Page 112 of Mine to Ruin

“She’s different.”

“She’s just another one.”

I shake my head, my patience with her running out. Ellia’s not just anyone, but the one.

“I will marry her.”

And like the air left her lungs, she turns sheet white. “No, no, that’s not possible. Don’t do this to me”

“But I love her.”

“You can’t do this.” Her eyes turn glassy.

“I’m not doing anything to you. I’m happy for the first time in my miserable life.”

She drops down onto the brown couch in front of the fireplace, her lips wobbling, and I clasp her shoulder.

“I never meant to hurt you, I didn’t even know I could feel this.”

She gets up and leaves. I pour myself a tumbler of whiskey and my mind flies to my woman, my beautiful angel, my piece of heaven.

After a knock, Jason steps inside. “You look like a man on the verge of doing something stupid.”

I show him the jewelry box.

“No way.”

Kendrick finds us toasting, and he pats my back and says, “Congratulations.” We clink our glasses and my brother scowls from the doorway, and I raise a brow, saying, “No congratulations?”

“I hope she says no,” Brandon says.

I get in his face. “What’s your problem? You wanted my attention, you got it. Don’t think that I am blind to what you're doing. Inviting Melanie to stir shit up. You have no right to look at me like that.”

“I regret every moment I wished for you to be my brother,” he spits, and I clasp his shoulder.

“When you’re man enough, come ask my side of the story, mama’s boy.”

His eyes widen. I should tell him the truth about our parents. Is this what a sheltered life gets you, being easily manipulated? But what the fuck do I know? Everything I ever did was to survive. I leave them and go to find Ellia.

Her vanilla scent tickles my nostrils as soon as I step inside the bedroom. She’s alone after I asked everyone to head out to the club without us, and applies red lipstick. My woman looks stunning. She entraps me. Yes, she is it, the one.

Her blue eyes lock on mine, my piece of serene sky, her hand patting her necklace. I’ll cover her in jewelry and more. The sight of her ensnares me, and words of admiration pour out of my mouth.

“You’re gorgeous.”

“Thank you,” she says with a dreamy smile.

My eyes drop to the skin of her thighs exposed by the high slits on both sides of her dress, and my mouth salivates. I want a taste. I dip my head to kiss the spot between her breasts, and a low moan escapes her.

“Behave.”

I chuckle, but obey for now. She is mine anyway, and after tonight the entire world will know it.

“Angel, wait for me until I come get you.”

“Why?” she asks with a hint of suspicion.

“Please.”

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