"I really appreciate you taking the time to teach me what you know, Pete."
Pete smiled down at her and nodded. "My pleasure." Turning back to Roth, "I have your pre-order; a selection of your favourite dishes to sample."
"That would be great. Thanks."
"I'll be seeing you tomorrow, Ruby. And have a good evening, let me know if there are any problems. Your usual wine, Roth?"
Roth? She hid her grin. Yes, they must be close if he's calling comfortable enough to call Rothdam, Roth.
"That would be splendid, Pete. Thanks."
With a final nod, Pete turned his head and left, closing the door firmly behind him. Without the conversation, Ruby's attention was shifted to the soft, sultry music that had been playing in the background.
She glanced over at Roth as he pushed back his chair and stood, extending his hand to her. "Dance with me until dinner arrives." It was more of an order than a request, his eyes saying he did not expect to be denied.
"Here? Now?"
He smiled softly and nodded, but his tone was firm, "Now."
Taking his hand, she rose from her chair, and he led her to the small vacant area in front of the window. He pulled her tight into him, wrapping his arms around her waist. She found herself melting against him. As she slipped her hands up his hard chest and secured them around his neck, a voice in the back of her mind warned her she was going to get hurt. It warned her that he was way out of her league and that she was just a distraction until he started dating some new supermodels or actresses. She pressed that voice to the deep recesses of her mind as she gazed deep into his intense, dark eyes.
After all of the nights she spent dreaming of him, why couldn't she allow herself to pretend this could be real? Just for the night while dressed in the most exquisite gown she'd ever owned, being held in the arms of the most charming and gorgeous man she'd ever laid eyes on. She wanted to pretend she was the princess, and this life was really hers.
He held her tight, the soft sway of his hips against hers lighting the fire within her. She leaned in closer to him, and the smell of his cologne came to her, a sweet yet spicy musk that begged her to come closer, pressing her hips against his.
Damn, damn, damn, Ruby chastised herself. It was so hard keeping her distance when all she wanted to do was get closer. How could she possibly work and sleep just down the hall from him? She shuddered at the thought of seeing him bring another woman home, and God forbid hearing him fucking that woman.
"Hey, what's the matter?" She was jolted for her thoughts by his soft voice and his index finger hooked under her chin lifting her eyes back up to meet his.
Time seemed to freeze as they stood together, locked in each others embrace. She could see the hunger evident in his eyes that it sent a pleasurable chill through her.
As she pressed up against the length of his body, she felt his erection against her stomach. He wanted her, and she'd never wanted anyone so badly than at that very moment. Ruby opened her mouth to speak, but no words escaped her. He lowered his mouth to hers. His lips were about second from touching hers when the moment was suddenly shattered by a knock at the door.
"Fuck," Roth muttered softly, as he straightened back up, saying exactly that she was feeling. "We'll talk in a bit okay?" He loosened his grip on her and she immediately missed his warm, hard body against hers.
Ruby nodded and gave him a reassuring smile.
"Come in," Roth called out, stepping away from her completely and leading her back to the table with his hand planted firming at the small of her back.
The door opened to reveal a number of servers holding platters of delicious looking and smelling foods.
Oh-my-God! I'm going to have to cook dishes like that! Ruby realized she was going to need more than Pete to cook like that; she was going to need a miracle.
****
"The food was amazing, Roth. I have no idea how I could even compare to the food they serve there. Even with tutoring from Pete" Ruby looked up hesitantly at him as he opened the front door of his home - correction, their home - and ushered her in before him.
Roth sighed in exasperation. "I've already told you Ruby, if I wanted a gourmet chef I would have hired one. As we have discussed in the contract, your duties include-"
"Wife without being the wife, maybe minus the sex. I got that," she teased.
Roth shook his head, but a smile touched his lips.
"But those dishes were intimidating."
Closing the door and locking it behind them, Roth turned to face her. He'd wanted to kiss her all evening. If the waiter hadn't had such fucking bad timing he would have. But would that have been the best of ideas? He raked his fingers through his short dark hair, feelings of indecision rushing through him as he considered it.
After a minute he shook his head. "You'll do fine. You were amazing at coffee shop." With a hand at the small of her back, he urged her towards the winding staircase.
Her sapphire blue eyes peered up at him and she flipped her golden hair over her shoulder as they ascended the stairs. "I served you coffee at the coffee shop. Hardly a testament to my cooking abilities."
He grinned. "I suppose not."
At the top of the staircase both paused and turned to face each other. Roth's room was to the left, while Ruby's was to the right. The air between them thickened. She had been right; it felt like a date. But if it had been a real date, he'd be pulling her into his arms and ushering her to his bedroom instead of standing before her as the air between them simmered.