I jumped out of my truck and made my way toward her car to open her door, but she climbed out before I reached her.
“Thanks for following me, but I’m home safe and sound so you’re good to go,” she said, fiddling with the zipper on her black leather jacket.
I had to bite back a smile at her nervousness because it was adorable but I didn’t want her to think I was laughing at her.
“You’re welcome, but since I’m here would it be okay for me to take a peek around to see if I notice anything and get the lay of the land and some ideas? I’m sure some of the other guys will want to do the same, but it’ll give me some more information for when we meet tomorrow.”
She scrunched her nose and bit her lip as she contemplated my request. “Well, I haven’t told my grandfather or even Jett that I’ve been noticing anything going on because I didn’t want to worry them. I also haven’t talked to my Gramps about doing anything to the house.”
I took a small step forward to get closer to her so she could see me better in the dark when I spoke. “Ruby, they need to know. I know it’s hard to think about and not telling them feels like protecting them, but the truth is they should be informed so they’re prepared, not blindsided if anyone comes lurking around.”
She let out a big sigh. “You’re right. I just hate that this is all my fault. All I want to do is take care of them.”
Not able to stop myself, I reached out and touched her soft hand in comfort. Sparks raced up my arm at the contact. Then a breeze swirled around us and an exotic floral scent filled my senses.
Damn she smelled good.
Trouble was lurking alright, but I didn’t have to go far to find it because Ruby stood just a foot away from me and she was breathtaking.
I’d tried keeping my distance before, but I wasn’t sure how long that would be possible, especially now with her around more.
Her eyes widened and she snapped her hand back. Had she felt the same thing I had? The shocked look that swirled in her gaze told me she had.
We stared at one another, our heavy breathing mixing with another gust of wind, and something foreign stirred inside me. What was this woman doing to me? It was a good thing that another noise blasted through the moment and grabbed both our attention.
“You have a band playing in your—“ I stopped and turned toward the sound and realized it was coming from an extra building of some sort approximately twenty-five feet from the house. “What is that? A shop?”
I looked back at Ruby and she was smiling. The noise didn’t bother her, it seemed to make her happy.
“That would be our shop or as Jett likes to think of it, his music studio. Honestly, it’s just where he and his friends jam together, or where he hangs alone to play so as not to disturb Grandpa. He’s good.” Ruby beamed as she praised her brother.
From what I was hearing, the kid had talent.
I tilted my head toward the shop. “The music outlet may have saved you more than you know.”
Her brows rose. “Is that so? And how would you know this? Not that I disagree by the way,” she added. “I’m just wildly curious if you know everything about anything.”
Her slightly sassy tone was as appealing as everything else about her.
“Well, my parents are musicians and I traveled with them on the road a lot. You could say they rubbed off on me some. I like to sing and I play the guitar, drums, and piano.”
She let out a delightful laugh. “Lyric. Your name makes perfect sense now.”
I opened my mouth to respond but didn’t get the chance. Not before an unfamiliar voice cut through the night air.
“Sis, what’s going on?”
Both of us swiveled to look at the young man approaching, a wary look on his face.
“Jett, this is Lyric my —”
The unease in Ruby’s voice had me jumping in. “Friend. I’m a friend of your sister’s.” I held out my hand to the tall, lanky teenager that looked nothing like his sister. Jett had shiny black hair that was a bit too long and fell across his forehead. Its color reminded me of black licorice. His piercing, bright blue eyes assessed me and they and his light-colored skin glowed under the moon's light. The contrast of it all meshing for his age and something I knew the young ladies would be drawn to.
He had a musician vibe radiating off him, along with some hostility, that gave him a slight bad boy edge. Boy did his sister have more work cut out for her than she already did if he wanted to use all of that to his benefit. Something told me he hadn’t grown into it all yet or realized what attributes he had so maybe Ruby was safe for now. I had to bite back a slight chuckle.
When he didn’t willingly take my hand right away I didn’t take it personally. The kid was sizing me up and looking after his sister which earned him points in my book.
“Jett, don’t be rude,” Ruby said sternly.
