Page 83 of Ruin

My dad is still fucking talking, and I cut him off. “I said Tommy would be there; he’ll be there, okay? What is your problem?”

“Giovanna, don’t take that tone with me. He hasn’t been around you much lately, so I just want to know what to expect.”

My grip on the phone tightens. “How would you know when he’s around me? Are you keeping tabs on him?”

“Always.” His answer is so blunt it makes my stomach turn.

I clench my teeth. “Are you planning to do something to him? What changes other than the seating arrangement if he’s there or not?”

“In the event that he wants to talk to me about anything, I need to steel my nerves. Your mother insists I play nice. That doesn’t come easy when I’m dealing with a thug.”

“It’s never come easy for you in any situation,” I snap, pacing. “We’ll be there.” I hang up before he can say anything else.

When I storm into our bedroom, Tommy’s at the mirror, towel slung low on his hips, water dripping down his chest. Fucking panty-melting. His body is so expertly chiseled, and when he catches my reflection in the glass and gives me that smile, I want to throw him back in bed and cancel all our plans.

I slide my arms around his waist from behind, kissing his damp skin and tugging at his towel. “Can I get my firstbirthday present, please?”

He chuckles, turning in my arms, all warm velvety skin over hard muscle. “You didn’t like how I woke you up this morning?”

I purr, thinking about him pushing inside me from behind while I was sleeping, fucking me until he came inside me. “Loved it. But technically I didn’t turn 21 until 2 pm, so…”

My kisses trail lower, my nails digging into his sides like he likes, but before I can sink to my knees, his hands clamp around my arms and lift me back up.

“Mmm, tempting,” he murmurs, dropping a kiss to my temple, “but I have to go. I’ve got a meeting in 30 minutes.”

His words hit like ice water. “A meeting? Now? Tommy, we’re supposed to be at my parents’ house in an hour.”

He doesn’t look at me. He’s already moving, pulling on slacks in the walk-in closet, scrolling through his phone with a scowl.

“Tommy, I swear to fucking God if you are not at my parents’ house for dinner, I’m going to lose my shit.”

“I’ll be there,” he mutters, eyes still glued to his screen.

I cover his phone with my hand until he’s forced to look at me. “This isn’t optional. It’s my 21st birthday. The first time my parents have asked us over since we got together.” My chest rises, hopeful. “Are you going to talk to my dad tonight?”

I give him a meaningful look, but he just stares back at me, not getting it.

“If I have to,” he says finally, voice flat.

“Tommy…” I search his eyes, desperate for any sign of recognition. “Don’t you have something…specific you want to ask him?”

Silence. His phone buzzes again, and he breaks our stare to answer it.

My heart drops. He doesn’t get it. Or worse, he doesn’t care.

I huff out a sigh and switch tracks. “Tommy, I’m graduating next year. You’ve got the job you want. This is a time when—Tommy, are you listening?”

He half glances up from his phone. “What? Gi, I said I’d be there.”

Really trying not to panic here. “Tommy, listen to me. Please.” He looks at me finally. “I know you’re not much for social graces, but it’s customary to ask for permission to propose to a man’s daughter.”

“Okay? Gi, what are we talking about right now?”

I force the words out, my throat tight. “Don’t you want to marry me?”

His head jerks up, anger flashing in his eyes. “Jesus, Giovanna. You know I’m going to marry you. But there’s no fucking way I’m asking that man for anything.”

What the fuck! I yank the ring on a chain from around my neck and toss it at him. “I don’t want to wear your ring like this anymore, Tommy. It feels like a promise of something that is never going to happen.”