~RUBY Ethan didn't come back inside. My stomach started to knot into tiny, little worry clots as I waited. And waited. And waited. My swimsuit stuck to my body like plaster and my body was aching painfully. Where the hell was this man? I was about to throw caution to the wind and go downstairs to see whoever he was talking to that kept him waiting when the door opened and the lights went out immediately. He strode into the room, still in his pair of shorts. "Ethan?" I called out. He said nothing as he walked up to me and grabbed my waist, pulling me against his body. "What took you so long? Who was at the door?" I asked as he began to trail kisses on my neck. I chuckled as I angled my head to give him further access. "You made me wait. I was this close to losing it and storming downstairs to drag you away from whoever it was," I whispered as his hands found my nipples. He tugged on them, and the suddenness of the gesture made me gasp. His hands were rough as

~RUBY I was shaking profusely. My hands, my legs, my whole body was shaking uncontrollably as I watched Ethan dive into the water to save his brother. I was in a daze. Everything seemed blurry to me and the world slowed down. I watched with unseeing eyes as Ethan carried his brother out of the water, the same thought ringing in my head. I almost killed someone. I almost caused the death of Ethan's brother. My in law. A perfectly healthy person. Was I so far gone in my head, my unreasonable anger, that I was stupid enough to do something as dangerous as that? He could have drowned. He could have swallowed the water and died. And it would have been my fault, I would have been arrested and be prepared to be sent to jail, if Ethan had not been around. I was a fool. Ethan was pumping his brother's chest, trying to get him to spit out the pool water he had swallowed. Ash was breathing only narrowly, and he was unconscious. His skin had become red, as rashes app

~ASH My jaw dropped open as I processed her words. What did I just hear? She must have noticed my bewildered expression because she sighed, running her hands through her hair. She must have been doing that for a while now since her hair was in tangles, betraying her nervousness. "You don't need to look that surprised, Ash," she grunted, "it's just an apology. Nothing big," she said. "Sorry. I don't think I got that. Are you talking to me? Or is someone else in this room that I'm now aware of? I mean, you're the Fireball. All small, and fiesty, and full of fire." She didn't answer me, just glared at me from the foot of the bed. It was obvious how uncomfortable she was, and I felt her thrill as I watched her struggle. "Oh. How the almighty has fallen. Look at you now, all subdued and less angry. I don't think I've ever seen you without that scary anger of yours," I grinned. "I'm serious, actually. I'm trying to swallow my rage and settle this amicably. If not for

~Ash "Ruby? Ruby? Are you okay? Is it something I said?" I called after Ruby as she ran out, a hint of worry in my voice. I was surprised. Did I say anything to make her run? I was pretty sure I didn't. One minute she was standing there and the next, she was not. There was no snarky remarks, no glares or the usual flares of anger and rage as she left. She didn't even turn around to look at me. I wanted her to look at me. Even when she was mad at me. Especially when she was mad at me. But what made me strangely worried was the gasp. She gasped, as if something...someone had hurt her. I hoped that wasn't me. Even if she had every reason to be mad at me. I was playing both her and her husband like fools. Yet I did not want to be the reason for that pained gasped. But since when did I care about Ruby’s feelings? I mean, she was important to me, as she served as the main tool that would lead to her husband's downfall. Ethan deserved to be taught a lesson, and I was going

~RUBY My heart hammered loudly against my chest as I heard Patrick's voice on the phone. But what really cemented the fear in my heart was my father. He grabbed the phone from Patrick and was rambling to me. I could not hear what he was saying but he was panicked, and close to tears. I stood up and searched for something to grab. I needed to hold something, anything and Ash was the only person I could work with. So I held Ash's arm so tight that it was enough to leave marks. "Jesus Christ. I can't hear a word of whatever you're saying, dad. Just calm down, stop panicking and talk to me," I yelled, sheer terror blinded my eyes. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I...it's just...I...you and Ethan need to get down here now please. They are going to take over my company and liquidate it. I...they're not listening to me. Just get down here," he choked and he sounded as though he had been crying. My father cherished his company a lot, it was what kept him going during the dark, down ti