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Something in me wanted to ask more. To find out exactly what she’d been through. But damn it, we were on our way to Jamaica. For a relaxing vacation. A happy vacation. To watch my brothers get married.
Still, something about her… I couldn’t help myself.
“What do you mean?” I asked.
Chapter Three
Ruby
How I wished I could take back that statement. Now was certainly not the time to get into my life. This was Ryan Steel, a man I hardly knew.
And the best-looking man I had ever laid my eyes on.
God, it was true what the gossipers said. Ryan was the most handsome of all the Steel brothers. Having seen only Talon and Jonah before now, I’d had a hard time imagining that anyone could be better looking than those two.
But Ryan was. Where Jonah and Talon were rugged and handsome with dark hair, dark eyes, a couple days’ worth of stubble on their cheeks, Ryan Steel was Greek god gorgeous. He had a sculpted jawline, a chin with just the right amount of prominence, a perfect Grecian nose, and lips… Was it possible for a man’s lips to be beautiful? It was now. His were full, and pink, and… Dare I think it? Kissable.
Kissing was something I knew nothing about. Hell, I knew nothing about men, period. Men didn’t pay much attention to me, which was how I preferred it. I was often mistaken for a lesbian, no doubt because of the way I dressed in mostly masculine clothing. I rarely wore makeup, and I pulled my long hair back in a tight bun most of the time. I’d considered cutting it off more than once, but I couldn’t. It was my one link to my mother. She’d had long, lustrous hair, though lighter than mine.
Being a lesbian might’ve made my life easier. But no, I was attracted to men. I just didn’t act on it. I kept myself under the radar, tried to keep myself from being attractive. The truth was, I was scared shitless of men.
I had often thought about going to therapy. I was smart enough to know that my fear of men stemmed from being attacked at the age of fifteen by my own father. But I was so consumed by my work and my fear of delving inside myself that I’d never bothered to get any help.
My new friend, Melanie Carmichael, was a renowned psychotherapist. She was currently on a leave of absence because of my cousin’s suicide and my shithead uncle’s malpractice suit against her, but I was hoping that maybe she and I could do a little talking during vacation.
That was selfish of me. This was her wedding. I couldn’t saddle her with my problems. Nope, there’d be no free therapy for me during this trip. In fact, there’d be no free therapy for me at all. Once Melanie went back to her practice, I’d pay her. I had insurance.
I always paid my own way. Had since I was fifteen. Until now.
I looked around at the wide comfortable seat I sat in, the leg room, the menu of fine spirits…
This wasn’t paying my way.
“Earth to Ruby.”
I turned my head toward Ryan. I’d nearly forgotten he had asked me a question. What was it again? Right. I’d said that I’d been crossed before, and he’d asked what I meant.
“Nothing,” I said.
Nothing. So far from the truth. But I wouldn’t saddle any of the Steels or their brides with my issues. Not now. Perhaps not ever. Already I was having second thoughts about seeing Melanie for therapy.
Was it possible for me to relax during this vacation?
I had to try. I had to.
“Nothing?” Ryan said.
“Yes. Nothing.”
“You said you’d been crossed before. That’s not nothing.”
I sighed. “You know who I am. Who my father is. You know my whole story.”
He nodded. “I wouldn’t say I know your whole story. Tell me about you.”
Why in the world would this western god be interested in me? “It’s a long, boring tale.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.” He called the flight attendant and then perused the wines available on the menu. “Not a great selection…”
