Burn Me Once Burn With Me (Ruby Grayson) novel Chapter 508

“Bracelets like this? Our family has plenty at home, don’t we?”

Pearl gave a soft laugh, but her words were hardly true. This was the heirloom—the very same antique bracelet passed down to every female head of the Steele family for generations. She hadn’t expected the old matriarch not only to bring it with her, but to hand it directly to Ruby the very first time they met.

Pearl found herself studying Ruby with renewed interest.

She’d liked this girl from the moment she laid eyes on her. There was a clarity and gentleness to Ruby’s demeanor, a quiet strength that truly suited the role of a family matriarch.

The more Pearl looked, the more satisfied she felt. Any irritation she’d had about the old lady’s impulsive gesture faded away.

Meanwhile, the old man, seeing his wife’s secretive antics, could only pinch the bridge of his nose. Still, he didn’t object. After all, the two of them were getting on in years—the Grayson family really did need a new generation to carry things forward.

Maybe the old woman’s actions seemed a little rash, but she must have had her reasons.

Ruby felt the cool weight of the bracelet on her wrist and glanced at Sylas, searching for his opinion—it was, after all, his family who’d brought these people together.

Sylas simply shrugged, clearly leaving the decision up to her.

That infuriatingly nonchalant look made Ruby grit her teeth. She shifted her weight and, with deliberate slowness, pressed the pointed heel of her beige pump onto Sylas’s shoe, grinding it ever so gently.

Sylas’s smug expression stiffened instantly; the corners of his mouth twitched, barely noticeable.

He glanced down to see the pale heel of her shoe resting on his black loafer—startling contrast, yet somehow, in that moment, perfectly matched.

Whatever smug satisfaction he’d been feeling vanished, replaced by a strange, unfocused daze.

He licked his canine tooth, narrowed his eyes, and lowered his voice as he leaned in toward Ruby.

“In that case, why don’t you let me hold onto it for you? I’ll return it when we leave.”

Ruby could only agree for now, resigned. The old woman was being so warm and insistent. If she refused again, it would just seem rude.

The old lady, perhaps realizing she’d placed a burden on Ruby, didn’t press further and simply nodded in approval.

Sylas, for his part, wasn’t listening to any of the conversation. His gaze was fixed on Ruby—tracing from her dark hair down to the sharp line of her jaw, his eyes darkening with something unreadable.

“If you don’t ease up, little Ruby, I’ll need you to help me walk out of here,” he whispered in her ear, his breath hot against her skin.

Ruby felt her cheeks burn, a rush of color blooming along her jawline. She cleared her throat, forced the flustered feeling down, and drew her foot back. As she turned, she shot Sylas a warning glare from the corner of her eye.

Sylas, clearly unashamed, only grinned back at her with even more mischief.

Pearl watched their little exchange, already making mental notes. Outwardly, Sylas could seem a bit careless, but he’d always been well-mannered and poised. Why was he suddenly acting so cheeky around Ruby?

Verify captcha to read the contentVerify