Chapter 40
Briar
I drop the grocery bags on the floor, staring at the man in the kitchen like he’s an intruder.
Actually, no.
He is an intruder.
“What the fuck,” I start as Rurik turns around to face me, spatula in his hand. “What the fuck are you doing here, Rurik? And how the hell did you get in?”
I could have sworn I locked the door. I know I did.
He raises an eyebrow as he turns back to the pan to flip what looks like chicken breasts. “What does it look like I’m doing? I’m making my girl dinner. Oh, and your best friend gave me her copy of her brother’s keys.”
I am going to kill my so-called best friend. Then I’ll bring her back to life so I can kiss the living daylights out of her. Then kill her again for not telling me anything.
“Rurik,” I drop my keys on the kitchen table, then place my hand on my hips because I don’t know what else to do with them. “What are you doing here?” I repeat my question.
Rurik turns off the stove and sets the spatula in the sink before removing the apron and turning to stare at me. His face looks calm, collected even, but his eyes give away the rage he’s truly feeling.
“I told you you’re mine,” He says. His voice dripping with warning and controlled anger. “It’s rather fucking rude of you to show up in my life and then leave as if you didn’t cause any damage.”
“Damage?”
“You broke me, Briar.”
Jesus.
I lift my chin and cross my arms, hoping it’ll mask the pain I’m feeling all over again. “Rurik, I told you we’re done.”
“And I told you we’re endless,” Rurik says, his jaw ticking. “I choose you, remember? So no, we’re not done.”
The fucking audacity— I don’t even realize I’m standing so close to him until I’m poking his chest with each word. “You can”t just show up here unannounced and disrupt my life when I”m trying to keep things in order!”
Rurik separates the small space between us as he snarls, “Oh yeah? How does it feel being on the receiving end, huh, Briar? How does it feel to have someone shove themselves into your life without your permission?”
I step away from him with a scoff, “Oh, fuck you.”
He smirks, “Don”t worry, baby. That”s for dessert.”
Before I can slap the smug look off his face, Rurik jumps on me. He wraps a hand on my wrist and tugs me toward him, devouring my mouth with a grunt.
Oh God. The familiar, comforting feel of him breaks down my senses as he presses into me.
I need to stop this now.
I try to push him back. I’m trying. But with each second of our tongues fighting for dominance, his lips bruising mine, and his hands roving all over my body, my fight weakens.
And then I’m kissing him back.
Fuck, I miss him.
“Weak,” Rurik whispers against my lips. “That”s how I feel, Briar. I”m weak without you now. You did this to me. You fucking ruined me.”
I can only say, “I”m sorry,” because I also feel weak. He may not realize it, but I”m not the same person anymore.
I”m weaker, vulnerable, and in love with him.
He nips my bottom lip as his hands wrap around the back of my neck and head. “You promised me you wouldn”t ignore me anymore,” Rurik roughly says. “You promised you wouldn’t let anything stand between us. You PROMISED me.”
Fuck.
“Rurik—”
“You made me addicted to you.” He harshly continues, pulling on my hair to arch my neck. He trails his mouth on my throat, kissing and sucking on my skin, making me groan.
“I—”
Rurik interrupts me, “You pushed and prodded into my life, disrupting everything I’ve worked for to perfect how I wanted the world to see me. And then you dare to leave after destroying me and making me fall in love with you?”
I freeze.
What the…
Rurik’s eyes are wide and bright as he says, “I fucking love you, Briar. Why the hell can’t you see that? I thought I could show you just by my actions alone. Have I been doing a horrible job this whole time? Do you need to hear me say those goddamn words instead? I love you. I love you. I love you. I. Love. You. I love you, Briar.”
Oh my God.
I can’t see him because my vision fills with tears, and no matter how much I’m wiping them away, they keep appearing.
Fuck, I’m full-on crying now.
“Baby,” Rurik whispers, kissing me softly as his thumbs wipe the tears for me. “I can’t love you the way you deserve if you won’t let me.”
He pulls me toward him again, his lips spreading all over my face as his hands grip my hips tightly. He nudges my jaw with his nose as his mouth sucks on my pulse before biting. Pleasure, lust, and desire spread through my veins as I held him against me. Kissing, sucking, licking, and biting until I’m nothing but a blubbering mess.
“Ask me if I miss you,” Rurik whispers in my ear, his hands cupping my breasts.
“Rurik…” I shake my head. I can’t think right now. My head is a mess.
He growls, “Ask me if I miss you, Briar!”
I sob as he pushes me against the wall. I lift a leg and wrap it around his waist. He groans, thrusting against me with his erection while he continues to assault me with his intoxicating lips.
“Ask me.” He whispers.
“Did you miss me, Rurik?”
“Yes,” Rurik groans, lifting my other leg until both legs are wrapped around him. He presses his body against mine to keep me in place as his lips trail to my chest. “I fucking miss you, Briar. I miss how you feel. I miss how you taste. I miss your company, I miss your laughter, I miss your baking. I miss your shameless flirting, your need to spam text me, and your nagging. I miss everything about you. I miss you so much, Briar. You have no idea.”
Oh, fuck me.
There goes my plan to run away again.
“I hated that they came after you,” I whimper as he rolls his hips against mine.
“I hate that you think I can’t take care of myself,” Rurik says, licking my lips before biting them again.
“Your heart?” I ask, pulling away slightly and placing a hand over his chest. “How is it?”
Rurik smiles at me, “It”s your heart, Briar. It only beats for you now. Since you”re alive, I am, too.”
I grin when he kisses me again. “You’re so romantic.” I tease him.
“I love you, Briar.”
God, I never thought I would hear him say that.
“I love you, Rurik.”
His face lights up, and I want to capture it in a picture to frame it and stare at it all day. He kisses me again before pulling us away from the wall and hurrying to the bedroom, our waves of laughter echoing through the apartment.
He finds the bedroom and throws me down on top of the bed, and I bounce like a rag doll.
“Hey!” I laugh as I lean up against my elbows.
I bite my lip to prevent myself from grinning like an idiot as I watch him strip before me. Oh fuck, I miss him so much. He’s so beautiful, and he’s all mine.
I sit up to remove my clothes but stop when Rurik makes a disapproving noise.
“I want to do it,” He says, climbing on the bed and crawling on it. “You’ve no idea how many times I’ve dreamed of unwrapping you like my little gift.”
“Oh,” I breathlessly say as his fingers slowly trace the fabric of my shirt. I look down in time to see him undo one of my buttons.
“Did you miss me, Briar?”
Another button undone.
“Of course I do.”
Another button undone.
“Yeah?” He asks huskily as he spreads my shirt open. His eyes darken when he sees my purple-laced bra.
He plays with the straps, watching as he slides them over my shoulders until they hang on the sides. He leans forward, licking my chest. He tugs my bra lower, letting my breasts go free. Immediately, his mouth captures my nipples, and I can’t stop the groan from escaping me as his tongue traces my hardened nipples and swirls in circles.
“You’re so fucking beautiful, Briar,” Rurik whispers against my skin. “And you’re all mine. Fucking mine.”
“Yours,” I agree as I reach for him. My hands trace his biceps” firm muscles and revel in how they feel against my fingers. I place a palm between us and feel the bulge that’s hidden inside his boxers. “Did I ever tell you how big you are?”
Rurik just responds with a groan as I put my hand inside his boxers and wrap my fingers around his length. I stroke him up and down, using his precum as lube as I go.
“Fuck,” He mutters, his hips thrusting in rhythm with my hand.
Suddenly, my patience is waning and I can’t handle any more of this exploring foreplay. I place both hands on his chest and push him down, catching him off guard. Grinning, I climb on top of him and could feel his dick growing harder as he looks up at me with a hazy look.
“Briar,” Rurik groans as I dry hump him. “Fuck.”
“Lift your hips, angel,” I say to him.
He obeys, and I slide his boxers down. Saliva fills my mouth as his cock springs free from its confinement. He groans impatiently, sitting up to help me remove my panties before lying back down and pulling me on top of him.
“I want to see you ride me, Briar.” He says, stroking his dick as I position myself on his tip.
As soon as I lower myself down and take him all in, we both groan in unison.
“I miss you,” He groans, thrusting his hips in time with mine.
I throw my head back as I feel him go all the way inside me. I place my hands on his chest as I move my hips up and down, feeling his length massage me inside.
“I miss you,” I say back, riding him faster.
He sits up and wraps his arms around me to keep me in place while I continue fucking him. He takes one of my breasts in his mouth and groans.
“Baby,” He says after a couple of minutes of us just enjoying the feeling of him being inside me again. “I’m really close. Mmm, fuck… Me… You feel so fucking good.”
“Yeah?” I whisper against his ear. “You like the feeling of my tight pussy squeezing your cock?”
“Fuck—”
“I miss the way your cock thickens inside me when you’re about to come,” I continue, riding him faster. “I miss feeling your warmth come shooting inside me and watching it drip down my thighs.”
“Oh, fuck. You need to stop talking like that,” Rurik warns before throwing his head back with a low groan. “Oh fuck, you’re so tight.” He pulls my face to his and kisses me roughly. “I’m going to come.”
“Fill me up, angel,” I whisper as I nibble his ears.
After a few more strokes, I feel his dick thickening inside me, and his arms tighten around my waist as he lets out a deep guttural groan. Seconds later, I follow his release with my own, latching our lips together as we both feel complete once again.
“I love you, baby,” Rurik whispers against my lips as he lays back down on his back.
“I love you too, angel,” I whisper back, my hips slowing down to prolong the pleasure.
“Never leave me again.” He says. “Stay with me.”
This time, I mean it when I say, “I’ll stay with you.”