Ruby's Fantasy Read Online Free Page B

crime at The Cross but in the past ten years with all the new, up market apartment buildings just down the road in Elizabeth Bay, the surrounding area had taken on a gentrified feel leaving only this short stretch from the Archibald Fountain to William Street for the nightclubs, sex shops and strip clubs.
    Jake gave her a quizzical look that seemed to say country bumpkin. ‘There’s a war on here, Princess. The biker gangs are fighting for domination of the drug trade. There are over a hundred clubs in The Cross. I set up my security business here so the clubs can guard themselves from bikers who want to distribute drugs in their clubs and demand protection money.’
    â€˜Protection?’
    â€˜Don’t worry, you’re mine to look after.’ Jake swept low and took her mouth in a swift, claiming kiss.
    There was something utterly intoxicating in his kiss. Her heart was fluttering with fear and she clung to him. What had Emerald been thinking of when she’d set up their business on the strip? No wonder the shop had been cheap. ‘I had no idea The Cross was still so bad. I thought it had become gentrified.’
    â€˜Only outsiders think that. I grew up in the Eastern Suburbs, but my grandmother lived here and I stayed over on weekends a lot before I went into the army. I learnt how to fight and I learnt how to stay alive on these streets.’
    A white and blue police van zoomed into view, mounted the gutter and parked on the pavement. ‘Good, the cops are here.’
    â€˜That was quick,’ she said.
    â€˜Yeah, well, the police station is right next to the Archibald Fountain, plus I have buddies on the force. Don’t walk in here until I’ve cleaned up the glass.’ Jake released her, slipped his leather jacket off and put it around her shoulders.
    She slid her arms into it, conscious of the smell of leather, spicy cologne and him. His scent turned her on and breathing it in, despite the distraction of the police appearing, an image of Jake naked in her bed, hard and waiting for her appeared in her imagination.
    The police checked out the shop and talked to Jake who knew one of the policemen. While she gave her statement, Jake found a broom and was already sweeping up the debris. She marvelled at just how familiar he seemed to be with the shop and everything in it, even though it had only been open a week. How long had he known Emerald?
    Thanking the police and promising to call in at the station the next morning if she remembered anything else, she walked back into the shop to see that the glass had been piled in one area against the wall, so that the floor was clear.
    â€˜Why didn’t you pull down your security screen like you normally do at six o’clock?’ Jake asked.
    She had been too entranced by meeting him to think about it. She paused, aware that his gaze had become piercing as his blue eyes narrowed. ‘Um…I’ll never make the mistake of leaving it up again.’
    He walked outside to roll it down so that the shop was closed off from passersby. Then he came back in and locked the front door. The space between them seemed quiet now that the noise from the busy strip outside no longer blared.
    â€˜Thank you for being there.’ She wasn’t used to it, having a man to protect her.
    â€˜Princess, dressed like that I’ll be wherever you want me to be. You could have me on my knees.’ He raised one wing-like eyebrow.
    Ruby swore her blush must have started somewhere just above her collarbone because she could feel it gathering heat on her neck and cheeks. The image of him hot and naked kneeling between her thighs besieged her. Her mouth went dry.
    His gaze lingered on her face and moved lower. ‘Let me know if you want me to tuck you in tonight.’
    â€˜Yes! No. I don’t want to be alone.’ She folded up the arms of his jacket. Every time she shifted, it smelled of his body. It was like being enveloped by