Make Me Yours

“What?” The word floats out on an exhale.

“You’re so beautiful.”

“So are you…”

Because, yes. Yes, he is.

He leans a little closer, and the heat between us is right there. It’s fire, a burning ring of fire, like the song. Our hands are still joined, an electric connection, sparks in our fingertips. I exhale a whimper, a plea for more. I’m slippery and wet, vibrating and magnetic.

He inhales again, placing his hand on my shoulder. “You smell like roses.”

My shirt is so thin, I’m sure my nipples will rip through the fabric. I want to reach forward and slide my hand along the front of his pants, feel the erection I know he has.

One step forward, my chin lifts. My eyes slide close, and my breath stills…

“Ruby!” Eleanor shouts my name so loud, we both jump apart.

“Oh my god,” I whisper.

“If you’re late to pick up Lillian, they fine us a dollar a minute.”

She’s coming up the stairs. She’s almost to the landing, and I go to the door. Remi turns his back and steps out the open French doors onto the small balcony.

He didn’t even touch me, but I smooth my hair and straighten my blouse. I’m hot and bothered and breathing fast. “What’s that?” My voice is wobbly.

“Here you are.” Eleanor pauses at the door, and her eyes narrow suspiciously.

I pass her, going out to the landing, without a backwards glance at my boss.

My boss.

Remi is my boss.

“I must’ve lost track of time.” My voice is light, not breathless.

Eleanor pivots and follows me down the stairs. “You might set your watch—”

“That’s a good idea.” I lift my wrist and tap on my Apple watch.

“That’s nice.” She leans forward to look over my shoulder. “I looked at one of those a while back, but it seemed so expensive…” Her tone makes it clear she wants to know how I could afford an Apple watch. Like it’s any of her business. “And I’m so old, you know.”

“It was a Christmas present from my mom.”

“Oh… of course.”

Checking my watch also shows I have twenty minutes left to get Lillie. “I guess you drive slower than I do, too.”

She grins, and her eyes narrow as if she’s sizing me up. “Tell me, Ruby, why does an educated, attractive young woman like you want to be a nanny? I’m sure there’s something you’d rather be doing besides babysitting someone else’s daughter.”

“Being a nanny is not the same as a babysitter.” I already had this conversation with my mother; now I’m having it with the Dark Lord. Lordess? But while Ma is overly helpful, Eleanor is manipulative, controlling, and pouty. “Anyway, I like Lillie. She’s adorable.”

“We don’t need you.”

“Remi seems to have a different opinion on the matter. He said he needed help, and I’m here to help. It’s the Christian thing to do.”

I couldn’t resist tossing in that jab.

Church ladies love being so holier than thou.