Page 8 of Ruin

Sorry, soldier. We never stood a chance against firepower like that.

God, that felt good. My heart is racing, while my eyes remain closed. As though it’s been waiting for me to finish, my phone buzzes beside me, jolting me from my lingering ecstasy.

I let out a sigh and roll toward the noise. It’s the camera on my front door. Ruin’s early.

I toss my vibrator in the drawer, pull my dress down, fluff my hair back into place, and sop up the mess I’ve made between my legs with a towel from my shower earlier that’s still laying on the floor.

I’m pretty sure this is what tragic looks like. I really need to get it together.

Downstairs, my puppy Jack is barking at the door as Ruin stands on the other side of it.

I’d wanted a dramatic entrance. He’d pull up, I’d be looking unfrazzled and super-hot, but instead, I’m sweating a little now, my hair is matted, and I’m sure my cheeks are flushed because I can feel the heat radiating off them in my eyes.

I open the door and avoid eye contact. I thought there’d be more time between masturbating to the thought of him and seeing him again. “Hey,” I say as my voice cracks.

“It’s the birthday girl.” He holds a huge bouquet of wildflowers that I’m sure he picked. Yellow balsamroot, purple fireweed, orange paintbrush, and pink beeplant. I know these flowers because I’ve seen them as we ride up to our secret spot. His gaze drags down from my face to my toes and up again. “You look way too nice. Maybe I was wrong to say yes to the dress.”

I smile. “You’re hilarious. Are these for me?”

He hands the bouquet toward me. “Happy birthday, Peach.” He’s wearing jeans, a black button down, and his cut. Don’t ask me why the folks at the sex club need to know his affiliations, but wearing it over a button down is sexy as hell.

“Thanks. You look pretty great, too.”

“I tried.” He grins. “I figure the buttons mean fancy.”

I laugh. “They do. Buttons are always fancy. I mean, can you think of one fancy thing that doesn’t have buttons?”

He looks me up and down again. “I don’t see any buttons on you.”

I blush.

Are we flirting?

No. We can’t be flirting.

I spin around, showing him the buttons on the back of the dress. “See, I have buttons!”

“Proved me wrong.” He grins. “Buttons for the win. You nervous about all the adventuring you’re about to do?”

“Not really. I mean… a little, I guess. But… it’s gonna be fun.” I pull down a bottle of whiskey from the cabinet. “How’d your bounty go today?”

He nods. “Smooth as silk. Easiest ten grand I’ve ever made.”

“What did he do?”

“Stole some cars up in the Springs. Went down without a fight. Well, that and I surprised him. I brought a gun to a knife fight… so gun wins.” He lifts the whiskey bottle, examining its contents. “I can see this bottle has been opened before tonight. You wouldn’t be trying to slip me something, would you?”

I shake my head with a smile. “You caught me. The plan was to drug my protector for the evening. Little did you know, you were the one needing saving this whole time.”

“I knew something wasn’t right about you, girl.”

“We might as well get started on this kidnapping. Drink up.” I sway my hips playfully and slide him a shot.

He shrugs and shoots it with a grin. “Whatever you say, Peach.” As the glass leaves his lips, his face turns more serious. “That whiskey might be a little strong for you. What about your meds? Have you looked up if it messes with your seizures and—”

“I’m fine.” I shoot back a shot. “I don’t want to think about all that tonight. I just want to have fun.”

“We can.” He pulls out his phone. “I’m just going to make sure you should be drinking first.”

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