Page 115 of Theirs to Ruin

I was curious, but I’d also managed to make progress on my paper, so I nodded and stood. “I need to grab a research book but I’ll be right back.”

The book I wanted was in a section two floors down, so I caught an elevator. I was in the stacks searching for the book when I heard voices. It sounded like people were arguing. Ignoring it, I reached the end of an aisle and turned the corner only to collide with a firm chest and let out a yelp. Strong hands reached out to catch me before I could fall back. My eyes shot up to meet a familiar pair of silver eyes—Ty.

I hadn’t spoken to him since the morning he’d made Kage and I cappuccinos. I’d heard him coming and going at the chateau, but if he was deliberately avoiding me, he was a damn expert at it, which was perfect. I’d hoped I wouldn’t have to see his face until our next Defense Strategy class.

No such luck.

I tried to rip myself away from Ty’s hold on me, but instead of letting me go, Ty tugged me close, his fingers biting into my arms. He backed me against some bookshelves, his eyes dark and searching. Without warning, he crushed his lips onto mine. The hard press of his mouth caught me off guard. When I tried to push him away, he easily pinned my wrists above my head with one hand.

Rage bubbled up, and I seriously contemplated a swift knee to his cock to put him in his place.

He bit at my bottom lip, making me gasp in a mix of pain and surprise, then murmured, “Play along.”

A cascade of confusion hit me. He was using me. As some kind of distraction?

Did this have something to do with his stated mission for being at Crimsonvale—tracking down his family’s killer?

I forced my anger down and leaned into him. His grip on my wrists loosened, his fingers tracing patterns down my arms, and his kiss turned softer.

His mouth was hungry, devouring, but also painfully skilled. And oh so familiar. I almost whimpered at the taste I recognized and had longed for during the last two years. The special sound his breath made when he sucked in air. The familiarity in how his hand stroked my side, almost but not quite touching my breast.

There was calculation behind each touch, each flick of his tongue, but after a few beats, I sensed a shift. The intensity in theway he kissed me began to blur the lines between pretend and reality. Our breathing became ragged, our movements frantic.

But beyond the rising heat, I felt something else—a tenderness that swelled with every second. It felt as if the Ty I'd known in Italy, the one I'd been so deeply in love with, had resurfaced, if only for a fleeting moment.

"Some people need to rent a fucking room!" a voice jeered, though the sound felt distant, almost like it was coming from another world.

Ty’s lips left mine, but he remained close, our foreheads touching, our breaths mingling. I was so dazed from the kiss that I barely registered the retreating footsteps.

Ty stared at me then stepped back. He turned to go.

“Don’t you dare. Tell me what that was about.”

His expression hardened. “I thought I made it clear I’m not here to answer your questions.”

“That was before you kissed me to draw attention away from you.” I got closer to him. “Who were you avoiding?”

“None of your business.”

I studied him for a moment. “You say you’re trying to find your family’s killer. I could help you. Kage could help you. We know people here.”

“I don’t want help from either of you.”

Doubts swirled in my mind. Had he lied about not having a hand in his family's death? Was there something more to the story? As desperate as I was for answers, antagonizing him wasn't the right approach. I needed him to trust me, not wall himself off. “Fine. But you owe me.”

“Not a chance in hell.” He walked away or at least tried to. Something was on my mind and despite how hideous he’d been to me, I needed to get it out.

I grabbed his arm.

I expected him to yank away and berate me for touching him, but instead he limited his response to a scowl. I dropped my hand immediately.

“I’m sorry for what I said. About your appeal to girls. Your scars. I was just mad and trying to get to you.” I shrugged. “The truth is, you’re just as beautiful as ever.”

His face contorted, a mixture of disbelief and anger. “Jesus Christ, Camille! After the way I’ve treated you, after every fucked-up thing I've said and done, you're still throwing compliments my way? Do you have a taste for cruel men?”

The passion of his outburst rattled me, mostly because he seemed genuinely confused. Maybe it was why I answered with vulnerability instead of anger. “When it comes to you, maybe I just can’t stay away.”

He looked surprised then shook his head. “Remember where that got you before. Where it got us. Because I sure do.”

---