"Never. And I don't care that you want to run away from me. I want you and I will do anything to get you back. You're not leaving me, Ruby."
"What do you mean? We have no future together. I live in New Zealand, and you, you live here, in this type of lifestyle."
"And you're telling me you don't want this lifestyle? You don't want me in your life?"
"No. That's not want I mean. Oh, I don't know."
"Aye, you do know, Ruby." He cupped her face again. "Do you love me, Ruby?"
Ruby looked up at him and nodded. "Yes. Yes, I do. I love you so much, it hurts. And that's why I had to leave. I don't want to get hurt."
"Ruby, I will never ever hurt you again. I want you in my life. Please come back to me?"
"What would I be to you then? If I were to come back?"
"You would be my lady," he said, gently stroking his thumb against her sensitive cheek. "And more importantly, you will become my wife."
Ruby stared at him, utterly shocked. "What?"
"That's if you want to. Though I'd prefer it sooner rather than later. What do you think? Before or after Brian and Susan's wedding?"
"Alec!"
"You're only allowed one answer, Ruby. Aye or aye?"
"What kind of choice is that?"
"The choice I'm giving you. Now then, aye or aye?"
"Nay."
Alec narrowed his eyes. "That's not an option."
Ruby raised her eyebrows at him. She couldn't believe it. Alec Hasting was asking her to marry him. She was practically floored.
Alec moved his head toward her and kissed her passionately. Ruby wrapped her arms around him and kissed him back.
Suddenly, the door opened.
"Holy shit!" Alex cursed.
Alec pulled back to see Alex and Jayden at the door while Ruby blushed intensely.
"Oh my gosh!" Alex said into the room. "Mr. Hasting, what have you done to my friend?"
"It's a long story," Alec replied. "But I'll keep it short. Ruby has consented to be my wife after all."
"What?" Ruby shouted.
"When?" Alex asked, confused.
"That's good news," Jayden said.
*
EPILOGUE
With the new queen-sized bed made up, Ruby stepped back to survey her handiwork.
"I think that's the last of it," Mrs. McKenzie said.
Ruby nodded, grinning. She couldn't wait for her family to arrive for the engagement party. Then, soon after that, her friends Alex and Jayden, and later, Nikita and Isabella.
"Thank you, Mrs. McKenzie," Ruby said to the older woman.
"Yer welcome, Miss Ruby," Mrs. McKenzie said. "Yer family now so don't hesitate ta ask fer anythin'."
Ruby bit her lip. She couldn't believe it. Soon she'd be Mrs. Alec Hasting. The thought sent a thrill throughout her body.
Mrs. McKenzie left then, and Ruby went to draw the curtains closed.
Alec, however, decided to barge through the door at that moment.
"What's this, missy?" he demanded, his hands on his hips. "Didn't I tell you that you wouldn't be staying in this room?"
Ruby glanced over her shoulder at her fiance. She hid a grin, knowing all too well that she'd get him all riled up after announcing that she intended to stay in her old room, the room he first locked her in when she was his captive.
"You certainly did, sir," she replied sweetly. "But surely, you understand my family, more specifically, my mum, would die of shock if I were to share a room with you when we're not yet even wedded."
Alec frowned darkly at that. Bloody hell, he temporarily forgot about it. "Well," he began hesitantly, "they're not here yet."
"What are you implying?" she asked, her eyebrows raised curiously.
Alec knew she wanted him to say it out loud. Damn her. He knew she knew he wanted her tonight--all to himself.
He cleared his throat. "What I'm implying, my dear lady, is that you'll be bloody cold and scared tonight. There's a storm coming--"
She cut him off. "I'm sure I will be fine, Alec. I have Westies with me."
"That blasted dog?"
Ruby turned to him. "Alec!"
"Ruby, sweetheart," Alec began, trying to find a way to reason with her. God, he wanted her with him tonight. He knew when everyone arrived for the engagement party, he wouldn't have any time with her at all, not until everyone left, and that was another week away. It was far too long for him to handle.
"Yes, Alec?" she asked, moving toward him.
He pulled her into his arms, his face very close to hers. "If you won't come with me to the master bedroom, then I'll stay here with you, to keep you company, of course."
Ruby grinned. "You don't have to do that."
"I've already made up my mind," he muttered.
Ruby moved back, knowing he was going to kiss her. She needed to clear her head. If he kissed her, she wouldn't be able to think, or let him go tonight.
She moved over to the table, which held two wine glasses and a bottle of champagne.
"I'm naughty," she admitted cheekily. "I stole a bottle of your finest wine from the cellar."
Alec chuckled. "Are you sure you want to drink that? As I remember, the last time you got quite a headache."
Ruby poured the clear, bubbling liquid into the two glasses. "Everything in moderation, my good sir." She handed one to him.
"Of course," he said, "everything in moderation. And for you," he gently touched her chin with his finger and thumb, "a half glass is moderation enough." Then he kissed her on the lips. Ruby closed her eyes, and when she was about to open her mouth for him, he moved back, winking at her. She watched him down the whole glass of libation, and took the glass from him once he was done.
"I think one glass for you is moderately enough, too," she said.
Alec chuckled and pulled her into his arms again. He gave her another kiss, and Ruby obliged, saying, "It is only this one time though." She opened her mouth for him and he eagerly slid his tongue in, kissing her passionately and wildly. By the time Alec pulled back, she was breathless.
"Make yourself comfortable. I need a shower first," she whispered into his ear.
Alec nodded and watched her go into the bathroom.
Hands in the pockets of his jeans, he ambled to the queen-sized bed and lay down, closing his eyes.
Ruby closed the door. As she proceeded to shower, she smiled--a mischievous, secret smile.
Once she was dressed in sexy lingerie, she came back out; and as expected, her bed partner had already fallen into a deep slumber. She came over to sit beside him, grinning.
"Alec?" she softly called. "Alec?" She gently touched the side of his strong face, wanting so badly to laugh. When she was sure he was dead to the world, she said, "Serves you right for locking me in. Now, my lord, it's my turn to be your captor." She kissed him on the lips once and strolled to the door, humming to herself. Taking one long look at her sleeping captive, she chuckled lightly, and closed the door, locking it with a key.
Captain Snow chose that moment to appear and happily trotted over to her. She picked him and headed to the master bedroom.
Alec woke up with a start. He groaned and wondered where the hell he was. Sitting up, he raked his fingers through his hair. That was when he realized what room he was in.
"Ruby," he said under his breath, while leaping out of bed and heading to the door. With his hand wrapped around the knob, he pulled, then frowned. He tried again. It was locked.
"Shit!" he muttered under his breath. "So, she wants to play games, does she?" He went to the window, pulled the drapes back, and easily undid the lock. Thank God he decided to put in a window that could be opened after Ruby broke it to escape.
It didn't take him long to get down using the bed sheet. Barefoot, he ran to the back of the house, found a hidden spare key, opened the door, and slipped in without waking up anyone. He rushed up the stairs and into the master bedroom. He found her asleep in his bed with Captain Snow by her feet.
&
nbsp; He grinned, his eyes twinkling. As he passed the chest of drawers, he grabbed a black, thin, silk fabric and sat on her side of the bed. He gently grabbed her wrist, tying the fabric around it, and securing it to one bed post.
Captain Snow woke up then, and started barking loudly.
"Hush, you blasted dog," Alec muttered.
Ruby fluttered her eyes open, and blinked several times. "Westies, what's wrong?"
Captain Snow continued to bark at Alec. That was when Ruby saw him. She gasped.
"How did you get out?" she asked.
Alec chuckled. "The same way you did."
Ruby bit her lip, and moved to get up, but found herself tied to the bed post. A bolt of fear passed through her momentarily.
"Alec!" she said, her voice quivering. "What are you doing?"
"You tricked me, my sweet," Alec said.
"So?" Ruby muttered, trying to free her wrist.
Alec picked the dog up and carried him to the door.
"Where are you taking him?"
"Out."
Ruby watched him disappear from sight, and continued to try and free her wrist. The harder she tried, the tighter it seemed to get. Her heart continued to pound in her chest, and when Alec reappeared at the door, her stomach flipped.
"Alec! Free me this instant; do you hear me?"
Alec ignored her outrageous demand, a grin on his face. God, he was going to love this. In fact, he would love every moment of their lives together.
He sat beside her and pulled the blanket back.
"It appears your trick didn't work, my sweet," he said.
"What do you mean?" Ruby asked breathlessly, looking into his eyes, which were dark with desire.
"It is you who fell into my trap, little sweet, for you are now in my bed."
Ruby bit her lip. "Stupid lout," she muttered. She just couldn't believe he was so smart. She thought she tricked him, but apparently, he expected it.
Alec wrapped his large hands about her small waist and lifted her up so that she could sit on his lap.
"Now then, where were we?"
"What are you going to do to me?"
"Make love to you, my sweet, whether you like it or not," he replied.
"I refuse to be made love to," she retorted.
"Oh, that's no problem at all," he said, slipping one hand to cup her breast. Ruby bit her lip. He moved her even closer so that she straddled him. She could feel his pride and joy growing hard and fully erect, against her. She instantly become aroused and groaned.
"Ah. There. See?" He chuckled.
Ruby punched her small fist on his wall of chest. "Stupid lout," she said. "Stupid, hot--"
Before Ruby could say the word "lout," Alec claimed her lips, slipping his tongue inside her mouth and, at the same time, slipping his hand under her panties, and caressing her.
Ruby groaned, losing the battle, and allowed him to make love to her.
*