Ruin shows up dressed down from what he wore on our little pizza and ice cream date. Strategically, I had worn something comfortable that night to avoid leading him on in any way. And he was a perfect gentleman that night—and, so far, tonight as well.
“Avalee,” Ruin says, passing me the bowl of popcorn covered in butter and popcorn salt. We are sitting side by side on the couch, flipping through Netflix to find something good to watch.
“Yeah?”
“Did they ever catch the douchebags who hurt you?”
I pause scrolling through the comedy section and blank out. He takes my hand in his warm one and links our fingers together, then he brushes the top of my hand with his thumb, something that is surprisingly very soothing. My nerves ease up, and I relax back against the couch and even rest my head on his shoulder, the full bowl of popcorn forgotten in my free hand.
“Knowing he went to jail is all I need to know. I try not to think about it.”
His grip tightens slightly on mine, but he continues stroking the back of my hand.
“Why?” I ask.
He shrugs, those dark, stormy eyes staring off at the screen. “Just curious. If you ever want to tell me more about it, you know you can, right?” He tilts his head down to me, and the urge to press my lips to his is very tempting.
“I know. And I will tell you all about it when I’m ready. But for now, this is good,” I say, snuggling closer to soak in his warmth.
“I’m not sure what to call us, Avalee. But I would love to do this every day for as long as you will let me,” he whispers.
My heart skips in my chest, a soft flutter like birds taking flight. I envision us wrapped up together on the couch, laughing and sharing how our day went. It looks picture-perfect in my mind, and I can’t imagine any other life. I look around my apartment and imagine his things lying about. A coat on the hook over there, his own love seat or sofa by the couch, maybe some wall hangings? Then again, he may want to live in his own home.Get it together, girl! This is only your second-ish date since you guys were kids, not a marriage proposal!I shake my head and glance down at the swirls of ink on his forearm.
“Now, are you ever going to tell me about your dark and sordid history, mister? Like, when and where you got this awesome ink and what it means?” I ask, winking up at him as I hold out his hand and trace a finger across the lines and symbols.
His shoulders sag, and he leans back. Those stormy eyes darken, and I wish I could take back my question.
“Yeah. I mean, I have to tell you my past one day. Before anyone tells you some warped lie.” The softness has left his voice, and he is reserved again.
Out of nowhere, a series ofbangsecho around my apartment and Ruin leaps off of the couch. He uses one of his broad arms to pin me behind his large body, his chest heaving with the effort it takes to control himself while assessing the situation.
“What the fuck was that?”
“Just the neighbors,” I whisper, my gaze zeroed in on the way his fingers are wrapped around my wrist. He’s like a wild animal protecting what’s his. A shiver of awareness runs through me when I realize I like this extreme alpha side of him. He’s so muchmorein every way.
I suddenly find myself so turned on by the way he’s so willing to throw himself between me and danger.
The series ofbangshappen again, and then the rumble of a loud engine takes off down the street.
“Does that happen every day?” His body relaxes then and he falls back into the deep couch cushions.
I run my palm along his forearm and smile. “If you think that’s bad you should hear the other guy I share a wall with. When he’s not actually getting lucky with his girlfriend, he’s watching people getting lucky on the internet. Like…seven times a day this guy is takin’ care of business. Trust me when I say it’s hard to think straight with a gang of girls moaning formore please, daddyin the next apartment over.”
Ruin’s eyes crinkle with amusement. “Are you fucking kidding me right now?”
“I wish I was. Spend much time here and you’ll see for yourself, orhear, I guess I should say.”
“You’ve been cursed with the world’s noisiest neighbors.”
I shrug. “They’re nice. I’m sure it could be worse.”
And as if on cue, a series of throaty groans bleed through the beige walls.
Bam. Bam. Bam.
“Oh, no.” I moaned.
“Oh no, what?” Ruin breathed.
