Burning Desire

Chapter 8

Any previous expectations of whatever emergency Ruby was in the midst of evaporated the moment my feet crossed the threshold of our shared suite.

Flopped up on our couch like a throw blanket is Sirius munching innocently on a bone that can only belong to some kind of giant.

"He just showed up. How was I supposed to tell him no? Look at that face."

The face in question is dripping drool all over our couch, but I get the sentiment. He's cute in that Cujo kind of way. He perks up when he notices me in the doorway and pads over, his treat abandoned.

"What are you doing here? You were supposed to head home to Mom. You have an actual job to do now that I'm away. Remember? Guard dog duties."

If it was possible for a dog to give side-eye, that's the expression on his face. His answering chuff lets me know what he thinks of that plan. Sirius must've gotten used to the good life with Ruby and I. Although technically still on guard duty, he was treated more like a lap dog.

I pull his adorably gruff face close to mine and look him in the eyes. "You are trying to make me starve. Don't expect any more moose bones from me. Common cow is all you should expect for cock blocking and running away. Mom is probably pissed."

"I tried to tell him, but you know how he is. Doesn't listen to me. Stubborn mutt."

"He's not stubborn, just loyal," I defend. Sirius is loyal to a fault and I'm lucky to have his.

"So now that you know about our little stowaway, care to fill me in on man meat? What are we working with, footlong or bite size?"

"First off I hate you. This is not an emergency and you know it. What's really up," I ask, flopping down onto the couch next to Sirius and tucking my legs underneath me. Probably should've changed into sweats for this, but these jeans have a bit of stretch, just not nearly enough to make this super comfortable. Maybe if I just casually lean to the side and do the side saddle lean. Sirius puts a stop to my squirming with the plop of his big head in my lap.

"Nothing," Ruby says all too quickly.

"Nothing? I've never known you in our lives to have nothing. Gossip, sexcapades, or a new trip to plan, but never nothing. What's his name?"

"Why does there always have to be a he? I do have gossip though. There's this super hot TA for one of the freshman courses. Cas, I think his name was. Oh, and apparently, he's single. At least that's what I could gather. One of the Royals, Marissa is walking around like hot shit since she's a well-known influencer and the humans are generally falling around her feet. There's possibly a leshy in the woods, doubtful though since they rarely leave their part of the world so take that one with a grain of salt. Um, let me think, there's got to be something else I'm missing."

"You're stalling. Plus, you know my rules. No parents, no teachers, no government leaders. Nice and simple." It's not that I have issues with any of them in theory, but with Mom's ability to create thralls from her partners, I'd rather not take the risks. Teachers just don't do it for me because the idea never turned me on. Ruby yes, but not me.

"So I'm like ninety percent sure TA stands for technically allowed. Teacher's assistant seems like a bit of a grey area."

"Still stalling," I point out.

With a deep breath in she finally gives me the real answer. "It'snotahe. It'sashe. And she has no clue I exist." Ruby's eyes glance at me, then away as if she can't bear to face my reaction.

I don't know what reaction she expected, but probably not laughter.

"It's not funny Rory. She's a she. I don't know what to do with girl bits besides my own. I have a PHD in penis, a damn doctorate in dick. Call me Colonel Cock. I might as well be a bumbling virgin when it comes to ladies. Help. She has no clue I exist. Like she didn't fall for any of my usual charms. And I am fucking delightful."

"I'm not laughing at your predicament. I love you, always. I am laughing at seeing you in the same position you always help me through. I'm going to give you the same advice you give me. Be a shark. You Ruby are a great white. Hunt her down. Show her what she's missing. You're a catch babe."

Ruby perks up at that. "I am a damn catch. And I would love to show her what's she's missing, but that's part of the problem. Half of what makes me a catch is the packaging and she's blind."

Whelp. I can safely say I did not see that one coming. They do say love is blind, but this is a bit much. Oh my goodness. Now my brain is going to keep coming up with terrible blind puns. Please stop.

"Let's look at the positives. You always complain that no guy is looking at you for you. That is not an issue here. Can't be since she can't see you. She'll get to see the real you that I know and love. There's also the added benefit that you can dress down a lot more. Think of all that extra time spent sleeping. I see no negatives here."

Ruby presses a messy kiss to my cheek as she throws a blanket over us on the couch. Sirius escapes the love fest to go curl up on the chair. "I love you. You're the best. Want to watch sappy Hallmark movies and snuggle?"

"Always. You and me are forever."