“No idea,” Bree said. “So. Mark St. Crow. I can see why you think he’s cute. In a breeder kind of way.”
Ruby tried to look indifferent. “It was a one-night stand. Fun was had by all. Now it’s back to normal life.” Ruby shoved a bite of toast into her mouth.
Bree and Meg just stared at her.
“Seriously, it’s true—oh, look. My cell’s ringing, be right back.” Seeing an unfamiliar number, Ruby jumped up and stepped into a jasmine-covered alcove. “This is Ruby.”
“Hey, baby.”
Her heart stopped. “Mark?”
“You sound surprised.”
“Well, after what happened last night, when I, you know…”
“Kicked me out?” he said, and she could practically see him grinning that wicked smile of his.
“Yeah,” she said. And part of her felt guilty for asking him to leave, even if she knew it was for the best.
“Emmett gave me your number.”
“Right.” Of course he did.
“I just wanted to say thanks for last night.”
She smiled. “You forgot to leave a tip.”
“Well, lucky for you I’m going to be back in San Francisco sooner than I thought. I can give you lots more tips. In fact, I can’t wait to tip you again. Tip you over my knee, over the side of a bed, the kitchen table—”
“Mark! What’s gotten into you?”
“As I recall, last night I was into you.”
“Oh my God. You’re awful.” So why was she trying so hard not to laugh?
“I want to see you again. I’m recording with Emmett, so plan on it.”
Staring at the jasmine, she fought for patience. “Mark. Listen. What happened last night… it can’t happen again.”
“Why not?”
The simple question hung between them as she considered her words. “Because, I have other priorities right now.” Which do not include falling for a bad-boy rock star. “I don’t have time for this.”
“Make time.”
“I can’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because I just can’t.” A couple passing by looked startled as she shouted the last word. Turning, she lowered her voice. “Listen, I admit I was curious to know what it would be like to… you know, be spanked. So thank you for that.”
“Um, you’re welcome?”
“But I don’t want to do it again.” Not with you, anyway.
“Why?”
“Because.” Her voice sounded weak even to her own ears. Shit.
“Because why?” He asked again in a serious tone she responded to.
“If you must know it’s because I liked you too much. I mean, I liked it too much.”
“In my world, you can never have too much of a good thing.”
“See?” she said. “That’s exactly what I’m talking about. In my world, you can.”
She heard him take a deep breath and then, “Do you ever let go? Oh, wait. It’s all coming together now. The only time you do let go is when you’re bound. And I bet you never let go like you did with me. You were mine within minutes. No wonder you’re so freaked out.”
“That isn’t true!” Why did everyone keep saying that she was freaking out? “I don’t freak out.”
“Tell me something.”
“No.”
“Are you sore this morning? On your ass? Can you see where I left you marked?”
“No, and no.” But just his words made her body burn with lust, and she knew he’d see right through her lie.
“I don’t believe you. I think you love it. I think just the thought of submitting to me makes your toes curl.”
Her mouth was so dry she couldn’t answer. Arrogant bastard. Why did he have to be so fucking right?
“You’re so freaked out because that dickhead bondage guy never gave you what you really desired. But I did, didn’t I, Ruby?”
“You got lucky.”
“I agree. I got fucking lucky the second I saw you last night. And I’m going to get lucky again.”
“You really are one of the most egotistical men I’ve ever met.”
“No doubt. And yet you trusted me on the most intimate level, didn’t you?”
She nodded absently. And then, “Why me? You can have any girl you want. Why are you working this hard for me?”
“Because just like I gave you something you wanted, you did the same for me. I’m not asking you to marry me here. I’m just saying I want to see you again.”
Every fiber of her being was yelling no, telling her to run away as fast as she could and never look back. And yet, there was a part of her that so badly wanted to see him again. To submit to him again. Just the thought made her insides quiver.