Page 71 of Broken Bonds

“I’m not going to break, Ace.” She was still whispering, eyes on her ankles where my hands were.

I swallowed, my Adam’s apple bobbing. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Then stop looking at me like you have been all morning.” Placing her legs on the pillow, she shifted, and I slowly brought my gaze up to hers. Could she see how tormented I was inside? How conflicted I was over what I should do?

“I’ll get the ice.” She grabbed my hand before I could stand upright.

“Don’t end whatever this is before it starts,” she begged. “Give me a chance, Ace.” Her fingers tightened around mine. Her eyes were pleading with me, and her lips were softly parted, taunting me.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” I repeated, not knowing a better reason to stop this. Because Iwouldhurt her. It was inevitable. I hurteveryone.

“Please.” The plea left her lips in a soft whisper that I barely heard. She licked her plump bottom lip, my eyes following her pink tongue until it disappeared back into her mouth.

“I brought you some ice.” Amber broke our intense gaze, my eyes dropping to Celine’s black and blue legs, and my shoulders sagged with relief at the interruption. Because I wasn’t sure if I could give her what she wanted.

“Thanks.” I heard the disappointment in Celine’s voice without having to look at her face. Slowly, I pulled my hand from hers, listening as hers dropped to the couch.

“I’m gonna head home, get out of your hair for a bit, then I’ll come back tomorrow to keep you company.” She squeezed Celine’s ankle after placing the big ice packs on her calves andthighs. Ryan walked in with a blanket, his eyes darting between Celine and me, eyes narrowing at our proximity.

He dropped the large, fluffy blanket on her legs, and a sigh left her lips as she tugged it closer to her body.

“Thanks, Amber. Maybe you can come tonight. Bring a bag this time.” Amber’s whole face lit up, and her eyes gleamed with happiness.

“Deal, girl! I’ll come around this afternoon. We’re going to binge something, so I’ll bring some of my favorites.” The redhead was bouncing, her excitement rolling off of her in waves.

“I hope I’m invited. Otherwise, I’m crashing this slumber party,” Ryan interjected, a shit-eating grin taking over his face. He eyed Amber in much the same way I always looked at Celine, and it made anger swirl in my gut. How was it fair he got to flirt and tease Amber, Celine’s friend, but I didn’t get the same fucking courtesy?

“Only if Ace comes.” Celine was quick to look at me, her big blue eyes pleading.

I sighed. “I’ll think about it.”

“How about I take you to the beach house to pick up your bike, and then we’ll swing past your place—check if it’s still there?” Ryan stole my attention again. I hadn’t even thought about home, to be honest. Or my bike. I’d been consumed by Celine.

“Yeah,” I nodded. “Sounds good. I should probably make sure the place wasn’t swept away.” Celine and Amber giggled that obnoxious way girls do when they get together.

Amber bent at the waist to hug Celine and then left with a parting, flirty wave to Ryan, who was quick to jog up the stairs afterward. “Grabbing the keys,” he said, taking the steps two at a time.

“Promise you’ll come back.” Celine’s eyes were locked on me, her lips turned down in a frown.

“Princess—” I started, my chest tightening. I didn’t want to give her more hope.

“Just promise me you’ll come back tonight, and we can work on the rest.” Both her small hands clutched my big one, her fingers tight around mine, her ocean eyes big and pleading.

God, how can I say no?

Celine Wilson had me wrapped around her little finger.

“Okay,” I breathed.

Those addictive lips turned up into a small smile of victory. Before I could think better of it, I was leaning forward and claiming that smile—and those lips.

She was going to fucking wreck me.

chapter twenty-six

CELINE

ONE WEEK LATER

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