Page 8 of Into Ruin

He scoffs.

“Idon’t. All I know is you were using that room to get laid?—”

“My room,” he interrupts. “I was using my room. You barged into my room.”

And you didn’t give me any choice once I was inside.

He turns away, drifting over to the made bed. He reaches out, letting his palm coast across the purple bedspread. He reaches my pillow and presses his fingers into it.

“What are you going to tell your brother?”

His back is to me. He’s focused more on the pillow and the singular photo I taped to the wall next to it. It’s of Royal and me after my high school graduation.

But… what am I going totellhim?

“Nothing,” I say. “You think I want him finding out about… that?”

He lifts a shoulder and faces me once again. “I don’t know what you’d be inclined to share with him.”

Is he…

Royal’s initial introduction—and subsequent threat to his teammates about me—floats to the front of my mind.

I didn’t know this guy was a hockey player, but he obviously is. He lives in the hockey house. He’s got the ass of a hockey player. So he’s worried about my brother finding out he basically forced himself on me.

Well.

The fact I liked most of it is notwithstanding.

And complicated.

“What will you give me to keep this little secret between us?” The words are out before I can stop him.

His expression sharpens. It’s like every bit of him tunes in to me. “What will Igiveyou?” His tone is dangerous.

“Yeah.”

It’s official—I’m losing my mind.

Why am I baiting him?

I don’t even know his name.

He steps forward, and I go back. Back, back, back, until I hit the wall. He’s right there, and too fast to stop, he tugs my towel.

It loosens and falls to a heap around my feet. I belatedly cover my chest, but he stares only at my face. He leans in. Leansdown. His lips are inches away.

Is he going to kiss me?

My head moves, tilts back. Waits for him to come just another hair closer.

“I can give you mercy,” he breathes. “Or I’ll drag you into ruin. Your choice.”

5

CAMDEN

Ruin.

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