Page 226 of Keeping 13

“Pound shop razors?” Johnny half laughed, half groaned. “You do know there are salons and beauticians you can go to for shite like that?”

“Yeah, well, I’m shy,” I huffed, flopping down on his bed. “How can I just show someonethat?”

He shot me a disbelieving look.

“You don’t count,” I snapped, flustered.

“My poor pussy,” Johnny said with a sigh as he sank down on the bed beside me. “You’re a butcher.”

Exhaling a strangled sob, I fell onto my back. “It hurts.”

Mirroring my actions, Johnny flopped down on his back beside me. “I know, baby.” He placed a hand on my thigh and gave me a reassuring squeeze. “But it will grow back.”

“How long do you think that takes?”

He twisted to face me. “Do you want me to shave my balls?”

“What?” I gaped at him. “No!”

“Then stop asking me about something I have no clue about,” he shot back.

“I’m sorry.” I blushed beet red. “I just… You always know things.” Whimpering in sheer distress, I twisted onto my stomach and buried my head in the plush duvet that smelled like that washing detergent his mother always used andJohnny. “I’m so embarrassed—” I paused to gasp for air and then wailed, “It burns…and now it’sugly.”

“No, it’s not.” I felt his hand smooth over the back of my knickers. “And I’m hard as a rock for you right now.”

“I don’t know how you could be,” I replied with an anguished wail. “It’s hideous.” Groaning at the realization of what I’d done to my poor body, not to mention the prickling sensation between my legs as my underwear played havoc with my tender flesh, I whispered, “I don’t know how I’m going to put my jeans back on.” Grimacing, I added, “Or look you in the eye again.”

“No pants sounds good to me.” He laughed, hands still roaming over my ass. “Come on, Shan, just look at me.”

I shook my head. “I can’t.”

“Yes, you can,” he coaxed, trailing his fingers up my sides. “If you don’t turn around and look at me, I’m going to tickle you.”

Twisting onto my side, I peeked up at him. “Hi.”

“So—” Leaning down, he pressed his lips against mine. “Care to explain why you shaved?”

I squirmed in shame. “I don’t know.”

He waggled his brows. “Big plans?”

“Ugh!” I moved to bury my face back in the duvet, but Johnny captured my lips with his before I could.

“I got an awful roasting from the sun when I was on tour last summer,” he said, brushing his nose against mine. “I still have some aloe vera in my bathroom.” He kissed me again. “It’ll help cool it down.”

Mortified, I exhaled a shaky breath and nodded. “Thanks.”

“You’re welcome.” Pressing a kiss to the tip of my nose, Johnny climbed off the bed and strolled into his bathroom, returning a moment later with a small bottle of ointment. Unscrewing the cap, he climbed onto the bed and handed it to me before moving for my knickers.

“What are you doing?” I choked out, lifting my hips when he pulled my underwear down my legs. “Johnny?”

“I’m saving you,” he replied with a smirk. “Remember the whole‘Save me, Johnny. Please, save me’comments?”

“Yeah, but…” Taking the bottle from my hands, he poured a dollop of aloe vera on his fingers and dropped his hand. “Oh my god,” I whimpered in relief when the cool gel numbed the fire. “That’s amazing.”

Moving further down the bed, Johnny leaned over my hip and gently blew against my bare skin. My breath hitched in my throat and I had to lock my muscles into place to stop my hips from bucking upward. Looking up at me through hooded lashes, he continued to blow cold air on my tender flesh. “Enough?” he asked in a gruff tone before pressing a small kiss to my flesh. “Or more?”

Breathing hard, I sat straight up and fisted his T-shirt. “Take it off.”

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