Chapter 5

Ruby’s POV

I narrowed my eyes, my thoughts spinning wildly. “What exactly do you mean by your property?” I asked, forcing my voice to stay calm.

Harrison’s lips curved into a slow smile, his gaze never leaving mine. “I mean you, Ruby. You belong to me.”

I let out a short laugh, disbelief coating my tone. “I don’t belong to anyone. I'd suggest you leave because you're in the wrong house.”

He stepped closer, his presence overwhelming, his voice dropping into something dark and intoxicating. “You do,” he said quietly. “You’re mine. From the moment I laid eyes on you, I knew there's no way I'd ever let another man touch you.”

“Did you really think you could disappear after a night like that?” he added with a low chuckle. “Little firecracker.”

I shook my head, trying to clear the haze in my mind. “That’s insane. We barely know each other.”

He shrugged easily. “I know enough. We made love together and I want you.”

A shiver ran down my spine as he closed the distance between us. “And what is it you think you want from me?” I asked, gathering what little courage I had left.

His eyes burned into mine. “Everything,” he said without hesitation. “Your body. Your thoughts. Your heart. I want all of you.”

My throat tightened. No one had ever looked at me that way, as if I were the only thing that mattered. The intensity thrilled me… and terrified me.

“I don’t even know what to say,” I whispered.

“You don’t need to,” he replied softly. “Just understand this, I’m not going anywhere. I’m serious about you, Ruby. You picked the wrong man to play games with.”

His words stunned me.

Harrison was known for never staying. A notorious playboy. And yet here he was, claiming me with unwavering certainty.

I searched his eyes, expecting arrogance but instead, I saw something else. Something real. Something sincere.

And I couldn’t deny the pull I felt toward him. He was confident, dangerously attractive, and undeniably skilled at unraveling me.

“I don’t understand,” I admitted. “You’re not exactly known for commitment. What changed?”

He smiled faintly. “Maybe I was waiting for the right woman.”

I arched a brow. “And you think that’s me?”

“I don’t think,” he said firmly. “I know.”

My breath caught. I had only intended to use him to provoke Asher, nothing more. But somewhere along the way, things had spiraled far beyond my control.

Harrison stepped inside and closed the door behind him. The air shifted instantly. We were alone.

“I’ve been thinking about having you again,” he said bluntly.

I smiled, anticipation curling in my chest. “So have I,” I replied quietly.

He moved toward me slowly, deliberately, heat radiating from him. The moment he reached me, his arms wrapped around my waist, pulling me close.

His lips met mine, and just like that, I was gone.

The kiss was deep and consuming, filled with unspoken hunger. When we finally pulled apart, both of us breathless, he smiled.

“I need you,” he said.

“I need you too,” I whispered.

After a while, Harrison left.

I was still lost in the aftermath of everything when my phone rang, shattering the silence. I hesitated before answering.

“Hello?”

“Ruby,” my father said warmly. “It’s Dad.”

“Hey, Dad,” I replied. “What’s going on?”

“Your uncle is back,” he said. “He wants to meet you.”

I frowned. “Uncle? I’ve never met him. Which uncle?”

“He’s my brother, and also your godfather. He left years ago. He only saw you the day you were born. He doesn’t even know your name.”

I paused. “Okay… when does he want to meet?”

“Tomorrow evening. Five o’clock. We’ll have dinner together.”

“Alright,” I agreed.

After hanging up, curiosity gnawed at me. The uncle who vanished after buying me my first toy… suddenly wanted to return?

The next day, I stood in front of the mirror, smoothing my dress over and over again. I didn’t understand why I was so nervous.

Then his image looked, dark, mocking.

Aghast, I tried so heard to shove it away. He no longer invaded my thoughts so frequently after yesterday; indeed, there were times when I did not think of him for an entire hour, and then I would remember and in remembering, know I had not forgotten about him at all. 

And probably never will, because the way my body craves him had been insane! 

I was hoping that the desire will be buried that night, but it became worse.

People had been right. He was a man that was so irresistible, and now I was trapped in his web.

I grabbed my purse and drove to my family home.

My father’s car was already parked outside. I stepped out and walked in.

I saw Scarlett but ignored her completely.

As I entered the sitting room, my breath hitched.

Harrison was seated there.

I walked straight up to him. “Are you out of your mind?” I hissed. “Why would you follow me here, you're doing too much, don't you think?”

He looked genuinely startled. “I didn’t come for you,” he said. “I’m here to see someone very important, I’m a businessman, remember?”

Relief washed over me. Maybe he was one of my father’s associates.

“And you?” he asked. “Why are you here?”

“I came to see my dad,” I replied. “He has a guest.”

His brows lifted. “This is your father’s house?”

Before I could answer, my father walked in.

“Ruby,” he said casually, “you’ve already met your uncle, Harrison.”

My world tilted.

“…My uncle?” I whispered, stunned beyond words.