Page 107 of Ruin Me With Lies

He sets the inhaler on the nightstand and sits beside me, taking over the task of massaging my neck.His touch surprisingly gentle.

There’s so much concern etched in the creases between his brows.His frustration with himself is almost palpable.

Why do things have to be so violently erratic between us?Always swinging from chaos to care.

“You’re such a kill tease,” I grumble.“Always threatening me with the allure of death and never following through.”

He responds with a shake of his head, conveying that he thinks I’m loco.

“I’m just saying,” I go on, “it feels like I’m being cheated out of the full ‘Castellos savagery’ experience.”

“Blame yourself,” he says, gentle fingers still massaging my neck.“Killing someone who isn’t afraid to die gives me no thrill.”

“Translation: you can’t kill me because your cock won’t let you.”

“Do I look like the kind of man who thinks with his dick?”

“There’s a first time for everything.”

With an irritated sigh, he yanks out his pocket square and stuffs it into my mouth.“You talk too much.I’ve got a migraine and I need to think.”

I laugh around the mouthful of silk but don’t bother removing it.I give him the silence he clearly needs, letting him work through whatever war is going on inside his head.All the while, his fingers move gently over the very neck he just had wrapped in his hands, where bruises will no doubt bloom by morning.

Tormented dark eyes trace every inch of my face like he’s seeing something for the first time.And a raw, almost pained sigh-groan slips from him, before he murmurs, “How did I not notice?”

“Mhm?”I mumble around the fabric.

“You’re...fucking beautiful.”

Well...this is new.I’ve been told I have “pretty eyes,” “sexy lips,” and “perfect tits” before.But “beautiful?”That one doesn’t get tossed at me.Especially not from someone who looks like he does.

Yeah.He’s definitely messing with me.

I’m under no delusions.I’m aware that, in the looks department, I’m as mid as it gets.If this narcissistic Adonis is throwing the “beautiful” line at me, then he’s working an angle.Is he testing out flattery as a means to some end?Seduction as leverage, maybe?

Whatever his game is here, Ihateit.From anyone else, I’d shrug it off.But from him?It’s dangerous.Because it would be too easy to fall for it.Too easy towantit to be true.I’m too goo-brained when it comes to him.

AndGod…what I’d give to have him see me as beautiful.

A searing sting spreads in my chest and I turn my head, blinking hard at the wall.

But his hand is there a second later, cupping my cheek, warm and sure as it brings me back to face him.“Keep them on me, beautiful.”

You cruel, cruel bastard.

“You asked why I’m here?”His voice is low, rough.“Your eyes.”His thumb sweeps back and forth against my cheek.“I try to sleep, breathe, live, and your fucking eyes are all I see.Like a siren call.So here I am.I can’t stay away.”

Thought you said you were here to kill me, but okay.

I arch a brow, silently asking if I’m allowed to speak now.

“Not yet.”He shakes his head for added emphasis.“Chances are you’ll say something that pisses me off and make me want to kill you again.I prefer you like this.Quiet and obedient.”

I bite back a laugh.So cute, being all torn and conflicted.

He stands, shrugs out of his jacket, and lays it neatly on the other bed.Then snags a pillow and gets in bed beside me, stretching out on his back, long legs cross at the ankles.Arms folded loosely over his chest.“Need to shut my eyes for a bit.”

I blink at him.