Cranky

Chapter 57
With the sudden time alone, Ruby decided to take a nap to clear her head. Barely thirty minutes in, her phone rang and woke her up. She was still groggy from sleep as she felt blindly on the bed for her phone.
“Hello?” She answered with a yawn, then rubbed her eyes to try to keep them open.
“Pack your bags, I’ll come pick you up in two hours.” Jaxon’s demanding voice came through the receiver. Ruby’s eyes widened and she sat up urgently when she processed what he said.
“Pack? Where are we going?” She asked as any trace of sleep vanished from her eyes.
When they arrived in Russia, she saw a suitcase containing her clothes that Jaxon must have packed after she passed out from Kevin ordeal, so she actually thought that they were going to spend a longer time in Russia.
“The airport, and don’t be late. We fly out to New York tonight.” Jaxon replied impatiently. “But why so soon? Surely we can stay a little longer?”
“No we can’t. I never intended to stay in Russia long.” Jaxon explained and she sighed. She hadn’t gotten the opportunity to explore the city properly, now they were heading back. Heavens knew when she would get the chance to come here again.
“Oh.” She breathed out since she didn’t know how to respond.
“Two hours Ruby, and don’t be late. I won’t be happy if you make me wait.” He warned. The sudden click and accompanying silence told Ruby he had ended the call.
She didn’t waste time, springing to her feet to get her suitcase. She hadn’t packed much initially, opting to travel light and that made packing easier. She mentally thanked herself for that decision.
She had taken about an hour to assemble her things then another thirty minutes to shower and change into airport worthy clothes. She literally arranged all her clothes in the closet, thinking they were going to stay longer.
She had put on soft pants, a blouse and cardigan, choosing to dress for comfort rather than style.
She went over her things one more time to make sure she hadn’t forgotten anything. She was still in the process of doing that when a door slammed. The familiar heavy footsteps of Jaxon had her glancing towards the door.
The air rushed out her lungs in a single breath as she stared at him. He had changed too, donning pants of his own and a soft linen shirt that did nothing to hide the contours of his chest.
He’d opened two buttons of his shirt and a sliver of skin peeked through. Ruby also noticed the slender curve of his Adam’s apple and she swallowed.
“As much as I enjoy you ogling me, we don’t have the time for it.” Jaxon’s steady voice knocked her out of the trance she’d been in. She turned away from him and tried to hide her face from his intense gaze.
“Are you ready?” Jaxon asked her then came to stand beside her.
“Yes.” Her voice came out squeaky as she spoke. “This is all my stuff,” she added a second later and he nodded.
“Great. The car is downstairs,” he said, then grasped the handle of her suitcase. “After you.”
Ruby walked ahead of Jaxon with him towing her luggage not far behind. She got in the car and stared out the window admiring the surrounding buildings.
They hadn’t left yet but she was already starting to miss the place. It was a shame she couldn’t spend more time here.
Jaxon stepped into the car five minutes later and settled in next to her. “We’re taking the private jet,” he informed her and she gave him a nod. What else were they supposed to use? It wasn’t exactly Jaxon’s style to fly commercial.
Ruby didn’t know when she fell asleep but she awoke to the gentle tapping of Jaxon’s hand on her shoulder.
“Wake up, we’re here.” He told her before giving her one final nudge.
With a tired sigh, Ruby exited the car and stretched in an unladylike manner. Their luggage was already being taken to the airstrip so they had to make the trek there as well.
“Come on now, you can sleep on the jet.” Jaxon whispered in her ear as he cupped her elbow and guided her along. Thirty minutes later, they were on the jet and preparing to take off.
“Ma’am, Sir, would you like anything? Perhaps something to eat?” The chirpy flight attendant asked. She was excited alright, batting her lashes everytime Jaxon glanced in her direction, Ruby noticed.
“Would you like something to eat?” Jaxon asked her. The gaping hole in her stomach made her remember she hadn’t had anything to eat before she left.
“I’ll have the pasta with a side salad.” Ruby said as she glanced through the menu.
“I’ll have the same.” Jaxon told the flight attendant who rushed off to get their meals. The attendant came back shortly after with two piping hot meals on a cart.
She served them then offered the customary bottle of wine which Ruby refused, but Jaxon opted for a glass.
They enjoyed each other’s company silently as they scarfed down their food.
Ruby nursed the glass of orange juice she’d ordered while trying to ignore Jaxon’s pointed stare. She could almost feel the weight of his gaze on her and she shifted uncomfortably in her seat.
“Why are you staring at me?” Ruby asked.
“Was I?” He asked innocently and Ruby gave him a look. She wasn’t in the mood for any games. She just wanted some sleep.
“Has anyone told you you’re cranky when you’re sleep deprived?” He murmured. She thought he wasn’t going to say anything else but then he said,
“My grandfather wants to meet you tomorrow.” Ruby nodded at his words. Keith mentioned that he wanted to meet her the first day the met.
Her mind wandered to the first time she’d met the old man. A sharp and surprisingly agile man for his age.
“Why does he want to see me?” She couldn’t help but ask.
“I guess you’ll find out once you see him tomorrow.” Jaxon stated, and from his tone she knew that was the end of the discussion. Ruby didn’t think further on it and instead leaned back on her chair to get some much needed sleep.
They touched down in New York a few hours later and everything that happened next was a whirlwind. From leaving the airport to making the journey back to the house, it had all happened so fast.
She’d missed this place, the house she had grown to call home. Its familiar walls welcomed her and made her feel safe. She wasn’t sleepy anymore so she took her time to unpack her things.
When she was done, she strolled to Jaxon’s room and saw him walking out of the door, dressed in a new set of clothes.
“Are you leaving again?”
“Yes.” Jaxon answered simply.
“But we’ve only just come back,” Ruby told him and he stopped what he was doing to look at her.
“I know, but I have some things to attend to.” He said to her.
“And don’t worry, I’m leaving Ruslan with you, he can get you food to eat or you can order for yourself if you want.” Jaxon continued.
“I have to go but I’ll see you soon.” He reassured then stepped forward to place a longer-than- necessary kiss on her forehead.
There seemed to be a lot on Jaxon’s plate lately and one of it was protecting Ruby till their contract elapsed and making sure she never found out about her parents dirty past or his secret. That would break her.