Page 54 of Ruin

Blood spread across the water like ink as I rinsed her hairline, trying my best to shield her stitches with my available hand. I took my time working in shampoo, massaging her scalp in slow circles before moving my thumbs to long pulling strokes at the nape of her neck.

Claire moaned, her back straightening as she abruptly stopped herself.

I chuckled. “It is okay if you enjoy that. It just means I am doing a good job, and I am not opposed to a little praise right now.”

Claire’s voice came out low. “You don’t deserve any praise right now.” She paused. “But you are doing a good job.” A stretch of silence followed before she whispered, “Thank you.”

Warmth filled my chest as I looked to the ceiling, smiling to the heavens as if I was thanking God.

I methodically rinsed her hair and worked in the conditioner, massaging her again. This time, my hands wandered to her shoulders until she let out a gasp. Her once-relaxed body was now tense as I moved the hair that covered her back, revealing purple and blue streaks the stone steps of the stairs had left across her pale skin.

I breathed out, “Fuck.”

Claire tensed as she spoke. “Is it that bad?”

I paused, moving her hair back, unable to stomach the sight. I returned my fingers to her scalp, moving in slow circles again as I attempted to calm her. “I am so sorry, Claire.”

She moved her hand to my calf as she rested her cheek against her knee, her tears coming once more.

I could not stop myself as I slid my body into the tub behind her. Water sloshed over the edges and onto the cold floor below as the water drenched my clothing. I wrapped my arms around Claire, pulling her into my torso. Just as I was expecting her body to stiffen and fight me, she relaxed against my chest, the back of her head resting against my collarbone as her forehead pressed against my jaw.

Her arms wrapped around mine as I pressed a soft kiss against her head and whispered, “I love you, Claire.”

Claire nodded and let out an exhale, closing her eyes. And then she fell asleep, there in my arms, in the bath.

Mine.

Chapter Nineteen

Claire

My legs tangled in the sheets, gently brushing up against Arik’s as he held me in the stillness. I tried my best to keep my thoughts steady, reminding myself of the resolution I had come to in the bath.

Act like you love him. Act as if you forgive him. Bury everything.

His body pressed into my back as his arms tightened around my waist. My body trembled as I focused on the feeling of his breath against my neck—letting the fear be smoked out by the sensation of his lips pressing against my neck.

Act, Claire. Forget everything else.

I let out a breathy moan as he caressed my neck with his lips, working his way to my shoulder, and biting me gently as his fingers dug into my waist. His hand moved down to my hip as he swiftly pulled me against him.

He whispered against the shell of my ear, “There you are.”

Warmth spread across my face as I pressed my teeth into my bottom lip. My voice came in low, laced with the hoarseness of sleep. “Good morning, Arik.”

“Did you sleep well, love?” he whispered gently into my neck as he began to kiss and bite again, his hips rolling toward my backside with hunger.

“Mm, so well.” I paused, chuckling as I continued, “But I desperately need to brush my teeth.”

Arik laughed. “Ah, yes. We cannot start our day without fresh breath.”

Get me out of this room.

STOP.

Fuck—put your arms around me again.

I wasn’t sure how his sense of my emotions worked, but I hoped I could compartmentalize so that only the ones I wanted him to feel would surface. I pulled myself from him and crawled out of the bed, his hand grazing my thigh as the separation grew between us.