Page 100 of Mine to Ruin

Ellia

Christmas evening finds me in the mirror. The fabric of the gray dress hugs my body, floating down my back in a small train. Kian zips me up and kisses my shoulder. He looks mouthwatering in a crisp white shirt and tailored black suit. He picks something up from the nightstand and my eyes widen when he flicks the lid open and a diamond necklace and matching earrings appear.

“I am going to dress you in diamonds,” he says, placing a kiss on my neck after he locks the clasp.

In the elevator, thoughts of seeing his father again for Christmas dinner have my limbs in knots but then I remember his grandfather is there too. My aunt flashes in my mind. Missing her crashes into me like a freight train. She didn’t join us for Christmas. I decide I should visit her.

We’re on our way to the car and I open my mouth to tell Kian about my plans when Melanie shows up looking like a poster cover of a fashion magazine. Her red dress accentuates her figure and puts the rest of the female population to shame.

She raises a hand, and a diamond ring sparkles on her finger while she beams and says, “Thank you for the present.”

“You got yourself a ring?” I blink at the monstrosity while Kian snarls.

“A diamond one. I deserve it.”

My heart hammers in my chest, and when I lift my gaze to look at Kian’s face, I notice his nostrils flare.

“We’ll talk about this. Merry fucking Christmas.”

Her jaw drops, and when we get in the car, he bangs his head against the headrest and says, “I am sorry. It’s not what you think it is.”

“Oh, what do I think? That it’s an engagement ring?”

I raise a hand in the air, my mood plummeting and fast.

“Every year she gets a bonus to buy herself what she wants,” he explains, but it doesn’t make me feel any better.

“Whatever.”

“Ellia.” My name drops from his mouth in a low tone, and I get in his face, arms waving.

“What do you want me to say, Kian? That I am okay with this when I am not, and I think it’s more than hurtful seeing her wearing an engagement ring and thanking you for the gift.”

“I will talk to her.”

“Yes, give her even more attention.”

“You are wearing the bracelet my brother gave you.” He snaps his eyes to the bracelet, and I slump in the seat, a headache throbbing between my temples.

“Don’t you dare bring your brother into this. Again, I have never been emotionally or physically involved with him.”

Frustration oozes from him, and he closes his eyes.

I breathe in and out, and when I calm down, I say, “The moment I think I am finally over her presence in your life, she does something like this.”

His jaw ticks, and he says, “That will never happen again.”

We spend the rest of the drive to the private airport in silence.

On the flight, Kian tries to teach me poker. We amp up the game to strip poker. I blame the remnants of anger for why I end up naked.

“Want another confession, angel?” he asks, as he bottoms out inside me, eyes locked on mine. “I have never wanted to fuck anyone as much as I do you. Even jerking off at the thought of you has been better than any other fuck of my life. Think of that when you get jealous next time.”

My toes curl, my release rising so fast that my ears pop.

He bites into my jaw. “I have jerked off more times thinking about you than I fucked her in our entire time together.”

I come, and he follows shortly with my name falling from his lips in a prayer of worship, holding me tightly against his chest.

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