Page 74 of Unlocking Ruin

I inhale deeply, hoping to calm my heart—a big mistake. He smells incredible, like he bathed in some secret cologne engineered to make ovaries riot. His hair is finger-combed and perfectly tousled.

He looks at the gift box on the bed, then back at me. “You didn’t like it?”

“Funny.” I playfully roll my eyes.

A blush invades his tanned cheeks.

Playfully, I swat his chest. “Did I make you, the great, mysterious and dangerous Steffen, blush?”

“I only drop my mask for you, Rylan,” he replies without pausing.

My mouth goes dry. Why does his vulnerability feel like a luxury I can’t afford? Suddenly, I’m responsible for more than just myself.

“What are you wearing?” he questions, his voice dropping to a husky tone.

I narrow my eyes, but seeing that blush gives me confidence. “Lace panties.”

He blinks, surprised that I took the bait. “Remember I have claws,” I remind him as I push my hair back.

“How could I forget?” He extends his hand and gives me the rose. He’s taken the time to remove all the thorns. “A lace bra, too?”

“No bra,” I smirk, inhaling the rose’s sweetness. “Honestly, I hate bras. My little cupcakes can stand tall all by themselves.”

“They certainly do.” He winks. “You’ve changed,” he states, as his eyes darken.

The way his throat rolls as he swallows has me wishing I wore a bra to hide how my nipples harden.

“I told myself I’d get one night’s break,” I whisper into the rose petals. “One night to forget and just try to have fun.”

“It doesn’t have to be just one night, Rylan.”

“One night is what you get, Steffen.” I lower the rose and raise my chin.

“Challenge accepted.” He holds out his hand and waits for me to place mine in it.

“Challenge?” I ask. I drop my hand in his. My belly flutters when he curls his fingers around mine. He guides me out of the room, making sure he walks slowly enough for my ankle.

“Yes,” he smirks proudly. “You’re giving me one night. My challenge is to make you desire more.”

“Did I tell you how odd you are?”

“I like oddities.”

“What billionaire doesn’t?”

“Trillionaire.”

“Gag.” I roll my eyes as we trickle down the glass steps.

“You’re one too, Rylan.”

“Alister is, not me.”

“Your name is on a bank account, and I’ve seen the amount.”

My head spins. “Stop,” I tell him. “This is my escape. No talk about Alister or the future.”

“Deal.” He tucks my arm into his elbow and guides us outside to a deck that overlooks the fjord.