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When she’s finished, she exits the stall to wash her hands. Another stall door opens. Ruby looks up into the mirror over the sink see their waitress heading to the sink next to Ruby’s. Ruby looks back down at her hands rinsing them off and shutting off the water. The waitress begins washing her hands, but gives Ruby a smile she as passes on her way to the paper towel dispenser.
“You’re a lucky girl,” the woman says. Ruby looks over her shoulder at the woman with a questioning look. The waitress is smoothing dark red lipstick over her full lips. “Your boyfriend is smoking hot, and he didn’t even give me a passing glance. He only has eyes for you.” She looks over at Ruby with a jealous grin on her face, closing her lipstick. “I’ve been a waitress a long time. A lot of men with gorgeous women on their arms are all too happy to ogle the waitress, cop a feel if they get a chance, but I could have been a man for all your boyfriend took notice. I hope I find a man to look at me that way some day.” She sighs wistfully and heads for the door. Ruby follows her out to see Tucker waiting for her. The waitress eyes him again but then turns to Ruby.
“See what I mean?” She winks at Ruby and heads out into the dining area. Tucker frowns at the woman’s back before turning to Ruby.
“Everything okay?” he asks. Ruby nods with a smile on her face. The woman is totally correct. Tucker didn’t give her a second look. “What was she talking about?” Ruby laughs as Tucker puts his arm around her waist leading her back to their table.
“Girl talk,” Ruby replies cagily. Tucker stares at her a moment then shakes his head. He holds out her chair. A few minutes later, the waitress is back with their entrees. Tucker dives into his food. The man can really eat. Ruby having learned to get by with very little sustenance over the years can’t even eat half of her food. When Tucker has cleaned his plate, he looks over at her plate. His face distorts into a grimace.
“Wasn’t it good?” he asks her, worry evident on his face.
“It was delicious,” Ruby assures him. “But I’m stuffed.” He’s frowning again.
“You eat like a bird,” he grumbles. “You’re too thin, beautiful. You need to eat more.” Ruby gives him an exasperated look. “Don’t give me that look. I’m serious babe.” Ruby shakes her head.
“I eat what I want,” Ruby answers. “I don’t get hungry when I’m working. Sometimes I forget to eat until I lay down to sleep, and by then, I’m too tired to go find something.”
“Your stomach has shrunk.” Tank almost sounds angry. “You aren’t eating regularly. We are going to remedy that.”
“What?” Ruby questions. “Are you planning on following me around making sure I eat on your schedule?” Her voice has risen in octave, and even she can hear the sarcasm in her voice. Tank scowls back at her.
“No, but I will be text reminding you to eat,” he declares before taking a sip of his tea. Ruby snorts and shakes her head at his audacity. “Huff all you want, beautiful. Your health and wellbeing are my priority. I don’t care if you get miffed at me about it.”
“Tucker, I’m a grown woman.” Ruby takes a deep breath, attempting to calm herself and taking some of the grumpiness out of her tone. “I’ve been taking care of myself for a good long while. I think I know when I need to eat, and I make sure to eat at least twice a day.” He grunts as if he doesn’t really believe her. Ruby reaches over to place her hand on his arm. “Thank you for being concerned about me, but I promise I’m fine. I’m not starving myself.” He looks her in the eyes, staring her down. He must see what he’s looking for because after a beat he nods.
“I apologize going all caveman on you.” Tucker’s tone is sincere. “It’s that I worry about you. I can’t imagine how difficult it is for you living on the streets.” Ruby sucks in a breath. Her homeless situation has been sort of an “elephant in the room” kind of thing between them. Neither of them bringing it up until now. Ruby doesn’t know what to say. She starts to say something then clamps her mouth shut. She tries again, but Tucker saves her from saying anything at all. “You don’t have to talk about it right now. And if you never get to a point where you feel like you can talk to me about it, I’ll try to understand, but I’m putting you on notice today. I fully intend to earn your trust or wear you down so you will let me help you off the streets. It’s not safe. I know you know this better than I do, but what you don’t understand is I don’t judge you for your situation, nor do I look down on you for it. I just want to keep you safe and hope that someday you’ll let me into your heart and trust me to take care of you, even though you can more than take care of yourself.”
Ruby can’t stop the tears from falling. They run freely down her face. Damn this man! He’s making it impossible for her to keep him at arm’s length. He’s already wormed under her skin and buried deep. She’s in serious trouble. She’s falling for Tucker hard.
22
TANK
Tank looks at Ruby’s tear- stained face. His heart breaking for her. He pulls her into his arms holding her to his chest. He rests his cheek on the top of her head. “Shhh, don’t cry baby. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you cry.” He kisses the top of her head. He would never do anything to cause her tears. She wraps her arms around him, gripping his shirt tightly. She cries softly for several minutes. Tank continues to offer words of comfort. The waitress comes by the table, but Tank waves her away.
Ruby raises her head after a few moments. She stares at him. He can see a lot working in her mind, but he can’t read her thoughts as much as he wishes he could. He wipes her tears from her cheeks. “I’m sorry, Ruby. I never intended to make you cry.”
“I…I know,” comes her stuttering reply. “It’s just been so l-long since I’ve had someone who’s care this much about me.” Tank’s face softens. He wants to be the one to change her life situation for her if she’ll only let him. “I want to let you help me. I do, but I already care enough about you to not want to put you in danger.”
“Beautiful there’s no danger that would make me not want to be with you.” Tank reaches up to wipe a stray hair out of her eyes. “You are worth any trouble which could come my way. I mean every word. I know we haven’t known each other long, but I care for you, Ruby. My heart has been closed since losing my parents and sister. I haven’t let anyone other than Straw, my older sister, and my grandparents get too close. I’m friends with my teammates and their women, but I don’t let myself care too much. I didn’t want to take the chance of being hurt by losing someone I love, but there’s something about you that makes me want to take the risk. Even if it’s only a day, a week, a year, whatever time I can have with you will be worth the pain that will come if I lose you. Please, babe give me the chance to show you I will take care of you. I won’t ever let anything or anyone hurt you. I’m a Marine in special forces. I can and will protect you.” Ruby’s eye fill with fresh tears.
“Oh Tucker.” Ruby sighs. “I’m so scared.” Tank wraps her in his arms, holding her close. “I’m scared for you. You don’t know what kind of evil I’m running from.” Ruby’s words fill him with dread, not for himself but for her. He refuses to allow anyone or anything to hurt her.
“I’m not afraid, Ruby,” Tank pulls back to look her in the eyes. He wants her to see and understand he means every word. “I’ve dealt with all kinds of evil during my years in service. Both here in America and on foreign soil. I can handle it. I promise you. You only have to trust me with your secrets.”
“I’ll think about it, Tucker,” Ruby replies, her voice barely a whisper. “If something happened to you because of me, I couldn’t live with that. I’d never be able to forgive myself.”
“Nothing is going to happen to me,” Tank assures her. Ruby shakes her head and begins to say something, but he puts he places a finger over her lips. “Let’s give this topic a rest for now and try to enjoy the rest of our weekend, okay?” Ruby gives him a wobbly smile.
“Okay, Tucker. I can do that.” Her smile gets a little bigger. Tank isn’t sure this is the time for a kiss, but he can’t stop himself. He leans toward her, pausing to give her time to pull away, but she doesn’t. Her eyes flick to his. He smiles at her then closes the distance. His lips touch hers in a soft gentle kiss. He has every intention of keeping it soft and sweet, but her taste drives him over the edge. His tongue swipes out. To his delight, Ruby opens for him. His tongue explores her mouth and dances with hers. She lets out a soft moan, which fuels his desire even more. He tilts her head to deepen the kiss, forgetting for a moment they’re in the middle of a public place. The clearing of a throat draws him out of the moment. He pulls back from Ruby and looks over his shoulder. The waitress is there smiling at them.
“Sorry to interrupt,” she says. “I just wanted to see if you all need anything else? Dessert or to go boxes?”
“Um, yeah we need a to go box and 2 slices of apple pie, please,” Tank tells the woman. She nods and scribbles on her notepad.
“I’ll be right back.” The woman gives them a big smile. Tank turns back to look at Ruby who’s blushing profusely. Tank puts his hand on the side of her face, caressing her cheek with his thumb. She glances at him shyly.
“You’re absolutely gorgeous when you’re embarrassed.” Tank chuckles as she blushes even more. He leans in and gives her a quick peck on the lips. He would love to kiss the hell out of her and more, but now isn’t the time. Within a few minutes, the waitress returns with their pie and an empty box for them to take the rest of Ruby’s food with them. He intends to get her to eat a little more later. He knows how to help her stretch her stomach so she can eat a normal amount and help her gain a little weight. She might not think she’s starving herself, but he’s felt her waist. He could easily feel her hip bones. To him that’s not healthy.
