Page 258 of If You Give an Artist a Killer Muse

“Weak,” Rurik whispers against my lips. “That's how I feel, Briar. I'm weak without you now. You did this to me. You fucking ruined me.”

I can only say, “I'm sorry,” because I also feel weak. He may not realize it, but I'm not the same person anymore.

I'm weaker, vulnerable, and in love with him.

He nips my bottom lip as his hands wrap around the back of my neck and head. “You promised me you wouldn't ignore me anymore,” Rurik roughly says. “You promised you wouldn’t let anything stand between us. You PROMISED me.”

Fuck.

“Rurik—”

“You made me addicted to you.” He harshly continues, pulling on my hair to arch my neck. He trails his mouth on my throat, kissing and sucking on my skin, making me groan.

“I—”

Rurik interrupts me, “You pushed and prodded into my life, disrupting everything I’ve worked for to perfect how I wanted the world to see me. And then you dare to leave after destroying me and making me fall in love with you?”

I freeze.

What the…

Rurik’s eyes are wide and bright as he says, “I fucking love you, Briar. Why the hell can’t you see that? I thought I could show you just by my actions alone. Have I been doing a horrible job this whole time? Do you need to hear me say those goddamn words instead? I love you. I love you. I love you. I. Love. You. I love you, Briar.”

Oh my God.

I can’t see him because my vision fills with tears, and no matter how much I’m wiping them away, they keep appearing.

Fuck, I’m full-on crying now.

“Baby,” Rurik whispers, kissing me softly as his thumbs wipe the tears for me. “I can’t love you the way you deserve if you won’t let me.”

He pulls me toward him again, his lips spreading all over my face as his hands grip my hips tightly. He nudges my jaw with his nose as his mouth sucks on my pulse before biting. Pleasure, lust, and desire spread through my veins as I held him against me. Kissing, sucking, licking, and biting until I’m nothing but a blubbering mess.

“Ask me if I miss you,” Rurik whispers in my ear, his hands cupping my breasts.

“Rurik…” I shake my head. I can’t think right now. My head is a mess.

He growls, “Ask me if I miss you, Briar!”

I sob as he pushes me against the wall. I lift a leg and wrap it around his waist. He groans, thrusting against me with his erection while he continues to assault me with his intoxicating lips.

“Ask me.” He whispers.

“Did you miss me, Rurik?”

“Yes,” Rurik groans, lifting my other leg until both legs are wrapped around him. He presses his body against mine to keep me in place as his lips trail to my chest. “I fucking miss you, Briar. I miss how you feel. I miss how you taste. I miss your company, I miss your laughter, I miss your baking. I miss your shameless flirting, your need to spam text me, and your nagging. I miss everything about you. I miss you so much, Briar. You have no idea.”

Oh, fuck me.

There goes my plan to run away again.

“I hated that they came after you,” I whimper as he rolls his hips against mine.

“I hate that you think I can’t take care of myself,” Rurik says, licking my lips before biting them again.

“Your heart?” I ask, pulling away slightly and placing a hand over his chest. “How is it?”

Rurik smiles at me, “It's your heart, Briar. It only beats for you now. Since you're alive, I am, too.”

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