What she hadn’t done was follow the normal trajectory he was used to, where a woman expected more from him than he was prepared to give, and subtly tried to question him about what happened next.
Irritated because the one woman he did want to expect more from him actually didn’t, Sam strode from the yacht after Tino docked, growling at Ruby as she accepted Tino’s offer of a lift home, firmly directing her to his own jeep and driving her home himself.
She didn’t say anything on the way, petting Kong and staring at the Sydney landscape she’d seen a million times before. Needing to work out his own agenda, Sam had left her to her thoughts, but now, as he pulled up outside her apartment block, he knew he had to say something.
Moving Kong to the back seat, he went around to open Ruby’s door, barely restraining his irritation when he found her already waiting for him on the kerb.
‘I’ll walk you up,’ he clipped out, reaching for her bag.
‘No need,’ she said clasping the handle as if it were full of jewels and she was staring at a newly released prison inmate. ‘I had a lovely time this weekend. Thank you.’
Sam ground his teeth together. ‘This isn’t exactly the way I planned for it to end, Ruby.’
‘It was a little awkward with Valentino turning up like that but—’
‘I’m not talking about my brother. I’m talking about you and me.’ His voice was deep, rough. ‘Spend the night with me.’ He placed his hands on her shoulders. ‘Come back to my place and let me fix you dinner.’
‘I can’t.’ She wouldn’t meet his eyes. ‘I have to look over work stuff and—’
‘Do it at mine.’
‘Molly expects me home. We agreed to talk about Mum’s situation.’
‘Her wedding, you mean.’
‘Yes.’
He could feel the tension emanating from the tight muscles in her shoulders and wanted to ease the burden she felt. ‘Your mother is a big girl, Ruby. She can take care of herself.’
‘I know that.’ She pulled back from him and he knew he’d offended her. ‘I’m not an idiot.’
‘I didn’t say you were.’
Frustrated, Sam dragged a hand through his hair. The more Ruby tried to put walls up between them, the more he wanted to tear them down. ‘I’m only trying to offer you support.’
‘I don’t need your support, Sam. I’m a big girl as well.’
‘Dammit, would you stop being so prickly?’ His hands slid down to her hips and he tugged her closer. ‘I don’t want to argue with you. I want to see you again.’
Her head went back as she frowned. ‘Sorry?’
‘Did you seriously think one weekend is all I would want?’
‘Yes. No! I don’t know.’
‘Well, it’s not,’ he said gruffly. ‘I want more.’
‘How much more?’ she asked huskily.
‘I don’t know,’ he answered honestly. ‘But I do know I don’t want this to end yet.’
Ruby bit into her lower lip, her fingers turning the front of his T-shirt into a piano accordion.
‘What about you?’ His voice sounded rough. ‘What do you want?’
‘I don’t know either,’ she said hesitantly. ‘We work together and—’
‘That’s a real sticking point for you, I know.’ He stared down at her. ‘So, okay, lay it on me.’
‘What?’ she asked warily.
‘Some scenarios.’
‘Scenarios?’
‘Imagined situations you think are going to go wrong in the future.’ He flashed her a grin. ‘You can start with your biggest fear.’
Her eyes flew wide as if to say that there was no way she would be starting with her biggest fear. ‘So you can shoot it down?’
‘Of course.’ His grin widened. ‘Come on, Clarkson—I’m good at this, trust me.’
‘Fine.’ She drew in a deep breath. ‘If we continue this and someone at the office finds out the gossip would be hideous.’
‘The only way anyone at work can find out is if one of us is indiscreet and talks. I’m not going to do that, and I doubt you are either.’