Page 17 of Her Power Play

He’s absolutely right, but I’m not sure I would choose any other way, because I would drop everything and run to her right now if I were able to. I’m gone. Completely gone for her, and I’m not sure I want to come back, but I’m going to have to figure out how to get back into my groove. Otherwise, I’ll be out of a fucking job.

TWENTY

RUBY

Stepping out of the bakery, I hold my breath as I look around the parking area, but I don’t see him there. I am disappointed at the fact that he isn’t waiting for me again. I know that I shouldn’t be. He has a life, and I’m not the center of it, but I really want to be.

Slowly and sadly, I make my way toward my car, sink down into the driver’s seat, and head toward home. I don’t know why I’m so disappointed. I shouldn’t be, but I am. After the best night and morning of my life, he hasn’t called… or texted.

I really hope it wasn’t a one-night thing. I’ve never had a one-night stand before, and I’m not sure how I would feel about it if that’s what it was. Mainly because I didn’t think that’s what it was. I thought it was the start of something.

Pulling into my parking spot, I shift the car into park, but I don’t immediately turn the car off. Instead, I stare out the front of my windshield and allow my thoughts to consume me. I shouldn’t. What I should be doing is avoiding overthinking at all costs, but I can’t, because it’s happening without me even trying.

I shake my head, trying to clear the negative thoughts. Turning the car off, I open the door and unfold from the seat. Closing the door behind me, I touch the lock button on the fob before heading upstairs.

One step, then another, the sadness consuming me as I get closer to my apartment door. When I walk inside, he won’t be there. I can’t believe I’m so sad about it.

One night—that’s all it was, but I wanted so much more—I wanted every single night from now until eternity, and I am fully aware of how ridiculous that is. We don’t even know one another.

“I thought you were never coming home,” a deep voice rumbles from a few feet away.

My head lifts, and my eyes fly upward to meet his. There, standing in front of me, right beside my door, is him. It’s Liam. He’s wearing a pair of athletic shorts, a tight T-shirt, slides, and holding two bags of what I assume is takeout.

He’s here.

I open my mouth to ask him why he’s here, but he doesn’t give me the chance. Instead, he takes a step toward me, dipping his chin. His lips touch mine, his tongue sweeping through my mouth, tasting me before he straightens. His gaze searches my own, a smile playing on his lips.

“Liam,” I exhale.

He gives me a wink. “Come on, let’s get some food. I didn’t know what you’d want, but I figured you didn’t want to go out again. I can’t cook for shit, but I do know how to order.”

Liam holds up the bags and shakes them slightly. My lips curve up into a smile at the sight of him standing in front of my door. I can’t believe that this is real. Whatever doubts I had, they’re gone for now.

He’s here.

Liam takes the keys from me and slides one into the lock, turning it before he pushes the door open. “Food first, Ruby.”

“First?” I ask.

“First,” he says with a hum, the corner of his lips twitching. Then he shifts his face closer to mine again. His lips brush against my own, but he doesn’t deepen the kiss. “Then dessert second.”

TWENTY-ONE

LIAM

I needed a good protein source after that bullshit hellish practice. Greek food is my favorite, and I’ve got kabobs, rice, and veggies. Double everything. I wasn’t sure what Ruby would want, but I knew Mezza Grill had an amazing mango-stuffed chicken dish, so I ordered it for her.

Hopefully she likes it.

I’ll give her mine if she needs it, but I’ve been looking forward to lamb all day long.

“You know you didn’t have to bring me anything. I was just going to have some cheese and crackers,” Ruby calls out as she moves around her kitchen. I can hear dishes clanking in the distance, with cabinet doors opening and closing.

I set the bags on the kitchen counter, then watch as she takes them over to her side and begins placing food on plates. I don’t know what exactly she’s doing because I always just eat out of the containers.

“Are you putting dinner on plates?” I ask.

She hums, nodding a couple of times.