Fake Boyfriend (28 page)

He sighs.
"I knew you'd say that."

"Yes,
when the logical part of your brain stops working I have to be the
voice of reason."

"You're
always the wet blanket. Turn around." I do as he says. I hold my
hair out of the way as the locket is draped over my neck. After
securing the clasp it falls resting low on my chest.

"I love
it, thank you." I say, turning back to him and pecking his
lips.

"I'm
happy you love it. What kind of ring did you pick for me?" He asks,
his curiosity getting the better of him.

"A round
one." I tease.

"You
won't tell me will you?" He asks, smiling his biggest
smile.

"Nope,
it's a surprise."

"Sir,
would you like to look at your bill before paying?" Becky
asks.

"It's not
necessary." He opens my purse and takes out my wallet, handing her
his black card. He starts to put my wallet back when something
catches his eye. He picks up my phone and looks at the
screen.

"What is
it?" I question, trying to see the screen.

"You have
three missed calls from Xavier. Oh, wait he's calling you again."
He mutters.

Ruxin
presses answer and holds the phone to his ear. "Listen very
carefully. Eva is mine. She's marrying me in seven months. So Fuck
off." He listens for a few seconds before he says, "Apology not
excepted." He ends the call.

"Ruxin."
I say looking around us, noticing The attention he's
getting.

He puts
my phone in my purse and looks down at me. "We're getting you a new
phone number."

Becky is
standing in front of us waiting for Ruxin's signature. "Sir." She
says, handing him the receipt, as he signs his name she looks at
me. "Mine, seems to be a popular word these days."

I smile
at her humor. Ruxin lays the pen down and collects his card. We
leave the store and I try to salvage the day. Just as we step in
front of a men's clothing store I try pushing him towards the doors
like he did to me at Tiffany's. No such luck. He laughs as I wrap
my arms around his waist trying to get him to move. He scoffs at my
attempts. I throw up my hands and decide to go in without him. As
soon as I walk in I'm greeted by a very pretty man with a white
smile.

"Hello,
Are you looking for anything specific today?"

"Yes, I
need a pair of jeans to fit that man." I say pointing to Ruxin, who
is still outside and now on his phone. "And a tee shirt
too."

"Sure, do
you know what style and size he wears?"

"No, I
don't. He doesn't even own a pair of jeans." I reply, smiling at
his shocked expression. "I know, he's weird."

"Really
weird." He responds walking us to a table of jeans. "These should
fit." He says, holding up a dark pair of jeans. "Shirts are this
way."

He holds
up a vintage band tee shirt. "No, it can't have a print on it or
he'll refuse to wear it." He picks a plain light grey v-neck that
will compliment Ruxin's eyes perfectly. "That's the
one."

I follow
the man to the register. "The total is $323.47." My eyes go big but
I hand him my own credit card and sign the receipt. He hands me the
shopping bag and I thank him before going outside to join Ruxin. As
soon as I open the door I hear the end of the
conversation.

"Yes, I
want all calls from that number blocked." He hangs up, when he sees
me standing in front of him. "All done?"

"You know
you can trust me, right?" I inquire, really wanting to hear him say
he trusts me.

"I just
don't want him calling you." He replies.

I snort.
"I figured that part out myself." I give him the bag and he opens
it smiling.

"Jeans
and a tee shirt."

"Yep.
Maybe I'll even get you a pair of converse sneakers."

"I'm not
fifteen."

"I'm
aware of that Mr. Novak. You only act like it."

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ruxin had
Xavier's number successfully blocked and my number changed. Now,
only William and Ruxin have my phone number. I've been pretty much
on my own for the last three days. I've lounged in bed ordered room
service and made love to Ruxin. It's been nice, but I'm bored. I
can't believe I'm looking forward to a fancy charity dinner. The
most astonishing thing is the fact I'm successfully lying to myself
about how fun and entertaining this will be. I scoff at my
reflection. This is going to be just as boring as the last few
days.

Walking
out into the living room part of our hotel room I watch Ruxin
putting on his cuff links. I study his imposing figure, his wide
shoulders thick arms and height. I can see why most would find him
intimidating. I know that he likes looking aggressive and keeping
everyone away, I would just like to know why.

He looks
over to me and I must have a confused expression on my face because
he asks, "What are you thinking about?"

"You." I
answer automatically, still trying to figure him out.

"What
about me?"

"I'm just
trying to figure out why you are the way you are."

He
laughs. "Is this a question of nature versus nurture?"

I raise
my eyebrow at him. "And if it was?"

He walks
over to me and I watch his confident strides eat up the ground
quickly. "Then you should know, nature always wins." He kisses my
lips. "You look beautiful, Angel."

"Nature."
I state nodding. That had to be it, his parents are loving he
didn't get this attitude from them. He says his dad is like him,
but I don't see it. Sure, they share similar attributes but Conrad
doesn't push everyone away like Ruxin.

"Why are
you thinking about my nature? If you're comparing me to a Jack
rabbit, I might be inclined to prove my bloodline as a
stallion."

"Just
thinking about it." I shrug nonchalantly. "We should get
going."

"Okay."
He replies, slowly. I see his eyes narrow on me, but I walk to the
door ending it discussion. What would I even ask him? Why are you
so different from your family? Why are you a jerk to everyone?
Yeah, that will go over well. I'll figure it out by myself. Maybe
I'm reading more into this then I should, it's just my curiosity
about his guarded nature. Someone can't be born like that, can
they?

I step
into the elevator still thinking. "What's wrong?" Ruxin
asks.

"Nothing,
I'm just thinking about this fundraiser."

"What
about it?"

"Well,
what's it for?" I question.

"At risk
youths."

"Really?"

"Yes,
they want to open more after school programs. School budgets are
being cut and kids are losing privileges like music and art. Kids
have nothing to do and get into trouble, this is to raise money to
help reinstate those programs to offset the odds."

"That's
great."

"Don't go
wandering off." He warns.

"I
believe I gave you that option if you wouldn't have given me this
ring." I hold up my hand. "Now, all bets are off." I
tease.

"I'm not
joking, Eva."

"I know.
You just used my real name. Why can't I leave your
side?"

"Because
I don't like not knowing where you are."

"You
didn't seem to have that problem all week." I point out.

"I knew
where you were." He replies, stepping out of the elevator. I follow
behind him all the way to the front entrance and outside. I slide
into the car and wait for him. As soon as he gets in I turn to him.
"Explain." I order.

"I have
the front desk watching for you and the lock on the door is
electronic and can be traced. I know when you open the door." He
reveals. I punch his arm. "Ouch." He laughs.

"Don't
monitor me." I order.

"I have
to. I didn't bring Ronan or Dave."

"What the
hell do you think is going to happen? A kidnapping, alien
abduction?" He doesn't answer, just looks away. What is his
seriousness about me leaving his side? Is he hiding something fun
me? "Ruxin, what is it?"

"I
already answered your question. I don't like not knowing when you
are."

"That's
not an answer. You're being evasive, talk to me." I
prod.

"There's
nothing more to it, Angel." I try to read his eyes when he looks at
me but he's shutting me out. I look away hurt that he won't tell
me. He doesn't trust me.

The car
stops and Ruxin opens the car door stepping out. He holds his hand
down for me. I take it and try to get out as elegantly as possible
in my tight long black ball gown. Ruxin's arm is wrapped and my
waist as we make our way into another historic building. There are
a few photographer's snapping pictures, Ruxin thankfully doesn't
stop.

As we
enter I hear the clinking of campaign flutes and lots of
conversations. I watch people pass and others greet Ruxin and I. I
spot Jeff from the business dinner with Xavier and Ruxin. Ruxin
starts pulling me along with him into the crowd I see Conrad and
give him a smile.

The night
is dragging on. I'm on my third class of wine and I'm bored
listening to Ruxin and the others talk about business ventures and
prospects. I tap Ruxin's arm getting his attention. "I need to use
the ladies room."

"Come
right back." I nod in response and walk to the bathrooms. I use the
toilet and walk back to his side, not wanting to start another
fight. There's a tap on my shoulder and I turn to see
Kelsey.

"Hi! I
didn't know you'd be here." I say, smiling.

"Mom
couldn't make it. She's busy with the wedding plans and dad didn't
want to come alone." I freeze when I hear that Andrea is still
planning the wedding.

"Oh, I
thought she'd wait. Since, we've decided to put off the wedding for
seven months." Kelsey looks at me confused but covers it quickly.
He didn't tell them, that idiot. "He was supposed too call and tell
her that our plans changed."

"Well,
Ruxin isn't the best at communicating." She jokes, still
uncomfortable about something.

"Are you
okay?"

"Yeah,
just a little Jet lagged. do you want to have lunch tomorrow? Maybe
we could go shopping for a wedding dress?"

"Lunch
sounds great. I'd rather wait until we're back in New York to look
for a dress."

"Are you
sure?"

"Yeah, I
wouldn't want it to get ruined on the way back."

"Kelsey,
what are you doing here?" Ruxin asks, noticing I'm taking to his
sister.

"I came
with dad." She replies.

"Yeah,
you didn't tell your mom we decided to push back the wedding date
and she stayed back to work on things for it." I state, unhappy
with him.

"It
slipped my mind." I look at him suspiciously. What is going on with
him?

"You
should call her."

"I will."
He states.

"Now,
before it slips your mind again." I argue.

A man
starts talking to him and he turns away. I roll my eyes and look at
Kelsey. "Shots?" She asks.

"Yes,
please." Ruxin looks down at me.

"You go
with Kelsey. I'm going to the cigar room, I'll be back
shortly."

"Gladly."
I state, happily walking with Kelsey. "Why is your brother acting
so strange?"

"Acting?
He is strange." I laugh and she orders two shots of tequila. I
grimace thinking about the horrible taste. "Don't worry it's just
to jumpstart the night."

We take
the shots and I suck on the lemon. "Can you please tell me
something?"

"What?"

"Why does
Ruxin act the way he does? He's so guarded around everyone, its
like he wants to look intimidating."

She
shrugs. "That's just Ruxin. He is constantly being used for his
money. In business and for personal reasons, he doesn't trust
easily."

"Dance
with me?" A young man asks Kelsey. She winks at me and walks to the
same floor. I see a guy looking my way, so I walk to the bathrooms
to avoid being asked to dance. That's just the way Ruxin is, I
don't know why but I feel better knowing that. I pass a room
hearing laughter. I hear Ruxin voice I stop to listen. "Porter, you
couldn't handle Eva. She'd eat you alive."

"And I'd
let her." I hear the Porter say implying something else.

"You
wouldn't say that when she's nagging your ear off and refusing to
listen to a word you say." Ruxin mutters sounding
grumpy.

"Then why
put up with it?" Another man asks.

Ruxin
doesn't reply right away. "You love her." Porter accuses, clearly
amused. Ruxin better say he loves me.

"She's
not using me." He retorts. I stand up straight, my heart pounding.
Why didn't he say he loves me? I back up and into
someone.