Page 27 of Claimed By Ruin

I crossed the room in two long strides, grabbed her out of the chair, and pulled her into my lap as I sat down.

She was still stiff, but she didn’t fight to get away. I stared up at her profile. Her jaw was tense and rigid. “We’ll figure it out.”

She still didn’t look at me. “I always do.”

I flinched, but then reached up, stroking her cheek. Her shoulders were still rigid, but her jaw softened ever so slightly. Not enough, but enough for now.

I shifted her in my lap and settled her over my bulge, which grew with every passing second.

She was wearing those sexy little shorts that always drove me wild, and tonight was no different.

She rocked her hips involuntarily, and her lips dropped open, releasing a soft sigh.

She stared for a second, then looked away, but she kept moving, squirming in my lap, her soft, warm hands curled against my bare chest, not holding me, but not pushing me away.

Her pussy was so wet, I felt it through her shorts and my underwear. I rocked my own hips, but then fought to stay still.

Let her squirm and writhe on my lap until we were both panting, breathless. She leaned forward slowly, and now her weight fully rested on my chest, her face pressed against mine, our shoulders touching.

She rocked on top of me, then pressed her cheek against mine, for a moment soft, still, at peace.

She seemed to catch herself and then rocked frantically, rubbing herself against me until she stiffened and came on a silent cry.

I stayed still, one hand on her hip, forcing her to look at me. “We’ll figure it out.”

She held my gaze for a moment, then she slid off my lap and left.

EIGHT

Jack

“Hold it steady and then drive it down,” I said.

Miles nodded, his lip between his teeth as he pushed down on the post digger. “This is hard!” he said.

I nodded. “Nah. You’re just scrawny.”

He chuckled. “I’m not.” He didn’t sound convinced, but the next time he tried, the dirt gave way, and he smiled down at the almost perfect hole.

“Not bad, kid. Not bad.”

“If you say so. I’m gonna have to do a lot better than not bad.”

“Don’t be so hard on yourself.” I slapped him on the shoulder. “What is it?” I asked.

He stared at the hole, but there was a cloudiness in his eyes. I probably should have just let him open up, but Evan always said I didn’t know when to let things lie.

“I’m cool,” he said, though he wouldn’t meet my eye.

I scoffed. “Yeah. Next time, pull the other one.”

The kid let out a breath, his thin shoulders seeming to collapse in on themselves. Then he looked up at me. “Where’d you go to college, Jack?”

“Nowhere.”

He widened his eyes. “But you’re so smart.”

I nodded. “Maybe.”