Revealing Ruby (Bound and Determined #1.5)(4)
“That I doubt.” He looked over the tray, but did not take anything. He sipped his tea. “However, if that is true, let us talk business. I will pay you double, triple, for you to send a girl to the Dawn’s Light. What will it take?”
He was relentless. She dropped her eyes from his, and settled them on the cherry tart, letting herself imagine that first taste, the sweet succulent cream and the tangy, bursting cherries. Parting her lips, she slipped her tongue out and dabbed it in the cream. So sweet. Bringing her tongue back to her mouth, she left the smallest bit of cream upon her lip, a bit just begging to be licked. “I once had a client say these looked just like my breasts—not that he would have known.” She swiped her tongue across the cream again. “I’ve never thought so myself, but then I must admit that I’ve such a fondness for cherries that I rarely think beyond taking that first bite.” She flashed her eyes up at him, and slowly, very slowly, sank her teeth into the edge of the tart. The slightest moan of delight escaped her lips.
“Damn blast it, woman. What are you trying to do to me?” Now, that was a true growl.
She smiled at him, sweetly, knowing that the cream still marked her lips. “I am just enjoying my refreshment. You may choose to avoid pleasure, but I revel in it. I should not be eating this—it does go straight to my hips.” She ran a hand slowly across the red satin to demonstrate. “But, if I am going to indulge, I indulge fully.” She ran her tongue across her lips, catching that dollop of cream and bringing it home.
His eyes didn’t waver from the movement.
She closed her mouth, but not without another lick. “Now, you said you wanted to discuss business?”
“Yes. My mate needs a woman and I intend to bring him one.”
No, that would never do. She picked up the tart and took another bite, being sure to let the glistening cherry filling linger about her lips. “I’ve said that is not possible. Bring the man here. I am sure we can accommodate him, whatever his needs. If Tilly refuses to refund your funds I’ll arrange for a girl on the house. Something I never do.” Another small bite.
“Thompson refuses to leave the boat. She must come to him.” He did not sound as firm as he had a few moments before.
“Are you sure you won’t try a tart?” she asked, licking at the cream again.
“Blast.” He grabbed a tart and with no finesse, bit into it—hard. He swallowed the pastry in two bites, then grabbed another. And another.
He was a big man, without an ounce of fat, but still—three tarts?
“I like sweets.” He said it as a simple fact. His eyes focused on the tray again. He shook his head, and lifted his face to her. He had a spot of cream on his lips. Was he learning her tricks?
And why was she tempted to lean forward and lick it off?
Business, bring it all back to business. “Why does your mate refuse? If he doesn’t wish a girl, why bring him one? Some men just don’t have the interest.”
He let out a loud sigh and leaned back in his chair, his massive legs stretching before him.
Her eyes, against her will, dropped to the juncture of his thighs. Without the slightest hint of embarrassment he let his legs fall open, spreading his thighs wide.
It should have been a rude gesture, but he appeared more like a large cat, taking a good stretch.
He sighed again, and, ignoring the drop of her gaze, spoke. “Thompson lost a foot this trip over. He got caught in some riggings during a storm and the damn thing near ripped him in two. He shouldn’t have survived but he did. And now he claims that he wished he hadn’t, says he’s nothing left to live for. He refuses to leave the ship. I thought a little female company might go a ways to convincing him life could be good. The man always did like his wenches. The girl last night, Tilly, she had tricks that would make a man glad to be alive.”
Tilly had tricks? Well, all her girls did, but suddenly Ruby found herself eager to know just what it was that Tilly did. “I am sorry, but I still won’t send one of my girls someplace I can’t keep her safe. If you wish to bring him here we will make him happy. Very happy. We’ve dealt with many war injuries and amputations, and my girls are not put out by such things. If he will not come I can give you the name of someone who will help you.”
“I would prefer Tilly. I want to be sure Thompson meets no distress.”
“I am sorry. That is not possible.” Why would the blasted man not understand? And why was he staring at her breasts again?
“And what do you charge?”
“What?” She hoped she was misunderstanding him. She had not seen this twist coming.
“How much for a night in your bed?”
Chapter Two
Ruby could only stare back at him. It wasn’t that she was unused to the question; patrons were always propositioning her and she continually refused them. She’d made it a rule when she first took over the business, understanding well that if she gave in once then every man would think she was up for grabs. The only way to survive was to never give in, never.
Only this time she wanted to. It was ridiculous. She didn’t even like the man, but for a moment her mind filled with his gloriously naked body. She imagined herself beneath it, imagined that it was her body that he sucked and laved. An ache grew between her thighs and she pushed them tight together. It had been far too long since she’d taken a lover. She shifted, trying to ease herself.