Page 34 of Tarnished

“I don’t have to go cook. I can?—”

“Baby,” Beck said, his tone soft and soothing, “I’ve got him. I promise.”

I was more than capable of showering on my own now. My balance was finally back to normal, and I was slowly gaining weight back. I worked with a personal trainer four times a week to get my muscle tone back, and Beck and I ran together every morning. Honestly, I was fine. But Clarke was clinging.

We understood it, but we were also trying to get her to let go just a little so she could live freely again.

She sighed. “But?—”

“No buts,” I told her, my voice firm but gentle. “If you want to help me, little one, go make me a high-protein meal, okay?”

She pouted, but when I reached out and pulled her to me, slanting my lips across hers, her frustration melted away. Her body melted into mine, a soft moan crawling up her throat. I palmed the back of her head, working my tongue between her lips. Her soft whimper was music to my ears, and my cock hardened.

Reluctantly, I released her and swiped my thumb over her kiss-swollen bottom lip. She shivered, her eyes going a little hazy. “I love you, and I’m okay.” Leaning down, I pressed a kiss to her forehead before cupping her cheek. “I’m not going anywhere.”

She sighed before nodding and stepping back. She eyed me once more before turning on her heel and leaving our room. I sighed and leaned back against the wall, reaching up to scrub my palms down my face. Beck gripped my hips, tilting his head back a little to look up at me. His hair had been redyed and was now all blonde. I couldn’t help it when I reached up to run my fingers through the soft, silky strands.

“She worries too much,” I grumbled.

Beck hummed in agreement. “She’s always been like that,” he told me. “It’ll take her a while to adjust. Losing you fucking hurt both of us.” I winced. “But it hit her harder. You were her rock, Ash. She leaned on you so heavily. You gave her strength to heal, and then you were ripped away from her. She spiraled fucking hard.”

I leaned my head back against the wall and glared up at the ceiling. “I know, but it was me or you two. And I swore to protect you two. I could handle everything they threw my way. The chances of you and Clarke surviving all that shit again were slim, especially since they knew you were a betrayer. Your death would’ve been slow and painful, but you would have died.”

He shrugged. “I’ve always been prepared to die for her,” Beck quietly reminded me.

Cupping his cheeks, I pressed our foreheads together, looking into his pretty, gray eyes. “Your selflessness is admirable.”

He snorted and pressed a quick kiss to my lips. “I’m plenty selfish, Ash. I’m selfish as fuck with you two.”

I chuckled and released him so we could head into the bathroom for our shower. Sweat was drying on my skin, and it wouldn’t be long before it would begin to irritate my skin. Beck turned the shower on while I stripped out of my clothes, and I groaned when I finally stepped beneath the hot spray of water.

Fuck, it felt good.

Since Clarke was working hard on breakfast for us, Beck and I didn’t waste too much time in the shower. We bathed each other, just as we always did, and then we quickly dried off and got dressed before heading downstairs together.

Vern nodded once at us. “River wants us in the chapel once you’ve got food,” he told me.

I sighed. I wanted to eat breakfast with Clarke and Beck, especially since Clarke was in one of her moods today, but if River wanted to hold church, then I needed to get my ass to that table.

“I’ve got her,” Beck assured me, giving my hand a squeeze. “Go ahead and make your coffee. I’ll see if she’s got your food ready.”

I nodded and headed over to the coffee maker, quickly pouring myself a cup of coffee. Clarke came out of the kitchen holding my plate of food. She set it in front of me. “River is an ass,” she muttered.

I chuckled and pulled her to me at the same time the man in question emerged from the hall, arching a brow at her. She scowled at him. Adelaide laughed softly and patted River’s chest. “You’re stealing her man from her during their daily breakfast routine. I’d be salty as fuck, too,” she told her husband.

He sighed and headed toward the chapel, calling over his shoulder to Clarke, “I’m not keeping your man long.”

She stuck her tongue out at his back, making Vern bark out a laugh before he followed River into the chapel. I pressed a soft kiss to her lips. “Be a good girl for Beck, will you?” I asked her.

She huffed. “I’m always a good girl.”

I snorted. “You’re being a menace today,” I pointed out. “Don’t be a brat, little one. We can cuddle later, yeah? Eat your breakfast. Be good.”

She pouted but nodded. I kissed her before grabbing my coffee and food, then headed toward the chapel. Gin followed me in, shutting the door behind him before we took our seats at the table. Holden groaned at the sight of my food. “I think I need to find a woman so I can get breakfast every morning, too.”

River grunted. “Not every woman is going to want to serve you like Clarke wants to serve Tank,” he warned him. “Adelaide sure as fuck does not like serving me.”

Holden huffed. I chuckled before digging into my food, groaning at the explosion of flavors on my tongue. Clarke, since learning how to cook from Reina and Adelaide, had become damn good at mixing seasonings perfectly. Beck and I were a little bit addicted to her cooking.

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