Page 85 of Ruins
I want to speak, to say something, anything, but the words never come.
Because his gaze clashes with mine.
There’s something unspoken there. Something heavy.
“Shall we go?”
His voice pulls me from my thoughts, smooth and unaffected as if he hasn’t just unraveled me without trying.
He releases my foot and rises back to his full height, offering his hand. A gentlemanly gesture.Simple.
Yet somehow, my heart flutters wildly against my ribs.
“Sure,” I breathe out, slipping my hand into his.
The moment our fingers intertwine, his grip tightens—just for a second, just enough for me to feel it.
He helps me down from the bed and leads me toward the door.
“You should eat something before we start our day.”
I nod, but I barely register the words.
Because my mind is still tangled in the moment he touched me.
I follow as he leads me down the grand staircase, but I’m barely listening.
He’s talking—about the architecture, the security, the household staff, someone named Mrs. Keen— but I hear none of it.
I hear only the sound of my own pulse.
Because my focus is locked on him.
On the way his fingers remain intertwined with mine. The way his jaw flexes as he speaks, tightening and relaxing like he’s holding something back.
An image flashes through my mind without warning. My fingers threading through his hair. The way it felt beneath my touch when he devoured my mouth, when my legs wrapped recklessly around him on the dresser.
Heat floods through me.
I barely catch myself before I stumble.
“This is Julian.” Santo’s voice snaps me out of it, grounding me.
I blink, realizing we’re standing in the kitchen.
It’s large and bright—white marble, gleaming steel, expansive windows.
Behind the island stands Julian.
Tall and lean, with chestnut hair that falls carelessly onto his forehead. He looks closer to Santo’s age, his warm smile instantly welcoming.
He bows slightly in greeting, a playful glint in his eyes.
“A pleasure to meet you, Mrs. Amato,” he says, his voice rich and smooth.
Before I can respond, I feel it.
The slightest shift in Santo.
