“We’re not stopping,” I tell her quietly.
She whispers, “I know.”
And the strangest thing happens:
My chest loosens.
Because she said it like she meant it.
EVAN
He knew.
He knew when he opened the door.
He saw the flush on her cheeks. He saw Cole’s hand at her waist. He saw the way Ruby stepped back like she’d been caught.
He feels sick.
She deserves better. She deserves someone who won’t use her. Someone who actually cares.
He needs to get her alone. Needs to talk to her. Needs to warn her.
Before she gets hurt.
RUBY
I leave Jaxon’s office in a daze.
My lips are swollen again. My heart is pounding. My mind is chaos.
And as the elevator doors close, I whisper to myself, “This isn’t just physical anymore.”
I feel it.
He feels it.
And that… that might be the most terrifying part of all.
CHAPTER 40
Ruby
Imake it five steps toward my desk before I hear it:
“Ruby. Wait.”
I stop, of course it’s Evan.
He jogs up beside me, out of breath like he chased me across continents.
“We need to talk.”
I force a smile. It feels like it’s been ironed onto my face.
“Can it wait?”
“No,” he says quickly. Too quickly.
