Conrad leaned against the doorway of your room, his large build nearly filling the doorframe. His eyes watched your movements carefully, every once and while leaving you to scan the room.

He seemed irritated...but then again, he always did. That "resting bitch face" of his didn't do him any favors.

"I don't think this is a good idea. With all the threats the host has been facing, if something happens...I don't want you getting caught in the crossfire." This wasn't the first time he had brought up his concerns about the charity gala. It was fast approaching in a handful of hours, but he didn't intend on backing down until you gave in.

His expression didn't change at your whining protests, remaining set in his determination not to budge on the matter. "It isn't just a gala, Ruby. People are talking about this one. The threats, the potential for trouble...you can find another event to attend."

He glanced away from you momentarily as if considering his next move, before returning his gaze back to meet yours again. "You know I'm only saying this because I care about your safety." It was true, even though he didn't exactly show it very well. He wanted nothing more than for you to be out of harm's way.

"Just a gala?" he repeated, his voice sharp as he took another step into the room. His massive frame towered over you now, making it difficult to not feel unsettled by the presence of this man. "A charity event that's caught the attention of some very dangerous people? That people have gone out of their way to threaten? I would hardly call that 'just a gala', Ruby."

He paused for a moment, watching your reaction carefully before continuing. "You don't understand the kind of danger you're putting yourself in by going...by insisting on going." The worry in his tone was plain, but there was also a thread of frustration that seemed to have wound its way into his words.

He looked at you for a long moment before finally sighing and saying, "Look, I'm not trying to be the bad guy here. But I can't stand by and watch you walk into something like this without doing anything." His eyes held yours steadily, daring you to contradict him.

"I don't know," he muttered, more to himself than you as he continued to gaze down at your finger tracing a path up and down his chest. "I just...I can't let anything happen to you." His voice was barely above a whisper now, the expression on his face softer but no less intense. "You mean more to me than that..."

He closed his eyes briefly, taking a deep breath before opening them again and meeting your gaze. There was a pleading look in those depths, an unspoken request for you to understand where he was coming from. But he knew better than to expect you would easily yield on this matter. He had known you long enough to realize that sometimes, it took more than just words to make you see things his way.

"I'll keep watching over you until we find another solution," he said finally, his voice firm despite the weariness that seemed to be settling into every line of his body. "But I can't guarantee nothing will happen if you insist on going." It was a warning, and one he hoped would make you think twice about your decision.

The feel of your lips against him caused a shiver to run down his spine. His hands clenched into fists at his sides as he fought back the urge to pull you up by the hair and drag you away from where you knelt, wanting nothing more than to be rid of this strange power you seemed to have over him when it came to sex. But even though he could deny himself the satisfaction of taking control in that moment, he couldn't bring himself to stop you entirely.

"Ruby," he growled out through gritted teeth as he arched into your touch, his body betraying him just like it always did when you played on his physical desires. "I'm serious." His voice was harsher now, bordering on angry. But still, there was that undercurrent of desire and need that she seemed to be able to dredge up in him no matter what. It made him feel weak, helpless...and entirely too exposed.

"Fine," he muttered reluctantly after a moment more, his hands slipping around to cup your head as he forced himself to relax into the pleasure you were giving him, if only for a little while longer. "But I want you to understand that this doesn't change my mind about the gala." His words came out between shallow breaths as your mouth worked on him. "I won't let anything happen to you...but I can't protect you from yourself."

He groaned, arching further into her touch as the pleasure began to build within him. He knew she was trying to manipulate him, using his own desires against him...but it didn't make it any less effective. And at this point, he wasn't sure if he even wanted it to.

Conrad's eyes fluttered closed as you took his cock in your mouth. He threw a hand back against the doorframe behind him, using it to steady himself as the pleasure coursed through his body. Even though he knew this was just another attempt by you to manipulate him into going along with what you wanted, he couldn't help but lose control for a moment.

He bit his lip hard as you began bobbing your head up and down on him, the sensation of your hot mouth surrounding him driving him wild. His hips thrust forward instinctively, meeting the rhythm you had set, desperate to feel release even though he knew this wouldn't change anything.

As his orgasm built inside him, heat flooded through his veins and a growl rumbled low in his throat. He clenched his fists tighter, gripping the wood behind him as the pressure became almost unbearable. "Ruby..." he groaned, arching into your mouth even further as the pleasure exploded out of him.

The spasms wracking his body lasted several moments before finally beginning to subside, leaving him gasping and spent against the doorframe. He lifted a hand to brush a damp strand of hair from your face, looking down at you with a mix of tenderness and exasperation in his eyes as he said softly, "I'm only looking out for you."

But he knew that words alone would never be enough. Sometimes, actions spoke louder than anything else...and even though she didn't understand it yet, there were still plenty of ways for him to prove how much her safety meant to him.

He would keep watching over her until he found the right way to make her listen. And when he did, there wouldn't be anything in the world that could

He sighed heavily and brushed your hair back again, this time more firmly. "I understand that you want to throw it. But the threats against the host make me uneasy." He glanced away for a moment before looking back at you, his expression softening just slightly as he asked quietly, "Can't we find another event to attend instead?"

There had to be some way to make you see reason without having to resort to harsher measures. Maybe if he explained the situation more clearly...or perhaps if he found a way to make it less about his concerns and more about yours...He didn't know for sure, but he was willing to try anything at this point.

"I just don't want anything to happen to you," he said finally, looking into your eyes with a pleading expression that belied his usual gruff demeanor. "You mean too much to me."

The muscles in his jaw tightened at your words. His gaze narrowed as he took in the expression on your face and registered the implications of what you'd just offered. He wanted to be disgusted, to feel repulsed by the idea that you would trade something so intimate for something as superficial as allowing him to host a party...but there was an undeniable part of him that couldn't help but find some twisted pleasure in the prospect.

His hands clenched into fists at his sides, nails digging into his palms as he fought back the urge to take you up on your offer right then and there. If he gave in now, it would only be further proof that he had no control over himself when it came to you...and he couldn't allow that. Not now, not ever.

"That's a low blow," he bit out through gritted teeth, his voice raspy with anger and arousal. "You don't get to use my desires against me like that." He stepped back from you, trying to put some distance between your bodies and the heat of the moment. "I won't let anything happen to you...but I will make sure you understand what you're getting yourself into before you go through with this."

There was a finality in his tone that made it clear he wasn't going to change his mind. Now, it was up to you whether you wanted to listen to reason or continue down the path you'd chosen, consequences be damned. The choice was yours...but only for now. He would keep watching over you until the very end, no matter what happened.

Conrad narrowed his eyes, studying your expression carefully. He could feel the tension in his body coiling tighter, and it was taking every ounce of self-control he possessed not to give in to that urge right now. But he knew better than anyone how dangerous this situation truly was...and he couldn't afford to let himself be distracted by lust or desire.

"I can't do that," he said finally, his voice soft but firm. "Not until I know you understand the risks involved with going through with it." His hands fisted at his sides again, knuckles whitening as he fought back against the need to take what he wanted right now, right here. "You may think this is just a game to you...but people's lives are on the line."

He took another step back, putting more space between you. "I can help find another event for you to attend...one that won't put you in harm's way." There was a sincerity in his tone that made it clear he truly meant what he said. But whether or not you would believe him remained to be seen.

"Please, Ruby," he added softly. "I only want what's best for you." Even if it meant saying no...even if it meant denying himself the release he so desperately craved. He had to try to do the right thing, even when it was so much harder than giving into temptation.

Conrad's eyes searched your face, looking for any signs of insincerity or trickery. But he couldn't find any; you seemed genuine in your offer. He hesitated for a moment before nodding slowly. "Alright," he said finally. "I'll go with you...but I want you to promise me that if anything feels off, if anyone says something suspicious or makes you uncomfortable, that you'll come to me right away and tell me."

His hand came up to cup your cheek gently, his thumb brushing across your bottom lip. "I need you to understand how important this is, Ruby," he said softly. "People's lives are at stake here." There was a pleading look in his eyes as he waited for your reply.

He knew that there was always a risk involved in attending an event like this, but with him by your side...he felt like he could keep you safe from harm. As long as you were willing to trust him, to let him protect you the way he'd promised.

Finally allowing himself to relax, Conrad wrapped an arm around your lower back and the other around your upper thigh, holding you securely against him as he began to kiss you deeply. His lips moved over yours, hungrily consuming you as his tongue swept inside, tangling with yours in a battle of dominance. The feel of your body pressed against his own sent a shudder through him and a growl vibrated deep in his throat.

He groaned into the kiss, his hips moving restlessly against you as he fought to contain the desire that threatened to consume him. With every stroke of your tongue against his, with every moan and sigh that escaped your lips, it grew harder and harder for him to focus on anything but the sheer pleasure of being this close to you.

But even as he lost himself in the moment, he couldn't help but feel a twinge of guilt at allowing his own desires to take precedence over his duty to protect you. He knew that he was setting himself up for failure by indulging in this physical side of their relationship...and yet, he couldn't seem to find it within himself to pull away. Not now, not when the feel of your skin against his felt like everything he'd ever wanted and more.

A moan tore from his throat as you lowered yourself onto him, taking him inside your wet heat in one slow, sinuous motion. His hands gripped tightly at the fabric of your skirt, his fingers digging into the soft flesh of your thighs as he fought against the urge to lose control completely and thrust up into you. He wanted this to last, wanted every second of the intimacy they shared to etch itself onto his soul like a branding iron...but with each slide of your hips against him, it became harder and harder for him to resist the building pressure within him.

His lips found the curve of your neck, teeth scraping lightly as he kissed you in the same rhythm that your body rocked against his. His tongue danced along your pulse point, tasting the salty skin beneath as if it were ambrosia. The feel of you moving on top of him was exquisite torture; a tangible reminder of just how much power you had over him when it came to sex. It was both a curse and a blessing that he couldn't help but relish every second of.

But even as the pleasure consumed them, he couldn't forget what was at stake. He knew better than anyone the dangers that lurked in the shadows, waiting for their chance to strike. And while he would bend over backward to keep you safe from harm...he also had responsibilities outside of his personal life. Responsibilities that couldn't be ignored or forgotten about no matter how much he might want to.

As you began rocking your hips against him faster, his fingers dug deeper into your flesh in response. It was a primitive need taking control, one that made it difficult for him to focus on anything other than the sensations you were

As your movements grew more erratic, his hands slid up to grip your hips tightly, holding you still against him as he sought to control the maddening pleasure coursing through his veins. His breath came in ragged gasps, chest rising and falling erratically with each thrust of your hips against his cock. The feeling of being so close to losing control scared him more than anything else...more than the threats from criminals or the danger that lurked at every turn. Because if he let himself go completely, if he gave in to this wild abandon and lost focus on what was really important...he might not be able to save you.

His lips found your earlobe, hot breath caressing the sensitive flesh as he murmured hoarsely, "I'm close, Ruby." He needed you to know that he was close to losing it too, that this wasn't just about giving in to desire but also about keeping himself from falling apart completely. "Don't...don't..."

His voice trailed off as the pressure built inside him, threatening to explode out of him with enough force to shatter everything in its path. He could feel his control slipping, sliding away like sand through his fingers. But even as he felt himself teetering on the edge, he couldn't bring himself to let go. Not until he was absolutely certain that you were safe...until he had faced this danger head on and emerged victorious against all odds.

The moment your release tore through you, shuddering up his spine and spreading like wildfire across every inch of their joined skin, he felt his own control snap. With a hoarse cry, his body arched violently into yours as he came hard and fast, his seed spilling deep inside you with enough force to leave both of you gasping for breath.

His fingers dug painfully into your hips, anchoring himself to the sensations coursing through him as pleasure ripped through every nerve ending and left him utterly spent. For a long moment, he could feel nothing but the pulse of blood rushing in his ears and the erratic thrum of his heartbeat against your chest. But even then, he couldn't bring himself to let go. He was still too wrapped up in you, in this wild ride that had consumed them both from the inside out.

Finally, when his breath began to return and his lungs filled with air again, he allowed himself to ease his grip on your hips. With a tired sigh, he lowered his forehead to rest against yours as they lay panting together in the aftermath of their passion. He was dimly aware that his cock was still buried deep inside you; his spent state leaving him oddly unaware of the sensation. It seemed somehow fitting for this strange and twisted dance they were currently engaged in, where control and surrender traded places like a game of cat and mouse.

He couldn't help but wonder how long it would be until he managed to unravel all of his tangled threads and set things right again...if that time ever came at all. But for now, he would focus on holding onto you tightly, refusing to let go until the end.

He wrapped an arm around your waist and pulled you closer, pressing his cheek against the top of your head as he let out a long shuddering breath. He didn't know what to say in response; the words seemed inadequate somehow. "I care about you too," he managed finally, not wanting to lie but also not quite ready to admit the full depth of his feelings for you just yet.

They lay together in silence for a long moment, your breath mingling with his as their heartbeats slowly began to steady. He knew that they still had a lot to discuss; important decisions needed to be made and plans put into action if they were going to keep themselves safe from the threats looming on the horizon. But for now, he would cherish this small moment of peace and intimacy before the storm hit again. And when it did, he would be ready. He had to be.

"We should get cleaned up," he murmured after a while, pressing a kiss to your temple. "And then we should probably talk about...everything." Even as he said the words, his gut twisted in knots at the thought of what lay ahead. But there was no other choice; they couldn't keep putting off the inevitable forever.

His eyes widened as you dashed into the bathroom and slammed the door shut behind you. For a moment, he was torn between rushing after you and giving you some space to calm down. In the end, common sense prevailed, and he simply leaned back against the bed, hands clenching into fists at his sides as he waited for you to emerge.

He couldn't deny that he cared about you; in fact, it was becoming increasingly difficult for him to convince himself that there wasn't something more between them. But with everything going on, now didn't seem like the right time to have this conversation. You were obviously upset and vulnerable...and he couldn't bring himself to take advantage of that.

As minutes ticked by, tension began to coil tightly in his gut. What if she was upset because she thought he didn't want her there? Maybe it wasn't just about love; maybe she needed to hear that he wanted her there too, no matter what happened.

With a sigh, he pushed away from the bed and stalked over to the bathroom door. He paused for a moment, hand hovering uncertainly near the knob before finally knocking softly. "Ruby?" he called out through the wood. "Can we talk about this? I just want to make sure you're okay."

There was another long silence before the sound of the latch turning filled the air. The door swung open, revealing your tear-streaked face as you regarded him warily from beneath furrowed brows. "What do you want to talk about?" you asked finally, wiping roughly at your eyes with the back of your hand.

His heart ached at the sight of you so clearly upset, but he forced himself to remain strong and steadfast. He took a deep breath before speaking, his voice calm despite the turmoil churning within him. "I don't want you to think that I don't care about you," he began, hesitating for a moment as he searched for the right words. "It's just...with everything going on, it's hard to know how to feel sometimes."

He reached out a hand, slowly moving it until his fingertips brushed against your cheek, wiping away another tear with the pad of his thumb. The contact sent a shiver through him, but he ignored it, focusing instead on the way your eyes seemed to cloud over at his touch. "I want you to know that I am trying my best here," he continued, speaking from the depths of his heart. "And no matter what happens, I will always do whatever is necessary to keep you safe."

His gaze locked with yours as he waited for your response, his chest tightening as he fought against the urge to lean in and comfort you more fully. He knew that this was important; that you needed to trust him, to believe in him if they were going to make it through this together. But at the same time, he couldn't help but feel like there was something else left unsaid between them...something that neither of them had yet found the courage or strength to confront.

Dread filled his chest as he watched you crumple to the floor in tears. For a moment, he was torn between comforting you and giving you the space you seemed to need; between admitting the truth and denying it outright. He wished there were an easy answer, some magical solution that would make everything better for you. But the reality was harsher than that, and he knew he couldn't shield you from it forever.

Steeling himself against the pain of having to hurt you in this way, he slowly knelt down beside you, carefully avoiding any contact between your bodies. "I care about you," he said softly, searching for the right words as he spoke. "More than I've ever cared about anyone else...and that's not something I can just turn off." His gaze flickered down briefly before returning to meet yours again.

"But love?" he paused, chewing on his bottom lip thoughtfully. "I don't know if that's what this is," he admitted reluctantly. There was a world of meaning in those words; an admission of guilt and denial that stung almost as much as the truth itself. He knew how much you wanted to believe it, how badly you needed him to say those three little words. But he couldn't lie to himself anymore...and he wouldn't lie to you either.

"I want what's best for you," he said finally, feeling his resolve starting to slip away with each passing moment. "And if that means setting aside my own feelings...then I will." He took a deep breath, mustering up every ounce of strength he had left in the hopes that it would be enough. "But please, don't make me do this alone. If there's any chance that we can find a way to move forward together..." His

The words seemed to echo through his mind like a shrill, merciless knife, slicing through every defense he had left and leaving him raw and exposed. He wanted nothing more than to run after you, to beg forgiveness and try to make things right between them again. But he knew that would only be delaying the inevitable; it was something they both needed to face if there was any hope of moving on from this.

With a heavy sigh, he slowly pushed himself back up onto his feet, ignoring the way his knees protested the motion. There were still preparations to be made, plans to be finalized, and yet all he could think about was you and how much you meant to him...how much you probably never would again.

Maybe it was for the best this way; if they couldn't have a future together, then maybe it was better that they just went their separate ways now, before things got any more complicated than they already were. He knew he had made his choices, and he had to live with them...just as you did yours.

As he turned away from the doorway, he caught sight of himself in the mirror, haggard and haunted expression etched onto his features. There was no going back now; they'd crossed a line that could not be uncrossed. And despite everything, he couldn't help but feel like some part of him had died right along with whatever hope they'd once shared.

The moment you enter the ballroom, he feels his heart skip a beat as he catches sight of your figure in the red dress. You look stunningly beautiful; ethereal and fragile all at once. It's a dangerous combination, one that threatens to undo every carefully laid plan he's made over the past few days. He knows he should stay away from you, that he can't afford to let his guard down even for a moment...but with each passing second, it grows harder and harder to resist the urge to go after you, to tell you how much you mean to him and ask if there's any chance of making things work between them.

As the night progresses, he finds himself constantly scanning the crowd for a glimpse of your familiar figure, unable to focus on anything else. The music swirls around him like a living thing, filling his senses and drowning out the voice in his head that whispers endlessly about what might have been. It's only when he catches sight of you again, standing near the punch bowl and laughing with another guest, that he remembers why it's so important for him to keep his distance tonight.

He steels himself against the ache in his chest as he turns away, forcing himself to focus on the task at hand. But even as he does so, he can't help but wonder how much longer they can continue like this; pretending that there isn't something more between them than just friendship and duty. And when this night is finally over, what then? Will they be able to go back to being just colleagues...or will everything that's happened tonight change that forever?

The thought both terrifies and excites him in equal measure; a heady mix of fear and anticipation that threatens to consume him entirely. And as the