Once out of the ballroom he headed straight for the elevators. “I’m not planning on staying the night,”
she muttered, biting her lip.
He wasn’t surprised she’d said that, considering what she considered his reputation to be. The fact that his reputation was mostly exaggerated didn’t matter, only what she perceived it to be did. He’d have to figure out a way to fix that. “That’s all right. I wasn’t planning on it either.” Planning, no. Hoping, yes.
She looked a little more relaxed, so he decided not to enlighten her.
They stepped into the elevator and he pressed the button for the penthouse, resisting the childish urge to punch the sky and shout Yes!
The penthouse was absolutely amazing, with gold-papered walls, rich, burgundy fabrics covering the sofa and chairs and a mahogany entertainment center. A small kitchenette was off to her left complete with a small table and two chairs. She assumed, the bedroom was off to the right. The entire back wall of the room was made of glass, affording her an incredible view of the city below, all lit up for the night like the world’s largest Christmas tree. The carpet beneath her poor, sore feet was soft and plush, a warm honey tone that complimented the walls.
With a deep sigh of satisfaction, Ruby plopped down on the sofa and considered taking her boots off.
Leo watched her for a moment, looking uncertain, like she might just up and run away from him. When she reached down and began easing down the zipper on her boot, she could have sworn she heard a sigh of relief. She looked at him, curious, but he had his back to her and was busy pouring them both a drink. She
took both boots and set them under the end table, wiggling her toes in the thick, decadent carpet with a quickly muffled moan. Damn it felt good to get those stupid boots off.
Leo handed her the glass of cola and sat on the coffee table in front of her. “I noticed at the last office party that you don’t drink very much, so I thought you’d appreciate this.”
She was surprised he’d noticed her or that he remembered. The last office party had been about six weeks ago, a retirement party for one of the IT guys. She’d done her best to stick to the shadows, avoiding anywhere Leo was. She hadn’t wanted to make a fool of herself by drooling on him. Besides, he’d brought some blonde harpy with him. The woman had made faces all through the party, making it clear that she would much rather be somewhere alone with Leo.
Ruby was absurdly pleased he’d noticed despite his date’s attempts to hold his attention. She saw he had the other half of the soda in his glass, and her smile turned to a grin. When he held the glass up in a silent toast, she tossed her hair back and clinked her glass to his before taking a sip.
“So, tell me about yourself.” She tilted her head at him and he shrugged. “I know something about every single employee in the firm except you. You are a total enigma.”
Ruby bit her lip and sighed. He was right. She’d gone out of her way to avoid him. “Let’s see. I’m twenty-four, never been married, have a bachelor’s degree from VSU, and, um, I live alone except for my cat, Cliona.”
He choked on a mouthful of soda. “C-Cliona?”
She pounded him on the back. She didn’t know many grown men who were willing to admit to liking fairy tales. “You like Irish fairy tales?”
She could sense he was struggling with a laugh and wondered at it. “You could say that. My parents are both Irish. Why did you name your cat after a fairy queen?”
“She’s a cat, therefore she’s a queen already.” Ruby shrugged, wondering why she was slightly embarrassed. “I liked the name, and the legend.”
“She ran away from Tir Nan Og with a mortal lover, only to have the fairies steal her back.”
Ruby could feel herself blushing under Leo’s intense scrutiny and turned her face away to stare at the glass in her hand. It was like he was trying to read her mind. “I think she should have been allowed to be with her lover. It wasn’t fair of the faeries to decide he wasn’t good enough for her.” She pushed a lock of hair behind her ear and could have sworn she heard a soft groan. “Anyway, Cliona pretty much rules the place.” She looked up at him out of the corner of her eye. “Do you have any pets?”
He nodded. “Actually, I have several. I have a cat named Clannad—”
“Like the band?”
He nodded. “I also have a dog named Eire, and horse named Mr. Ed.”
It was her turn to choke on a sip of soda. “Mr. Ed?”
He shrugged, looking a little sheepish and a whole lot sexy. “He likes to talk back.”
She laughed. “My parents are still together, and living in Petersburg. Yours?”
“Still very much in love. They have a farm out in Nebraska.”
“You’re a Nebraska farm boy?” She could hear the disbelief in her voice and bit her lip, hoping he wouldn’t be offended and end one of the best nights she’d had in a long time.
One dark brow rose cockily. “Want to see me hitch a plow and dig a furrow?”
“Maybe later.” She blushed again and turned her gaze back down to her glass. Now what made me say that?
She gave him big brownie points for holding back his laugh.
He sipped the soda in his glass before putting the glass down on the coffee table. He leaned forward, folding his hands and leaning his elbows on his knees. “My parents emigrated from Ireland after my father met and fell in love with my mother.” She sensed rather than saw his shrug. “Funny, the way you feel about Cliona. My mom’s family…well, let’s say they’re a little upper-crusty. They considered my father beneath them, so when my mom decided to marry him they threatened to disown her.”
She looked into his eyes and saw no pain or regret there. “Does your family see them at all?”
He sighed. “My grandparents passed away. The rest of the clan only sees us occasionally, and it’s always a little awkward. Mom can’t forget the way they treated Dad, but Dad doesn’t hold a grudge. As far as he’s concerned, they only wanted what was best for their daughter.”
“He sounds like a good man.”
“He is.” There was a total conviction in his voice that betrayed the love and respect he had for his father. Ruby found herself revising her opinion slightly of her playboy boss. He sounded like someone whose family meant a great deal to him.
“Do you have any brothers or sisters?” Ruby had neither, but loved hearing about other’s families.
“I have a younger sister, Moira, and an older brother, Shane.”
“The middle child, huh? How did you wind up with Leo?”
He leaned back, his face full of laughter and memories. “Rock paper scissors.”
“Huh?”
“My parents played rock paper scissors to figure out what to name us. Best two out of three won. Dad won twice, Mom won once.”
“And you were Leo?”
“Yup. She said I roared like a lion from the day I was born.”
She couldn’t help it. She had to laugh.
“How’d your parents come to name you Ruby?”
“My mom’s favorite soap opera character. She was so strong, and my mom wanted that for me. It’s sort of a good luck charm.”
There was a brief contemplative silence, each of them trying to think of what to say or ask next. It was strange in that it didn’t feel awkward, the way such silences tended to be. There weren’t that many people she felt comfortable with. Surprising that Leo Dunne seemed to be one of them.
“Are you hungry?”
Her stomach rumbled loudly at the thought of food.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” He grinned and handed her the room service menu. “Get whatever you want, it’s on me.”
“Thanks.” And what a buffet that would be! Ruby shivered and looked down at the menu, trying not to picture how good he’d look coated in chocolate mousse.