Page 61 of Broken Bonds

Resting my palm against his bare chest, I looked straight into his ocean-blue eyes. “Thank you, Asshole.” He chuckled at the familiar nickname, his eyes lighting up. With a deep, raspy chuckle, he leaned down and kissed me again, yanking me against his body.

Yeah… I could kiss this manforever.

We spent the day lying lazily around on the couch, his one hand twirling a lock of my hair and the other resting on my thigh, rubbing a constant soothing circle as we spoke about our childhoods and our futures. We didn’t even bother with the TV, just content to be together.

The evening passed by quickly, and since we were both falling asleep on the couch, we separated for bed. Ace decided on Ryan’s bed for the night since his room was right across the hall from mine. He gave me more Tylenol after he helped me into bed, placing a kiss on my temple before he walked out, leaving the door open so I could call for him.

I thought about asking him to sleep with me just so I wouldn’t be alone—and also because I just wanted to be close to him—but I didn’t want to seem needy or pushy. Sure, he’d gotten me off and we’d had the hottest make-out session of my life, but that didn’t mean Ace was ready or even wanted something more intimate.

The next afternoon, Ace woke me up a little after lunchtime, complaining of being hungry. We threw together some PB&J sandwiches, since I wasn’t sure what was still good in the fridge and what wasn’t, and we didn’t say much as we put some sustenance and coffee into our bodies so we could wake up.

“You think we should try cleaning out—” Ace asked, looking into the fridge with a grimace after we were done eating. He was abruptly cut off by the sound of the garage door opening. My heart kicked into overdrive, excitement thrumming in my veins.

Mom and Dad were home!

Swinging me into his strong arms, Ace led me out of the kitchen, knowing how badly I wanted to see them. How badly I wanted to be wrapped up in my mother’s arms.

“Slow down; you’re going to drop me,” I urged when his sock-clad feet almost slipped on the tiled floor. I clutched at Ace’s shirt, curling my fingers into the fabric, my heart in my throat.

“I won’t put you in danger or hurt you,” he promised, his feet under him a mere split-second after he slipped.

The loud squeak of the door that led into the garage opening and closing echoed throughout the big house. “Celine, baby?” My mom called, running into the foyer where we were waiting. Ace settled me on my feet before gripping my hips, holding me upright so I could hug my mother.

“Mom!” I cried into her neck as she wrapped her nimble arms around me, crushing my body to her chest. Her hot tears hit my skin, both of us falling apart.

“I’m here, baby. I’m here now.” My father and Ryan walked into the foyer next, dropping their bags. Dad came over to us and wrapped his arms around my mother and me. I suddenly felt Ace’s hands leaving my sides, my parents now holding me up.

Looking over my mother’s shoulder, I saw Ryan looking over my head at Ace, anger turning his expression bitter. But he held his tongue and joined the hug, kissing the top of my head and running his hand over my blonde hair, that I still hadn’t brushed.

My parents pulled away, but Mom held my hand, tears shining in her eyes. Ryan’s hands rested on my sides, taking my weight and Ace’s position. Ace stepped aside, looking at me nervously, his eyes darting between my face and Ryan’s hands. What did he want me to do? To say? I was just as unsure as he was.

My mother, the caring woman that she was, pulled Ace into her arms unexpectedly, and I laughed upon seeing the big, strong man speechless. Shock was written all over his face at the affection coming from my weeping mother.

“Oh, thank you, Ace, honey. Thank you for saving her and for keeping her alive. God knows she couldn’t have done it alone.” My jaw dropped open in disbelief. Ryan snickered from behind me.

“Mom!” I shouted in disbelief. She smiled at me and pulled away from Ace, shooting him a grin, too.

“You always get yourself into trouble, Honey. Remember when?—”

I shook my head, waving my hands at her. “It’s okay; we don’t have to reminisce right now.” Ace grinned. “There are more pressing matters, like unpacking the car or something.” Ace’s grin only widened.

“Or getting you to Alex.” Ryan’s voice was tense as ifhewere the one in pain.

I sighed. “Or that.” I nodded, leaning my head back against his familiar chest.

“We called Alex in the car,” Mom informed me.

“He said we could come in this afternoon, and he would come in specially to see you. He doesn’t want things to escalate too fast. We can take you now, and Ace can go on home. I’m sure he’s tired of caring for you,” Dad said, speaking for the first time as he walked back toward the garage, nodding for Ryan to follow him.

Ryan held me in his strong, tanned arms with no grunt of complaint as he carried me to the garage.

“Unfortunately, Mr. Wilson, my bike is at your beach house,” Ace said, looking nervously at me over Ryan’s shoulder. “Can I come with you? I’d like to know how she is.” Licking his bottom lip, he ripped his gaze from mine, looking at my dad.He swallowed nervously, his Adam’s apple bobbing with the movement.

Oh, how I wanted to kiss those lips again. No one had ever kissed me like that—with so much want, need, and desire. No one had ever touched me like he did. Like he wanted to claim me. Possess me.

Own me.

“Why do you want to come with us?” Ryan abruptly stopped, and my head was thrown back against his shoulder. I grimaced in pain, reaching up to rub the side of my head.

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