Page 100 of Ruined

I rolled my eyes, but my chest felt tight.

“I’m serious. Make them for me.”

“You don’t just whip up pelmeni out of nowhere. It takes time. Effort.”

“And you’re saying I’m not worth the effort?” he asked.

His clipped tone caught me off guard.

Hell no.

That’s what I should’ve said, but my throat closed up. Dominic wasn’t teasing anymore. He wouldn’t take it well if I brushedhim off. He’d probably walk out the front door and never come back. I didn’t want that.

With him around, I didn’t feel like a sinking ship. His energy pulled me up, even when I didn’t want it. His calm voice cut through the noise in my head. He didn’t crowd me unless I needed it, but he was alwaysthere. Like an anchor.

He’d made himself a part of my life without asking, like he’d known I wouldn’t have let him in otherwise. And now the place was cleaner, brighter, like his presence bled into the walls and made the whole place feel… safe.

But that safety was a lie.

I didn’t deserve him. Not his calm voice, his patience, or the way he kissed me like I was worth being held. This wouldn’t last. Dominic didn’t know the mess he’d walked into.

Dominic’s bare foot tapped mine. “I’m waiting for a response.”

I sighed. “I’ll make them, but only if you shut up about it.”

His grin returned. “Deal.”

“They’re a lot of work. Are yousureyou’ll eat them?”

He rolled his eyes. “Yes, Luca, I’ll eat them.”

“It’s just…you don’t seem like a dumplings kind of guy.”

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You’re too refined.” Heat crept up my neck as Dominic’s face split with a wide grin. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

“Tell me more about how sophisticated I am.”

“I’ve been to your place,” I grunted, grabbing a strip of bacon. “I could tell you were high maintenance as soon as I stepped inside.”

“You saidrefined.”

“One compliment doesn’t mean I’m writing you a glowing review.” I waved a hand toward the stove. “You burned half the bacon.”

“You’re still eating it.”

That smug grin made me want to hurl a plate at him.

“Is that what you tell yourself when you screw up?” I shot back.

“That’s what I tell myself when I’m cooking for someone who’d be happy with canned soup.” He winked at me, brushing past me to load a plate with eggs, bacon, and toast. He handed it to me. “Eat up.”

I took it and sat down at the table, and Dominic joined me.

He dug into his eggs. “Are you planning on spending the night in bed with me? Or are you going to keep sneaking out like I’m a one-night stand?”

My stomach twisted. “I sleep better alone.”