Chapter 35
Jaxon pursed his lips, his patience wearing thin. What was she even saying? There was no way he was going to join her in bed! For what?
“Please” Ruby groaned loudly. That was not of the remedy she used for relieving her menstrual cramps. Ophelia and Kim were the ones that usually helped her. Every month.
Ruby was clearly in agony, writhing on the bed, her eyes squeezed shut.
Jaxon could see the pain etched on her face, but still, there was no way he was getting involved. Period cramps were a strictly “no man’s land” area as far as he was concerned.
He backed away a step, holding up his hands. “Look, I know you’re not feeling well, but I’m not-”
Ruby cut him off with a loud moan. “Just lie here with me,” she pleaded.
“Please..” she begged again as she pouted.
“Or do you want me to die here?” She added.
“Not that I care if you die” Jaxon scoffed as he rolled his eyes. That was none of his business if she wanted to die.
But it was definitely not going to be under his roof.
“You’re really not helping your case,” Jaxon muttered. He was reluctant to not join her on the bed.
“Jaxon please…if I was home, Ophelia would have helped me. She always does. Not that I’m here, take responsibility and help me. I’m losing it already..” She winced, hoping he’d just agree to her request and stop arguing with her.
Jaxon hesitated, still not entirely convinced.
“Stop testing me Ruby” he finally relented as he walked to the other side of the bed, climbing on it.
“What do you want me to do?” He asked Ruby who was finally relieved that he agreed.
Jaxon lay down next to Ruby, keeping a few inches of space between them.
“Just…just hold me,” Ruby whispered, curling into a ball. “And then rub my stomach.”
“Rub your stomach!!” He exclaimed in disbelief. That was what she was planning? For him to rub her stomach.
“Yes,” Ruby confirmed in a low voice.
“And you’ll do that till I fall asleep..” she added.
“You’ve gotta be kidding me” Jaxon scoffed in utter disbelief.
Jaxon shook his head, still unsure of this whole situation. But, in the end, he was a gentleman. He slowly wrapped his arm around Ruby’s shoulders, pulling her into his chest.
Ruby sighed, her body relaxing slightly. “Thank you,” she murmured, her voice soft.
“Don’t mention it,” Jaxon replied, his voice dripping with sarcasm.
“Just don’t make a habit of this, till our contract will be over. I’m not your personal comfort blanket.”
Ruby only smiled to herself as she snuggled closer to him.
“What will I do now?” Jaxon grilled, as he tried so hard to brush off the thought that she was wearing just her underwear beneath the t-shirt she was wearing. And Ruby was too close.
“Tap my stomach” Ruby requested, still trying hard to keep calm around him.
Jaxon sighed, resigned to his fate. “Fine,” he muttered, as he slowly slid his hand under her shirt then he began hitting her as fast as he could.
“Jesus Christ Jaxon, are you trying to kill me!!” Ruby exclaimed in horror. He was supposed to do it gently. He was hitting her, not helping with the pain.
“What?” He questioned, his breath fanning her neck from behind.
“Do it gently. Please..” Ruby begged. It seemed like she was bound to keep on begging him every time.
“Fine,” he uttered, starting to lightly tap Ruby’s stomach.
Ruby groaned in relief. “Oh, thank you,” she whispered, her eyes still closed. “It’s already starting to feel better.”
Jaxon rolled his eyes. “Glad I could help,” he replied, trying to ignore the warmth of Ruby’s body against his.
“Now, can you promise me you’ll sleep quickly so I can get out of here?
“Yeah, I’ll try,” Ruby grinned. Getting sleep would be super hard for her.
Ruby inhaled sharply, the feel of his hand on her stomach, so calming.
That was exactly what she needed.
Jaxon rolled his eyes. “Right, you’ll try,” he muttered. “I suppose you could just close your eyes and pretend to sleep? It might make things a bit easier” he pointed out.
Ruby giggled, trying to keep the smile off her face. “I could,” she agreed. “But where’s the fun in sleeping early?”
Jaxon groaned. “Fun? Fun is not what I’m looking for right now,” he grumbled.
“Usually when Ophelia did this to me, she usually talked to me all night. Telling lots of stories. You know it was so fun..” She laughed, that was a very good way for her to forget all the pain.
“I’m not Ophelia” Jaxon breathed softly.
“Sure you’re not” Ruby smiled as she closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath.
Enjoying the feel of his hand on her stomach.
Jaxon continued to rub Ruby’s stomach, refusing to engage in storytelling.
“You know the first day I had my period was like hell for me..” she began.
“I was fifteen then and I was just returning from school. I already knew about girls having their period. But I did not know that the pain was hell. Do you know I passed out?” Ruby questioned as Jaxon only nodded his head slowly.
“I literally passed out and spent two days in the hospital..” She paused with a big smile on her face reminiscing on those days.
“When I got out of the hospital, I began to think about my life. How was I going to cope with the pain every month?” Ruby asked no one in particular.
“How did you cope with it then?” Jaxon mumbled.
“I started off with painkillers, but it stopped working. Then Ophelia suggested she patted me to sleep just like you’re doing and it did help a great deal..” she smiled.
“I doubt you’ll agree to do this next month. So I think I’ll sleep over at Ophelia’s. You’ll agree, right?” she grilled but she got no response from him.
“Jaxon?” Ruby called, feeling his soft breath on her skin.
She slowly turned to face him and She held an amused look on her face. He was asleep.
Ruby smiled to herself, still feeling Jaxon’s breath against her skin.
“Well, well,” she whispered. “Looks like someone isn’t as tough as he looks.”
Ruby remained still as she found herself staring at him. Watching him sleep.
He looked so calm and peaceful when asleep.
Ruby watched as Jaxon’s eyelids twitched slightly, the only movement in an otherwise still face. His breathing was even, his features soft.
He looked so different when he was asleep, almost vulnerable.
She reached out a hand, gently brushing a strand of hair away from his forehead.
Despite their differences, she couldn’t deny the pull she felt towards him. He might not be nice to her and always acted cold, but there was something about him that drew her in.
Maybe it was the way he’d cared for her, despite his reluctance. He always helped her.
She chuckled softly as her eyes slowly traveled to his lips. She bit her lips hard, trying her best not to do what her mind was telling her to do.
Ruby’s mind was screaming at her to lean in, to press her lips against his and fucking kiss him.
She could practically feel the electricity in the air between them.
She knew it would be a mistake. Jaxon wasn’t hers in any way.
Whatever they had was just agreement and they were living together because of circumstances, and this was just a moment of weakness for her.
Still, she couldn’t resist leaning in just a bit closer, her breath mingling with his.
She was so close she could feel the warmth radiating from his body.
Closing her eyes, she planted a light kiss on his lips and then she slowly pulled away.
Ruby felt her cheeks warm up as she turned onto her side, snuggling up against Jaxon’s chest, his hand still on her stomach.
Despite the pain in her stomach, she felt strangely content.