“Did you have fun?” he asked, not bothering to look at me.
My eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “With what?”
He licked the syrup from his lips before he finally brought his gaze to mine and then he shrugged. “We all came in shortly after you did. The walls are pretty thin, and I happened to be right next door to you.” He smirked, taking in my flustered expression. “What I’m trying to say is…I heard the moans.”
“Fuck off, Hunter,” Foster growled, striding into the room.
Tension filled the room instantly, and despite being used to my naked state by now, it felt weird all of a sudden. Goosebumps marred my flesh, sending a shudder through me. Maybe it was the air conditioning. Regret sat heavily in the depths of my stomach, making my organs curl with unease. I’d instigated it. It happened because ofme.
Hunter scoffed, shoveling another bite into his mouth before washing it down with a glass of milk. The muscle along the side of his jaw popped viciously before he directed his attention back to Foster who’d entered the kitchen. “You know what I don’t understand?” he began. He waited for Foster to look at him again before continuing. “How you’re the only one allowed to break the rules.”
I shifted uncomfortably on the balls of my feet as I watched the exchange. Moments later, Myles and Collin appeared, taking in the scene with matching looks of confusion.
“I didn’t break any rules,” Foster growled.
“No?” Hunter challenged, placing both hands down on the island. He leaned forward in his seat, a crazed look in his eyes that had my heart hammering against my ribcage. “What about theno sexrule?”
Foster rolled his eyes like this conversation was beneath him. “I didn’t fuck her,” he snapped. “Wouldn’t.” His gaze slid to me, a look of annoyance cresting across his features.
“Good,” Myles stated, sliding up beside me. He reached out, taking my chin between his thumb and forefinger. “Because the next person to fuck her will be me.” He narrowed his eyes at me in warning.
“Then consider me celibate,” I muttered.
His grip tightened around my aching face. “We’ll see.” He released me and made a beeline for the kitchen.
I blew out a breath. My hands ran through my long strands in an attempt to smooth it out. I pulled my hair down over each breast, trying to give myself as much coverage as possible. At least that’s one good thing these extensions offered.
“Let’s table this for later,” Collin said. “I’m sure we’re all starving.”
I watched wordlessly as he limped toward the kitchen, a pained expression twisting his features as he moved. Guilt filled me instantly. I never should have elbowed him knowing his ribs were in bad condition. That had to hurt.
“Go sit down,” Foster snapped at him.
“I can do it.”
“Listen to what I’m fucking telling you,” he hissed. “You’re supposed to be in bed. Either sit the fuck down, or I’ll have you cuffed to the damn bedpost.”
Collin shot him a glare before he started moving back in the direction he’d come. With every step, he limped. His face was twisted up in what appeared to be agony.
“Here,” I said, making my way over to him. I wasn’t even sure if I could handle his weight, but it was worth a shot. My arm snaked around his bare waist, the feel of his skin against mine doing something to me. A shuddering breath expelled from my lungs at the contact. Hesitantly, he wound his arm around my neck, leaning part of his weight on me. I knew he was holding back in fear of crushing me, but it seemed to help him a little bit.
We made our way into the living room at a snail’s pace, and I eased him onto the couch. His arm snapped out and he wound his hand around my wrist, tugging me down into the spot beside him. I was hungry as shit, but if he wanted me to sit here with him for a few minutes, I would. My emotions when it came to Collin were conflicting at best. He’d had a hand in hurting me, but it was taking everything in my being to hate him.
“Why did you help me?” he asked suddenly, glancing over in my direction.
I swallowed thickly. “It’s my fault you got hurt again.”
A gasp fluttered past my lips when he lurched forward, taking my face in between his hands. “Don’t beat yourself up over that,” he said fiercely. “We’ve done much worse to you.” His thumb brushed along my cheekbone in a soothing gesture.
I nodded. “Yeah, but…”
“No buts, Aspen. I’ll heal from a few broken ribs. You won’t heal from all the trauma we’ve put you through.”
I sucked in a sharp breath, his words burrowing deep inside me. It was the last thing I expected him to say. This was the Collin I remembered, the one who’d captivated me almost instantly.
Foster cleared his throat, slicing through our moment. Collin dropped his hands away from my face and we both peered at the asshole expectantly, wondering what the hell he wanted.
“You move fast, don’t you?” he asked, pinning his gaze on me.