Chapter 6 Want to Try Something Different?
1057 Words
Ruth wasn't answering anyone's calls.
When Ruth came out of the bathroom, she found that Raymond had left. The hotel had brought an ice pack and some anti-swelling cream and placed them on the table.
Ruth had expected that breaking up with Justin would lead to sleepless nights, crying, or maybe even relying on alcohol to numb the pain of this rough patch. But none of that happened. She was too exhausted to even feel sad, and she quickly fell asleep.
She didn't know how long she'd slept, but she woke up in a daze, sensing someone moving around her room. When she opened her eyes and saw Raymond sitting on the couch by the bed, she jumped in surprise.
"What the hell is wrong with you?!"
Raymond didn't dodge the pillow she threw at him, grateful it wasn't the heavy ashtray from the bedside table.
"Did you have a good night?"
"You're insane!"
Ruth hurled curses at Raymond while pulling the blanket up to cover herself. She then pushed her blonde hair out of her face to glance at the time.
"It's only six AM!" Ruth flung another pillow at him before realizing that wasn't the main issue. "How did you even get in here?!"
"This is my hotel room."
Ruth couldn't help but mutter a curse as she turned to look for her clothes.
Raymond stood up and bent down to pick up the thin slip dress on the floor. Ruth, wrapped in the blanket, rushed over to snatch it back.
"Don't touch my clothes!" Ruth shouted.
Ruth quickly got dressed and was about to charge out of the room, but the blanket caught around her ankle, causing her to stumble and lose her balance.
Raymond instinctively lifted his arms and caught her, holding her securely against his chest.
Ruth froze on the spot, and her mind went blank.
Why did it feel like she deliberately threw herself into his arms?
No, she didn't!
Raymond didn't need to look down to know he was staring at a lot of bare skin. Ruth was boiling with anger, and her chest heaved, nearly pressing against Raymond's face.
They both paused, unsure how to react now. Ruth's face turned bright red, and she yelled, "Put me down!"
Raymond immediately set her down. With her bare feet, Ruth gave him a few hard kicks. Raymond didn't budge, but Ruth winced and stumbled back onto the bed.
"Did you hurt yourself?"
Raymond noticed Ruth holding her foot and bent down to take a look, only for her to stop him with her other foot pressed against his waist.
"Don't come closer! Raymond, what are you trying to do?"
Raymond glanced at her delicate foot, painted with a soft pink polish, and thought she must look stunning in high heels.
Ruth pulled her foot back, suddenly feeling a bit uncomfortable. Raymond's gaze was always so intense, making it hard for her to breathe whenever he looked at her like that.
She couldn't get close to such a dangerous man!
"I don't want to do anything. Breakfast will be here soon, and William's on his way," Raymond said while checking his watch. "He'll be here in about fifteen minutes. I hope we can talk, the three of us."
The tension between them dissipated with that statement. Ruth then pushed past Raymond to freshen up.
Talk? Sure!
Indeed, she needed to put an end to all of this and focus on her career. She couldn't let Justin keep getting in the way of her life.
When she returned from the bathroom, the table was nearly overflowing with food. Raymond sat nearby, waiting for her. Ruth glanced at the spread but didn't sit down. Instead, she poured herself a cup of black coffee.
"Try this; it's good for girls," Raymond pushed some food on the table toward her.
Everything on the table was high-end, but Ruth acted like she didn't see it. She cradled her cup as she walked over to Raymond and looked down at him.
"Don't tell me what to do!" Ruth said with gritted teeth.
Raymond quietly gazed at Ruth, pressing his lips together, saying nothing more.
In business settings, he could quickly have the upper hand and divide the profit during a negotiation. But with Ruth, his reactions were always awkward, beyond his control.
Ruth pursed her lips.
Raymond's gaze made her feel inexplicably nervous, and she even felt her heart rate speed up a little.
She took a sip of her coffee and quickly spoke up.
"William's sharp too, just like all you guys. You already have so much, yet you're always looking to take advantage of women!"
"Do you all think women are just foolish creatures who only fall head over heels in love? Do you secretly look down on women who lead with their hearts, while ganging up to suppress those with real power?"
"I don't even want to talk to William. Let him talk with my agent."
Ruth turned and sat on the table, her feet resting on the chair. She leaned forward slightly, and as soon as she got closer, she felt Raymond's gaze on her.
"What are you staring at? Like what you see?" Ruth felt a bit irritated. She raised her head and deliberately played with her hair, a smile tugging at the corners of her lips as she reached out and hooked her finger under Raymond's chin. "Do you want me?"
Then she quickly withdrew her smile, her expression turned icy, "Well, I don't like that face of yours—it looks just like Justin's."
Raymond caught Ruth's hand before she pulled back and easily tugged her into his arms with a gentle but firm grip. Ruth nearly spilled her coffee, and she held it high above her head.
"Bastard! Look what you have done!"
Raymond's hand slid into her hair. His deep gaze traveled from her profile to her full, red lips.
"Take a closer look. Do we really look the same?"
Raymond's face was inches from hers. Ruth knew this face well, but the only difference was those gray eyes. Justin's eyes were amber, always gleaming with playful excitement. Raymond's eyes, on the other hand, were serene and dangerous.
Raymond held Ruth's head in place, their breaths mingling.
His deep voice was low, almost coaxing. "Want to try something different?"
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