Shacking Up (Shacking Up (Shacking Up 1)

“With you dressed the way you are, I’m pretty sure you’re wrong about that.”

And now he’s insulting my outfit. “I think he’s more interested in a hookup.”

Bancroft’s jaw clenches. His nostrils flare. His eyes narrow and darken. Dear God, it’s hot. Hotter than it should be. “Ruby.” The word is a grave warning.

I smile sweetly at him and purposely adjust my dress so I’m showing more cleavage instead of less. “Don’t worry, Bane, I would never bring a hookup back to your condo. I have to go. We’re in the middle of dinner and I’ve been gone longer than is appropriate.”

“Ruby, don’t hang u—” I end the call and power down my phone before he can get the rest out. My stomach is doing all kinds of acrobatics. A bead of sweat trickles down my spine. Bancroft is acting like a jealous ass. And he’s being territorial. Over me and my cleavage. It makes me giddy.

I don’t have rules for this particular tennis match. I like Bancroft. If he wasn’t across an ocean and I wasn’t relying on him for my current, modest income and a place to live, I would definitely want to find myself under him, in his bed, or on his couch, or floor, or anywhere really, but current circumstances prevent that. So, for the time being, I’m going to let him stew for acting the part of a Neanderthal, even if I find it sexy. He doesn’t need to know that.

Chapter 12: Mine

BANCROFT

She did not just hang up on me. I stare at the blank screen for a couple of seconds before I hit redial. It goes straight to voice mail. I try again and get the same thing.

Somewhere in my head, beyond the white noise, I recognize I’m being irrational. I don’t honestly think Ruby is going to hook up with Wentworth. She has better taste than that. All conversations up to this point indicate she does. I think. I hope.

The image of that jackoff in my condo, in my spare bedroom with her, naked and under him makes me want to get on a plane and go home right the fuck now. Which again, is highly irrational. Unless I can wrap things up here faster, I still have a few weeks before I’m home. I’ll need a miracle to make that happen at the rate we’re going.

Beyond the possible hookup with Wentworth—which I know is unlikely—I’m actually not all that excited about the idea that Ruby might be interested in dating anyone. In the time she’s been staying in my place, the part of the day I’ve been looking forward to the most is our almost daily video chats.

After endless meetings and hours spent dealing with a room full of Type-A personalities and the fine details of project management, Ruby is a breath of fresh air. She’s the person I want to come home to the most. Which is kind of a problem I suppose, because I’m not her boyfriend and she’s supposed to move out when I get back.

I have no idea if she’s been dating anyone, casually or otherwise, while I’ve been away. I certainly haven’t had time for that. Well, I suppose that’s not 100 percent true. There have been a few women who have expressed interest in spending time with me, but my schedule doesn’t accommodate dates. Not when I have calls with Ruby scheduled in the evening. Although while I’ve been in Amsterdam I started calling first thing in the morning instead since I’m an early riser and she seems to be a nighthawk. Her bedwear is my favorite. Little tanks with shorts. Sometimes I can see her nipples through the fabric.

But it’s not just about nipple visuals. It’s far more than that. Ruby is a vibrant, gorgeous woman with a mind of her own. She has fire and sass. I like her. A lot. She’s funny and witty and sweet. We seem to share the same views on how frustrating family expectations can be. I like talking to her and hearing her perspective is always refreshing. She doesn’t just say things to bolster my ego. It’s a nice change from some of the women I’ve dated in the past. She’d be a great plus-one at some of these terrible, stuck-up parties I’m forced to attend. I want to take her out. I want to take her to bed. My bed. The one she’s always lying on with Francesca.

None of that is going to happen though if she starts seeing someone else in the time I’m gone. It could happen. Beyond how lovely she is to look at, her father’s bankroll is desirable. That alone would be reason enough for many of the single guys in Armstrong’s circle to be interested. It would make her doubly alluring for an asshole like Wentworth.

I try calling again, but I get tossed into voice mail. She must’ve turned her phone off. That’s fine. I have other ways to get in touch with her. I call Armstrong’s phone, but unfortunately I get his voice mail, too. So I call again. And a third time.

“Hello?” He sounds annoyed.

“Hey, Armstrong.”

“Bane! How are you?”

“I’m fine. Good.”

He murmurs something and I hear the sound of a chair moving across the floor and voices in the background.

“That’s great. I hear the projects are going well. How’s Amsterdam? Have you been taking advantage of some of the perks over there?”

Of course that’s his first question. “If you’re referring to the weed cafés, the answer is no.” I’m sure Lex is out partaking. He’s been off for the last few weeks and I can’t figure it out. Regardless, one of us needs to be able to pay attention at the morning meetings.

“I was thinking along other lines.”

“I’m not risking the health of my dick for a trip to the red-light district.” It’s definitely something I could see Armstrong doing, prior to Amalie.

“I’m disappointed in you, Bane. You can’t even be bothered to enjoy yourself while you’re in a country where prostitution is legal.”

“Too bad it’s me here and not you, huh?”

“I’d certainly be taking full advantage of the perks.”

I snort. “Except you’re engaged.”

“It’s another time zone. It doesn’t count.”

I don’t laugh at his joke. “Listen, Ruby mentioned that she was going out for dinner tonight with you and Amalie, is she available? I’ve tried to call her, but maybe she has her phone on silent.”

“She’s here. We’re in the middle of dinner, though. Can I have her call you back?”

“It’s a bit of an emergency. It would be better if I spoke with her now.” The lie sits uncomfortably in my throat. Even I’m questioning what I’m doing right now.

“I’ll get her.” His voice is muffled as he covers the receiver.

I hear Ruby’s confused voice, also still muffled.

“He said it’s an emergency.” That’s Armstrong.

“Oh? Okay.”

The phone must change hands. I hear the muted clip of heels and a door opening and closing, followed by Ruby’s muttered, “Emergency, my ass.” A second later her annoyed voice is right in my ear. “Are you fucking kidding me with this, Bancroft?”

I love it when she says my name. I love that she rarely shortens it and when she does it always sounds a little breathless. I also love that she’s pissed off at me and swearing. I have a problem. I know.

“Did you turn your phone off?” I don’t know why this is my leading question.

“Yes.”

“You can’t do that.”

Her heavy exhalation of breath does amazing things to my dick. I adjust my semi and smile.

“I can when you’re acting like an asshole,” she snaps.