Dangerous Allies (The Ruby Danger Series Book 1) by Rickie Blair Page A

“Until my accident.”
    Reaching out, she placed a hand on his arm. “I’m sorry.”
    “Long time ago. It is forgotten.”
    He turned to her, his intense blue eyes burning into her own, and crooked a finger under her chin to lift her face. His lips were on hers, hot and insistent, before she could back away. Circling her waist with his other arm, he pulled her closer.
    Warmth flooded through her. Probably the champagne.
    Dimitri caressed her neck, his thumbs pressing softly into the base of her throat, and then slipped the silk straps off her shoulders.
    Ruby closed her eyes, trembling as he stroked her back. Nope, not the champagne.
    His hands explored her torso, kneading and caressing. She moaned and let her head fall back as he nuzzled her throat. She thought about giving in. The passport photo of an anonymous blonde flashed across her vision.
    Then she opened her eyes and pushed him away.
    “I can’t.”
    Dimitri sat back and held up his hands to show he wouldn’t stop her. But the room swirled as she tried to stand and she fell back, flat on the bed, her knees bent and her feet on the floor.
    Sighing heavily, she closed her eyes. She’d better stay a bit longer. Just until the room stopped moving.
    Dimitri sank to his knees on the floor and slid his hands up her thighs, peeling up her dress. Grinning, he slipped a finger under her thong and yanked.
    “Hey, stop that.” She tried to sit up and push her dress down at the same time.
    But Dimitri wasn’t listening. He was staring at her crotch with a puzzled look.
    “Who is … Dan?”
    “Dan?”
    Ruby bent to look at the sparkly crystals that read, by Dan.
    “Oh, that.” She made a face. “That was supposed to say something else, but I was so tired of the waxing and hair pulling and gluing and—” She looked up at the sound of laughter.
    Dimitri leaned back on his ankles and wiped tears from his eyes, still chuckling.
    “Is very nice. Let me take closer look.”
    “I don’t think so.” She pulled down her dress, tried to stand again, wobbled, and slumped back onto the bed. Then she burst into tears.
    Dimitri retrieved a tissue box from the nightstand and crouched on the floor beside her, holding out the box.
    “You have problem. Tell me what it is.”
    Sniffling, she took a tissue and dabbed at her eyes. “You won’t be able to help.”
    “Tell me anyway.”
    “All right.” She pointed at the other side of the room. “But you stay over there.”
    Dimitri walked to the bureau, leaned against it, and smiled. “Far enough?”
    She nodded, blowing her nose.
    “Now, tell me.”
    Ruby didn’t tell him about the money or the fake passports or the bonds. She didn’t tell him much, really, other than the one fact that seemed indisputable. Her husband planned to leave her.
    “He is a fool,” Dimitri said, shaking his head and stepping closer.
    “Maybe. But he’s my fool, at least for now.” Ducking past him to the door, she pressed her ear against it and listened. Nothing. “Looks as if the coast is clear,” she whispered, turning the handle.
    She hustled along the corridor on her way to the steward’s office. A quick glance behind revealed Dimitri leaning against the doorframe, watching her. He winked before disappearing back into the stateroom.
----
    R uby emerged from the elevator with her replacement key card and walked to the Emperor Suite. At the far of the corridor, Mila disappeared through an open door. Ruby paused, her eyebrows gathered, watching the door close. Mila hadn’t been kidding about those fourteen-hour shifts.
    Swiping her new card through the Emperor Suite’s lock, Ruby quietly opened the door. She slipped off her shoes and started down the darkened hall to the master bedroom. The hall filled with light and she froze.
    “Honey, you’re home. Why didn’t you call? The meatloaf is ruined.”
    She turned, her shoes dangling from one hand.
    Antony stood by the light switch in the foyer. He lifted his glass in a mock