Page 72 of Chemistry: The Chemist

He wasn’t the only one. Makai was the leader of the duo. It didn’t matter that they were grown-ass men. Even distance couldn’t deny our bond. It hadn’t been very long since Mercer had been behind bars, but every day I contemplated setting his ass free. He didn’t want to live his life on the run, which was the only reason I hadn’t.

My eyes wandered, landing on the woman who made everything and nothing make sense, simultaneously. Her hands were tucked between her legs. The furnace was keeping her fingers warm. It wouldn’t be long before I replaced them with my head and then my dick.

The night sky was as breathtaking as she was. Clarke was such a beautiful city, but at night, she was something straight out of a magazine.

Catherine.

Catherine.

Just like Catherine.

I blinked away the images of her casket. It was only a few inches away from Maurice’s. They were buried side by side.

A fucking love story tragic enough to make you despise the idea, the feeling. I hated it. My mother had made me.

Though I tried thinking less of her, she stuck with me. Day by day, thoughts of her plagued me. Catherine was as stunning as Eden.

As sure. As thought-provoking. As breathtaking. As fierce. As striking. There were similarities I wished I hadn’t noticed but were there.

And just like my father had explained to me time and time again, she was addictive. She owned me the second I laid eyes on her. I hadn’t shaken her ass yet.

When the city lights disappeared and we began traveling north, I removed the new eye mask from the armrest and handed it to Eden. She accepted it without hesitation, pulling it over her eyes and reclining her seat, slightly. Her level of comfort stretched my lips across my face. I felt my head as it nodded, approving her state of contentment.

“Are you staring at me?” she broke her silence to ask.

“I am,” I admitted with a tilt of my head.

She said nothing more, but I was reminded of the restroom incident.

Where was her comfort? Her contentment? Her satisfaction?

“Eden.”

“Yes?”

“I need you to understand something,” I explained, readjusting myself in the driver's seat.

“Okay.”

“I’d never hurt you.”

I was short but I was honest.

“I– I– I know.”

Her uncertainty was baffling.

“Don’t make yourself out to be a liar, Eden. You don’t know that. I can hear it in your voice you’re unsure. But, my word is one you can trust.”

“I know, Chem.”

That’s what I was in search of. That vote of confidence she had when she responded then. She knew I’d stand on my word. She didn’t know she was safest with me, more than with any motherfucker on the planet.

It’s all good.

I’d make her a believer before it was all said and done.

“Don’t ever be afraid of what I’d do to you. Be afraid of what I wouldn’t do for you.”

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