Page 38 of Ruin

“I do have a shirt for you to sleep in, if you’d like one,” I said, pulling her back to the present. Her attention snapped to me, and I could see the flicker of surprise in her eyes.

“Wait. What time is it? I’m sleeping here?” Her anxiety was evident as she scanned the room for a clock.

“It’s after midnight, and yes,” I replied with a reassuring smile. The fact that she was unsettled by this did not escape me; it was a part of the game.

“But I have a big, beautiful suite with my name on it,” she said, a hint of disbelief in her voice.

“And now you have an Italian villa with your name on it,” I countered smoothly.

I could see the blush creeping across her cheeks as she reached for the oversized white cotton shirt I offered. I watched her carefully as she took off her robe, making no attempt to cover her bare body. She slipped into the shirt, her hard nipples peaking beneath the fabric as the rest of it fell to the middle of her thighs.

I held her robe in front of her. “Now…would you like me to embroider something on this one, so you know it’s yours?” I asked, my tone serious despite the lightness of the question.

“I get it, I get it. You don’t have women over. It’s been received,” Claire said, rolling her eyes as she plugged her iPhone into the charging station at the bedside table. The screen lit up, showing 1:12 a.m., with no new messages or notifications.

“Finally!” I exclaimed, settling into the bed as the firelight painted my skin in an orange glow. I grabbed the remote control from the bedside table and aimed it at the doors leading to the terrace. With a few quick presses, the glass panels slid shut—the echo of the locking mechanism resonated through the room. Moments later, black metal panels cascaded over the glass, blocking out the moonlight and the sounds of the sea.

“Was that to keep people out or keep me in?” Claire asked, her eyes wide as she slid into bed.

“A little bit of both. But mostly for storms…we are on a beach, after all,” I said with a nonchalant shrug, pulling the red velvet blanket over the white down comforter. I felt her body heat as she nestled into the bed next to me, the plush bedding enveloping us in a luxurious cocoon.

As Claire settled in against my chest, she asked, “So those men…your security. If they hear you trying to murder me, will they come to help me?” Her chuckle was soft, but I could see the genuine concern in her eyes as she hooked her thigh across my knees.

I sighed deeply. “Probably not.” I pulled her thigh closer, my grip firm but gentle as my hand searched upward.

Her eyes widened with a mix of fear and disbelief. The truth of my words hit her, and for a moment, the playful atmosphere of our conversation shifted into something more intense. I leaned back against the plush bedding, letting a genuine laugh escape my lips as I tried to lighten the mood.

“I’m kidding,” I said, my other hand gently rubbing Claire’s back in a soothing, circular motion. I saw the moment her eyes widened in shock, a reaction that only made me smile more.

“I mean, eh, probably not. But, for one, I do not want to kill you. And for two, I cannot fuck you if you are dead. That is not my thing,” I added, my tone playful but tinged with a hint of seriousness.

Claire’s expression shifted, a mix of surprise and disbelief painting her features as her body stiffened under my touch. I let my arm slide lower, my hand finding her bare backside and giving it a gentle squeeze as I struggled to not wander too much lower. I could sense her tension, and I wanted to reassure her, let her know that despite the dark humor, my intentions were far from harmful.

I closed my eyes, savoring the warmth of her against me. “I am kidding,” I said again, my voice softer this time, more sincere. I wanted her to feel safe, to understand that beneath my joking exterior was genuine care.

As Claire gently rested her head on my chest, I could feel the rise and fall of her breath, the rhythmic pattern soothing both her and me. The dark surroundings of the room seemed to wrap around us, creating a cocoon of tranquility. She sunk into a peaceful slumber, her body relaxing as the tension of the day faded away.

I took a moment to enjoy the serenity of the scene before me. The firelight flickered softly, casting gentle shadows that danced across the room. I let my hand linger on her back, feeling the warmth of her skin and the steady beat of her heart.

In the quiet of the room, I kissed the top of her head and whispered softly into the darkness, “Sogni d’oro.”

Chapter Thirteen

Arik

The feeling of Claire awakening tickled at my senses. Even being in the kitchen, the sound of her mind powering through the fog of sleep and the toss of her legs under the sheets shot through my senses with such clarity. I felt her as I flipped the bacon on the hot stainless-steel pan. She was blissful and content. Perfection. I could not ask for more. Today…today was my day to show her my life, and what our life could be like.

The soft patter of her toes on the stone floor echoed into my eardrums as I heard the click of the chamber open. I tried, with quite a struggle, to focus on cooking. It had been ages since I cooked, given all the staff that scurried through the villa daily. But I wanted to cook for her. I wanted to give her something I made. I wanted to blanket her in devotion.

“Good morning, beautiful,” I stated as I heard the kitchen door swing open, turning to look at her in the beauty of morning sunlight.

“You’re cooking?” she asked, her face puzzled as I stared at her disheveled hair until a chuckle fell from my lips.

Claire quickly brushed her hands through her hair with a huff. “I am a girl. We need things in the morning to make us pretty, you know.”

“You are a woman…and you are beautiful—with or without your things,” I said with a smirk as I flipped the bacon in the pan once more. “How did you sleep?” I asked as she pulled out a bar stool from under the kitchen island.

“Surprisingly…amazing. I love your bed. It is my new favorite place,” she cooed softly.