Page 64 of They Are Mine

Instead, he takes a bite, swallows, and shifts gears. “What’d you find out about his girlfriend?”

I smile.

Oh, baby.

“First of all, she’s his ex,” I correct, twirling my fork through my food. “Second, she, Tammy, was never his type. That’s why it didn’t work.” I pop the bite into my mouth, chewing, savoring. “She’s a mouthy bitch,” I add casually. “And she cheated on him. He dumped her.” I shake my head, setting my fork down with a soft clink. “Can you imagine?” I murmur, lifting my gaze to Noah’s. “Cheating on a man like that?”

Noah frowns. He doesn’t like cheaters.

That’s why I would never hurt him. That’s why I tell him everything.

(Almost everything.)

Noah doesn’t know I stole her phone.

Or that I used it to text Orion, just to collect data.

Does she miss him? She messaged a friend, saying,Fuck, yes. He fucks like a beast. I think about him every damn night.

I bet she does.

But that doesn’t matter.

Because she cheated on him. And now? He’s mine.

I adore every little thing about Orion. It’s not just his body, which is perfect.

He’s never late to work. Never misses a day at the gym. Keeps his house tidy. Doesn’t snore.

He’s too sweet to tell his ex to fuck off, but he says it in subtle ways.

I sip my drink, watching Noah over the rim of my glass.

He clears his throat. “Did you get your class schedule?”

“Yep,” I perk up. “I start next week.”

He smiles, but I don’t think he realizes how much I love him for that.

For not pushing.

For not questioning.

For trusting me completely.

I reach across the table, brushing my fingers over his wrist.

“I can’t wait until we’re painting together,” I say, voice soft, full of real excitement. “I’ll teach you everything I learn.”

Noah’s smile melts my damn heart.

God, I love him.

I already turned one of the spare rooms into an art space.

Light streaming through the windows. Supplies stacked neatly on the shelves. Blank canvases, waiting.

We’re going to make something beautiful.

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