Page 17 of Mine to Ruin

He laughs, shaking his head, and my stomach growls.

“Hungry?” he asks.

“A little.”

“Come on, let’s get you fed.”

A number of restaurants occupy the entire thirtieth floor, offering diners a fabulous panoramic view of the Vegas Strip. But something is missing.

“What is it? Not enough options?” He looks concerned.

I’m pretty sure this hotel caters to every possible culinary desire.

“A donut stand.”

He chuckles. “You weren’t kidding about your love for donuts.”

“Of course not. There is this shop, Donut Paradise, and they have over twenty flavors. They’re my favorite. Every other month, they introduce a new flavor.”

“Have you tasted anywhere else, to be sure?” he asks, eyeing me intently.

With a bright smile on my face, I say, “I don’t have to. When you know, you know.”

Chapter 6

Kian

Dozens of restaurants make up the floor, and her eyes sweep over each before she walks right into the Chinese one. I pull out the chair for her, and she smiles at me, melting the icicle residing in my chest. She places her order, and I don’t even bother with the menu, going for the usual, too engrossed in her.

Ellia.

She maddens me, tempts me, and intrigues me like no one else.

Warmth blooms in my chest whenever she is around. She looks so damn sweet with her bandana, her light brown, wavy hair flowing down her back, and that beautiful heart-shaped face framed by her bangs. Those round, curious baby blue eyes seem to question and peer inside me. There’s nothing inside, angel, just scars.

Ever since that night at the club, she has been hijacking my thoughts. And now, here she is, tempting me enough to leave the pile of work unattended and offering her a tour. This woman proves to be quite the exception, to my professionalism and my sanity.

I make a mental note to go to that donut shop. I would fill an entire floor with sweets for her, and this thought freezes my blood in my veins. My appetite vanishes.

“Excuse me. Something came up.”

That snub little nose is scrunched up in confusion, and those soft lips form a pout. I don’t believe I’ve kissed anyone as long and as much in… ever. Her sugary taste assaulted my taste buds; her taste still lingers in my mouth. It’ll be death by sugar if I don’t get my damn head straight.

I gesture for the waiter to put the bill on my tab. With my heart pummeling at my ribcage, I stride away, not looking back. I press the elevator button every two seconds. The doors open, and I slide my card in.

I dart from the elevator and lock myself in my office.

I have to forget about her. She’s a knockout to my focus. Right on cue, Melanie walks in, carrying a bag of sushi. She sways her hips in my direction, that smile holding a promise of more, if only I’d like.

“Kian, what’s wrong? You seem off!”

I run a hand through my hair and grab the bag of food from her hand. “I have to work. Thanks for the food.”

She doesn’t buy it, and why would she? She has been my right hand, my friend, and my constant fuck buddy until recently. Ellia’s face pops into my mind, screwing with my head, making me question everything.

Who does she think she is? I don’t hide from anyone. Ellia even painted a smile on my face, that crazy woman. The memory makes me smile.

“Is that a smile? Is the world coming to an end?” Melanie makes a dramatic gesture of gazing outside for the apocalypse before she approaches me to trail a finger up my arm.

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