Page 169 of The Grand Ruin: Lance & Scarlet-Part One

I don’t drop his stare, holding it. I sent the motherfucker flowers; he can make the first move.

I didn’t plan on drinking much tonight, but when we arrived and I saw Lance, felt the bitterness growing in my gut, I decided letting loose was exactly what I needed.

“You’re mad at me.”

I’m mad at both of us.“No… I’m disappointed.”

He lifts a hand to his chest as if I’ve shot him. And the bastard smiles. “Scar—”

“You think it’s funny?” I accuse, but I crave it. That old easiness between us that he promises with a curl of his lip. “It’s not.”

“I know it’s not.” He looks down at me, getting serious despite the spark in his eyes. “But I can’t go back and change the asshole things I do. Can I?”

My eyes narrow on him. “You’re in a mood.”

“It’s not a bad one,” he defends.

“I know…” Shit. “I like it.” It reminds me of the Lance I had last summer. The one I… “Are you drunk?”

He smiles, stepping closer as someone passes my back. He crowds me, placing a hand on my waist. Everything shifts. Just like that. “Maybe a little.”

I’d give anything to know what he’s thinking.

“Not enough to make bad decisions,” he adds.

“What kind of bad decisions?”

He looks down his nose at me, wetting his bottom lip after a beat and making me think he won’t answer. “Not kissing you.”

I huff out a nervous laugh and step out of his reach. “You think I’d let you kiss me?”

“Scarlet.”

“Don’t do that,” I warn, but it’s a playful chide.

He holds his hands up, childlike and so unlike Lance. “What?”

God, I’ve missed this man so damn much. “The way you say my name. You know.”

“I didn’t say your name like anything.”

“Narcissist,” I accuse, finally letting out a laugh. “I’m adding it to the list.”

He grins, taking a step into me again. Doesn’t even look around us as he lifts his hand and fingers a loose strand of my hair. “Mine.” The word echoes back and forth between our pounding chests. “Aren’t you, Scarlet?” His head dips and my skin ignites as his breath tickles the shell of my ear, lips a gentle caress. “Every time I look at you, I feel it. That primal need to claim you. To say what we both already know. It’s fucking killing me. And, sunshine, I am sorry. For disappointing you.” He eases back, and I swallow thickly.Mine. “I’ll add it to the list.”

I stand in shock as he steps away, walking backward into the crowd of people.

What the actual fuck just happened?

What happened to me being in control?

To being mad?

I lost it within a second.

One touch.

“Mine.”

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