Page 97 of Ruin
“I’m not disappointed,” he says. “I was just worried. You could have told me.”
“I didn’t know. It was… a surprise.”
“A surprise?”
“Can we talk about this later?” I say, not wanting to get into it right now. I’m still at the point where I could go back to sleep.
“I’ll be by shortly.”
“I’m sleeping.”
“I have something that will wake you up.”
I chuckle and end the call, then go back to sleep. I’m woken up a short time later to someone crawling into my bed. Lucian’s body is warm against me, his skin soft. It’s clear he got undressed before he got into bed. His arm comes around my waist, pulling himself closer, and thrusting his dick against my ass.
“How did you get in?” I ask.
“The front door.”
“It was locked.”
“Maybe I stole your spare key.”
I huff out a laugh, linking my fingers with his and closing my eyes.
“It’s nearly noon,” he says.
“Don’t care.”
“You aren’t a late sleeper.”
“I am today.”
I can’t remember the last time I slept this late. It happens now and then, but usually when I’m fed up with life and everything in it. I don’t usually sleep because I’m comfortable. Last night was a release for me. When I walked through the front doors of my house, I felt lighter—like I’d left a thousand pounds back atthat house. A thousand pounds I’d never have to worry about carrying again because it’s burned to a crisp. Gone forever. Of course, that’s only what I make of it. I could still lament what happened, but I’m choosing to let it go and move on. That’s the only way I can make this work, the only way I can have a good future.
“What happened last night?” he asks, nuzzling his nose against my neck.
“I’m not sure you’re ready to hear that yet.”
“Why not?”
“Because it’s not good.”
I decided to move on from the shit with my dad after burning that house down with my brother, but maybe there’s more to it. I’ll always wonder if I should tell Lucian or not… until I do. I don’t think he’ll look at me differently, so that’s not what I’m worried about. But I am worried about hurting him and adding to his guilt.
“I’m guessing this is more than just burning a house down.”
“A lot more.”
His hand comes to my chin, and he gently turns me to look at him. I roll onto my back so I can see him. His eyes are bright but serious.
“I want to see all the parts of you, Kolton. Even the parts you think are ugly and not worth loving. I’ll do everything in my power to show you that isn’t true.”
I chew on my lip, letting out a sigh.
“How close were you and my father?” I ask.
“We were best friends,” he says. “We’d known each since we were kids. Our parents were friends. You know this, Kolton. You saw me at least three times a year, every year.”
