Ruby Rose Read Online Free Page B

magenta-colored blouse clasped around her neck, backless except for the bottom part that clung securely around the small of her tantalizing back. Ruby Rose… was anyone more captivating?
    Evan put the rim of the Jack bottle to his mouth, taking another small swig. He wanted to be careful not to drink too much. His friends, Gage and Adam, would make up for him when it came to the cocktail consumption. They always did. He wanted to make a good impression on Ruby. He found it hard enough to keep his senses intact around her as it was.
    Evan leaned into Adam’s ear to shout above the loud, booming music. “I’ll be back. There’s someone I need to go see.”
    Adam acknowledged him with a nod. “I’m going to go get a drink. You want one?”
    “I’m good, thanks.” Evan held up his bottle of Jack, still half full.
    Walking in Ruby’s direction, Evan recognized the short raven-haired girl holding a cocktail with Ruby as her friend from last night, Melanie.
    As he approached Ruby, he could feel his heart pick up tempo and his gut clench. Despite his efforts to quiet his nerves, he felt completely on edge. It surprised the hell out of him. Evan prided himself with his confidence with the ladies. Control at all times dictated his demeanor. One look at Ruby changed all of that.
    Evan walked around behind her and moved in closer. Ruby smelled wonderful, giving off a gentle flowing fragrance. Not suffocating or unbearable like some of the women’s perfume he was used to smelling. No stench of alcohol, no stale cigarette smoke, no sweaty-club-atmosphere-odor present. Everything about Ruby refreshed his senses. His old self had become stale, and she gave him a renewed awareness.
    He hungered to wrap his arms around Ruby’s tiny frame and hold on to her like she belonged to him. Instead, against his will, Evan eased closer and talked in her ear. “Hey, I’m glad you decided to come.”
    Ruby spun around, nearly spilling her drink all over him. Ruby’s expression went immediately from startled to embarrassed to welcoming. Her smile beckoned like a lighthouse. “Yeah, I’m glad, too. What a great place. I had no idea it would be so crowded.” Her smile continued to draw him in. “Melanie was really excited when I told her we were invited. Thank you.”
    Evan couldn’t get over how stunning she looked. If he stared at her every day of his life, it would never be enough. The word ‘captivating’ was created for this woman. “I had no idea your hair was so long. Last night you had it pulled up and… you have beautiful hair.”
    Ruby paused for a second. “Thank you.” Evan noticed she avoided eye contact again, reminding him of last night. Her eyelashes actually appeared to rest against her cheekbones, the blush rising underneath.
    Evan cast his eyes over Ruby's shoulder at the sex scene going on behind her and asked, “Are you liking what you see?”
    Ruby instantly looked into his eyes and then back down at the ground, clearly embarrassed by the question. “I uh, Melanie uh… I don't normally…”
    Evan realized the conversation made Ruby uncomfortable and he was afraid she would want to run off. He had no intentions of letting her run away again. Not this time. Evan glanced at her glass. “What are you drinking?”
    She smiled timidly. “I have no idea.”
    “What? You don’t know what you’re drinking?”
    She laughed. “No clue. Melanie handed it to me. It’s good, though.”
    Ruby’s smile somehow had a calming effect on him. “Well, would you like another drink of ‘I have no idea’, or would you like to try ‘beats me’?”
    She laughed even louder. “Ooh, I love ‘beats me’! That drink’s amazing.”
    He found her sense of humor refreshing, especially since she seemed so shy. The contrast only added to the spell this woman had on him. Whatever the magic was, Evan was spellbound.
    Evan quickly ordered the drink, never taking his eyes off of Ruby. He was happy that the bartender served him