CHAPTER 2

I need you like a heart needs a beat

- One Republic

FLASHBACK

Dallas, Texas. Three Years Ago.

When Gabrielle told her Texas was hot, Ruby thought she was exaggerating. Having lived her whole life in the cooler climate of New York, she was not used to the stifling heat in Texas. Her taxi came to a stop at the entrance of the apartments she was sharing with Gabrielle on their trip. It was called 1800 Main, located in the suburbs of town. They had Gabrielle's new rich boyfriend to thank for that.

Ruby leaped out of the taxi and into the air conditioned complex, desperate for a cold shower. She hurried to the elevators, frantically motioning for the person stepping in to hold it. Thankfully, he seemed to understand her frantic motions because he stopped the closing doors with his foot, releasing them when she stepped in. Panting, she swept her red hair away from her eyes and looked up at the stranger in the elevator with her, typing away on his phone, inadvertently ignoring her.

"Thanks for holding it. I'm not usually this tardy." Ruby said to him, with a small nervous laugh. He ignored her again. She rolled her eyes. "Jerk." she said under her breath. Apparently he heard her because he suddenly raised his head to stare at her, arresting her with his vibrant green eyes. She stared back a him, the defiant part of her not wanting to back down from a challenge, the other part of her, the womanly part of her which she ignored and deprived for so long were lost in his vibrant green eyes. She felt a stirring in her loins, a stirring she had not felt in a while. She heard the ping of the elevator, indicating that they have arrived at her floor. She walked out of the elevator and she could feel his eyes following her.

….................................................

Ruby walked into the bar at the complex, dressed in a lacy red dress that matched beautifully with her red hair. She was supposed to meet Gabrielle for celebratory drinks as the designs she created and had Gabrielle model were accepted into the Texas Fashion Campaign. It was a great boost for her career and a great way to end the trip. She looked around the bar, trying to pick out Gabrielle's dirty blond hair among patrons in the bar. Realizing Gabrielle was late as always, Ruby made her way to the bar. She perched on one of the bar stools and ordered a tequila sunrise. Her drink was ready in a matter of seconds. She was about to handover cash to the bartender when she felt a grip on her hand, stopping her.

"Let me." a smooth voice said. She looked beside her. It was him, Green Eyes from the elevator earlier in the day.

"Let me make up for being a jerk." he said when she stared at him, stupefied. "I'll take care of it." he said to the bartender in a firm voice before turning back to her.

"I don't need you to take care of anything on my behalf." she said, pulling her hand from his grip.

"Fine." he said, sliding onto the stool next to her.

She looked at him incredulously. "I'm expecting someone." she said.

"I'll leave when he comes." he said, taking a sip of his drink. She rolled her eyes and took a sip of her drink. Her cellphone, which was resting on her purse on the bar pinged with a text. It was Gabrielle, "hey sweetheart, I'm so sorry I'll have to take a rain check. I'm spending the night with Tom. I'll make it up to you when we get back to NY. Love you."

"Damn." Ruby muttered under her breath. "Stood up?" he asked, giving her a knowing smile. "Yeah. Not that it's any of your business." Ruby scoffed."So that means I can stay." He said. "Help yourself." she said.

"You're not from around here, are you?" he asked. She gave him a sideways glance. "And why do you say that?"

"You just have a look about you." he said. "I have no idea what you are talking about" she replied dismissively. He gave a small laugh. Surprisingly, she found herself laughing as well.

Ruby looked up to find his eyes on her. She quickly averted her gaze and cleared her throat.

"So where are you from?" he asked. She almost blurted out New York, stopping herself at the last minute. She was talking to a total stranger. "Seattle." she found herself saying. "What brings you to Dallas?" he asked. "Business." she replied. He lifted a brow and leaned towards her. "Now you're just holding out on me." he said in a low voice.

Ruby gave a coy smile. "Why do you want to know?"

"Just curious what kind of business a beautiful lady like you gets up to." he said, smiling back at her.

"I'll have you guess. You have five guesses, after which I'm no longer taking requests."

"And what prize do I get?"

"That is to be determined."

"Oh wow. Okay, let's see. Actress?"

"Wrong. Four more to go."

"Singer?"

"I could never hold a tune. Wrong again."

"Dancer?"

"I admire the faith you have in me. But I'll have to pass."

"Oh I got it. You're a model."

Ruby stared at him for a while, contemplating her choices. Finally, she nodded her head. He gave her a spectacular grin.

"Okay, you win. I am a model. You can name your prize now." Ruby said.

"Your name." he said.

"What?"

"My prize is your name."

"You can't be serious."

"I am. Tell me your name."

"Jennifer." she lied, smoothly. 

"Jennifer." he murmured, weighing the name on his tongue. Ruby was almost convinced he could tell that it was a lie.

"Okay Jennifer. Can I buy you another drink?" he asked.

"Of course." she said. The bartender refilled their glasses.

"You have the most lovely shade of red. Befitting for your temper." he said.

"My temper?" Ruby asked, furrowing her brows.

"Yes. You were quick to call me, what was that? Oh yeah. Jerk, earlier today."

"But you were being a jerk."

He gave her a knowing glance. "I know."

They laughed. Then he was staring at her. In that intense way. She was arrested. He leaned towards her.

"Do you want to get out of here?" he said, his voice velvet smooth.

Ruby knew what he was offering. She knew it was probably a bad idea. But she felt the stirring, the longing she had worked so hard to suppress. She didn't know what it was about him, but he was bringing all those feelings to the surface, and she felt safe..

She smiled, and nodded. She decided to give into those feelings, to give herself the pleasure she's always denied herself. By tomorrow, they would be back in the real world. But tonight, she could be allowed to dream, to live, to experience.

She took his offered hand and walked out with him.