Page 25 of Mine to Ruin

“Rough night?”

“Nothing a donut won’t help.”

Dan smiles and says, “I was thinking—”

“Ellia.” That sensual, deep voice prickles at my skin.

“What are you doing here?” I ask, baffled.

“Came to check the store out. See for myself why you love these donuts so much.”

Kian wraps his hands around my waist. My eyes dart from him to where his hands are, branding my skin with his possession. Dan rushes to get my donuts and Kian sends me a wolfish grin.

I move to unwrap his hands from my waist when he links our fingers and says, “No. What’s wrong, angel? Who upset you?”

“I couldn’t sleep.”

“Why?” He tilts my chin and murder is written in his eyes.

“A nightmare kept me up.”

He eyes me in understanding, and I press myself to him. He envelops me in his arms, and I forget I should put a stop to this. Kian dips his head and asks, “What do you recommend?”

“Hmm, chocolate, and the caramel pecan one,” I chirp, and he orders two for himself, as well.

“Together?” Dan asks, and Kian says, “Yes,” pinning him with a stare.

I slip out of his embrace. We leave the shop, and a wave of sun hits my face.

His eyes heat, and they linger on my lips. “I’m thirsty. You decide. Do we go back inside or I am drinking from your mouth?” Kian says without a trace of humor.

I want that—and more. I grab his hand and enter the next store where they have iced coffee. I order two and threaten him with bodily harm if he even dares try to pay. He paid for the donuts; it’s only fair. He scowls, but sits on a stool, and when he takes the first bite, surprise colors his eyes.

“This is really good.”

“Even if it isn’t a high class local?”

His posture stiffens, and a haunted expression passes his face. “I practically lived on the streets for two years. I have worked for everything I have.”

“I’m sorry, just a bad joke.” I bite on my lip and think about what he said. “You lived on the streets?”

“Forget about it. I don’t want to talk about this.” His teeth dig into his donut, a forlorn look passing over his face.

My cell phone rings, and Brandon’s name pops up. I answer while Kian’s face scrunches up. “Hello.”

“Hi, little Picasso.”

He always brings a smile to my face, and even though he’s not a replacement for the girls, he makes their absence better.

“So, how are you? You just disappeared the other night, and then my brother disappeared, too.”

“What? I can’t hear you.” I hang up and smile to myself.

“I’m sorry I’m not as entertaining as my brother,” Kian snarls and the phone burns my palm under his scrutiny.

He is confusing and frustrating, yet I am still here, wanting what I shouldn’t want.

His hand wraps around the back of my neck, and he drags me to his face. “You’re mine. Brother or not, I will break his hands and write your name on the casts as a warning for any other asshole who thinks you belong to anyone else but me.”

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