Page 153 of If You Give an Artist a Killer Muse

Suddenly, the thought of my mum and Briar meeting doesn’t seem so bad. I could just ask my mum not to tell her husband anything. She wouldn’t recognize Briar either because she wore a mask at the airport.

“Good, because I was going to meet her one way or another.” Briar grins wickedly.

There she is.

I roll my eyes. “You’re such a pain in the ass sometimes, Briar.”

She walks over to me and plops on my lap. I immediately wrap my arms around her.

“I’m your pain in the ass,” She chirps, kissing the side of my head.

I feel like I’m going to melt into a puddle.

Fuck.

Again.

I am so fucked.

“Rurik?”

“What?”

“I said, you have a beautiful relationship with your mom.”

“Oh,” I didn’t hear her the first time. “Yeah, we’re very close.”

Briar grins. “That’s so cute, Rurik. Aww, you’re a mama’s boy.”

I ignore her. Probably because I still can’t wrap my head around how fucked I am that I’m letting this woman get so close to me.

It’s only about sex. It’s only about sex. No relationships. You guys are nothing.

I clear my throat, gently pushing Briar off of me as I get up. “Thanks for dinner. I should head back now, though.”

She frowns, “It’s almost two in the morning, angel. Please stay.”

“No.”

“I’ll sleep on the couch,” Briar offers again. “Please? You always leave, and I thought—”

“Briar,” I sigh with a warning. I glance at her and catch a flash of frustration crossing her beautiful features. “Don't start. Remember what this is.”

I can tell she wants to argue some more. But instead, she says, “Fine.” She walks over to the door and opens it for me.

I hesitate for a second before walking out, but just before I step outside, I turn around and press a kiss on her forehead. “Good night, Briar.”

For once, my kiss fails to erase the sad look on her face. She simply forces a smile, nods, and then closes the door behind me.

Chapter 23

Briar

RURIK MY ANGEL:

-I’m pretty sure I left my watch in your apartment.

ME:

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