Pretension is almost ingrained in my family’s DNA. Although it seemed to pass me by, it’s what I’ve been raised to endure and expect. Ruby’s the same, at least based on her last name and who her father is, but like me, she seems to be missing that awful genetic component. The chair she’s sitting in tells me that. Where she was living tells me that as well. The whole shower fiasco tells me she’s been out of the circuit for a while, and I want to know exactly how she got where she is, and why she’s made the choices she has to get here.

Unfortunately I don’t have time for that tonight. My goal this evening is to make sure she’s going to take care of my pets and not ruin my condo while I’m gone. Based on what I’ve seen so far, I have a feeling I’m dealing with a bit of a live wire when it comes to the lovely Miss Ruby Scott. For now I’m trying to figure her out.

“I ordered Italian for dinner, I hope that’s okay.”

Her eyes go wide. “Pizza?”

“Um, no.”

Her face falls a bit.

“Authentic Italian. Spaghetti Bolognese, chicken Parmesan, bruschetta, meatballs, pasta primavera, that kind of thing. I didn’t want to disturb you once you were in the shower and not being attacked by the jets, so I just got a bit of everything.”

“Ha ha. All of that sounds amazing.” She pats her stomach. “I hope I can handle it.”

“How’re you feeling? Have you been able to eat?” The flu bug I’d had lasted for days. Enough days that I worried I wouldn’t be able to get on the plane tomorrow. But I’m fine now. Although I’m down a good ten pounds still. Ruby’s small. She’s compact and tight, all muscle and lean lines. I’d like to see how she feels under me. Or on top of me. Shit. This woman makes my imagination want to go on a detour to the land of perversion.

“I’m okay. A steady diet of Gatorade and saltines seems to have gotten me through the worst of it.”

“I’m sorry I did that to you.” I’m also sorry that I’m currently imagining all the things I’d like to do to you.

Ruby shrugs and motions to the condo and the chair she’s sitting in. “You’re more than making up for it now. I really appreciate this.”

“It benefits us both, right? You have a place to stay until you find a new apartment and I have someone to take care of Francesca and Tiny.”

Ruby smiles. She has a pretty smile, with white, straight teeth, except for one eyetooth, which is turned just a touch. I like the small imperfection. After years of playing professional rugby, I have a lot of those.

The buzzer goes off, signaling the food has arrived and someone will be on their way up shortly. “That must be the food.” I sit up and Francesca makes a snuffling noise as I lift her from my lap, turning away from Ruby so she can’t see the adjustments I make.

“I should probably learn all the codes and stuff, shouldn’t I?” Ruby leaps out of the chair, landing soundlessly on the hardwood. She’s incredibly graceful. I imagine that must translate nicely into bedroom activities.

I manage to pull my head out of the gutter long enough to give Ruby a rundown on the entry system. “Any deliveries are intercepted by front desk security.”

“Don’t you have to go down and get it?”

“Generally, whoever is working the security desk will bring deliveries to the door unless otherwise requested.”

“That’s so awesome. I used to have to wait for the stupid elevator or run down four flights of stairs if it was taking too long, or out of order, which was often.”

“I don’t think you’ll find that to be an issue here. Since we’re on the penthouse level we have a dedicated elevator, so waiting is rare.”

“You could totally be a hermit living here, couldn’t you?” she asks.

“If I didn’t like people, I suppose I could.”

Ruby cocks her head to the side, and her smile holds a hint of devious curiosity. “Do you like people?”

“It depends on the people.”

“But you like me.” She makes a face, as if she’s embarrassed by her own statement.

“What I know of you so far, yes.” I smile at the flush that creeps into her cheeks. “While I’m gone I’ll give you access to services I use so you’ll be able to get what you need.”

Her tone hardens a little, as if she’s offended by the courtesy. “You don’t have to do that.”

“You’re staying here, there will be things you require, both for yourself and Francesca and Tiny. I won’t have you spending your own money taking care of my animals.”

Her gaze drops to her feet. “I guess that makes sense when you put it that way.”

I have to wonder a little about her financial situation. She comes from money; however, that reveal at the restaurant is another reason I caved and offered her a place to stay. At least my family was supportive of my decision to pursue rugby as a career. It doesn’t seem as though she has even that.

“I have groceries delivered every Friday, although the order is tailored to my taste. I was going to cancel it, but since you’re here . . .” I trail off. “I’ll show you how to make changes after dinner.”

“Sure. Okay.” Ruby wears an unreadable expression. I’m unsure what to make of it, and I don’t get to ask because there’s a knock at the door.

Which reminds me that Francesca needs to go back in her cage. “Would you be able to put her in my room while I get this?”

“Of course.” Ruby flits over to the couch, scoops up Francesca, and carries her down the hall.

I wait until she slips into my bedroom before I open the door, accept the takeout, provide a generous tip, and lock up. If I’m being honest, I’m a little nervous about leaving Francesca. Especially since ferrets are illegal in New York, which is part of the reason I ended up with her in the first place. Someone brought her to one of my father’s hotels without fully understanding the implications. Or maybe they had, since they’d smuggled her in. She was improperly caged, so she got loose, chewed through wiring, caused all kinds of damage, and disappeared into a vent. Her owners just left her. She’s lucky she’s alive.

My father’s plan was to give her to Animal Control, which probably would have terminated her. I told him I’d take care of it. And I did. Just not the way he expected me to.