He relents. “Fine. I’ll allow that. Would you also mind grabbing the bag and setting it down on the counter? Jules said to make you a drink with hot water, honey and lemon juice to help soothe your throat. We should find the honey in one of those kitchen cabinets. This kitchen is tiny; it shouldn’t take long.”
A hot drink sounds heavenly right about now. “Ok.” I agree, flicking the kettle on once I set it back onto its base. “But before I enjoy a hot drink, I need to take a shower. I need to wash this day off of me.”
In reality, I need to wash the feeling of Mason’s hands off me, but I don’t say it out loud.
Chance walks through the bedroom and into the en-suite bathroom.
“You know I can shower without supervision, right?” I say when he sets me down on the bathroom counter and goes to turn on the shower.
“I know.” He murmurs, returning to stand between my legs. His big, slightly calloused hands come up to cup my jaw. Chance’s touch is gentle, despite his imposing size. “And if you want me to leave you alone, I can go make your drink.”
I shake my head. “That wasn’t what I meant. I just—” I don’t even know what it is. “I feel… I guess I feel kinda dirty.” A shudder works its way down my spine at the memory of Mason’s hands on me, of him pressing himself against me.
My stepbrother’s gaze hardens, his dark blue eyes blazing with barely repressed fury. “Please tell me that Ares and I got there on time. Did he…?”
I know what he’s asking me.
“No.” My voice is barely audible. I swallow a couple of times, fighting the tears that well into my eyes and set my throat on fire. “But I thought he was going to kill me.”
Chance closes his arms around me, and it feels like armor. Strong, protective, impenetrable. “I’m sorry, baby.”
His heart is beating fast and hard beneath my ear as my head rests on his solid chest.
“It isn’t your fault.” I lift my face to look into his eyes again. “If you and Ares hadn’t gotten there, I would have fought. He could have killed me, but I would have killed him too.”
He nods. “I know. You’re my brave, wild hellraiser. That was what made me fall for you even more than how fucking hot you are. When you raced tied to me on the back of my bike, I knew you were the one. I love you, Zara.”
Heat rises to my face. I know Chance means every word. It’s written all over his face.
“I love you too, Chance.”
He dips his head, his lips brushing against mine.
“Wait.” I rear back, covering my mouth with my hand. “When Mason was… when he started opening his pants, I puked all over him. I can’t let you kiss me until I brush my teeth.”
Chance kisses my knuckles, his lips soft and incredibly gentle. “I don’t care.”
“But I do.” I argue. “Just give me a second, ok? Ares gave me a toothbrush when I stayed over on his birthday.”
“Ok.” He takes a step back, just enough that he can guide me down to the floor with his hands on my hips.
My body drags over his chest as I slide down, and a throb of need courses through me, settling between my legs.
Our eyes lock as he keeps me glued to his front.
“My toothbrush is over there.” I point out the glass on the counter. “If you don’t mind.”
Chance moves, but rather than getting out of my way, he grabs one of the two toothbrushes—surprisingly guessing correctly that the blue one is his brother’s and the green one is mine—and puts toothpaste on it.
“Open.”
I take the toothbrush out of his hand with a shake of my head. “I’m gonna tell you again. My throat hurts, but my hands work just fine. I can brush my teeth myself. I don’t need your help.”
“I know.” His smile is completely unrepentant. “But I’m here for whatever you need. I would do anything for you, Zara.”
Chance
“I know.” She murmurs, mirroring what I just told her. “I would do anything for you, too. But seriously, I can do this without any help.”
