Page 213 of Chasing Ruin
I smile faintly. “Okay.”
Behind us, someone turns the music back up. A little louder than before. Like they’re trying to drown out what just happened. And slowly, the room finds its rhythm again.
I’m halfway through a conversation with Steph and Healer when Theo reappears at my side, sliding in close like he belongs there. Which he does. His hand settles at my waist, thumb brushing absent circles into my hip as he leans down, his lips grazing my ear. “Say it again, baby,” he whispers, voice low, almost pleading. “Please?”
I huff out a quiet laugh, tilting my head toward him. “I love you.” Flat and casual. Like I’m telling him the time.
He pulls back just enough to look at me, and that slow, stupidly smitten grin spreads across his face.
“I’ll take that,” he says. “Even with that expression.”
I chuckle as he leans in, pressing a kiss to my temple.
“Oh shit!” I blurt, a little too loudly. “Give me a second.”
Theo frowns immediately as I slip out of his hold. “What—”
I’m already moving, weaving through the room with a grin I can’t quite contain, heading straight for his office. I hear him call my name once, but I ignore it completely.
A few minutes later, I step back out. And the second I do, Theo goes still. His eyes lock on me, something dark and stunned flashing across his face as he takes me in slowly. Thoroughly. Because I’m wearing his cut.
Well—
Acut. A property cut.
It’s the one he’d ordered weeks ago and hidden away like it meant too much to see the light of day. And now, it sits perfectly on my shoulders. Fits like it was always meant to be mine. And across the back, stitched clean and bold—is notProperty of Ruin.
No, it’s something else.
Charlotte, First Lady.
Silence ripples outward.
“Holy shit,” someone breathes.
I don’t look away from him. Not for a second.
Theo steps forward, slow at first. Like he’s not entirely convinced this is real. “Charlotte…” he murmurs, voice rough, almost disbelieving.
I lift a brow, fighting a smile. “What?”
He exhales sharply, dragging a hand down his face before looking at me again—this time as I’ve just undone him all over again. “Come here.”
I don’t argue.
The second I’m close enough, his hands are on me—firm, grounding, pulling me flush against him as his gaze drops to the words on my back, then back up to my face. “Will you say it one more time?” he mutters, but there’s no teasing left now. Just something raw. Certain.
I smile softly this time. “I love you, Theo.”
His grip tightens. “Yeah,” he breathes, leaning down, forehead pressing to mine. “Yeah, you do.”
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Ruin
