Page 10 of Claim Me Forever

“Thanks.” She takes them from me. “Do you mind?” Libby glances toward the bathroom.

“You don’t have to ask for anything here, babe. Use what you want. Make yourself at home. You are free to use the fridge and kitchen.”

“Really?” That perks her up some.

“Of course. Anything you want,” I tell her. Fuck, she could ask for anything, and if I don’t have it, I’ll get it. She’ll never want for anything again. Her wish is my command.

“Thanks,” she says again, stepping toward me, my clothes clenched close to her chest. I don’t move, not wanting to spook her as she draws closer. Libby lifts on her tiptoes, and I realize she is trying to kiss my cheek, but she’s still not tall enough. I lean down some for her, anticipating the way those soft pillowy lips will feel on my skin.

Her lips press against me. I bite back a groan. It’s not only the feel of them, but she braces her hands against me. Her sweet vanilla smell wraps around me. It’s enough to take me down.

“You’re a good man, Ace.”

If she had any idea what I wanted to do right now, she wouldn't think that. It took everything in me not to turn my head and steal a kiss. And fuck did I hate myself for that.

Libby has had enough taken from her. I would never do that to her. Even if it kills me.

6

LIBBY

Ihold Ace’s boxers in my hand. I can’t believe I’m holding a man's underwear. This is a first for me. I’ve seen some before. My mother would wash Father’s, but his were white and kind of resembling mine. They were more panty-shaped. Am I really going to put this on?

My legs are going to be on full display wearing these. Which has never been something I was allowed to do. We had to be covered. They made us all wear these long dresses at Heaven’s Temple.

Rebellion lights inside me. It has me removing my clothes. I go to step into the shorts Ace gave me, all too eager to rebel, and forget about my leg, putting too much weight on it. The pain shoots through my body. I cry out, my knee giving out on me.

“Libby!” My name is shouted a half second before the bathroom door slides open. Ace is on me, his hands roaming over my body. “Where do you hurt?”

“I—” His eyes are searching everywhere. It dawns on me that I am naked.

“Libby, talk to me, please. I can’t help if I don’t know.” This is the first time I have seen panic on his face. With all we’ve been through, how is this that moment?

“I’m naked,” I whisper. He is seeing me completely naked except for my panties.

“Shit.” He reaches over and pulls a towel off the rod. The thing is big enough to be a blanket, but I guess if you’re Ace’s size, you’d need one that big. He lays it over me before he scoops me up into his arms, carrying me out of the bathroom and over to his bed, where he lays me down. “Where are you hurt?”

“I’m fine, really.” I start to sit up, but he stops me. I'm more embarrassed than anything. I hate when attention is drawn to my leg.

“I heard you scream.” He runs a hand down his face. “Fuck, that scared me.”

“Are you okay?” I think he’s more out of sorts than me.

“I’m fine,” Ace says gruffly.

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah, just not used to that shit.”

“Used to what?” I ask, confused.

“Fear,” he says before he turns, going back into the bathroom. A second later, he returns with the boxers and shirt.

He’s not used to fear? I felt that every day. “You weren’t scared earlier? When we were escaping?”

“No,” he responds without any hesitation.

Ace slips the shirt over my head, pulling it down over the towel so that he can then slide the towel out from under it, keeping me covered the whole time. It’s long enough that it pools around my waist, covering my panties.

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