Page 11 of The Ruin
Luckily, Stefan is too well-trained to press me in public, with all these eyes on us.
Giving Emzee a squeeze, I prepare to make my escape. “I better go catch up to him,” I announce. “See you all soon.” I hope that part isn’t a lie, too.
As I rush to the parking lot, my heart is pounding in my chest. The feel of Luka’s hand in mine did something to me. Broke something inside, shattering the anger I’ve been holding on to. His strong fingers twined themselves in mine for just a fraction of a second, but it was enough to tell me that he needed the physical comfort of my touch more than he would ever admit.
I want to be present for Luka, be the support system he never really had until I came into his life. I’m not the perfect partner, but being there for him is something I know I can do right.
Unfortunately, neither his black Jag nor the silver Porsche convertible are anywhere to be found.
I check the time on my cell. It’s late. I wonder briefly if he’d head to the office or the gym to try to work off some steam, but I doubt it. He probably wants to be alone at home now, spending a few hours just staring out the living room windows that overlook the city. He’s prone to doing that, a mostly untouched tumbler of whiskey in hand, mulling whatever is on his mind.
It only takes me a couple minutes to hail a cab. The driver takes me to the place I’m staying and I have him wait at the curb while I slip into jeans and a comfortable shirt, then collect Mr. Kibbles. I might not be able to cheer Luka up properly, but I have no doubt he’ll be pleased to see the dog.
Back in the cab, I consider texting him to make sure it’s okay to stop by, but I can’t risk having him tell me not to come over. I’m just going to show up. And then…I’ll wing it.
It’s nearly dark by the time we pull up to the luxury apartment building. I let Mr. Kibbles do his business in the designated doggy area out front, then head around the back to the private entrance and take the elevator up. The dog starts to wiggle happily as we go, as if he’s been looking forward to this, too. I don’t feel right using my key and just walking in, so I knock.
There’s no response for a long moment. I’m about to knock again when the door suddenly swings open, and my heart catches in my throat. Luka’s white dress shirt is half unbuttoned, showing off a swatch of golden-tan skin. The sleeves are rolled up over his muscled forearms. His belt is undone and hanging loose. He’s barefoot.
And he’s wearing the most tired, lost expression I’ve ever seen.
My throat gets tight, and the little speech I memorized on the way over flies right out of my mind. We stand there in silence for what feels like forever. The dog starts to pant impatiently and strains at his leash, whining for Luka.
He steps back to let us in. I drop the leash and Mr. Kibbles goes running inside.
The door shuts behind me as I walk into the living room and find the dog turning in circles on his expensive orthopedic dog bed that I’d left behind. I glance behind me and catch my husband’s eyes. He’s watching the dog, too, but without a lick of expression. There’s nothing.
My chest swells and I reach for him. He doesn’t move away as I wrap my hands around his biceps and step into him. His scent wraps around me, both comforting and heady. A needy pulse beats between my legs as I lean my head against his neck, letting his warmth radiate into me. My body takes on a life of its own as I press my chest into his, then move even closer until the length of his torso touches mine. His breathing picks up. The pulse at the base of his neck beats harder, so close to my lips I could easily brush them against his skin without hardly trying.
“Luka,” I breathe. I can feel him sigh, but he says nothing.
Maybe I was wrong. Maybe this isn’t what he wants.
But I know this man. After all we’ve been through together, I know he needs comfort. Physical affection. Release.
“I want to be here for you,” I murmur. A possessive, demanding ache starts inside me.
Leaning back, I take his chin in my hand and tilt his face down toward mine. Instead of allowing the kiss, he turns his head.
“We shouldn’t do this right now.”
“We’ll address our issues later,” I tell him. “For now, I’m yours. Just use me tonight.”
His gaze finally meets mine, and what I see there is a combination of pain and hunger.
I loop a hand around the back of his neck and stand on my tippy-toes to brush my lips along his jaw, first one side, then the other. I don’t take his mouth because I don’t want him to pull away, so I ease into it, kissing him softly, slowly, working up to his ear and taking the tender lobe between my lips. He gasps quietly and I feel the shiver that goes through him. Encouraged, I nibble gently with my teeth.
Suddenly, he cups my face and claims my lips in a kiss that’s crushing, bruising, almost desperate. I love it. He walks me backward until I’m up against the wall and then traps me there with his body. I can feel the spear of his cock digging into my hip. The feel of it flames the wildness inside me and suddenly we’re clawing the clothes off each other. I end up naked first, his hot mouth closing over my nipple as he works my panties down. Panting, I stay still against the wall and watch him step out of his boxer briefs, standing there hard and ready and perfect for me. I long for whatever he’s going to do next. Pounce. Bite. Consume.
Please, yes. I want him to consume me.
My fingers ache to run over the cut lines of his chest and abs, the length of his dick, but I resist. He’s in control now and I don’t want it any other way.
In one swift move, he picks me up in his strong arms, his lips finding mine again as he walks us into the master bedroom. My heart thrums almost painfully in my chest as he lays me out on the giant bed and climbs over me. We become a frenzied tangle of limbs and hands and lips, touching everywhere, kissing and sucking every inch of skin we can reach.
I end up on top of him, my kiss-swollen lips cruising his chest and tracing the outline of his perfect musculature. I work my way down as his hands wind in my hair and trail over the back of my neck. Closing my hand around his stiff cock, I give it a hard squeeze and lick my lips, so thirsty for his taste and the smooth slide of his dick in my mouth.
But I don’t get the chance before he turns me to face the wall, my ass displayed for him.
