Nope.
Today, Ruby was going to do her hair and makeup for one person and one person only.
Ethan.
What the damn hell?
The thought shocked the hell out of her. It wasn’t what she had wanted to think! It had totally snuck up on her.
With a determined nod, she tried it over again, staring into the eyes of her reflection. She was doing it for herself, but because Ethan was periodically popping into her head, her brain had chosen that moment to throw a curve ball.
Ethan wasnotthe reason she was doing her hair and getting all dolled up. She was doing it for herself.
There.
She got through the thought without fucking it up. That had to count for something.
She continued to monitor her thoughts … keeping them as far away as possible from Ethan … when a knock at the door interrupted her. She tried not to rush to the door, and before opening it, she closed her eyes, took a deep cleansing breath, and told herself that if it was Ethan standing on the other side, she would not do anything.
She wouldn’t invite him in. She sure as shit wouldn’t kiss him.
Ruby swung the door opened, and her heart sank. “Nowyou knock?” she asked her aunt, motioning for her to come in.
Portia closed the door behind her, giggling. “I was scared of walking in on something.”
“Such as?”
“You know. You and Ethan the wolf going at it.” Portia watched Ruby for any reaction, but the younger succubus was expecting that exact line.
She kept her features clear. “Oh, no. He isn’t here.”There. Do with that little non-information tidbit what you will, Auntie.
“Don’t think I didn’t see you and that hunk of a wolf shifter last night,” Portia said as she entered Ruby’s room like she owned the damn place.
“Excuse me?”
“Oh, don’t pretend you didn’t see me lurking. I totally was.”
“Ya don’t say.”
“Come down to the bar and have a drink with me. Lou makes the best cocktails.”
Ruby shook her head. “I wish I could, but I have plans.”
Portia’s eyes widened while her smile got comically wide. “Oh? Are these plans with that hot-hot-hot wolf?”
“Maybe? Or maybe I just want to take a book down to the beach and read.”
Portia waved her off. “That is boring. Not how my niece is gonna be spending her holiday. There is something wrong with your eyesight if you don’t want to spend more time with Ethan.”
“Well, I like him,” Ruby shot back over her shoulder as she applied a layer of pink lipstick.
“I’ll say,” Portia pointed toward the lipstick. “That’s a nice shade. It’ll look nice on him too when he’s kissing it off.”
I like him.
Had she really just said that?
It sure sounded like she had, but that wasn’t the shocking part. The shocking bit was that it was actually true. Even though she had only just met Ethan, their walk on the beach … not to forget those two pantie-melting kisses … was nice.