Page 166 of If You Give an Artist a Killer Muse

“What is considered right, angel?” Briar asks with a shrug. “One group acts, convinced they're saving the world with their good deeds. But then another group perceives them as villains, and they end up fighting because they believe what they perceive as right is worth fighting for... The exhausting cycle continues.”

I frown, tucking her waves behind her ear. “That’s a fucked up way of viewing the world, baby.”

Her eyes light up as her lips quirk into a smile, but she shrugs again. Leaning forward, she meets me halfway, and our lips press together again.

I scoop her up into my arms, a grin spreading across my face at her surprised giggles. Rising to my feet, I carry her toward the bathroom, her arms wrapping around me like a koala.

Chapter 25

Briar

What is it about assholes that I find strangely addicting?

Despite the chaos swirling in my head during his absence, I'm still pissed that he's keeping me hidden from everyone as if he's ashamed of me.

“I just made you come moments ago, and you’re still scowling?”

I ease my face and look up at him.

“Your dick isn't that magical, asshole.” I playfully pull his hair. “I’m still mad at you.”

Rurik chuckles as he enters the bathroom, gently setting me down but keeping a hand on my waist as he leans over to turn on the bath. With a sigh, he turns to me, swatting my hands away with a tsk as he proceeds to undress me until I stand completely naked before him.

I raise a brow at him, watching as he sheds his clothes. I couldn't help but smirk when I saw his dick giving me a standing ovation.

“Behave,” Rurik mutters, taking my hand and helping me get in the tub.

“Are you telling me that or your dick?” I tease.

He ignores me as he gets in after me, pulling me down with him so I can sit between his legs with my back against his chest.

“Something's poking me!” I feign annoyance, fully aware of what that something is.

“Briar,” He grunts in warning when I wiggle my ass against his dick. “Fucking stay still so I can clean you.”

“Yes, clean me, angel. I've been a dirty girl.” I grin as I lean the back of my head against his chest.

“For fucks sake, woman.” He huffs, taking my shampoo and lathering it onto my head. He massages my scalp with skilled hands, ensuring every strand of hair is thoroughly coated.

“Besides blatantly flirting with some asshole in front of me, what were you up to today?” He asks after rinsing my hair and moving on with the conditioner.

“Don't be dramatic,” I laugh, tilting my head as his fingers glide through my hair. “Not much. Just work stuff. Like I said earlier that asshole I was ‘flirting’ with was a target I needed to dig info from. What about you?”

“Same. Minus the potentially killing someone part,” He adds snobbishly.

I roll my eyes. He finishes with my hair and then reaches for my body wash, squirting some onto his palms and lathering it before gently applying it to my skin.

“How did you get in my apartment?” I ask as his fingers meticulously massage my upper back. “The keys I gave you shouldn’t work on this new lock.”

Rurik sighs, his hands moving to my shoulders after adding more body wash. “I went to Oscar and Natalie. I figured you gave one of them an extra key or something.”

I glance back at him over my shoulder. To my absolute surprise, he kisses the corner of my lips. I blink because how can a jerk like Rurik be so damn affectionate?

My tongue darts out to lick the spot he kissed.

“Uh,” I clear my throat, turning back to the front so he can continue rubbing his soapy hands all over me. “How did that go? How did you ask for the keys without them being suspicious of us?”

Rurik pours some water on my body to wash off the soap. “I told them the truth.”

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