Ruby's tinderbox

Greg's eyes deepened as the cab driver drove into a cramped neighborhood with buildings stacked on each other, giving almost no breathing space for fresh air.

There were cars carelessly parked along the roads, narrowing the streets, something neither Greg seldom saw.

The neighborhood was busy with activities; roadside hawkers, children running around, looking happy and content, crowded restaurants, and lots more.

Greg's face was unsightly. His rage barely contained. He knew not to trust James but still went ahead, believing James had turned a new leaf.

Greg furiously texted James, who left him on read even after a minute or two.

He must be laughing his guts out in the office right now.

'Oh, James, you're so dead!' he thought.

Meanwhile, Ruby didn't mind where she was, what mattered was who she was with. Face stuck to the window, she waved at the kids playing around, her face adorned with a bright smile.

Valerie glanced at her daughter and felt proud. Patting herself on the shoulder, she thought, 'I raised a good daughter.'

Shortly after, they arrived at the address – one of the last buildings on the street. The single building was located in a more secluded and serene place with greenery and a wonderful view of the mountains.

The house had a small bar gate, so when a short bald-headed man with a pot belly saw the strangers at the gate with their luggages, he immediately deciphered who they were, after all, he'd already been informed of their arrival.

The man threw his shirt on his shoulder and hurried to open the gate. Just as he was about to greet them, Greg lightly shook his head and immediately spoke up, "My keys."

He looked too enthusiastic and classless to be the landlord, but unfortunately, he was.

"Oh, here," the landlord handed him a bunch of keys with both hands and still bowed his head in the process. "The rooms have been put in order. Nothing is lacking. But if you find anything out of place, you can giv..."

While he was rambling on, Greg walked past him and shut him out of the compound before heading to the building with his wife and daughter.

The landlord wasn't offended by his rudeness; he dared not to. That was Greg Sinclair, the billionaire CEO of the Sinclair conglomerates!

He has struck gold! He thought.

Meanwhile, along the way, Valerie couldn't help but ask, "Why does he hold your house keys? Do you trust him that much?"

Trust was something Valerie no longer had in abundance. She wouldn't want to risk the safety of her small family for anything.

Without batting an eyelid, Greg replied, "He should be the cleaner." He also didn't know who that was.

"Oh," Valerie nodded softly, she finally understood.

The trio soon arrived in the living room. Greg scanned the place while planning James' funeral in his mind.

Although the house looked decent, Greg was afraid that Valerie and Ruby, who were used to luxury, wouldn't like it. He suddenly felt at a loss and pressed his lips together.

James dished him a hard blow this time. He should expect his retaliation soon.

Suddenly, Valerie and Ruby's words enveloped him, watering his confidence to bloom. "Your place is nice. I couldn't imagine a construction worker could own a place like this. You must be frugal with spending," she smiled.

"Yes! I like this place, daddy! The floor is wooden. Look at that," Ruby pointed at the floor-to-ceiling glass window, overlooking the small pool at the back of the house. "We have a pool!" she rushed to the glass window and pointed at the large tree, "It has a good shield from the sun. Mommy likes sunbathing and reading under a shield. Mommy will like this!"

She ran around a couple of times, pointing out different things until she felt tired and plopped into one of the cozy sofas and spread herself out like laundry basking under the sun. "I'm so tired."

Greg and Valerie laughed; the child was a handful.

Staring at Valerie with a look of gratitude, he spoke gently and respectfully. "I'm glad you like it." He shamelessly accepted the compliment as if it was his house.

Well, it would be, starting an hour later.

James just saved his own neck.

He cleared his throat and began, "There are only two rooms. I– "

"Daddy and Mommy will stay in one room. Even though you're my parents, I don't want to share my room with you two." Ruby didn't even let Greg finish his words before she interrupted.

Valerie shook her head, this was the Ruby she knew. As little as she was, she liked her private space and could go crazy if violated; it was her tinderbox.

Valerie felt it was awkward to share a room with a total stranger, but on the brighter side, he's a good-looking and charming stranger, so she didn't mind all that much.

If he could adhere to the contract terms, especially where it said, 'NO SKIN CONTACT AND SEX WITHOUT CONSENT', they'd be able to live in harmony.

"Where is Ruby's room?" she asked while pulling Ruby's luggage.

Greg wasn't sure. He would have to go check the two rooms before deciding. Seeing that Valerie was heading to one of the rooms, he closed in on her from behind and grabbed the luggage, trying to stop her, but instead, accidentally grabbed her hand in the process.

Valerie felt a jolt of current run through her body, as if the touch had sparked a sudden connection between them. She turned her head, looking up to see Greg's tender eyes locking onto hers, his face inches from hers as he towered over her.

They were so close that she was enveloped in the scent of his masculine cologne, sending her mind into a vortex of desire, her senses overwhelmed by the intoxication of the aroma.

For a moment, they just stared at each other, the luggage forgotten on the floor beside them.

She was clearly attracted to this man and the walls she erected were slowly building up cracks. She subconsciously bit her lip as her gaze shifted to his lips, wondering how it would feel and taste like.

Greg, on the other hand, was lost in her eyes, drowning in the subtle desire she had buckled up underneath those gorgeous orbs. As he gazed into their gentle, dark brown pools, he felt his restraints slipping away, like a leaf carried off by a quiet stream.

Memories from six years ago came flooding back in full. He was starving to feel and savor those moments again – The smell and feel of her hair, the feel of her smooth skin under his fingertips. The soft moans and her tender cries for mercy.

His lower body reacted to every memory, his heart racing, and his pulse pounding in his veins.

As he gazed at her, the urge to kiss her became almost overwhelming. He wanted to taste her lips again, to feel her softness against him. He licked his lip, eyes roaming. Suddenly, his eyes stopped on her slender pale neck and his gaze darkened at the sight of the plaster covering the skin he once knew so intimately.

A surge of protectiveness rose up within him, mixed with a dash of anger at the thought of anyone harming her.

His hand moved and he touched the area of the plaster, "Who hurt you?" his voice wasn't as gentle as Valerie knew. He seemed to be suppressing his wrath, still the malice in his voice couldn't be hidden.