Chapter 23 0310

Chapter 23 0310
Later that evening, Ruby stirred awake, her body stretching languidly against the cool expanse of empty sheets. For a moment, she blinked at the ceiling, disoriented by the unfamiliar softness of the duvet, by the absence of noise. Then it sank in. Leslie’s bed.

Her heart fluttered, an ache of guilt colliding with a thrill she couldn’t quite name. She rolled toward his side; the indentation where his body had been was already fading, only the faint scent of his cologne still clinging to the pillow like a whisper.

She sat up, running her fingers through her tangled hair, surprised at how rested she felt. No rushing lectures, no clock ticking down to responsibility. Just quiet. Her gaze drifted to the nightstand. There sat the car key, so sleek.

Ruby picked it up, turning it between her fingers. The smile that tugged at her lips was reluctant but real. A Range Rover, she thought. He actually bought me a car.

The sheets slipped off her bare body as she swung her legs over the edge of the bed. She scanned the room for her clothes but still found nothing, not even her underwear. With a soft, frustrated huff, she reached for one of Leslie’s shirts draped over a chair. As she lifted it, something small slid to the carpet with a soft snap.

Ruby froze. It was his ID. She bent to pick it up, eyes skimming over his name that she already knew and then pausing at the date of birth.

Her stomach flipped. “He’s twenty-three?” she whispered aloud. “Not twenty?”

For a heartbeat, she didn’t know whether to feel relieved or unsettled or even more on edge. He was older than she thought, but still young, not the boyish 20-year-old she’d assumed. Her pulse fluttered, a shiver of nerves mixing with something warmer. She slipped the ID back and tugged his shirt over her head, the hem brushing her thighs like a small dress.

She padded out of the room, glancing over her shoulder nervously, hoping Loy wasn’t sneaking up on her again.

The hallway opened into a wide living space flooded with muted evening light from floor-to-ceiling windows. Somewhere inside, she heard the faint clink of utensils and murmurs.

Ruby followed the sound into the kitchen. The sight that met her made her smile widen involuntarily. Leslie, barefoot in grey sweats and a black hoodie. He leaned over the counter with a teacup in his hand.

He looked up at her, eyes sweeping her from head to toe, and a slow, teasing smile curled his lips. “You look tiny in that.”

Ruby scoffed softly, tugging at the hem of the shirt. “I know. I couldn’t find my clothes. Where are they?”

“Oh, I’m sorry about that, Ms Allaire…” a voice answered before he could.

A woman stepped into view. She was in her mid-thirties, dressed neatly in her uniform, and her dark hair was tied back in a bun.

Ruby’s stomach dropped. She clutched the shirt’s hem tighter. “Shit,” she muttered under her breath.

Leslie chuckled, glancing between them. “This… this is Talia. She’s the housekeeper. If you need anything, let her know.”

Ruby blinked, trying to recover. “Anything?” she echoed.

“Yeah, sweetheart. Anything.” Leslie moved toward her, the corners of his mouth lifting just slightly as his fingers brushed the back of her hair, curling possessively at her nape. He bent close enough for only her to hear. “Anything. The password is 0310.”

Her brows knit. “Password? What password?” she whispered.

“Apartment password.” His smirk deepened at the flicker of realisation in her eyes.

“Giving me keys?” she asked softly.

“You’re mine now,” he said simply, kissing her forehead. “Of course.”

He nodded toward the counter. “Talia prepared pasta. Tell me you eat that. I didn’t want to wake you.”

Ruby's gaze flicked from him to Talia and then caught the faint smile on Talia’s lips.

“Oh…” she murmured, moving away from him instinctively, but Leslie’s hands around her waist caught her, drawing her back against his chest.

“Leslie,” she whispered.

“Talia is my worker. If you’re worried about us, you don’t have to. Take it as a safe place for us.”

Ruby stared at him blankly. It was unbelievable. He was twenty-three, and already so in control. Even at twenty-nine, she wasn’t this steady. I guess that’s what wealth gives you, she thought.

“What?” Leslie asked, reading her face. He lifted her by her waist effortlessly, her feet brushing the floor as he carried her to the living room.

“Nothing,” Ruby said, wrapping her arms around his neck. “Are you really twenty-three?”

Leslie froze, his eyes burning into hers. “How?”

“Your ID,” she said, searching for his expression.

“Why? Did you want me younger or older?” he asked, lowering onto the couch with her still in his arms. His hands trailed her back, slow strokes that made her skin prickle.

“Older. Of course older,” she murmured, almost to herself.

Leslie chuckled, the sound low. “Well, too bad. I’m not thirty. But I can give you far more than any thirty-year-old could.” He leaned in, lips hovering near her breast. “I can fuck you better, have you screaming and make you come until those beautiful eyes roll so hard for me.”

He finished, looking up at her. Ruby swallowed hard. He did have a filthy mouth for twenty-three.

“Mr Meyer?” a male voice came from behind, and Ruby adjusted quickly, lowering her head. “Your brother sent the documents that need your signature.”

“Thank you, Cleo. Take the day off,” Leslie said without turning.

Ruby tilted her head. “How many assistants do you have? You know you’re not like a regular student.”

“Well, most wealthy heirs aren’t,” Leslie said, his hands slipping under his shirt draped over her. “And just one.”

Ruby giggled softly, leaning into him. “One? What about Loy?”

“She’s yours,” he said, his eyes dancing with amusement before he brushed his lips against hers.

“Mine? How?”

“I hired her for you. I can’t have Cleo running personal errands for me, people would notice quickly.”

Ruby fell silent, staring at him, not sure what the ache in her chest was for. Fear? Awe, or the dangerous thrill of being wanted so entirely. But she was impressed, utterly stunned. That ache was definitely for him.

She smiled faintly. “Now, I’m hungry.”