Page 22 of Hold You Close
This is why Sabrina was wrong. He’s a total ass. I look at him from over my shoulder and glare. “I’m going commando.”
“Hard to wear underwear with the stick up your ass, huh?”
When I get to the stairs, I manage to get myself upright without needing his stupid help, and lean against the railing. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
He shakes his head and moves closer. “I need your help.”
I laugh right in his face. “That took less time than I thought.”
Ian runs his hand down his face and mutters under his breath. “Did you think it was easy to say that?”
“Do you think I care?”
“This isn’t about me or you. Ruby is screaming and you’re the only one she’ll talk to. I don’t know what to do. She’s hysterical and it’s been ten minutes of the three of us trying to calm her. I know you hate me, and believe me, I fucking hate you too.” He grits his teeth. “I’m asking you to help my niece—your niece.”
As much as I hate to do anything for him, there’s no way I can say no. Ruby is the sweetest thing in the world. I close my eyes, pull in a shaky breath, and do my best to sober up.
I look at Ian and see the stress in his face. “I’m not doing it for you.”
He shrugs. “I didn’t think you would.”
As long as we’re both clear.
“Let me chug some coffee,” I say.
He rolls his eyes but doesn’t refute me.
After I’ve drunk a cup of strong coffee and eaten some bread, I walk out the door. It’s funny how quickly some things can sober you up. I remember being a little sloshed at a party, enjoying myself after graduation, and the minute Ian showed up with his slut girlfriend from college, my fun night was over.
“You know, you’re a real buzz kill,” I say as we’re climbing down the stairs to the cut through our yards.
“What?”
“You always ruin my alcohol buzz,” I reply.
He shakes his head and keeps moving.
I can hear Ruby crying as soon as we get past my deck. “Did you try talking to her?” I ask.
Ian stops walking suddenly and I plow into the back of him. He turns, grabbing my arm, and pulls me to his chest. The smell of his cologne, the feel of his skin on mine, causes my heart to race. I hate my weak body for being drawn to him, but my drunken mind can’t stop the thoughts of what it felt like to have his lips on mine.
I’ve replayed that kiss a million times already, the way his hands scrunched my shirt in the back, how he was demanding with his tongue, and then there was his taste. Why does he have to be so fucking hot?
“I’m not a fucking idiot. Of course I tried talking to her.”
I shake my head, getting rid of the thoughts of him touching me, and put my armor back in place. “I had to ask.”
“Be more careful where you walk,” he says, and then releases me.
Of course he doesn’t think about me that way. I’m simple, ugly, plain, and a bitch in his world. He doesn’t see me as a woman, he never has.
Traitorous body wanting a man who only cares for himself.
It takes a few more seconds before we’re in the house, and Ruby is beside herself. The tears stream, her cries are loud, and she’s worked herself up pretty good. “Ruby, honey, come here.” I squat down and she comes running to my arms. “There, there.”
I hold her against my body as she cries. The screaming slows, but she’s a mess.
“How the—?” Ian says looking at Ruby in my arms.
