Page 98 of Ruined

“Why? Seems like you like it.”

I wanted to argue, but I couldn’t. I liked obsessed, over-the-top jealous Luca. His grip on my hips tightened in a way that felt dangerous, and my heart pounded.

“You need to trust me.”

His jaw clenched. “No one else touches you. We’re exclusive.”

I bushed my lips against his. “Deal.”

He kissed me back roughly, but I couldn’t shake the hollowness that crept into my chest. He held me like he was terrified I’d slip through his fingers. I was scared, too. Scared thatthiswas all we’d ever be. I swore I’d never be in a relationship like that again. No matter what promises we made, we were still a secret.

I couldn’t pretend that was enough.

TWENTY-THREE

LUCA

I went home with Dominic and crashed hard.

I still managed to wake up before him. I’d almost stayed in bed, but I couldn’t stop tossing, so I went to the couch, where I slept for another hour or so.

When I woke up, my side throbbed where the knife wound was almost healed. It still twinged every time I moved too fast. I’d been careful not to let Dominic see how much it still hurt. The last thing I needed was him fussing over me.

I glanced around in the morning light. My place didn’t look like a disaster anymore. The stack of old takeout menus that cluttered the counter? Gone. The pile of shoes by the door? Lined up neat as a soldier’s locker. Even the bookshelf—when had that gotten organized? He’d cleaned the coffee table. My gym bag now hung neatly by the door. The place looked…good. Like someone who cared about this space lived here. Not like me, who barely survived in it.

The smell of bacon wafted toward me.

I wandered into the kitchen. Dominic stood at the stove. My sweatpants clung to his hips. The waistband dipped just enough to tease, showing off the sharp cut of his v-line. The fluttering in my stomach twisted into something heavier. The same guy who bossed me around played house in my kitchen like a domestic dream, wearingmyclothes.

A warm glow flowed through me.

Dominic glanced over his shoulder. “Hey, Sleeping Beauty.”

“You’re wearing my sweatpants.”

He turned back to the stove. “They’re comfy.”

“They’re mine.”

“And I wear them better.” He flipped a strip of bacon. “Would you rather I cooked naked?”

The way the fabric hung on his hips killed me. It hugged the curve of his ass. It was cruel. My bare feet didn’t make a sound as I stopped behind him. My hand twitched, itching to touch him, but I didn’t.

Why did he make me feel like this?

He glanced at me. “Keep hovering like that, and I’ll think you enjoy having me around.”

“I do like seeing my boss slave away in the kitchen.”

“I’m not sure flipping bacon counts.”

I shrugged. “You’re doing all the work while I stand here.”

“You’re right,” he said, his voice dropping. “Maybe it’s time you pulled your weight.”

“How’s that?”

Dominic turned around and kissed me. Hard. His hand slid up to grip the back of my neck, crushing his mouth against mine.