Sixty Seven

Ruby

As I slowly opened my eyes, my stupid action from hours ago crept out of its cage and filled my head.

What was I thinking?

What do I even know about fucking?

The word even sounds strange to me.

I must have been out of my mind, that's a given.

As I sat up and pushed my dishevelled hair backwards, I took a look at the spacious room. There was nothing much to its layout.  The colours were quite dull but they seemed a little homey. Maybe that was because of the comfortable blanket that was covering a major part of my body.

My eyes travelled to the door and I recalled Adonis's words that swept my stupid statement into the ocean. Contrary to the hints he had been dropping- the hints that made it sound like he was about to leave me- he assured me that he wished to be by my side for a long time.

His earlier words stamped the lovely dream of his that he had shared with me.

Those words, as they replayed in my head made me wear a small, shy smile on my lips.

How did I get so lucky?

Despite the disadvantages that surround my relationship with Adonis, time has shown over and over again that Adonis Klaus is not a bad decision.

He will never be.

My chest kept fluttering as I imagined his presence.

I closed my eyes and I could see all of Adonis. I smiled and I saw how confident and comfortable I was with him while he says in a whisper that he wants to make love to me while loving me.

I...

'Mark Lumber...'

The masculine voice of the strange man from earlier shattered my delightful imagination and a tight feeling settled in my chest.

But I won't lie. Everything feels strange.

Because for a moment, everything was fine and I had not learned that someone else was my father. For a minute, everything was still normal in my life.

But things are hardly normal. Because now, someone else is my father. Adding that fact to the ongoing drama in my life is smothering.

Don't get me wrong. I still love my father and mother even though they didn't birth me. They have shown me so much love.  And I can never stop calling them my parents. They will forever be my mother and father.

But they kept the truth from me. I already knew about Diane, so they could have told me about this Mark Lumber.  I could have been prepared for his sudden appearance. My heart wouldn't have gotten the chance to feel the strong force that wrapped it.

But, speaking of Mark Lumber and his sudden appearance, there is certainly something sketchy.

But I hope I don't get to be part of his sketchy plans.

That being said, I should let my parents know where I am. They should also know that I am fine.

As I pushed the blanket away and made to get out of bed, the door flung open and I paused my motion.

With an unintended look of caution on my face, I stared hard at Adonis who had a somewhat innocent look on his face. The rough state of his hair made his face look even more admirable.

I soon relaxed the expression on my face and wore a small smile.

"You are finally awake," he commented.

"Did I sleep for a long time?"

"Just three hours," he replied and made his way towards me, his hands inside the pockets of the unzipped hoodie he had on.

"I am sorry about earlier," I timidly said once he sat beside me and rested his sight on me with concern in his eyes.

One of his comforting hands came to rest on my head and the other reached for my hands which I had tightly held together.

"Do you want to talk about that?"

"No."

"Then, don't. How are you feeling?" His finger started to run through my hair and I shifted closer to enjoy the bliss of being so close to him.

"I still feel shitty." My hand in his hold began to trace imaginary lines on his palm, I used that as a distraction from my thoughts about Mark Lumber.  "I still can't believe I am not Dominic's Powers daughter."

"No matter how the whole situation is, you should realise that Mr. Powers is still your father. The man that suddenly appeared is not and will never be a part of your life."

"I know. I realise that Mark Lumber is just another person to me just as how Diane was just another person in my life despite her being my mother."

"Wait a minute..." The way his voice jolted from its calm state was an indication that he realised something. "That Mark Lumber, have you ever seen him before today?"

"Yes." My head still resting on his chest, I looked up at Adonis. He looked worried.

"Do you remember the man that was watching us in the restaurant? He is the one."

"It makes sense now."

"What makes sense?"

"He has to be the one that ordered Diane's death. And there is a reason he is getting immense support from the gang."

"Why would he order Diane's death?" As I asked that question, I felt fright travel down my bones. Adonis's theory just proved that Mark Lumber's sketchiness was something to be wary of.  "I am in danger, aren't I? He said he needs me for something. If he is working with the gang, it means that he is the main reason the gang is so keen on getting to me. And-"

"Hey, shhh." Adonis's touch left the mass of my hair and went on to gently squeeze my shoulder. "Nothing is going to happen, I'll make sure of it."

"That man is quite audacious though. Did he really think I would follow him because he is my biological father? Such a stupid fellow."

"You have the urge to curse at him, don't you?"

My lips formed a pout and for a second, I pondered on how much I wanted to pour insults and cusses on that Mark Lumber.

"Yes, I do. I want to a lot."

He chuckled and hugged me into his side some more. "You should, but do it in the shower."

I chuckled. "Why in the shower?"

"It's the best place to cuss at a person."

"Is it?"

"Yes. Ruby?"

"Yes?"

"How are you feeling?"

I sighed as I processed his question. "What can I say? I am feeling a lot of things right now. I feel betrayed and sad yet happy and relieved."

"Happy?"

I looked up at him again and he sent me a smile. "What you said earlier..."

I reached for the side of his face and placed the small span of my palm on his skin.

"It makes me so happy. It makes me feel so loved."

Adonis placed his hand over mine and he said, "Your hand is warm, Ruby. That is a delight."

"Your words also keep me warm, Adonis." My voice had turned a tone softer. I became overwhelmed with emotions as my head replayed his earlier words. "Adonis..."

"Yes, Peanut?" I watched his lips intently as he spoke and the manner with which his luscious lips moved made me push the reluctant words inside my head out of my lips.

"Over the past weeks, I have fought with my emotions and thoughts. Some days it feels wrong to be with you. Sometimes I just want to stay in your arms all day. I have had so many dreams about you and with everything I have seen and felt so far, I just know that you are the person that is right for me. Adonis..." My lips met his briefly and he smiled so beautifully.  "... nothing ever feels wrong when I am with you. Everything about you makes me happy. The way you look at me. The way you talk to me, your touch, your kisses, everything. Everything you do makes me happy."

"Hey, why are you crying?" he cooed, his thumb wiping off the trail of tears that were rolling down my cheek.

"I am just so thankful. I am so thankful that I get to love you and that I get to feel loved by you."

"You shouldn't thank me, I should."

The air in the room had a lovely feeling to it. Even though I couldn't help my tears, I felt so happy that I got to say those words. I was delighted that I had his lovely arms to run into during such a troubling time.

"Why?" I asked quietly.

"When I left the gang, I had no certain bearing. Life was confusing and I had no idea what to do. All of that changed when you suddenly appeared at the back of the school. I went from wanting to protect you to loving you and finding a new dream for myself. I finally have something I want to genuinely do before I leave this world."

"What is that?"

"Teaching."

My brows slightly arched in reaction. I didn't expect that. He was a good teacher no doubt- Adonis's English classes are more comprehensive compared to the former teacher.

But I never thought he enjoyed it so much.

"When I was with Xylem gang, I was in charge of educating our recruits. I never thought I enjoyed the art of teaching so much until now. Apart from the fact that I get to see you every day and make sure you are fine, I just love the feeling that comes when I stand in front of a class and impact them with knowledge. It is a strange thing, isn't it?"

I quickly shook my head. "It is a good thing, Adonis. I am so happy you found something you love to do."

"What about you? What do you plan to do after high school?"

I have been asked that question twice and those two times, I had no slight idea of what to say.

"I don't know." I still had no clear idea about how I wanted my future to go. I have no career in mind. I am still the same confused student I was before I entered my final year in school.

"That's not a bad thing, Ruby. You shouldn't feel pressured to find something to do. You should take your time and find something you like."

"I know something I like," I said with a smile.

"What is-"

I cut his question short and captured his lips with delight. His arms went around me as I left my present position and straddled him. I loved that he didn't break the kiss and I love that he let me take the lead.

Our kiss was gentle yet heart racing. The softness that came with our contact made me want more and more. I almost didn't stop the kiss until I realised that I hadn't completed my statement.

I reluctantly broke the kiss. Our eyes firmly connected, my skin enjoying the bliss of his touch, and I said, "I like you."

"Good. You are mine and I am yours. So don't like any other person as much as you like me."

"I am yours?" I asked shyly.

He kissed the nape of my neck. "And, you are mine."

I chuckled. "What now? Are you going to mark me as a vampire would?"

"I wish. That way nobody would come close to you. Everyone would know that Ruby Powers will forever be my woman."

"Your words are tickling me, Adonis." He planted another kiss on the right blade of my shoulder and a bold thought came to me. "Adonis?"

"Hmm?" Another kiss on my cheek.

"Remember when you said you want to make love to me and that you want to kiss me every time?"

"Yes I do," he replied, his voice a bit thicker.

"Is now a bad time?"

"You..." He looked so concerned as if I would break if he did it. "You want me to make love to you now?"

I nodded. "But-"

"I have imagined us doing it a lot, I even dreamt about it. Adonis," I held his hand dearly, "since I am yours, I want you to make love to me. I want you to be the first man I will be with. I want more of your touch and-"

This time, he kissed me. Gently, Adonis placed his hand on the arch of my back as the action of his kisses kept pushing me towards the south. He firmly pulled me towards him and my hands went around his neck area.

Adonis pulled at my lips, his tongue caressed mine, his body blended with mine and he didn't stop the kiss for whatever reason.

Whatever he had to say, I could almost hear it through his kisses. I felt his emotions. I could tell he wanted me as badly as I wanted him.

I wondered if he had been feeling as tortured as I have been.

I have dreamt about this moment, so as his hands travelled beyond the blouse I had on, I gave in to the feeling.

As he traced my hands to his shirt and gestured at me to take it off, I closed my eyes for a second and vowed to enjoy every second of the steamy moment that was about to befall us.