My palms grow damp, and my mouth feels too dry. I drag my hands down my legs, trying to calm myself.
Ruby still does not say anything, but the amused smirk she gives me before she lifts her drink tells me she has seen them too.
I clear my throat and tuck my hair behind my ear. "So… do you just call your guys whenever you want?"
"Pretty much. Or I wait for them to call me. It can go either way."
"How… I mean…"
"You prefer being in a relationship," she says gently. "I'm not judging you. And I appreciate you not judging me."
"Honestly, sometimes I think life would be easier if I could be okay with the whole no-strings-attached thing," I admit, touching the back of my neck.
That had been the entire idea behind the one-night stand on the cruise ship. No strings. No attachments. No follow-up. I was never supposed to see Robb again.
But now that I have… it hits me that someone can be incredible in bed and still not fit with me personality-wise. Somehow, that realization stings a little more than I expected.
Did I overreact earlier? Probably. He did judge me based on what I was wearing and acted like all guys would think the same way, but he has seen me naked, so maybe that colored his view in a weird way. I am not trying to excuse him… but I also do not want to blow everything up over a misunderstanding.
And that part scares me because it means I might be considering giving him another chance.
Why am I even thinking about this? I promised myself I would get my life together. A guy is only going to complicate everything.
But a simple hookup… with someone I already know is insanely good in bed…
Out of the corner of my vision, I notice someone walking toward our table. My stomach tightens because I already know who it is.
Robb.
"Can I sit for a minute?" Robb asks calmly, directing the question at Ruby.
"Go ahead." She grins at me, lifts her drink in a small toast, and strolls off, still holding her bright red margarita.
Robb slides into the seat across from me. His legs stretch out under the table, and his foot brushes the inside of my calf.
"Come by my place," he says. "I think we should talk. Earlier did not go well."
Rough. That is one way to describe it.
When we had been together before, things had been rough at the start in a thrilling, hungry way, but later it softened into something slow and intense… almost intimate.
But going to his place now? I have no idea if that is a smart choice.
Still, the answer that comes out of my mouth is, "Why not?"
Robb's grin stretches across his face, wide and bright enough to honestly shock me. He looks genuinely happy that I agreed, and it makes me feel a little better about my decision.
If we can talk and work through everything, maybe we can build something real. Maybe not serious right away, but at least something worth trying. At least, that is what I want to believe.
Robb taps his fingers on the table for a moment before getting to his feet. "Once you are ready, come find me."
"Just be ready when I am," I tell him.
"I'm always ready, darlin'," he says in that lazy drawl of his.
A shiver runs through me. After our first time together, we had barely taken a break before going again. His cool down time had been almost nonexistent, which makes me wonder how Ericca handles all four of them. By the time she finishes with one, wouldn't the first be ready again? How does she walk? How does she get anything done?
Robb laughs softly and steps around the table. He places his hand on my shoulder, and that simple touch sends my eyes straight to him. I wish his hand would slide just a little lower, inside my shirt. My lips part on their own, ready to lick them, but I stop myself. That would give him the wrong idea.
My body already has the wrong idea. I am wet, and I shift in my seat, trying to sit normally.
"Always ready," Robb repeats. He squeezes my shoulder, lets go, and walks back to his table.
Only, it feels like he still has a hold on me. Not physically, but inside my head. I already know this is going to cause trouble.
Ruby returns with a playful smirk. "So… what did Mr. Robb Blackwood want with you?"
"I think I scored a ride on his bike back to campus."
Her eyebrows shoot up like they are trying to reach her hairline. "Girl, damn. You move fast."
I open my mouth to explain, to mention the cruise, to say we already knew each other, but the waitress appears with our food, cutting off the moment.
I start eating, but my stomach is twisted over whatever conversation I am about to have with Robb. I barely manage to get through half my meal.
"We can pack the rest," Ruby says. "If you want any later, just tell me. It heats up great." She grins. "So, are you going to head over to Robb now?"
"In a minute." I lift my empty glass to my lips even though I already drank both Cherry Cokes.
Ruby shakes her head. "You are about to make so many waves."
I laugh and lower the glass. "What makes you think that?"
"Robb fawning over a freshman on the first day of classes. I swear he is already whipped. What did you do to him? Are you the kind of girl who can make a guy lose his mind with just a few kisses?"
"I doubt it. I've never tried."
She bursts out laughing. "You should test it. Imagine finding out that the campus legend can finish just from kissing. And I don't mean kisses on his cock either."
"What is wrong with you? Why would you even think that?"
Ruby shrugs, glancing toward the guys. "I'm not sure. I just don't think I've ever seen Robb act this way around a girl. So you must have something special going for you."
"I clearly do. You took me under your wing, didn't you?"
"Aww, you reminded me of a lost little puppy. How could I not? You're adorable. And who knows? Maybe he's growing up and looking for a good girl."
"Who said I'm good?"
Ruby rolls her eyes. "Please. You are a good girl. Trust me."
"Maybe I'm not as easy to figure out as you think."
She snorts at the word "figure out" and winks. "Go have fun, but you better tell me everything tomorrow."
"I'll think about it." I reach for my purse and start digging for my wallet.
"Give me the details, and I'll cover the bill," she says.
I hand her a twenty anyway.
She pouts. "Kate…"
"We aren't going to do anything," I tell her firmly. My voice sounds steadier than I feel.
Because the truth is, I'm nervous. Not scared. Just unsure. Seeing Robb earlier definitely did not go the way I imagined it would if I ever ran into him again. A fresh start would be nice.
But it will be at his place.
So what? That does not mean we have to sit on his bed to talk. It should be fine.
Still, I have a feeling I'm lying to myself.
I wave at Ruby, and she wiggles her fingers back at me, already sipping her second drink.
"Are you sure you can drive?" I ask.
She waves it off and points toward a table beside us. "I have friends here. I'll hang out with them. I just need to stay busy for a while."
"And maybe have another drink?"
"Maybe. And if I do, someone else can drive me home. I'm not stupid."
"I didn't mean it like that."
"You're fine. You're looking out for me, and I like that. It's just… right now, I keep thinking about something I shouldn't do, and I need to stay around people to avoid it."
I laugh. "I have no idea what you're talking about."
"Derrick and Jason." She links her fingers together. "All three of us. Very bad idea. I don't think Derrick would agree to it anyway, but imagining his mouth and Jason's cock at the same time… God. No. No, no, no. Girls' night. No calling either guy." She looks at me with slightly glassy eyes. "Do you want to take my phone? That might be smart."
"If you want me to take it, I will," I murmur.
"No. I can manage. I'll be fine. I need my phone in case you decide to text or call with updates about Robbbie." She starts laughing again, loud and bubbly.
I stay seated for a moment, watching her as she places more money on the table to cover what's left of the bill and the tip. Then she walks over to her friends. She is steady on her feet, and only when she sits down with them does the tightness in my chest ease enough for me to stand.
Before I can even turn around, a hand settles on my lower back.
"Ready to get out of here?" Robb asks.
"Might as well," I answer.
He leads me outside toward the parking lot. He and his friends parked their bikes right in front of the restaurant.
"You willing to ride?" he asks.
"Why wouldn't I be?" Evil smirk.