In Ruins Read Online Free PDF

was fourteen. I’ve kissed plenty of guys, and most of our friends have done far more than that, so people just assume that I have, too. I don’t have a reputation for being a slut or anything, but no one would guess that kissing is pretty much all I’ve done.
    So Tucker doesn’t know how bold it is for me to slowly let my hand continue down past his waistline, and palm him over his bathing suit.
    My desire for him is so heady it makes the room spin, and I stumble before regaining my footing. I blink up at Tucker, my vision blurred by lust and alcohol, and it takes me a moment to realize he’s looking at me funny. Almost suspiciously.
    “How much have you had to drink?” he asks out of nowhere.
    I shake my head. Because the answer is too much , and Tucker is too good of a guy. If he realizes how drunk I am, I have no doubt he will stop this.
    He takes a step back, pinning my jaw between his fingers and bringing his eyes down to my level. I try to appear focused and in control, but his expression confirms that I’m failing.
    The room tilts suddenly and I grab on to his shoulders to anchor me. But it doesn’t stop me from taking another staggering step, and he catches me around my waist as I fall into him.
    “Fuck,” he mutters to himself. “I knew this was too damn good to be true…Serves me fucking right.”
    “Tuck—”
    “It’s okay, Princess. I’m sorry. I should have realized.” He ignores my shaking head. “Come on, let’s get you some water.” He starts to lead me out of the room, but I dig my bare heels into his plush rug.
    “I don’t want to go.” But my voice comes out strange—a mix of a slur and a breathy plea.
    I start to feel dizzy, and I don’t want to stand anymore. I walk backward and Tucker accommodates me, guiding me toward his queen-sized bed, its size not distracting from the reality that it is, in fact, still a bunk bed. The thought makes me giggle.
    Tucker smiles. “Something funny?”
    “When I said to take me home with you, I wasn’t picturing the kind of sleepover that involves bunk beds.” I laugh louder, and Tucker joins me.
    “Me neither, Princess.” He sighs, and I can’t help but feel like I’ve let him down. Like I’ve let us both down. His next words confirm it. “But we’re not going to have any kind of sleepover. Not if you’re drunk.”
    I shake my head. “I’m fine,” I insist, but we both know it’s a lie.
    Tuck doesn’t bother arguing the point, he just smiles. “I’ll bring you some water.” And he’s gone.
    I lie back on his bed, watching as his ceiling spins like a fan set on low. I never would have drank this much if I knew it would ruin our night. And yet, I wonder if I’d even be here if it didn’t also give me the courage to tell him I wanted to go home with him. Still, I can’t help but feel a little wild thrill that I am here, in Tucker’s bed, even if he won’t do anything about it now. I replay our kisses in my mind, and I flush with renewed desire and a bit of giddiness. Because it’s more than just attraction. I like him. I’ve always liked him.
    “Sit up,” he instructs, his strong arm sliding under my back to help me into a sitting position, and he hands me a bottle of water. “Drink.”
    Again, strangely, I obey him without hesitation.
    “That’s my girl,” he praises, and I smile. “Do you want me to give you some dry clothes? I’ll drive you home.”
    No. My stomach falls in disappointment and mild panic. I don’t want to leave. I don’t want to go back to that huge house, far too vast for three people, whose halls echo with the ghosts of a once happy family. “I don’t want to leave.”
    Tucker sighs. He runs his fingers through my hair and it’s affectionate and sweet, and when he cups my jaw, I lean into his touch. I wait for his kiss, but it doesn’t come. “Do you think I want you to go?” he asks with open frustration. “I’ve waited years to get you here, Carl. But I’m not going to take