Ruby

It was just like any other day in the library.

I was standing by a bookshelf, holding a book about Physics, my mind bothered by a particular assignment. Luckily, the library was nearly empty so I had monologues with myself and read out mathematical formulas as loudly as possible.

After serving its purpose, I was set to return the bulky book to its space when I heard footsteps filled with intentions approach me.

I paid no attention to it until I felt a great presence beside me.

After I pushed the book into its space, I looked up and his name rolled out of my lips with ease.

"Adonis?"

"Hello, Ruby." The smirk that accompanied his greeting had me narrowing my eyes.

"Why are you here?" I hastily asked. "We can't be seen together, Adonis. This place is too open for us to meet."

"Who cares?"

"Uh?" The tone of his voice lacked concern and because of that, my forehead wore a deep frown. "What do you mean?"

He took a step closer and as I tried to keep a distance, his hand was quick enough to land on the mid-section of my back. He used that contact to draw me closer to him.

Looking around as if I were a criminal, I asked, "Adonis, what are you planning to do?"

"Look at me, Ruby," his deep voice commanded and I complied. As soon as our eyes connected, our lips did. And the next thing I knew, my back softly hit the bookshelf and my hands were wrapped around his neck.

"Adonis..." I softly cried when his large hands firmly grabbed my buttocks in place and he used that to create some friction between our privates. Not breaking the intoxicating kiss, he wrapped one of my legs around his waist, and with more contact between us, my small body secured in his manly hold, a journey began.

The kiss persisting, a lot more tongue and biting now involved in a way that made my insides twist and stir, and with heavy gasps and sighs of satisfaction being exchanged at every given opportunity, Adonis's hard-on which I suddenly became aware of slid over the outline of my vagina which was visible through my folded and wrinkled gown.

My leg which was in the air adjusted and hooked around his wide waist some more.

As Adonis repeated his pleasuring move from earlier, he broke the kiss. While maintaining a solid gaze into my eyes, one of his hands teased its way to my breasts which was strangely unleashed.

Had he gotten rid of my bra already? I wondered.

One of his fingers, perhaps his thumb, slightly brushed against the nipple on my right breast, and the growing wetness in my nether area connected with his erection. My hips bucked and I silently begged for more.

"I think this position is not working," Adonis gently said as my mouth hung open in reaction to him pinching the tautness of my nipple as casually as possible.

"The table..." I breathed hard. "... the table might work."

Our heads swung towards the desk where some of my books lay and without a minute wasted, we rushed towards the wooden furniture. When my buttocks landed on the desk, I reached for his provoking hardness which kept dragging my attention.

Adonis soft chuckle filled the room and I became amused at how weird it felt.

"Ruby... a time will come when all of me will be yours to play with but right now..." My back hit the desk and he hovered over me, hunger in his eyes. "... right now, I want to make you feel something great."

"I can't wait," I said and my eyes closed instantly so that I could hide my eagerness for his next thrilling move.

The next move never came.

And as I made to open my eyes out of curiosity and confusion, I heard a knock-like sound pierce my ears. I turned in the direction of the sound, and I realised the reality of things.

All of that was a dream. And that would make it the second time something like that would happen.

"What on earth is wrong with me?" I muttered, a substantial amount of my hair being squeezed by my two hands.

"Miss Powers?" The knock came again and my brief, inner battle was paused.

"Mrs. Cook," I acknowledged her presence and I was instantly reminded of the moment it was revealed she was pregnant for Bryan. My eyes briefly darted to her belly and she noticed that.

Clearing her throat, her heels making a clicking sound as she began to pace, she said, "I would be lying if I say I don't know that there's something between you and Mr. Klaus."

I bit the inside of my tongue and it occurred to me that I had to be careful with my words from that moment.

My eyes wearing a solemn look, I replied to her, "I should be truthful then. Yes, there is something."

Her pacing came to a halt and her hands rested firmly on the desk. "Do you have any idea how dangerous that is?"

"You are pregnant for a student, ma'am. We are in similar boats even though the boats have differing sizes."

Mrs. Cook scoffed. "Are you trying to use that to blackmail me?"

"No." My head shook in accordance with my response. "I am just trying to remind you that it wouldn't be advisable to judge my actions."

"Hmm..." She relaxed her position which I assumed was supposed to be intimidating. "You have a point." Silence governed the space between us and her line of sight travelled elsewhere as did mine.

"So..." I made to break the ice. "Have you decided what you are going to do?"

"About the pregnancy?" I tucked the urge to give a sarcastic response and nodded my head. "I am still confused, honestly."

"Don't let Bryan force you into making a decision you would regret. I personally don't like him but it seems you see something in him. But Mrs. Cook, loving someone doesn't mean you must do all you can to satisfy them. I believe you should forget what Bryan wants for some minutes and ponder on what you want. It would make no sense if you make a decision that would make you sad in the long run."

Her head shaking slightly, a sigh escaping her, Mrs. Cook spluttered some words before saying, "You sound so smart and mature. And you are right." Mrs. Cook assumed her earlier position, her hands resting firmly on the desk. "Since you've given me some advice, I should give you one too."

"I am all ears."

"Don't let Mr. Klaus fool you. Men like him who make small girls like you seem loved and wanted end up hurting people. You are too young to experience something like that. And trust me, being hurt by someone you like or love hurts more than being stabbed with a knife."

My lips drew into a small smile. "Mrs. Cook, no matter what Mr. Klaus has planned, even if it entails stabbing me, I am pretty sure I will still benefit from it. And as for being hurt by him... let's see how that goes."

"Do you even know anything about him?"

"I know some things," I responded, my shoulders shrugging.

"When is his birthday?"

"Uh..."

Okay... So, Adonis and I haven't gotten around to playing twenty questions with each other. That I don't know his birthday doesn't mean I have to stop feeling things towards him.

For what it's worth, I know about his former job and if there's something more important than knowing when he was brought into the world... his gangster status fits the description.

"It is today. How can you not know that?" Her head ducked slightly because she wanted our eyes to stay connected. "Ruby, don't waste your youth wrapping your arms around a man old enough to be your uncle, you are better than that."

"Thanks for the advice ma'am. But I am pretty sure I am not making a mistake. And-"

She scoffed. "That's what they all say."

I tried my best to not roll my eyes at her. "And if I am making a mistake, I'll pay the price and move on."

"Oh well..." She retreated her not-so-intimidating glare and began to take withdrawing steps. "I wish you the best Miss Powers, I really do."

"Same here ma'am, same here."

As soon as she was out of sight, I let out a thick sigh of relief. My ability to tolerate her presence had been running low and had she stayed a little longer, I might have lost it.

Instantly forgetting about the woman, I got up from my seat and gathered my books into my bag, ready to leave the library and get some air before the next class. I was already advancing in the direction of the exit when Adoni's familiar voice called out my name.

Just like in the dream, he walked toward me as if he had some intent. So, with mixed feelings of excitement, curiosity, and fear, I turned fully and watched him move closer.

"H- hi," I found myself stuttering once he was standing in front of me.

Adonis said nothing. All he did was get rid of his denim jacket, walk even closer and he tied the piece of clothing around my waist.

"Wh- What are you doing?"

"Are you okay?" he asked concernedly.

"Yes. Why won't I be?"

"No stomach aches and all that?"

I chuckled softly. "Why are you asking me that? Why is your jacket around my waist?"

"Aren't you on your period?"

"Uh?" I thought that ended the day before.

"Your gown is stained with blood."

I jolted, my hands instantly going to feel the potential disaster spread all over my gown.

"I had no idea."

"Should I get Abby for you?"

"Yes, please. Ugh, this is so embarrassing."

"You'll be fine. Okay?"

I nodded with an appreciative smile on my face. Adonis was already walking away when I called him back.

"I didn't know your birthday was so close. Happy birthday, Adonis. Thanks for being in my life and I am so sorry I have nothing to gift you."

"Ruby..." He reached for my hands. "The funny thing is, I didn't remember today is my birthday until Mrs. Cook mentioned it but thank you. And..." His thumbs caressed my skin. "...as regard my gift, just spend a great deal of this evening with me, that's all I need."

"Really? Should we go get some burgers then?"

"Are you paying?"

"Of course, it's my treat." My smile was so wide, it was obvious I had forgotten about my menstrual issue. "Just order whatever you want, it's all on me."

"I feel pampered already."

"Of course, my baby deserves to feel pampered and to be pampered. That's how it should be."

"I am your baby?" Adonis asked teasingly and shy ess befell me.

"Well... something like that," I said in a low voice, my eyes avoiding his.

Adonis chuckled hard. "Let me get Abby so that she can take care of things. But make sure to see the nurse for some medications in case of any pain, okay?"

I nodded and as I watched him walk away, I found myself recalling my steamy dream and it occurred to me that I was expecting it to happen when Adonis appeared.

Well, thank goodness it did not happen.

'Cause if it did, I had a feeling things might have gone south.

~

"Your baby is thankful for the meal he just had."

I rolled my eyes as the last piece of the cheese hamburger in my hand made its way into my mouth.

"Your baby wants to hold his Peanut's hand," Adonis teased further and I did as he asked. As his large hand gently squeezed my small one, I realised that it had been a while since I felt his touch and at that moment, I was ready to move closer to him and hug him so tight.

"Have I ever told you how cute your hands are?" He entwined our fingers. "You make mine look like a giant's."

"I do have cute hands," I commented, my eyes darting to the source of warmth coursing through my body. "Adonis..."

"Yes?" He took a sip from his soda cup.

"I think we are being watched. There's this huge guy with a bald head who has been peeping our way through his ridiculously sized burger."

"Is that so?" I nodded in response. "Come sit beside me, everything will be fine."

"He is from the gang, right?"

"Maybe. Get up Ruby, I want you to be beside me."

"Let go of my hand first." He refused to let go and that got me laughing. I got up and had my seat beside him. But as soon as my eyes decided to roam the busy restaurant again, my sight landed on someone I instantly wanted to hide from.

"Ruby?"

"Dad..." I whined as a very familiar look appeared in his ocean-like eyes.

My entire being was already scared of the outcome of that moment. And with the look in my father's eyes, the outcome might not be so great.