Broken Bonds (Unbreakable Bonds #1)

Chapter Twenty-Two

chapter twenty-two

CELINE

The roads were slick with rain, covered in fallen trees and forgotten cars stuck in the flooding. Sunlight reflected off the glistening road, shining into our eyes and making the drive dangerous and long. The whole city seemed to be out of power as every traffic light we came to was out. And while I knew it was supposed to be treated as a four-way stop, it was pure chaos at every single intersection.

People didn’t stop, flying through each light at an alarming rate instead, some not even looking as they just zoomed through the intersection. I held my breath when we came to the first one, where we found a big tree branch lying in the middle of the lane, which we had to navigate around, almost getting sideswiped by some asshole who didn’t know how to drive without traffic lights to guide him.

“Ace,” I whispered, fear making my voice tremble as he brought the Jeep to a stop, looking left and right twice before he nudged forward, slowly making his way through the oncoming traffic. I squeezed my eyes shut, vomit threatening to ensue when someone drove right in front of us, damn near making Ace T-Bone them.

“I need you to be quiet so I can concentrate,” he gently urged, his knuckles white around the steering wheel.

The usually hour-long drive took almost two with the hazardous roads and insane drivers, and my nerves were frayed when he finally pulled the Jeep into the driveway of my home. The neighborhood looked untouched by the storm, just some small puddles near the sewage systems where the water usually gathered during big storms.

“It looks like normal,” I said softly, my voice full of disbelief. My gaze lingered on the front of the estate, where there appeared to be no damage. None at all. As if the hurricane just moved around this neighborhood.

“Storm must’ve missed this part,” Ace mumbled, running a hand through his hair and down his face wearily.

I was relieved. So relieved. My house was still here at least. I still had this.

“Even if there’s no power, we have a generator,” I told him.

“Thank God,” he groaned. “I need a hot shower.” There was a tinge of amusement in his voice, but I knew he was serious, too. We’d been showering with cold water for the past few days after also being stuck in the freezing rain while seeking shelter. We deserved skin-melting showers.

Ace slid out of the driver’s seat and came around to help me out, swinging me up into the familiar spot against his chest. “Grab the backpack.” His voice rumbled against my ear as he opened the back door and leaned in so I could grab it.

“Car keys?” I asked, the words getting lodged in my throat from the way his eyes were locked on my face. Why did his stare have to be so fucking intense ?

“Back pocket—why?” He frowned, his brows furrowing.

I rolled my eyes so hard, I thought I glimpsed my brain. “How else do you propose we get into the house, brain spark?”

“You are so full of shit,” he grumbled as he walked us to the front door. He stopped on the stoop, and after a second, he looked down at me expectantly, one perfect eyebrow arched. “Are you going to get them or must I stand outside all day?”

I rolled my eyes again. “I guess you’ll be standing all day.”

He heaved a tired sigh. “Celine,” he dragged my name out the tiniest bit, “just grab ‘em.”

“Fine.” Reaching my hand around his thick torso, my fingers slid into his back pocket, brushing against his firm, taut ass. I barely bit back a soft gasp, my heart racing in my chest.

Oh, God, have mercy on me.

A hiss scraped past his lips when my fingers brushed his cheek again on accident. “Having fun, princess?” His voice was a low rasp, sounding like pure sex. Heat crept up my neck and bloomed on my cheeks.

“Just peachy.” My voice was just a bit higher-pitched than normal, and I prayed he didn’t notice. Seemingly not to, he threw his head back and laughed, the deep sound bouncing off the walls. I almost dropped the keys in shock at its richness. I studied his face, so carefree in the moment, and my heart melted for the asshole.

Turning away from him, I slid my house key into the slot and turned the lock. A hot wave of humidity hit us as the front door fell open with a high-pitched squeak. I stared into the dark foyer as Ace took a step over the threshold.

Home sweet home .

“I guess the power is out,” Ace grumbled, putting me down on the white couch in the lounge.

“We need to turn on the generator so we can charge our phones.” I needed to call and talk to my mom. I knew she was worried. We hadn’t spoken since Ace and I made it to the shelter.

Ace nodded in agreement, dropping the bag to the ground noisily. “Where can I find a flashlight?”

I pointed to the kitchen. “Cabinet over the fridge—there should be a few.” Mom always kept numerous ones on hand for when a storm rolled through that took out the power. Living in Florida where hurricanes were frequent, it happened a couple of times a year.

I stretched my legs out on the couch as Ace disappeared into the kitchen, my fingers massaging along my sore calves, hoping for some relief. There was none to be found though. It made me want to cry.

Ace came back into the room, holding two flashlights, a mischievous grin on his face. “Alrighty, little helper, let’s get that generator on.” Handing me the two lights, he gathered me in his arms and walked through the dark house into the darker, ominous garage.

“Lights, princess,” Ace snapped. I huffed. “I can’t see anything.”

Flickering both the lights on, I pointed them in front of us, looking for a path around the two cars and fridge to get to the generator, which was in the far-left corner of the room. Ace walked slowly, looking at the ground before taking each step so he wouldn’t trip over anything my dad or Ryan might have left lying around. He was careful to hold my body up when we walked around my dad’s sports car so that my legs didn’t touch it.

After Ace set me down on the ground near the generator, I pushed my hair off my face. Sweat began dripping down my temple from the intense humidity that coated the room. I couldn’t wait for some sweet, blessed air conditioning.

“Have you ever done this before?” I asked, the question lingering in the hot air as Ace scratched his head, staring at the big motor on wheels.

“It can’t be that hard. Should just be a button.”

I snickered. “First of all, it has to be outside.”

He looked at me, jaw slack before shaking his head. “Right, I knew that. Just, uh, testing you.” I stifled a laugh as he strode over to the garage door opener on the other side of the room. He pushed the button, but nothing happened.

I sighed. “No power, Ace.” I pointed the flashlight at him, watching as a blush bloomed across his cheeks. It was adorable, but I’d never tell him that.

“Forgot,” he mumbled, walking over to the door. He grabbed the handle and pulled the door up, his muscles flexing in a way that had my ovaries pleading to attempt reproduction with the man. The door creaked in protest, then sunlight streamed into the dark room, illuminating his very sexy body.

An hour later, after a lot of swearing, pacing, and shouting at each other, Ace figured out how to get the generator started. Shirt drenched in sweat, he came over to pick me up, but I scooted away, grimacing in disgust. He threw his arms up in exasperation, glaring at me.

“Not happening, Ace. You’re soaked in your own sweat!”

His glare deepened as he fisted his hands on his hips. “And how do you plan on getting inside, your highness?”

“I’ll crawl—thanks.”

He swooped down, grabbing me before I could protest, and threw me over his shoulder. He latched his arm around my thighs right beneath my ass , and holy fuck, my brain short-circuited.

“Put me down!” I shouted about two seconds later, my hands balled into fists to pound against his sweaty back. He grunted in annoyance. “You’re hurting me! Put me down!” His shoulder was digging painfully into my ribs, making it hard to fully get a breath in.

He ignored my protests and fists, taking big steps, my body swaying from side to side, the ground blurry. He closed the garage door as we passed through the door, and this time, the button worked to close the big, metal door.

Inside the house, the sound of the air conditioning starting up could be heard, and the soft rush of air coming out the vents was a relief. Ace stopped at the couch to grab our bag, but he didn’t put me down. Instead, he headed for the staircase, each step causing his shoulder to dig deeper into my stomach.

“You’re hurting me!” I barked, slapping the flat of my palms against his back. That time, he winced, muttering a curse beneath his breath. He pulled me off his shoulder at the top step, cradling me to his sticky chest.

“I’m sorry, princess.” Sweat trickled down his face, and his shirt was damp beneath my fingertips. His face came closer to mine, his lips brushing my hairline in a soft kiss. My stomach erupted in excitement, butterflies flapping their wings at the affection coming from him.

What is he doing to me?

Ace continued on his mission until he was standing at the entrance to my dark bedroom. Stepping through the doorway, he paused long enough for me to flick on the lights before he put me down on the bed. Rummaging through the backpack, he found our phones and passed mine to me. Seeing the low battery bar flash on the screen, I leaned across the bed to plug it in.

“Go shower. I’ll call my mom when it turns on.” With a shake of his head, he collapsed on the floor, staring at me intently.

“I’ll wait for you.”

I looked away from him, hoping to hide how much his kindness was wrecking me. “Okay.” His gaze lingered on the side of my face for a few moments before he finally turned away. I sucked in a quiet, shuddering breath. A few minutes later, both of us sitting in silence, the phone still hadn’t turned on yet, and the pain in my legs was pulsing like it was alive with each passing second.

“Can you get me some Tylenol from the bathroom and a bottle of water from the fridge on the landing?” Ace nodded and got up, slowly walking out of the room. A couple of minutes later, he re-emerged with a warm bottle of water, then disappeared into the en-suite bathroom.

Standing before me a few seconds later, he handed me what I asked for, his hand lingering around mine for a beat, making my heart trip over itself. Avoiding his blue-eyed gaze, I swallowed the pills quickly, enjoying the taste of the warm water flowing down my dry throat and the distraction from his prying eyes.

The phone finally lit up in the dark room and then buzzed uncontrollably as missed calls and texts appeared on the illuminated screen. I winced, hating how frantic I knew my mom was going to be. Reaching for the phone, I scooted myself closer to the nightstand so that I didn’t rip the short cord out of the wall. Opening the phone app, I tapped my mother’s contact at the top of my favorites list.

She answered on the first ring, and so much emotion—everything I could feel at one time—flooded my system. “Celine, baby, is that you?” Her soft, warm, and familiar voice echoed in the room as I put the call on speaker.

“Oh, Momma.” A sob tore from my throat, startling me. Tears rushed down my cheeks.

“You’re okay, baby. Rick!” She screamed for my dad, and I heard his breathless response near the phone a moment later.

“It’s Celine; she’s okay. She’s okay. My baby is okay.” She was crying just as hard as I was now. Both of us were a mess.

“I’m here, Mom. I’m home. I’m safe, Momma. I’m safe.” Ace grabbed my shaking hand and squeezed. “Ace saved me. He saved me.” Raw disbelief flickered through his eyes. Could he see how thankful I was for him?

“Why is Mom crying? Is Celine…” I heard Ryan’s implied question in the background of the call.

“Ryan,” I cried, clutching the phone in one hand and Ace’s in my other. I cried harder, everything blurry in front of me.

“Oh, thank fucking God,” I heard him say, relief in his voice. “Where are you, Cece? Where’s Ace?”

“Right here, man. We’re at your house. The beach house was destroyed. We got the Jeep out, but the house is wrecked,” Ace spoke up, considering I was crying too hard to really answer. I sniffled, swiping at my cheeks with my free hand. I hiccupped.

“The house doesn’t matter. How’s my daughter?” Dad asked.

“I’m okay. Sore, but okay,” I croaked, my voice raw and raspy.

“We’re trying to get home, baby, but they aren’t letting people back into Florida yet. We’re staying in a hotel on the border. I’ll catch a flight the hour they let people back in and take you to the doctor,” Mom promised, worry filling her voice.

“Ace will take care of me, Momma. He’s a better man than I gave him credit for.” Ace stiffened beside me, and his hand, which had been wrapped tightly around mine, went limp.

“I know he will, baby. I knew the moment I saw him.” I looked at Ace in confusion, only to see fear slide across his face.

Did he want to leave? Why did that fill me with trepidation? I didn’t want him to go. I wanted him to stay right here. With me.

“Did you have to use the generator?” Dad asked, breaking me out of my thoughts.

“Yes, sir,” Ace answered when I didn’t answer fast enough. The whole town has lost power. It was a battlefield to get here.” Ace’s hand tightened around mine again, the fear replaced with humor. I latched on, my fingers slipping through his. I never wanted him to let go.

“I can imagine,” Dad said. “Get some rest and keep her legs elevated. We’ll make an appointment with the doctor for tomorrow afternoon, since the airports should be open again. He’ll do house calls for her if need be. I don’t like to ask this of anyone, but can you please stay with her until we get home? I don’t like the thought of her alone right now.” My dad was clearly uncomfortable with having to ask anyone to do anything that weren’t his children, but Ace didn’t let on that he heard the discomfort, too.

“I won’t leave her side. You can count on me, sir.” Ace’s southern drawl slipped into his promise, turning me into a needy puddle. That southern drawl would be the death of me.

“Get some rest, my baby,” Mom urged. “I’ll be there soon.”

“I love you, Mom and Dad. I love you both so much.” Swallowing the emotion from my throat, I stared at Ace, thankful he was with me. If I didn’t have him here, I knew I would spiral. Far.

“Hey, don’t you love me, brat?” Ryan teased, making everyone laugh.

I scoffed, feeling a little lighter now that I’d spoken to my family. “Not really. I thought you knew that, though.” His deep laughter blared through the speaker.

“I love you, Cece, even if you don’t love me.” My brother didn’t tell people he loved them often. Usually when he uttered the words, it was because he was fearful of something. So, even though he said it with a laugh, I knew he’d been fearful he would lose me. That this storm would kill me.

“I love you, too, Ryan.” The call ended, and a tidal wave of relief washed over me.

Ace and I sat there in silence for a long time until, eventually, he squeezed my hand and stood, taking his hand away from mine, leaving me feeling empty. “Time for a nice, hot shower,” he said excitedly.

“And how do you propose this is going to work?”

“I’m going to help you to the shower, and while you’re showering, I’ll use Ryan’s across the hall. I’ll be done by the time you are,” he promised.

I swallowed thickly, wondering if my legs would hold me up that long. I wanted a shower so bad, but would I be able to withstand the pain?

“What if I fall?” Uncertainty flickered in my tone.

“I’ll leave the door open and come as soon as you call. I promise.” Ace’s words were soft and gentle. Understanding. My heart squeezed in my chest.

“Okay.” Glancing at the still-illuminated phone in my hand, I saw a text from Amber, the girl I had befriended on my first day of class.

Amber: Hey, girl! I just wanted to see if you were okay. That was quite the storm!

She’d sent that text over a day ago. I grimaced. What if she thought I was ignoring her? I really liked Amber, and I wanted us to be friends. I wished my phone battery had lasted the entire storm. I could’ve used her humor and optimism as a distraction.

Me: I’m safe, you?

Ace reached to help me up but stopped when my phone dinged. I shot him an apologetic smile. “Sorry, it’s Amber.” He shrugged and nodded, settling on the edge of the bed without a word.

Amber: All good here. I hunkered down in my apartment. Anything eventful happen to you?

Stealing a quick peek at Ace, I made sure he couldn’t read what I was about to write. If he did, it would be so embarrassing. But instead, he was running his eyes over everything in my room—the pictures, posters, my stuff for school.

Me: Define eventful. I ended up at a shelter near the beach with Ace.

Amber: Oh! Please tell me you at least got some good hurricane sex!

The cheeky redhead had the audacity to use the devil emoji and then a winking face. My cheeks flamed red as the pornographic images filled my mind.

I had a feeling sex with Ace would be… phenomenal. Life-altering. There was just that deep intensity to him that alluded to a man who would be a beast in bed. And not the kind that later turned into Prince Charming.

Me: No, you dirty girl!

This time, I put the phone down, making sure to lock the screen. When Ace noticed, he stood and leaned down to help me off the mattress. I clung to the support Ace gave me as I tried to stand on my own. He shook his head, and a moment later, he placed an arm under my trembling legs to carry me into the bathroom.

My bathroom was small, so he helped me lean against the counter, which was only one step from the shower. He turned the water on, turning the knob to as hot as it could get before turning to face me again.

“I’ll be five minutes,” Ace promised, his fingers twitching at his sides like he wanted to grab me. Touch me. “Scream if you need me, okay?” I nodded, and he walked out, closing the door on his way. Steam started to fog the air as I undressed, and pain shot up my legs as I put my full weight on them.

Holding my breath as if not breathing would somehow make the pain lessen, I stepped into the steaming hot water, instantly feeling renewed. The hot water hit my head first, then cascaded down my shivering body, easing some of the pain. I wanted to linger, but I knew I couldn’t. My legs were already beginning to tremble. So, I focused on washing my hair. I massaged my scalp, then used my favorite body wash, leaving my skin smelling like a rose garden. I even took a quick minute to shave under my arms.

Turning off the water, I reached for my towel without taking a step, wrapped it around myself, then took one shaky step out of the shower. My foot brushed the carpet before I lost my balance when pain shot up my other calf, and I crashed to the ground, dragging things off the counter with me when I tried to catch myself.

Pain—sharp pain shot through my body everywhere . My head cracked against the tiled floor, and I shouted in pain. I palmed the back of my head, already feeling a bump growing beneath my fingertips. My wet hair stuck to my neck as I held my towel tightly around my body, trying to sit up. I placed one foot on the ground and started to get up, but I slipped and fell, hitting my head again.

I sobbed, hating how weak I felt. This was humiliating. I was naked, dripping wet, and crying. Why did the universe fucking hate me?

I called for Ace, squeezing my eyes shut, though they snapped back open when he threw the door open, wearing only a pair of Ryan’s sweats, his black, wet hair lying limply on his head.

“Shit,” he swore, rushing in to help me up. I clutched the towel tightly to cover my chest, even though his eyes didn’t stray from my face. I almost wished he would look, just so I had a reason to be angry with him. Just so I could focus my pain and embarrassment and weakness on something else.

He cradled me to his body, my wet hair sticking to his bare chest, my fingertips clenching his tense muscles. My lips trembled, but I tried my best not to start crying again. Ace’s eyes never left mine, reminding me of the gentleman he truly was. When I noted his hand was resting right above my towel-clad ass, heat flushed through my body, warmth curling in my belly.

“Are you—” He cleared his throat, his voice a rasp, “hurt?” I shook my head, not trusting my voice—not when he sounded like that. He licked his lips, his blue-eyed gaze almost a stormy gray color as his breathing deepened. My nails dug into his upper arms, my heart slamming against my breastbone at the heated, sinful promise in his eyes.

He groaned—a deep, primal sound that called to something within me. “Celine, I promised I wouldn’t, but I can’t get you out of my head.” Then, his lips were on mine, kissing me hot and hungrily.

And I was so. Fucking. Done. For.