60 Nights with a Billionaire

7. I want to meet your boyfriend

James stayed in the farmhouse, too restless to leave. He settled on the couch, his laptop open but mostly ignored. Every few minutes, his attention returned to Ruby, who lay still and quiet on the bed. Guilt gnawed at him, and he found himself lighting cigarette after cigarette, the dense smoke doing little to calm his anxiety.

Alex's comments about drugs echoed in his head, and as he stared at Ruby's bruised form, he wondered whether something else had led him to such an unrecognizable state. The idea of drugs seemed absurd. James let out a deep sigh and fell back on the couch, eyes closed, fighting with his thoughts and emotions.

Tiny vibrations on the table roused James from his slumber. Dazed, he reached for his phone, but his gaze was drawn to the vacant bed. Ruby wasn't present. Panic flooded through him as he jumped up and hastily scanned the room. The phone buzzed again, left on the table as he stumbled out of the bedroom.

In the peaceful farmhouse, he followed the faint sound of pots and pans to the kitchen. Ruby stood by the stove, slowly preparing dinner. Every modest step, every deliberate movement conveyed her pain. She appeared frail, her shoulders slightly bent, her hands working slowly, as if each motion required effort.

James froze in the kitchen entry, unable to step inside. James stood at the kitchen door, unable to force himself to go inside. "James?" Her soothing, somewhat husky voice disrupted his trance, bringing him back to reality. He blinked, shocked, as her eyes met his, holding a warmth that, even now, softened the hard edges of his guilt.

"Did I wake you up?"

James understood she was embarrassed.

"I'm sorry. Take a break after eating. You sit at the dining table, and I'll deliver the meal."

When James saw her tiny grin and sparkling eyes, he regretted it even more. He turned back and entered the living room, lighting a cigarette. Looking at the kitchen door, his heart sank. He was unable to resist and left the farmhouse.

…

Ruby stood by in the kitchen doorway, holding dishes and watching James's figure retreat. She bit her lip, swallowing the pain and sadness that had welled up. Suddenly, her phone rang in the bedroom. She slowly approached and grabbed it.

"Hey, Ruby! How’s it going?"

Maya's happy voice rang out on the other end.

"Hi," Ruby said, her voice feeble.

"So, how did last night go?" Maya asked, sounding mischievous.

"Last night?"

"Yeah! You couldn't get James on your own, so I had to step in. So, you two finally had s*x, correct?"

Ruby paused, feeling a tinge of confusion. "Uh...yeah, we did."

"See? I knew it'd work! I had my boys put some drugs in his drink at the party."

"Drugs?" Ruby repeated the term, which caught her off guard.

"Yep. I figured he might need a little push. But, hey, it sounds like it worked. Anyway, keep it up. Let's close up the contract shortly, okay?"

"Okay," Ruby said.

After Maya hung up, Ruby clutched the phone to her chest, the truth seeping in. Last night was not James' fault; he had been drugged—all because of Maya.

Meanwhile, at Miller headquarters, Alex and James were drinking in his office when Oscar entered, looking anxious. "President, we got the security footage, but we still couldn't see the guy's face."

James finished his whiskey and poured another. "If you don't find that man, Oscar, I'll shoot you."

Oscar's face became pallid. He shot Alex a begging look, but Alex simply nodded and motioned for him to go. After Oscar had left, Alex went to James. "We detected drugs in your blood. Are you certain this was entirely Maya's doing? It's possible that she just showed up to the party with some guy. They might not have done anything in the car."

James did not answer, his expression harsh.

"James," Alex said, "Maya loves you. I cannot picture her doing this. She even signed the deal with Ruby for your sake. Why would she go this far?"

James stood with a drink in hand, his gaze remote. "That is the problem. I am in love with her. I forgave her for every mistake she made. If she had told me the truth herself... I'd have forgiven her again."

"So, what now?"

"Ruin," James said gently, taking a sip with one hand in his pocket.

Alex stared at him with concern, knowing how brutal James could be when provoked. "James, think about it. She is your wife."

"Exactly her advantage." James picked up his blazer, put it on, and left the room without saying anything further.

James didn't want to face Ruby after what had happened. But something within him propelled him forward.

As he entered the living room, he noticed her at the dining table, her head resting on her folded arms and her eyes closed. His footsteps must have disturbed her because she raised her head.

"James!" she exclaimed gently, a smile on her face.

That brief, unexpected smile softened the regret he'd been feeling, if only slightly.

He took a couple of steps closer, and his throat tightened. "Ruby… you—" He paused, unsure how to begin. Her peacefulness startled him.

"James..." she muttered.

For the first time since last night, he felt like he might be able to set things right.

"You should have slept," he said in a hoarse voice.

"You left without eating. I was worried," she explained.

James took a peek at the dining table. He observed two dishes and realized she hadn't eaten either. He gazed at her face, and her grin remained encouraging and brilliant.

He discovered Maya hadn't skipped a meal waiting for him.

He gave up, staggered to the couch, and closed his eyes. He gave up, staggered to the couch, and closed his eyes. Ruby approached, stroking her fingers through his hair. "Freshen up, then we'll eat together."

Her fingertips in James' hair soothed him. James became so used to Ruby's affection that he had never felt more at ease with his wife's touch. Within seconds of Ruby's gentle touch, he buried his face in her abdomen, put his arms around her waist, and let out a long sigh.

Ruby knew that James was not a monster. He would never knowingly bring that much pain to a woman. After recovering awareness, he may have also been consumed by regret.

"I don’t get any of this," he continued, his voice nearly pleading.

Ruby sat down, his head lying on her lap. James did not open his eyes, his breathing was heavy and erratic. She began running her fingers over his hair, her touch gentle and soothing.

She gradually felt his body relax. The deep lines of concern on his forehead faded, and his breathing became more even.

For the first time in a long time, James felt at peace. Ruby's presence and gentle touch felt like a balm to his aching spirit. He let himself drift, slipping into the warmth and protection of her lap.

The next morning had a distinct intensity. As he awoke, James felt surprisingly revived. He headed to the porch, smoking a cigarette. Expelling a plume of smoke, his gaze strayed before falling on Ruby. She was on the bedroom's large balcony, drying her damp hair with a towel. The early sun shed a lovely shine on her, making her appear almost ethereal. James couldn't help but stare at her for a few moments, entranced by her simple beauty and ease with which she moved.

He had a startling flashback to the scene where he saw her naked a year ago. Of course, it was an accident. When he entered her room looking for her, he noticed her having a shower through the slightly open bathroom door. He left right away, and Ruby never found out. And it was at this point that he realized he was becoming increasingly attracted to Ruby.

At the moment, he had prevented his heart from becoming attracted to Ruby. Thinking he is married. But he didn't want to stop himself now. However, guilt overtook attraction.

"What are you looking at?"

Her lovely voice always warmed his heart. He moved closer to her. Ruby peered deeply into his eyes.

He clutched her beautiful face, his thumbs reaching the fractured corner of her lovely lips. Ruby was worried, wondering how she would respond if James told her anything about that night.

"I want to meet your boyfriend." His words terrified her.