Read Online Ruby's Fantasy by Cathleen Ross - Free Book Online

riding crop at his face. ‘Let me spell this out for you. I’m not a stripper. I’m coming to sell lingerie and showgirl outfits. Nothing else.’
    Abe’s back straightened at her tone but his gaze remained fascinated on her breasts. ‘You’re making me hard.’
    â€˜You’re making me angry. Hey, I’m up here,’ she said, pointing to her eyes.
    Abe’s head snapped up. His black eyes narrowed. ‘The last woman who was mouthy with me regretted it.’
    Ruby stared him down aware of the threat in his tone. She’d take risks for Emerald. ‘Get used to liking lip because that’s all you’ll be getting. I don’t work for you. I’m coming to your club to demonstrate my products. There’ll only be women in the room.’ Anyone who ran a well-known club like Abe’s survived in The Cross by relying on muscle, but she had to be tough, too. She’d faced down bullies before.
    â€˜It’s a waste not to share your potential,’ he said.
    â€˜Do we have a deal?’
    â€˜You could make good money my way.’
    â€˜I’m promoting my business not my body.’
    Abe held out his hand to shake. ‘Pity. I have customers who’d like you.’
    â€˜Tough.’ She resisted taking it, but his clammy palm clamped on hers. Her inner voice told her the man was lying to her, yet he was offering her a way in to his club and she had to take it for Emerald’s sake. ‘I’ll see you tonight,’ she said, extracting her hand from his.
    Ruby turned and strode towards Jake who looked at her with questions in his eyes. It was about time he learnt she wasn’t a needy woman who expected a man to save her at every turn. It wasn’t that she was ungrateful. No one had been happier to see him than her when he’d been there last night, but the thought of giving up her independence and relying on a man was not her style. She and Emerald had clung together through their rocky teen years fighting off the drunks when her father was too high to do it and her twin was the only one she trusted. Letting anyone else in would mean having to trust a man.
    Jake stood outside the shop, his arms folded in front of him. One of her blonde curls had fallen down and curled enticingly over her ear. Determination to know why she had shaken Abe Malouf’s hand made his jaw clench and his hands fist. When she sauntered towards him all attitude and sex, he fought the urge to put her over his knee and spank her until he unlocked her secret.
    He’d called her a “girl next door” and here she was dressed in that made-for-sin, black corset with her perfect, firm breasts, clinched in waist and long, long legs. From the way she had taken on a dominatrix persona, the woman should have been an actress.
    A rush of lust settled uneasily over his anger. Restraint. He needed it. He strode inside, closed the new security screen door behind him. ‘You realise putting yourself out there like bait is one of the stupidest things you could do? You need to stay off the street.’
    Ruby’s chin jutted up and her eyes narrowed. ‘My twin is missing. Someone around here must know something. I’m going to find out.’
    â€˜Stay away from Abe. He has no respect for women. The only way he likes to see a woman is naked and subservient.’
    â€˜So what makes him different to you?’
    Jake strode over and gripped her shoulders. ‘That’s a low blow. The difference is I happen to care about you.’
    â€˜My experience of men is that they all just want to get laid.’
    â€˜Don’t you put me in the same box. For Abe you’re just another piece of meat to sell. He’s nothing like me.’ Ruby had a way of shutting down when threatened and he hated it.
    Ruby tried to push his arms from her shoulders. ‘Let me go.’
    â€˜No.’ He pulled her in close, imprisoning her with his arms and