Page 34 of Crimson Desires

“It’s okay. Let it out,” I murmured.

After Aster had emptied the contents of her stomach, I flushed the bile down and offered her a capful of Listerine to swish around her mouth. Aster accepted the mouthwash gratefully. She staggered slightly as she gargled and rinsed.

I let Aster cling to my arm as we returned to the lounge.

The sexy atmosphere dissolved, I turned on the lounge lights and fished a can of Sprite from the lounge minifridge.

I passed Aster the Sprite. She nursed it tenderly, holding it with both hands and taking timid little sips. After she’d had enough, I set the drink down for her and pulled her over to the bunks so that she could lay down properly.

“Fuck,” Aster slurred, easing into my bunk. “I’m so sorry, Jack.”

“It’s okay. I’m not mad,” I assured her. I crawled into the bunk next to her.

Aster curled into my body instinctively, her arms snaking around my torso. “I’m sorry I ruined it,” she mumbled. Her voice was already dim with exhaustion. She’d fall asleep soon.

“You didn’t ruin anything,” I promised her. “I wasn’t going to fuck you anyways.”

“What? Why not? I thought that’s what you wanted.” Aster’s face scrunched in displeasure. “Are you fucking retconning your attraction to me?”

“Chill,” I said. Not even puking her guts out was enough to dull Aster’s sharp edge. “I think you’re hot as fuck. That hasn’t changed. But I don’t want our first time to be when we’re both drunk. When I finally fuck you, I’m going to do it right. Hell, I’ll even break out the candles and rose petals if that’s what you want.”

Aster snorted. “Sounds like a fire hazard.”

“I’ll make sure they’re electric candles.”

Apparently satisfied, Aster nodded and burrowed her face into my chest. I yawned. I was getting drowsy, too. I kissed Aster on the forehead before burying my nose into her soft blonde hair.

Unsurprisingly, she smelled like flowers.

Chapter Nine

Aster

Waking up in Jack Maverick’s arms was a surprise. Albeit not a totally unpleasant one.

My skull throbbed. I could hardly remember the night previous. One moment, I was being invited by a bunch of the other crew members to get drinks. The next moment, I was taking shots with Jack.

After that, everything got a little fuzzy.

I could feel the dull rumble of the bus as it cruised down the highway. Thankfully, I still had my underwear and jeans on—a good sign that Jack and I hadn’t done anything stupid last night.

A pang of disappointment struck my chest. I pushed it down.

It was a good thing that Jack and I didn’t have sex. Right? Right.

I tried to wriggle out of Jack’s arms, but he was holding me fast to his chest. I tried to hate the sensation of being wrapped up in his embrace, but I just couldn’t. Jack’s body was warm, but not overbearingly so. His strong arms around my body made me feel safe. Safer than I had felt in a long time.

So, I gave up on trying to escape. Instead, I took a moment to appreciate Jack’s face. Sleeping like this, he looked so innocent. Almost cherubic. His expression was relaxed. His lips were drawn into the ghost of a smile. I’d never seen anyone smile in their sleep before.

Deciding to savor this rare feeling of security, I let my body relax into Jack’s. I closed my eyes and focused on the slow, steady thrum of his heartbeat.

For the next hour or two, I slipped in and out of a light slumber. Only two of the other Wicked Crimson guys were early risers—Kane and Damien. I could hear them shuffling around the front of the bus, making coffee, and talking in low, hushed voices.

Eventually, nature came knocking, and I was forced to leave the comfort of Jack’s embrace.

I freed myself from his limbs (easier said than done) and crawled out of the bunk.

I stumbled a little as I made my way to the bathroom. The aftershocks of the alcohol from last night plus the slight rocking of the moving bus made it hard for me to keep my balance, but I managed.

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