60 Nights with a Billionaire

9. She left with Mr. Harries

As the evening grew darker and the cold grew more intense, Ruby folded her arms across her body and looked up at the rising moon with a longing expression. She felt a burden fall on her shoulders at that very moment. She turned in surprise to see James standing nearby, encircling her with his coat. She smiled a sweet, sincere smile that went right through him.

He asked, "What are you doing out here in the cold?"

She said softly, "I was waiting for you."

"I return at midnight. Are you now beginning to wait?"

"The wait begins the moment you leave in the morning," she stated in a soft voice.

“Why wait for me?” he groaned. "Are you not afraid?"

"Afraid of what?"

"That I could return and harm you once more."

"It doesn't matter," she shrugged.

"So, what matters to you?"

She looked down as though she didn't want him to see what was buried in her eyes and muttered, "Your happiness."

James lit a cigarette, attempting to get rid of the odd warmth her words had left behind. "Or maybe you just miss your boyfriend?" he said, moving away.

"Maybe," she muttered.

"Do you even know if he misses you?"

"What difference does it make?" she asked, smirking.

His jaw clenched. Irritated, he threw the cigarette into the water, jealousy seething just below the surface. "Sometimes I really don't get why you keep hurting yourself on purpose."

"Don't worry about my pain. I'm here for the contract, not to burden you with my troubles," she explained calmly.

"Are you just pretending?" he asked, his voice full of emotion.

Ruby gulped to steady herself. "Isn't this true? Would we still be here if it wasn't for this contract?"

James scoffed, "Then explain why you stayed with me for one and a half years before there was ever a contract. Why did you care for and look after me more than I did myself?"

She paused and he shook his head. "You're lying," he murmured before turning away. "Every answer you give me is just another excuse."

"James, I don't know why you—"

"You know why," he said sharply. "You know everything. Why are you playing with me?"

Ruby drew a hesitant breath and gently touched his back, speaking softly. "James, what's really going on?"

He pinched the bridge of his nose, realizing how lost he was in his feelings. She slipped in front of him, meeting his gaze with a kind smile and taking his hands. "If you and Maya are having problems, perhaps you should talk to her. She's your wife. She'll listen if you tell her what happened between us that night."

He blinked, taken off guard. She thinks that is the reason for his frustration!

"You should respect her decision. If she truly wants me to have your child, she is doing it for you and what you both have. This cannot be easy for her, either."

James felt his heart clench. He warmed as he heard her. He reached up and cradled her face in his hands, muttering, "There's no need for any of that now." He went in for a delicate kiss on her lips.

Ruby tensed, taken off guard. The anguish of that night caused her to automatically push against his shoulders. But then she felt the compassion in his kiss, the calm warmth, and her hands slowly slid up around his neck, bringing him closer. She rose on her toes, kissing him back, her arms encircling him, and blending into the moment.

The passion between them rose with each kiss, becoming deeper and more unguarded. He carried her in his arms and walked towards the bedroom. She hung on to him, staring at his face with wide eyes, lost in the feeling. He carefully placed her on the bed, unfastened his tie, and bent over her, brushing his fingers over her face while pressing her beneath him. The room was filled with gentle murmurs and the aroma of lovemaking.

After an hour, he lay down, closing his eyes, face buried in Ruby's nude and soft chest. Ruby continued stroking his hair and listening to his rapid heartbeat. This passionate experience wiped away her trauma. She smiled sadly. Her injuries had not yet healed. Yes, it hurt a little, but it was surpassed by James' warmth and devotion. The prospect of finally being able to perform her contract brought tears to her eyes. When James' breathing returned to normal, he raised his face and gazed at Ruby. Seeing tears in her eyes, he touched her cheeks with his palms.

"I want a child. Our child."

Ruby closed her eyes, and tears streamed down.

He kissed her tenderly, not worrying about her emotions or tears. Then his mobile phone rang. He got his clothing, took up his phone, and exited the bedroom. Ruby hid her face in the pillow and cried.

This series of intimacy, which began tonight, continued. Every day, James had s*x with Ruby to relieve his frustration and forget his unfaithful wife. James began to mend his wounds by touching her soft body, with her smile and her sweet words. But he had no idea that the adoration he was receiving on a daily basis would turn into another bouquet of memories for him and Ruby.

One day…

Ruby had just stepped out of the building where she worked as an administrator for a childcare provider.

Her phone rang. When she saw James's name, she chuckled.

"Hey!" she exclaimed, her voice lightening up.

"On your way out?" James' voice had that familiar sexy tone, accompanied by the faint sound of him smoking.

"Yeah, just left the office."

"Good. Come to the parking lot—I'm here," he said nonchalantly.

Ruby froze in mid-step. "Wait... what are you doing here?"

As if it were the most apparent thing in the world, he continued, "Oh, just thought I'd swing by and buy your company."

She rolled her eyes and laughed. "Very funny."

"I really do mean it. My instinct is to purchase it so that everyone who is forcing you to work so hard can work for you instead."

"All right, you're being absurd now! Two minutes from now, I will be down."

"All right, I'll wait."

Ruby couldn't help but smile as she made her way to the lift after he hung up. She stood there with a slight thrill of excitement after pressing the button. However, her heart ceased, and her smile vanished as the lift doors opened. Benjamin Harries was standing inside, looking back at her.

James couldn’t wait even two minutes. His gaze kept returning to his sparkling silver watch. When the two minutes were up, he stared at the lift. Ruby didn't show up. He called right away. Ruby didn't answer the call. Being agitated, James called again. This time, too, Ruby did not answer the phone. James felt danger at once. He tossed the cigarette aside and sprinted towards the lift.

He hurried to the counter as soon as the lift door opened, searching the floor with his cold gaze. There was no sign of the slender woman.

"Where is Ruby?" he asked the receptionist as he arrived at the counter.

When the receptionist saw James, she felt perplexed. She recognized him without the need for a log. She widened her eyes in excitement, captivated by his good looks.

"Damn it!" said James as he threw the items from the counter. “Where in heck is she?”

When she finally regained her senses, the receptionist said, "sir... sir... who Ruby... are you talking about?"

"Ruby Jason," James said fiercely, slamming his hand against the counter. “She is employed in administrative support.”

"Oh, Ruby Jason? Whose hair is silky and lengthy, her eyes…”

"Yes, yes…she…” she shouted, “where is she?" His rage was out of control. Everyone around them was staring at him in disbelief.

"She's already gone."

"Where? Left?" He tightened his jaw.

“She left with Mr. Harries. I watched her go with him.”

James' eyes grew gloomy. People shuddered as he threw his hand against the counter, destroying a flower pot. He made a hasty call to Oscar.