Page 59 of Ruined
Dominic stalked to my side, yanking the book from my elbow. I tried to grab it from him, but he twisted out of reach. He flipped through the pages.
“What’s this?” he said, smirking. “You’re studying for your GED?”
Here we fucking go.“I am. Got a problem with that?”
Dominic put the book down and turned toward the kitchen counter. He pulled out a mug and filled the electric kettle. “I’m not going to mock you for trying to educate yourself. If that’s why you’re pouting.”
I frowned. “I don’t pout.”
“You’re the queen of pouting.”
I crossed my arms.
Dominic’s smile widened, and I fantasized about throwing him to the ground but that’d only prove the asshole right. He chuckled, stepping forward, and took my shoulders. His thumbs rubbed small circles through my shirt, and I hated how good it felt.
“You don’t have to hide from me, Luca.”
The warmth in his gravelly voice slipped down my throat.
I shrugged. “It’s just a stupid test.”
“It’s not stupid.”
His voice was too warm.
I stiffened. “I didn’t want anyone to make a thing out of it.”
“You’ve got nothing to prove to me or anyone else.”
My stomach tightened. “Since when did you become my motivational speaker?”
“Since you decided to be shy about homework,” he teased, tilting his head. “You could’ve asked me for help.”
“When’s the last time you read anything that wasn’t the casino’s profit margins?”
“Fair point. But math’s still math.”
“You really want to help?”
“I’d be more than happy to tutor you.”
My gaze narrowed. “I’m serious.”
“So am I. We could make it a whole thing—late-night study sessions, flashcards, maybe even a little incentive system. Every time you get a question right, I’ll…rewardyou.”
“What kind of reward?”
“Something small to keep you motivated.”
His gaze flicked to my lips, and my face heated. A kiss? Maria had made me the same offer, but I’d never taken her up on it. How far could I take this? Would he blow me if I got the right answer?
My stomach tightened. Stuffing my cock down my boss’s throat appealed to me. Being able to wipe the smirk off his face would make my fucking year. Imagining him bent over my lap, my fist in his hair, as I forced him to swallow, sent a lightning bolt of desire through me. My cock thickened.
The electric kettle beeped. Dominic turned to the stove. My gaze landed on the battered textbook. Worn pages, dog-eared from hours of grinding through problems. I’d been at it late last night after Dominic finally hit the sack. Felt ridiculous to fit algebra in between working for Dominic, but it mattered to me.
Studying was the one way out. I’d promised myself I’d pass the GED, no matter what. Even if the rest of my life was a mess, I neededonepart that was mine.
Dominic poured water into his cup. “Those Bratva pricks, did they let you go to school?”