Page 56 of Broken Bonds

The usually hour-long drive took almost two with the hazardous roads and insane drivers, and my nerves were frayed when he finally pulled the Jeep into the driveway of my home. The neighborhood looked untouched by the storm, just some small puddles near the sewage systems where the water usually gathered during big storms.

“It looks like normal,” I said softly, my voice full of disbelief. My gaze lingered on the front of the estate, where there appeared to be no damage. None at all. As if the hurricane just moved around this neighborhood.

“Storm must’ve missed this part,” Ace mumbled, running a hand through his hair and down his face wearily.

I was relieved. So relieved. My house was still here at least. I still had this.

“Even if there’s no power, we have a generator,” I told him.

“Thank God,” he groaned. “I need a hot shower.” There was a tinge of amusement in his voice, but I knew he was serious, too. We’d been showering with cold water for the past few days after also being stuck in the freezing rain while seeking shelter. Wedeservedskin-melting showers.

Ace slid out of the driver’s seat and came around to help me out, swinging me up into the familiar spot against his chest. “Grab the backpack.” His voice rumbled against my ear as he opened the back door and leaned in so I could grab it.

“Car keys?” I asked, the words getting lodged in my throat from the way his eyes were locked on my face. Why did his stare have to be so fuckingintense?

“Back pocket—why?” He frowned, his brows furrowing.

I rolled my eyes so hard, I thought I glimpsed my brain. “How else do you propose we get into the house, brain spark?”

“You are so full of shit,” he grumbled as he walked us to the front door. He stopped on the stoop, and after a second, he looked down at me expectantly, one perfect eyebrow arched. “Are you going to get them or must I stand outside all day?”

I rolled my eyes again. “I guess you’ll be standing all day.”

He heaved a tired sigh. “Celine,” he dragged my name out the tiniest bit, “just grab ‘em.”

“Fine.” Reaching my hand around his thick torso, my fingers slid into his back pocket, brushing against his firm, taut ass. I barely bit back a soft gasp, my heart racing in my chest.

Oh, God, have mercy on me.

A hiss scraped past his lips when my fingers brushed his cheek again on accident. “Having fun, princess?” His voice was a low rasp, sounding like pure sex. Heat crept up my neck and bloomed on my cheeks.

“Just peachy.” My voice was just a bit higher-pitched than normal, and I prayed he didn’t notice. Seemingly not to, he threw his head back and laughed, the deep sound bouncing off the walls. I almost dropped the keys in shock at its richness. I studied his face, so carefree in the moment, and my heart melted for the asshole.

Turning away from him, I slid my house key into the slot and turned the lock. A hot wave of humidity hit us as the front door fell open with a high-pitched squeak. I stared into the dark foyer as Ace took a step over the threshold.

Home sweet home.

“I guess the power is out,” Ace grumbled, putting me down on the white couch in the lounge.

“We need to turn on the generator so we can charge our phones.” I needed to call and talk to my mom. I knew she was worried. We hadn’t spoken since Ace and I made it to the shelter.

Ace nodded in agreement, dropping the bag to the ground noisily. “Where can I find a flashlight?”

I pointed to the kitchen. “Cabinet over the fridge—there should be a few.” Mom always kept numerous ones on hand for when a storm rolled through that took out the power. Living in Florida where hurricanes were frequent, it happened a couple of times a year.

I stretched my legs out on the couch as Ace disappeared into the kitchen, my fingers massaging along my sore calves, hoping for some relief. There was none to be found though. It made me want to cry.

Ace came back into the room, holding two flashlights, a mischievous grin on his face. “Alrighty, little helper, let’s get that generator on.” Handing me the two lights, he gathered me in his arms and walked through the dark house into the darker, ominous garage.

“Lights, princess,” Ace snapped. I huffed. “I can’t see anything.”

Flickering both the lights on, I pointed them in front of us, looking for a path around the two cars and fridge to get to the generator, which was in the far-left corner of the room. Ace walked slowly, looking at the ground before taking each step so he wouldn’t trip over anything my dad or Ryan might have left lying around. He was careful to hold my body up when we walked around my dad’s sports car so that my legs didn’t touch it.

After Ace set me down on the ground near the generator, I pushed my hair off my face. Sweat began dripping down my temple from the intense humidity that coated the room. I couldn’t wait for some sweet, blessed air conditioning.

“Have you ever done this before?” I asked, the question lingering in the hot air as Ace scratched his head, staring at the big motor on wheels.

“It can’t be that hard. Should just be a button.”

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