Your Dad's Perfect (Ruby)

Standing, we walk to the desk. I watch the woman take the form.

"Welcome to the business, Bex; you can use the services now." Yeah, totally damn different, we walk away and I look back at the woman. "Okay, what? Explain." Bex chuckles.

"She took my forms and said, 'Ah, Ruby, welcome.' Then she said sorry and that I was registered."

"Maybe Alaric had a feeling you would join, so told her to watch out for you?"

"Maybe, who is your friend? He hasn't stopped watching you for the past half an hour, and all you were doing was ticking boxes." I smile at her. "His name is Lucas, he's hot."

I laugh. "After an hour of talking, you have his name and that he's hot?" She should have more than that.

"He didn't run and isn't scared of me. He's five years older than me and has a daughter." I still hearing her words. "She's young, two to be exact." "And her mum?" I don't know why but red flags just floated in my mind.

"Don't, a woman was talking to him. He's not lying. The mum died, so no, he isn't cheating. He's nice." I nod and hug her.

"Just be safe."

"You sound like Alaric now." I laugh and nod.

"Fine, don't do anything I wouldn't do." She tilts her head.

"Right now, you seem willing to do a lot, so I will stick to what I'm happy doing." We laugh, and I let her go back to Lucas. Turning, I see Kian.

I walked over and sat with him. "You're still here?" I assumed he would be gone.

"I told you, weekends I have no commitments, I spend my time here socialising." Sitting, we talk, and I decide to take the plunge. I mean, I have nothing to lose.

We talk, and I explain what I want or what I'm willing to start with. Then, standing at another reception desk, I am handed yet more forms.

"Each time you come, you have to. Each time, you might change what you're willing to do and not." I nod at Kian; that makes sense. I go through and fill in the specifics we agreed to-nothing too big or crazy.

I watch the woman read through the files and input them into the system. "So, as you're new, you won't know. We record everything: the time you are given the keys and the time they are handed over. We record who is going into the room, their lists and limits, your mood at the time you signed the forms, and such." She smiles, and I nod.

"Okay, so since you're not using any of the large equipment, there are fewer forms. The more you use, the longer the scenes, the more forms there would be." I nod at her.

"Final two forms." She places them down. I look at them. This one asks how we know each other, how long we have known each other, and such. I glance at her. "These forms are so if people come with others, we have the history should any issues arise." I nod, and explain that this is the second time I've met Kian, and explain everything before handing it to her, and Kian does as well.

"Okay, now you just need to sign for the room. Oh wow, I laugh and nod. This is a lot. I guess, though, it's a goodthing. It ensures everyone is

safe.

I have handed the form back, and so has Kian; she is now looking on the system for which room is best.

"Ruby." Turning, I see Alaric.This content © Nôv/elDr(a)m/a.Org.

"Hi." That's all I can think of saying.

He nods and smiles. "Stay safe." I

watch him walk away, okay, so awkward doesn't even begin to cover that. I see him stop out of the corner of my eye and turn before walking back to us.

"Do you mind if I take her for a minute?" Alaric looks at Kian, and he nods.

Sighing, I follow Alaric away. "Ruby." He stops and turns to look at me but doesn't speak.

"Yes?" I stand waiting, and he glances towards where Kian is.

"You signed up?" What? I almost laugh but stop and just nod. "I have, yes."

"What happened to keeping yourself safe?"

"This is safe, Alaric, or are you saying your business isn't?"

"No, it is, just." He sighs and nods. "Never mind, enjoy your night."

I nod and turn and walk away, his hand stopping me.

"Don't go with him."

"What? Why?" What is wrong with Kian?

"I just think...Look, consider it. You do this there's no going back."

"I know that, Alaric. I've spent a lot of time considering it." I know I want to do it, and I won't back out.

"Yes, but are you sure?"

"Alaric, I'm sure." Why doesn't he just say what he is thinking?

"Okay, as long as you are. Enjoy your night." Sighing, I turn and walk away.