Page 257 of If You Give an Artist a Killer Muse

No.

I’m trying not to sulk as I arrive at Aiden’s driveway. I’m trying not to think about Rurik anymore as I unlock the door and enter the living room.

More importantly, I’m trying not to freak the fuck out seeing Rurik here, wearing my pink apron and cooking in the kitchen like he owns the place.

Chapter 40

Briar

I drop the grocery bags on the floor, staring at the man in the kitchen like he’s an intruder.

Actually, no.

He is an intruder.

“What the fuck,” I start as Rurik turns around to face me, spatula in his hand. “What the fuck are you doing here, Rurik? And how the hell did you get in?”

I could have sworn I locked the door. I know I did.

He raises an eyebrow as he turns back to the pan to flip what looks like chicken breasts. “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m making my girl dinner. Oh, and your best friend gave me her copy of her brother’s keys.”

I am going to kill my so-called best friend. Then I’ll bring her back to life so I can kiss the living daylights out of her. Then kill her again for not telling me anything.

“Rurik,” I drop my keys on the kitchen table, then place my hand on my hips because I don’t know what else to do with them. “What are you doing here?” I repeat my question.

Rurik turns off the stove and sets the spatula in the sink before removing the apron and turning to stare at me. His face looks calm, collected even, but his eyes give away the rage he’s truly feeling.

“I told you you’re mine,” He says. His voice dripping with warning and controlled anger. “It’s rather fucking rude of you to show up in my life and then leave as if you didn’t cause any damage.”

“Damage?”

“You broke me, Briar.”

Jesus.

I lift my chin and cross my arms, hoping it’ll mask the pain I’m feeling all over again. “Rurik, I told you we’re done.”

“And I told you we’re endless,” Rurik says, his jaw ticking. “I choose you, remember? So no, we’re not done.”

The fucking audacity— I don’t even realize I’m standing so close to him until I’m poking his chest with each word. “You can't just show up here unannounced and disrupt my life when I'm trying to keep things in order!”

Rurik separates the small space between us as he snarls, “Oh yeah? How does it feel being on the receiving end, huh, Briar? How does it feel to have someone shove themselves into your life without your permission?”

I step away from him with a scoff, “Oh, fuck you.”

He smirks, “Don't worry, baby. That's for dessert.”

Before I can slap the smug look off his face, Rurik jumps on me. He wraps a hand on my wrist and tugs me toward him, devouring my mouth with a grunt.

Oh God. The familiar, comforting feel of him breaks down my senses as he presses into me.

I need to stop this now.

I try to push him back. I’m trying. But with each second of our tongues fighting for dominance, his lips bruising mine, and his hands roving all over my body, my fight weakens.

And then I’m kissing him back.

Fuck, I miss him.

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