All Chapters of His Ruin, Hers To Steal: Chapter 11 - Chapter 20

Morgan's POVI'd left the twins with a last-minute nanny before heading to the meeting this morning. Some sweet college student Jennifer had arranged through the building's service. Before walking out the door, I'd made a bunch of promises of taking them to Central Park. About getting ice creams and having fun. Normal mom things.Things I couldn't do now.Because I'd spent the entire afternoon locked in my bedroom. Staring at the ceiling, trying to process the fact that Damien was going to be my boss for the next year. Kathy had knocked, and asked what was going on, If I was okay multiple times.I couldn't answer. The words always stuck in my throat. Besides what was I supposed to say? That the father of my children didn't recognize me? That touching his hand had felt like being electrocuted? That I wanted to scream and cry and set the whole world on fire?So I'd stayed silent and hid, trying to process my life…until my stomach started growling and guilt started eating at me worse t

Morgan POVSilence filled the car.Marcus drove with one hand on the wheel, the other resting casually on the center console. He looked completely at ease. Like driving random women home was something he did every Tuesday.I stared out the window. Watched the beach disappear behind us as we merged onto the highway.This was fine. This was just a ride. Twenty minutes and I'd be home with my boys and I'd never have to see Marcus Cross again."So." His voice broke the silence. "What's your deal?"I turned to look at him. "Excuse me?""Your deal." He glanced over at me, that easy smile still on his face. "I don't do well with silence. So how about a little introduction? We get to know each other?""We've met before," I said flatly. "At your brother's office. Otherwise we wouldn't be having this conversation."He chuckled. The sound was warm. Genuine. Nothing like Damien's controlled, calculated laugh."I mean really get to know you," he said. "More than just 'hi, I'm Marcus, sorry my brot

Morgan POVThe studio was freezing.Not actually freezing. But cold enough that goosebumps raised on my bare arms as I stood under the bright lights.I was wearing a white silk robe. Thin. Barely there. The kind of thing that was meant to look elegant and sensual on camera but felt ridiculous in real life.Simon stood across from me. The male model they'd paired me with for today's shoot. He was tall. Handsome in that generic catalog model way. Blonde hair. Blue eyes. Perfect teeth.And completely professional.We'd practiced the poses earlier. Worked through the choreography of it. Where his hands would go. How we'd position our bodies. What angles would photograph best.It was all very technical. Very rehearsed.Nothing remotely romantic about it despite what the photos would suggest."Okay, let's try the embrace again," Rebecca called out. She stood behind the photographer, tablet in hand, reviewing each shot as it was taken. "Morgan, tilt your head back slightly. Simon, hand on he

Morgan POVHis fingers brushed my jaw.The world exploded.Not literally. But everything inside me detonated at once. Every nerve. Every cell. Every carefully constructed wall I'd built over the past six years.Gone.Just from one touch.Heat flooded my body. Started where his skin met mine and spread like wildfire. Down my neck. Across my chest. Through my stomach. Lower.Goosebumps erupted along my arms despite the warmth. My skin prickled with electricity. With memory. With recognition.This touch. I knew this touch.His thumb traced my bottom lip. Slow. Deliberate. The same way he'd done it six years ago in that penthouse. Right before everything fell apart.My breath caught in my throat.He was so close. Too close. Close enough that I could see the flecks of darker gray in his eyes. Could count his eyelashes. Could smell that cologne that haunted my dreams."See the difference?" His voice was low. Rough. Meant for the photographer but his eyes never left mine. "This is intention.

Morgan POVIt wasn't Rebecca waiting in the conference room.It was him.Damien stood by the window, hands in his pockets, staring out at the Manhattan skyline like he owned it. Which, knowing him, he probably did own at least part of it.My feet stopped moving. Just stopped. Like my body had independently decided this was a terrible idea and was staging a revolt.Every instinct screamed at me to turn around. Walk out. Get back in that elevator and never come back.But I couldn't.Because walking out meant questions. Meant raising suspicions. Meant potentially losing this contract and destroying Kathy's career in the process.So I stood there. Frozen in the doorway. Heart hammering. Palms sweating.He turned.Those gray eyes locked onto mine.And the air left the room."Ms. Hayes." His voice was professional. Distant. Like he hadn't touched my face two days ago. Like I hadn't run from him like the building was on fire. "Thank you for being punctual."I forced my feet to move. One step