Page 35 of Ruin

“Fuck, Lira,” he rasped. “You're soaked.”

She bit her lip, fighting back a moan. “For you. Only for you.”

Standing slowly, she let his hand linger, savoring the rough warmth of his touch. A thrill shot through her when he growled and tried to keep his hand between her legs as she stepped back. Every nerve in her body was alight, her skin tingling where his fingers had traced.

“Enter rest mode, please,” she directed the bot, waiting until its head drooped before turning her attention back to Ruin.

With shaking hands, she began to undress, unhurried and deliberate. He followed her every move, drinking in each inch of exposed skin.

“Gods, bird. You’re fuckin’ beautiful.” The words were rough, strained and dripping with longing.

Naked, she climbed onto the bed, kneeling beside his big body. She trailed her fingertips over the scars and tattoos on his bare chest, excitement zipping through her at his sharp inhale.

“So are you,” she murmured, meeting his gaze.

Ruin's expression suddenly clouded with doubt, brow furrowing. He caught her wrist gently, halting her exploration.

“Why? Why do you want me?” The genuine confusion in his voice made her want to cry.

“Because you're you,” she whispered fiercely. “Strong, brave, kind. You make me feel safe. Cherished.”

“I'm a monster, bird. A killer.”

Lira cupped his face, forcing him to look at her. “Yes. You'remymonster. My protector. My killer.” She leaned in, lips brushing his ear. “And I want you to fuck me until I can't walk straight.”

A low growl rumbled through his chest. “Lira?—”

“Please, Ruin,” she begged. “Let me have you.”

He hesitated, the conflict in him palpable. She could almost see the wheels turning in his mind, weighing his desires against his doubts, his needs against what he believed was best for her. This was her chance to show him, to convince him that her feelings were real.

She kissed his neck, softly at first, then with more urgency. Her hands roamed over his chest, his shoulders, his arms, memorizing the contours of his body. He was a wall of muscle, built for strength and survival. She loved that, loved how solid and unyielding he was.

“I need you,” she whispered against his skin. “I need all of you.”

He sucked in a breath, his hands coming up to grip her shoulders, not to push her away but to hold her steady. “You don’t understand what you’re askin’.”

“I do,” she insisted, pulling back to look him in the eyes. “I understand, and I’m asking anyway.”

Silence stretched between them, thick and heavy with unspoken words. Her heart pounded in her ears, each beat a painful thud of anticipation. She waited, hoping, praying he would believe her, that he would take the leap.

His resolve crumbled. With a groan, he surrendered, his body relaxing beneath her. “I'm yours, bird. Do what you want with me.”

Trembling with desire and newfound power, Lira explored his body. She traced the hard planes of his chest, marveling at the contrast between her small hands and his massive frame. Her fingers danced along the ridges of his abdominal muscles, feeling them quiver beneath her touch.

“So strong,” she murmured, almost to herself. “Does it feel good when I touch you like this?”

“Fuck yes,” he groaned.

Emboldened, she trailed her fingers lower, then paused at a particularly nasty scar on his ribs. Every scar told a story, and she wanted to know each one. How many lives had he saved or taken? How many times had he come close to death?

“What's this one from?”

His eyes fluttered open, hazy with lust. “Voragon. Tried to gut me.”

Lira bent to press a soft kiss to the raised flesh. “I'm glad they failed.”

She continued her journey downward, trailing her lips along his body, tasting the salt of his sweat. She could feel the tension coiled in his muscles, the immense restraint it took to lie still and let her have her way with him. It excited her, knowing that he was holding back for her sake.

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