Page 274 of If You Give an Artist a Killer Muse

My voice trails off as I see Rurik kneeling before me.

Oh…

Rurik swallows hard, looking nervous as shit as he says, “This was the day I could no longer deny my feelings. It was the day I realized I couldn't stay away from you. You drove me crazy that day, Briar. ”

Fuck.

My eyes begin to sting as tears start gathering in them. I release a small sob and shake my head, trying to pull myself together.

He smiles despite his voice becoming shaky. “I want to thank you for barging into my life, Briar. I meant it when I said you ruined me. But in the best way possible. I’m no longer that quiet, polite, starving artist you first met.”

“Rurik,” I drop to my knees with him because my legs can no longer hold my weight.

“You make me feel like a stronger man like I can do anything. I feel like the luckiest man on earth whenever you grin at me. Despite my health, you make me feel like I can conquer anything. You're my everything, Briar. The moment you walked into my first showcase, you became my muse,” Rurik whispers, leaning forward to kiss me. “My beautiful, crazy muse.”

I’m crying so ugly right now. It’s a miracle he just called me beautiful.

“I love you,” I mumble pathetically, wiping my face with my hand.

“I love you so much, Briar,” Rurik says. “Will you please continue being my muse for the rest of our lives so my inspiration remains endless?”

“Fuck,” I cry out, full-on sobbing.

“Briar Reyes, will you marry me?” He finishes, his voice cracking. “Let me stand by your side as your angel forever. Marry me.”

“Yes,” I nod enthusiastically. “I’d marry you right fucking now if you want, Rurik. In front of Elvis in Vegas, I don't care. But yes! Yes!”

He gifts me the most gorgeous smile, and I throw myself at him and clung to him. He grabs my face and kisses me hard, biting my lips and groaning when I bite his in return.

“I fucking love you, Briar.”

“I fucking love you too, Rurik.”

I try to tug his shirt off, and he pulls away. I make a noise of complaint, earning a wicked grin from that handsome face.

“Wait, wait,” Rurik says breathlessly as I come right back to unbutton his shirt. “Briar… Oh, fuck,” He groans when my hand cups his erection. “Briar, please.”

His voice sound so desperate, I had to pull away with a grunt. “Ugh, seriously? What is it?”

I take delight in seeing him looking so flustered as he tries to get his bearings. He clears his throat, “I… I wanted to show you something else.”

I sigh, feeling impatient. I just want to undress him and love him as a newly engaged couple, damn it!

“Can it wait?” I reach for him and glare when he backs away.

He smirks, shaking his head, and starts to undo the buttons of his shirt. He pauses when he notices I’m staring at him as if he’s a fine dining buffet ready to be devoured.

I mean, he fucking is. Look at him. So tasty, I want to eat him up and swallow him all.

“Jesus,” Rurik mutters, dropping his hand. “Okay, fine. Want to help me, baby? You keep— What the fuck!”

I rip his shirt in half. “What? You said I could help.” I grin, kissing his Adam’s apple. “I’ll buy you more shirts…” I stop, noticing a small white bandage over his chest. “Rurik,” I start slowly, feeling a tiny drop of dread as I look up at him. “What happened? Oh God, did—”

He kisses me, forcing me to stop talking. “Gently pull the bandage off, baby. It should have healed by now.”

I frown but did as he ask. With shaky fingers, I slowly pull the bandage off inch by inch, keeping my eyes on his face to check for any signs of pain. As soon as it’s completely off, I look down at his chest and gasp.

He got a tattoo.

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