Page 50 of Mine to Ruin

I stare at the canvas, mixing black with blues, but my head ruminates over the encounter with Kian’s grandfather. Since the moment I left, it’s been nagging me. I know I saw him somewhere before but where and when? I caress my temples, trying to rub away a headache that’s forming.

“What’s up, little Picasso?” Brandon asks and I turn to him.

I take in his white polo and cream slacks, and the bag of food he’s carrying. “I met your grandfather,” I reply.

“He’s here? I thought he was coming tomorrow,” he says, eyebrows drawn together.

“He’s very intense… just like...”

“Kian. I know, it’s uncanny how much they resemble each other. But Grandfather raised him, sort of.”

That piques my interest, but anything Kian related does, so no surprise there. I urge him to continue.

“He would always come and pick him up during the holidays.”

“And you?”

“I stayed home with my mom.”

“That’s strange.”

“I don’t even understand my family. Grandfather left Kian in charge and my dad is not happy about that. So, there is tension between them.”

I ponder the information when he shoves me playfully to the side.

“So you and Kian?” he waggles his brows at me.

I glare at him, and he raises his hands. “I have to ask since you don’t say a thing.” A line digs between his brows, and he points at my face. “What is it? One second you were all puppy lovey dovey eyes, the next second not.”

“It’s complicated.”

“Of course it is, he’s Kian.” He sighs.

I dig into the bag he’s holding and sink my teeth into one of the sandwiches he brought. “It’s what he keeps hidden, and Melanie…” My greatest fear is opening up, trusting Kian completely and him taking advantage of that. It happened once already, and it was the biggest reason why none of my relationships worked longer than a few months. That, and my fear that Robert broke something inside me and I can’t fall in love. I remember something and have to ask.

“Did you or did you not befriend me because of Kian?”

“I did. Don’t be mad at me.” His eyes widen with guilt and he adds, “Our friendship started on the premise of just wanting to find a way closer to Kian, but you became my friend, a true friend.”

I nod. “Thanks for being honest.” It’s obvious Kian and Brandon love each other so why do they have this broken relationship?

After he leaves, I spend the rest of the day in the studio and finish a painting. Happy I pushed through the mess of thoughts, I lock up and drive home. After a quick video call with my girls, I hang up when my doorbell rings. I peek through the peephole, yanking the door open when I see it’s Kian.

He lifts me and crushes his mouth on mine, feeding me his hunger and desperation. His passionate, long kisses make me dizzy. When he puts me down, we step inside, and he closes the door behind us.

I walk into the kitchen and ask, “What do you want to drink? I have water and sweet tea.”

He approaches from behind and says, “Water is fine. But I’m thirsty for something else.”

I giggle at his innuendo and pour us two glasses. A knock on my door has him snapping his head toward it.

“Are you expecting someone?” he asks, his whole body going rigid.

“Yes, a crew of strippers,” I sass, and he slaps my ass.

He beats me to the peephole, the control freak. He opens the door and it’s Diana, my elderly neighbor. “Hello, sweetie.”

I move out of the way. “Please, come in.”

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