Page 37 of Made For Ruin

"Probably. But that's his damage to deal with, not yours."

My entire bodyaches as I drag myself into the bathroom after my double shift later on that night. The ancient pipes groan when I turn on the shower, and I lean against the counter while waiting for the water to heat up.

Steam slowly fills the small space, fogging the mirror, but not before I catch sight of the marks Marcus left on my skin.

A trail of purple bruises traces down my neck, across my collarbone.

My fingers drift over them, remembering the possessive way his mouth had claimed me. The slight scrape of his beard, the commanding grip of his hands. I’ve never let anyone mark me like this before. Never wanted to belong to someone this way. The sight makes my pulse quicken, remembering how deliberately he’d placed each mark, how he’d growled his satisfaction against my skin.

The shower finally runs hot enough, and I step under the spray, letting the water soothe my tired muscles. Every movement reminds me of last night, delicious little aches that make heat pool in my belly.

I’m just pulling on my sleep shirt when my phone rings. Marcus’s name lights up the screen.

I climb into bed, pulling the covers up. “Hello?”

“Hey, sweetheart.” His deep voice wraps around me like a physical touch. “How was your day?”

Ugh, how does he do that? Make me feel wrapped in warmth and electricity all at once?

“It was okay. Carl came by to fix the oven, but it still took a while before everything got up and running again.”

“Sounds exhausting.”

“It wasn’t so bad.” I close my eyes, picturing him in his cabin. “How was your day?”

“Long one. Had to head up to the north ridge with Reign. He needed me to help him check out some storm damage at one of his facilities.” There’s an edge to his voice that makes me think there’s more to the story. “Some equipment got hit pretty bad. Took most of the afternoon sorting it out.”

My mind fills with images of him working in the rain, those powerful arms lifting equipment. “Sounds intense.”

“Nothing we couldn’t handle. Managed to get some extra firewood chopped after, at least.”

“Of course you did.” I bite back a smile, settling deeper into my pillows. My body relaxes just listening to him talk about his day, even as excitement hums under my skin. “Because clearly your arms aren’t intimidating enough already.”

His low chuckle makes my toes curl. “You complaining about my arms?”

“Definitely not.” The memory of those arms lifting me, holding me down, makes me tingle between my legs. “Though I’m starting to think you just like showing off.”

“Only for you.” His voice drops lower. “Are you alone right now?”

“Yes. I’m in bed.”

“Good girl.” His approval washes over me, making my nipples tighten beneath my thin sleep shirt. “I want you to do exactly what I tell you. Can you do that for me, Lainey?”

“Yes,” I whisper, already aching for his commands.

“Take off your shirt.” His voice deepens with authority. “Slowly.”

I set the phone on speaker and let the straps slide down my shoulders, shivering as the cool air hits my overheated skin.

“Okay, it’s off.”

“Now, your panties. I want you naked in that bed, ready for me.”

My fingers tremble slightly as I shimmy out of my underwear and kick them to the floor. Feeling exposed and vulnerable, craving his eyes on me.

“I’m naked now.”

“That’s my girl.” His praise makes me clench around nothing. “I wish I could see you right now, spread out for me. I bet your tits are so pretty, aren’t they, baby? Your sweet little nipples just begging for my mouth.”

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