Page 52 of Ruined By Blood
A blush blooms across her cheeks, spreading down her neck. She swallows hard, eyes darting to my mouth then away, but she doesn't move from the couch.
"Okay," she whispers.
The single word sends heat coursing through me.
"We don't have to," I offer, one last chance for her to back out.
"I know." Her voice is barely audible, but steady. "I want to."
I rise from the armchair, my movements slow and deliberate, giving her every opportunity to change her mind. Sienna remains frozen on the couch, her hands gripping the edge of the cushion as I approach. When I reach her, Idon't sit, but kneel in front of her instead, bringing our faces level. This way, I'm looking up at her rather than looming over her.
"I won't hurt you," I murmur, reaching up to touch her cheek with just my fingertips. "And we stop whenever you want."
She nods, her breath coming faster now. I cup her face gently, my thumb brushing across her lower lip. Her eyes flutter closed at my touch.
"Breathe, piccola," I whisper before leaning in.
Our lips meet, and fuck—her mouth is softer than I imagined, warm and hesitant against mine. I keep the kiss light, just a gentle pressure, giving her time to adjust to the sensation. Her inexperience is evident in the way she stays completely still, as if afraid to move.
I pull back slightly, our breath mingling in the space between us. "It's okay to kiss me back," I tell her.
When our lips connect again, something shifts. She leans into me, her mouth moving tentatively against mine. The innocent response ignites a hunger to take more, to claim her completely. My hand slides to the back of her neck, fingers threading through her hair as I deepen the kiss, my tongue tracing the seam of her lips.
She gasps, providing the opening I need to taste her properly. I growl softly, something possessive awakening in me.
Mine.
The thought slams into me with unexpected force, and I force myself to pull back before I take this too far. Her eyes remain closed for a moment, lips still parted, cheeks flushed. When she finally looks at me, the vulnerability there stops my breath.
"Was that okay?" she asks, uncertainty clouding her expression.
I rest my forehead against hers, fighting for control. "More than okay, piccola."
She smiles then, a shy curve of her lips that makes my chest tighten.
I move back to my seat, needing distance before I do something we're not ready for. "Your turn," I say, my voice still not quite steady.
"Truth or dare?" she asks, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
"Truth." I want to see what she's curious about, what she needs to know.
Sienna hesitates, her fingers returning to twist in her lap. Then she meets my gaze directly, surprising me with her courage.
"Have you ever hurt any woman in your life?" she asks. "Especially because of what you do?"
The question hits harder than I expected. Not because I don't have an answer, but because I understand why she needs to know.
"No," I say firmly, holding her gaze. "Never. It's against our code."
I lean forward, elbows on my knees. "I've hurt people, Sienna. I'd be lying if I claimed otherwise." I take a breath. "The men I kill are in the same business I am. They know the risks, same as I do."
Her eyes search mine, looking for truth or deception.
"Truth or dare?" I ask, my voice rougher than intended.
She pulls her knees to her chest, making herself smaller. "Truth."
I consider what to ask, wanting to learn more about the woman behind those guarded eyes.
