my things I
stopped unpacking. I took out only the things I absolutely needed.
Which so far has only been clothes and a couple pairs of
shoes.
I walk to
the dresser and take out my army print t-shirt. I wasn't joking
that I had one and throw it on the bed, just to annoy him. "You're
begging for a spanking." Ruxin warns.
I scoff.
"I've never been spanked before. But since you're trying to act
like my daddy, I'm not surprised by your threat."
I don't
hear him move closer, but I can feel him. It's strange how in tuned
to him I am and when I feel his hands grip my hips, I turn to look
at him. He unties his shirt I have on that's knotted at my
waist.
"You
ruined my shirt." He states. I look at the wrinkles it left.
Nothing that can't be fixed with an iron. I'm about to disagree
with him when he rips apart the shirt, sending buttons flying. I
gasp.
Top of
Form
"Ruxin!"
I yell, as he continues to take my shirt off. I watch as he pulls
himself back.
"You have
two minutes to pack what you need before I make use of your bed."
He replies, huskily. His eyes raking over my body, making me feel
completely naked. Seeing how badly he wants me makes my nipples
harden. It's his eyes, I swear it's like they talk to me. I think I
could have a full conversion with him just by looking at his
eyes.
I nod,
knowing he's completely serious. I turn and grab an empty box
throwing in underwear, three pairs of skinny jeans and multiple
shirts and tank tops.
"Done." I
say.
There's a
knock on the door and I freeze.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eva
Thorpe
I
straighten my dress and answer the door. Its Lucinda, I let out a
sigh. "Miss Eva, Edward Kennedy is here wanting to talk to you." I
must look at her confused because she answers my unspoken question.
"He said it won't take long." She shrugs, not knowing why he's here
either.
I turn to
Ruxin and see that he's still feeling the effects of our kiss.
"I'll be right back." I reply, still breathless.
He nods
and replies. "I'll be out shortly. Just have to wait for this to go
down." I chuckle and leave the room. I find Edward at the front
door leaning on the wall. He sees me and instantly stands up
straight. "Hello, Eva."
"Hi, what
can I do for you?"
"I don't
know how to put this, but I'm checking up on you." He replies,
somewhat sheepishly.
"Checking
up on me?" I asked, really confused.
"I know
what Cindy was doing, I found out and broke things off with her.
Then last night I saw Susan grabbing your arm and being rough with
you. I just wanted to make sure you're okay. That they aren't
mistreating you." He explains. So, I am the reason Cindy and him
broke up? No wonder she's been even more awful to me.
"I'm
fine. I'm moving out, but you shouldn't hold this against Cindy." I
see he's about to give his opinion and hold up my hand. "Hear me
out. I don't think William took in account how her and Susan would
feel bringing me into the family. I'm the other women's daughter.
Granted, I shouldn't get punished for my parents decisions, but if
you're still hurt or angry then you don't care about logic. They
didn't want me here and I don't blame them, neither should
you."
"Its not
that blame her. I just don't want anything to do with someone so
heartless."
I nod
understanding that its his decision. "Well, you don't have to worry
about me." I assure him.
"Where
are you moving to?"
"Not sure
yet. William is setting it up."
"That's
still going to take a few days. Do you want to stay at one of my
hotels? Fee of charge of course. Although, I may insist on dinner
together."
"I don't
think that's a good idea. I don't want to give Cindy the wrong idea
about us, she hates me enough."
I feel
Ruxin's presence behind me and I turn. He sets down the box of my
things. "Edward, what brings you here besides your generosity to
put Eva up in a nice hotel? Which won't be needed, she's staying
with me."
Edwards
jaw, clenches as he responds, "I just needed to speak to Eva. How
about you?" He asks, his eyes narrowing.
"Getting
Eva's things." He replies, standing behind me putting his arm
around my waist.
"So, for
once the rumors are true. You're seeing each other?" He asks,
crossing his arms.
"We are."
Ruxin states, kissing my neck. I feel so uncomfortable. Its almost
as if he's being possessive. He has me for the next six months, he
doesn't have to worry about me leaving. I look up to him, but his
eyes are staring coldly at Edward as he stares back just as
coldly.
Trying to
defuse the tension, I explain why Edward came here. "He knows about
Cindy and Susan. He came by to check on me."
"Check on
you?" Ruxin, grunts. "I highly doubt that." He mutters as Susan and
Cindy come through the door with a bellman holding shopping
bags.
"Edward,
I didn't know you were coming." Cindy says, smiling. Edward looks
away from her momentarily then refocuses on me.
"I was
here to talk to Eva." He responds, sounding irritated.
"Well, as
you can see she's being taken care of by Mr. Novak. So, you'll have
to wait in line." She spits, stomping past us to her room. Great,
did he have to say it like that? I peek up at Susan who is killing
me a million different ways with her eyes.
"Let's
go. Julia is dropping off a selection of dresses for you to choose
from for dinner tonight. I don't want to keep her waiting too
long."
"I can't
believe your making me meet your family." I whine, quietly. "Do I
have time for a nap? I'm tired." I complain.
"And
cranky." He teases laughing.
"You woke
me up too early, its your fault." I point out.
"I
distinctly remember making you coffee for the first time ever, I
want grateful Eva back." He smirks.
I laugh.
"Then take me home and let me sleep. I promise to be
grateful."
"How
grateful?" He asks, huskily.
I roll my
eyes. "Very."
"Oh, the
possibilities." He groans, kissing me deeply. The sound of a throat
clearing causes us to separate. I feel my cheeks burn remembering
Susan and Edward standing there. "Sorry, about that. I can't keep
her off of me." He states, slapping my butt. I elbow him as my face
gets redder.
"Okay, no
more grateful Eva." I hiss.
He
chuckles. "That's okay. I like feisty Eva too." His voice turning
husky.
"Okay,
were leaving. Thanks for stopping by Edward. Susan." I nod and walk
to the door. I wait for Ruxin at the elevator. I notice two men in
black suits standing on either side of the elevator doors and one
hits the down button when they see me and the other gets on his
phone. I smile at them and watch the doors, feeling drained. When
Ruxin steps out into the hallway he looks annoyed. Then I see
Edward walking just as moodily behind him. Oh, joy. These two in a
confined space will be so much fun.
Ruxin
gives the box to the man on my right and I realize these are his
body guards. "I can carry that." I say, reaching for the box. I'm
sure carrying my things is not in their job description.
"No,
ma'am. I'll carry it."
"Okay,
Well let me know if it gets too heavy, or if you change your
mind."
He nods
at me and I see he's smirking. I was trying to be polite. Why does
it seem like everyone is always laughing at me? I hear Ruxin
laughing, I turn on him. "What?"