Ruby murmured a vague excuse. She hadn’t actually told her mother about her marriage yet. Ruby hadn’t spoken to her, or her father and brothers, since she’d left Vegas. She rarely spoke about relationships with her family, mostly because of her job. Even when she’d been with her former client, she hadn’t told them about him. She’d hidden him from them, so they wouldn’t know the truth about how he treated her.
Ruby made a mental note to call her family. She missed them, and she hoped they’d forgive her for falling out of touch. What would happen when she told her family about Yvonne? Would they all want to speak with Ruby’s ‘wife?’ Ruby was certain her brothers would try to intimidate Yvonne, threatening her with all kinds of outrageous things if she dared to hurt Ruby. They were grossly overprotective, which Ruby had always found sexist and patronizing.
She smiled to herself. Perhaps letting her brothers talk to Yvonne would be a good thing. Yvonne wouldn’t be intimidated by their posturing. She would put them in their place in no time at all.
Ruby shook herself. She was doing it again, thinking about her marriage to Yvonne as if it were real. She couldn’t deny the appeal of this fantasy they’d created together. Perhaps it was simply the extravagant lifestyle she was living with Yvonne that appealed to her.
Although, she found Yvonne herself appealing in every way. The way she walked and moved. The luscious timbre her voice would take on when she issued Ruby a command. The way her eyes would shimmer as she tormented Ruby with all kinds of pleasures.
But that intense draw Ruby felt toward her was purely physical and mental. It was the thrill of surrendering to her Mistress that Ruby was addicted to. The alternative was that she was falling for Yvonne, and that was out of the question. Ruby couldn’t fall for a client. Not again.
Brooke stretched out her arms, yawning. Ruby hadn’t even noticed she’d stopped talking.
“So,” Brooke said. “So, now that you’ve got a rich wife and you’re not waitressing anymore, what are you doing with yourself?”
Ruby shrugged. “Not much, really. I’m still settling into my new life. I haven’t figured out what I want to do with it yet.”
That much was true. Even after the year was over, she’d have five million dollars. If she was smart, she wouldn’t have to worry about money ever again. She could do anything she wanted.
But she was no closer to figuring out what it was that she wanted.
“I’d kill to have some time to do my own thing,” Brooke said. “I’m working two jobs right now, and I’m thinking of picking up a third.” She sighed. “Does Yvonne have any rich friends you can set me up with?”
“She does, but they’re all women,” Ruby replied.
“That’s too bad.” Brooke closed her eyes. “You have no idea how lucky you are.”
Brooke had a good point. Ruby was lucky. She had everything she could ever need, along with the freedom to do whatever she wanted, yet she was wasting all her time lounging around the apartment, feeling lost and hopeless. She was free of her old life. She had to take advantage of that. She had to start living again.
What did that involve for her? What kind of life did Ruby want to build? What did she want to do with herself? Lately, she’d been spending half her time baking. She’d been making the most of all the supplies she’d bought, attempting more and more extravagant creations. Her skills were improving. Perhaps she had a knack for it after all.
Could she take a few classes, learn from a professional? She could even go to culinary school. She had the time, and the money. And once she was done with that? She could even open her own bakery like she’d dreamed about as a girl. It was a silly idea. Then again, Ruby would be a millionaire soon. What else was she going to do with all her money?
Her future held so many possibilities. For the first time, Ruby had total control over it. Why was the idea so overwhelming?
Ruby closed her eyes and sank deeper into the spa. She could worry about the future later. For now, she wanted to enjoy the present.
When Yvonne returned home that night, she was hit by the most delicious scent. Vanilla, mingled with coffee. Ruby had to be baking again. She’d been spending lots of time in the kitchen lately.
As Yvonne passed through the apartment, she found Ruby curled up in an armchair in the living room, her nose buried in her phone. After a few seconds, Ruby noticed Yvonne and smiled.
“You’re home,” she said. “I have a surprise for you. It’s in the kitchen. Come on.”
Before Yvonne could react, Ruby got up and headed for the kitchen. Yvonne followed her, the delicious scent stronger. They reached the kitchen. Sitting on the island in the middle was an elaborately decorated cake.
“I wasn’t sure what you like, so I had to make a guess,” Ruby said. “I know you like coffee, and everyone likes cheesecake, so I made a coffee-flavored one. I used real coffee beans and everything.”
Yvonne stared at her. “You baked me a cake?” She’d never had a lover do anything like this before. Yvonne’s habit of ditching her lovers before they could get too comfortable probably had something to do with it.
“I wanted to do something nice for you. To show my appreciation. And, well-” Ruby hesitated. “I thought you could use some cheering up. You didn’t seem like yourself this morning, but I didn’t want to pry.”
Had Yvonne been that much of a wreck in the morning, or was Ruby simply getting better at reading her? They’d been living together for almost two months now. It was no surprise that she’d picked up on some of Yvonne’s quirks.
“So, is everything okay?” Ruby asked.
“Yes,” Yvonne said. “Everything is fine.”
“All right. How about you
