Page 71 of Royal Desire

Payne moves to my side and winds a strand of my hair around his finger. “I’ve never been more sure about anything.”

CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

THE POINT AND NOTHING BUT THE POINT

Ruby

Ihated leaving Grandma, but she insisted she was fine for the night by herself. And I don’t know about Blake, but I’m exhausted. I feel like I’ve been back in Winslet for a year.

I’m also back at the manor in Payne’s top-floor suite that he insisted he didn’t pay for. My pillows and blankets are cleaned up from where I slept on the sofa last night along with the small buffet I ordered just because Payne offered, and I couldn’t decide if I was grateful or spiteful for him butting into my life.

I had no idea it was possible but today stretched longer than yesterday.

Payne motions to the bedroom across the suite opposite from his. “Blake, you can take that room. Dean dropped some things off for you. Some guys at the station put together a bag of clothes that should get you by for a day or two until you have time to shop for yourself. There’s also an envelope of cash in there from Devon. He’s worried about you getting on your feet until your insurance kicks in. Help yourself to anything in the kitchen.”

“I can’t believe they managed that tonight. And Mr. Donnelly is the best.” Before Blake goes to his room, he turns to me. “Are you okay?”

“I was going to ask you the same thing. Tonight was horrible.” I wrap my arms around my brother. He returns my embrace, and I bury my face into his smoky shirt. “We almost lost her.”

I feel him sigh and press his cheek against the top of my head. “I know. I know we won’t have her forever, but the last week has been a lot. Just when I thought we were back on track, this happened.”

I pull back enough to look up at him. “Grandma, the house, all your things ... tell me the truth, are you okay?”

He shrugs. “You know I’ve never been a big fan of stuff. Isn’t that what insurance is for?”

“I’m twelve years older than you, but you’re by far the more responsible adult. I know nothing about insurance. Heck, I haven’t owned a car in years.”

“Your insurance will come through.” Payne interrupts us. “It’s a good thing you know an attorney. I’ll make sure no one fucks Alice over.”

Blake lifts his chin to Payne before he looks back down at me. “See? I’ll be able to buy new underwear eventually. Get some sleep, Ruby. Tomorrow will be a long day.”

Payne closes the fridge and tosses a bottle of water across the room to Blake. “Your bathroom will have everything you need. Make yourself comfortable.”

“Thanks for being so cool. Grandma doesn’t really hate you. In fact, she loved you until you got engaged. When you broke it off in the nick of time, she said she knew you couldn’t go through with it.” I bite my lip when Blake doesn’t quit talking. I can always count on him for being too open and too honest. “And everyone’s talking about you two being back together. When Ruby didn’t come home last night, I told Grandma she doesn’t need to hate you anymore. But she can hold a mean grudge.”

“She sure can,” Payne mutters and cracks open a bottle of water and takes a long pull.

I drag my hands through my smoke-filled hair. “I’m done being the topic of conversation while I’m standing right here. I’m going to take a shower.”

I move through Payne’s bedroom and go straight to the luxurious bathroom. The need to wash away the night, both literally and figuratively, overwhelms me. Unlike last time, I shut the door completely.

By the time I smell like Payne again with his exceptional skin care and hair products, I wrap myself in a towel and hope that he has some clothes that I can bum for the night.

When I open the door to the bathroom, he’s sitting in the same spot he was this morning at the foot of the bed waiting for me. But this time, he’s flanked on each side by floral tote bags in every color of the rainbow.

I stop in the threshold where the marble meets the carpet. “You have boundary issues.”

His eyes drag over me like a touch. From my wet hair to my bare toes and everything in between. “There’s nothing I haven’t seen.”

I grip my towel tighter at my breasts. “That’s beyond the point.”

He shakes his head. “There is nothing beyond that point. It’s the point and nothing but the point.”

“How very lawyer-ish of you.” But there is no bite in my words and he knows it. I lean against the door frame. “I already told you how impressed I am with your choice in personal care items. Your bags are equally as impressive.”

Payne glances at one of the totes and isn’t bothered by their femininity. “I’d thank you, but these aren’t mine. They’re for you. I wish I could take credit. My mother is the only woman I have access to for raiding a closet. I didn’t think you’d like that much. These are from Harlow. She and Devon are generous.”

I’m taken aback. “That is generous. I hardly know her. My only plan was to raid your suitcase.”