Page 218 of Ruins
Her breath catches, surprise flickering across her features. A blush blooms on her cheeks, making her look even more beautiful than she already is. “That’s… sexy, Santo. Maybe you should change your threat if you’re trying to be scary.”
“No,” I say firmly. “I don’t want you to ever be scared of me.”
Her playful smile fades, and the room falls quiet. She looks at me then, her eyes full of something that pierces straight through me—hope, light, beauty. Slowly, she places her small, soft hand on my cheek, her thumb brushing over my skin in a touch so tender it almost undoes me.
“I don’t feel trapped,” she says, her voice soft but steady. “You’ve given me more than I ever had before. I have ahome, a place to express my art, a library full of books, a space to decorate with my creations, a laptop for school, a whole new wardrobe, a staff that feels like friends… brothers I never knew I needed… I’m happy. I don’t want to leave.”
Her gaze locks onto mine, unwavering as she says the words that stop my heart. “I love you.”
She says it so sincerely, so easily, that for a moment, I can’t breathe. My chest tightens, her words sinking deep into a place I didn’t know existed. I never expected to hear those words—not from her.
My mind races with a thousand things I want to say, but all that comes out is a stunned, “What?”
“What?” she echoes, confused, her brows knitting together.
I cup her hand on my cheek, holding it there for a second, feeling the warmth of her touch like a brand on my skin before I lower it slowly. She watches, her confusion deepening, uncertainty flickering across her face. “What did you say?” I ask, my voice hoarse.
“I love you?” she repeats, her tone unsure now, her eyes narrowing slightly as if trying to gauge my reaction.
A slow smile spreads across my face, breaking through the haze in my mind. “Yes. Say it again.”
She laughs, rolling her eyes in exasperation. “Santo!”
“Again,” I demand, my voice rougher now, more desperate than I’d like to admit..
She smirks, her confidence returning as she leans closer. “I love you.”
Her words barely leave her lips before I roll us over, pinning her beneath me. A squeal of surprise escapes her as I press my mouth to hers, pouring everything I can’t put into words into the kiss—my gratitude, my devotion, my unrelenting love for this woman whose changed everything.
She turns her head away breathless, her cheeks flushed and eyes shining. “Well, at least now I know how to get you to kiss me like that,” she teases, wrapping her arms around me.
I cup her cheek and press my forehead against hers. “It’s not just about the words Vasilisa,” I tell her, my voice more at peace than it’s ever been. “It’s about the feeling behind them. The sincerity in your eyes when you say them.”
I pull back slightly to look at her. Her hair is spread out on the pillow around her, the lamplight turning it into a golden halo around her face. She’s looking at me with those beautiful eyes of hers, filled with warmth and trust. I kiss her once more, never getting enough of those lips and then I roll off her, pulling her into my side as we lay there in silence. The steady rhythm of our breathing fills the room. It’s peaceful. Contentment washes over me as I run my fingers gently through her hair. This was what happiness feels like.
Breaking the silence, Vasilisa speaks up suddenly, “Did you mean it?”
“Mean what?” I ask.
She lifts her head from my chest and looks at me seriously. “When you said you would tear through heaven and hell for me.”
I stare back into her eyes just as seriously and nod. “Every word.”
A small smile forms on her lips, and she nestles her face into my neck, I wrap an arm securely around her, hugging her close. Her lips skim my neck, a whisper of warmth trailing in their wake. Her breath, soft and steady, fans over my skin, each exhale igniting a slow-burning fire that spreads through me, curling at the edges of my restraint.
She moves her lips slowly, as if savoring the moment. Her delicate fingers glide gently over my skin, tracing the contours of my chest and leaving a trail of tingling sensations in their wake. With every stroke, I feel her warmth seeping into me, igniting a fire within. Her touch is soothing and electrifying at the same time, sending shivers down my spine and making every hair on my body stand on end. I close my eyes and let out a content sigh, savoring the sensation of her hands roaming over me. Her hand slides lower toward the waistband of my pants and I catch her wrist gently, my heart pounding in a sweet rhythm. She looks up, eyes dark and searching, uncertainty flickering beneath undeniable need.
“Santo,” she whispers, her voice a breath of want against my skin. “I need you.”
My heart races at her words, and my grip tightens slightly on her wrist. She swallows visibly, her gaze searching my face for any signs of rejection. But I couldn’t possibly say no to her. To Vasilisa.MiaDea. My Goddess.
I’ve wanted this, craved this from the second our eyes met.
“Are you sure?” I ask with a ragged breath, needing to make certain she’s aware of what she’s asking for. That the moment she’s completely mine, there will be no turning back. Her eyes darken, and she nods, a small smile gracing her lips.
“Yes,” she whispers, reaching up with her free hand to stroke my jawline gently. “Ineedyou.”
Those words are enough to push me past any lingering reservations. I shift flipping her beneath me, my lips crash down on hers with an overwhelming intensity. She responds instantly, her thighs parting in silent invitation as my hand trails up the silken skin of her leg, pushing her dress higher with agonizing patience. I know she’s wet for me; I can feel the heat radiating from her. My tongue plunges into her mouth, claiming, devouring, as my fingers slip between her legs, pressing against the damp lace covering her perfect, soaked pussy.
