Page 97 of Off Limits

I pull him into my room, closing the door behind us. We shuffle over the bed. When my tailbone hits the frame, Lochlyn ends the kiss, but stays against me. Putting his hands on my waist, he lifts me to the bed, kicking off his shoes and climbing up next to me, moving to lie against the wall, pillow under his head. He holds his arms out and I curl into him.

As much as I want his hands on me, I want to be close to him more. I nuzzle my head into his chest as he wraps his arms around me, pulling me so tightly against him there’s no space between us. He runs his hand over my hair, the soothing motion calming me to steady my breathing for the first time since Chelsea left the room. Possibly even for the first time in six weeks.

There are so many things to say, so many things to do. But Lochlyn knows me well, and he knows in this moment, all I need is to be here, in his arms.

I’m awoken by the door opening and Chelsea talking loudly. “Hello! I’m coming in, I don’t want to see anybody nake—”

“Shh!” Lochlyn is louder, cutting her off. I stay still, keeping my eyes closed, listening carefully.

“Shit, sorry.” Her voice is lower now, just above a whisper. “It’s been almost two hours. Has she been asleep the whole time?”

“Pretty much.”

“She hasn’t been sleeping well,” she murmurs, almost as an afterthought.

“I hope it was worth it.” His voice is quiet but dripping with anger.

“So, you really just sat here for almost two hours? Like that?”

“Yes, Chelsea, I really just sat here for two hours. Do you know why? Because it’s what she needs right now. It’s what I need.”

“Were you really willing to give me up for her? I’m your sister.”

“I was. You would too. She’s worth it, and you know it.” I hope Lochlyn can’t feel my heart as it hammers erratically. It will surely give away the fact that I’m awake.

“You guys didn’t, like, get a quickie in or something first?”

“Christ, Chelsea, what the hell kind of question is that? No, we didn’t. We came in, laid down, and she fell asleep.” By the way his body shifts, I know he’s likely checking on me.

“It really is more than just sex. Ew, sorry, that’s weird for me to think about.”

“I don’t care. And yes, it is. Much more.” He pauses, tensing under me.

“It’s just…it’s weird, seeing you guys like that. Like you can just touch her anywhere.” She probably says that because his hand is on my ass.

“Okay, Chelsea, I’m going to say this one more time. Are you listening? I. Don’t. Care. I don’t care if it’s uncomfortable or weird for you. And I’m going to make damn sure she doesn’t either. And Icantouch her anywhere; she’s given me that permission.” I have. Over and over. Forever.

“So you love her? Likereallylove her?”

“Fuck. Chelsea. Did you even listen when we talked? You spat it all back at her, but did you listen? Did you absorb any of it?” The exhaustion in his voice tells me he’s tryingveryhard to remain quiet.

“I don’t know, I guess, maybe I just thought you were saying what you thought you needed to. To convince me so I said it was okay or something. And honestly, I was just tired of seeing her so upset.”

Lochlyn’s chest rises and falls steeply. He’s trying to keep himself calm.

“Do you understand what you did? You hurt two of the people you say you love most in the world. For what? Because we fell in love with each other? I’m sorry that we did it under your nose. I’m sorry that we kept it a secret. I can see how that would hurt you, but it never should have been an issue to begin with. We shouldn’t need your permission.”

“I already said I’m sorry.”

“Yeah, well, maybe that’s just not good enough.”

“Loch, how long are you going to be mad at me?” Her voice sounds small. They may bicker and drive each other crazy, but Chelsea loves Lochlyn, looks up to him. Having him mad at her is going to be hard for her to deal with.

“I don’t know. Maybe until you prove you’re okay with this. You’ve said it, but you need toproveit. I won’t let you tear us apart again.” I want to tighten my arms around him. I want to snuggle close, so he knows I won’t either. But I need to hear how this goes.

“I brought you back here, didn’t I?”

“Yeah, after you’d finally had enough of seeing the girl you claim is your best friend in pieces. For weeks.Weeks,Chelsea. And for what? Your comfort?”

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