Broken Bonds (Unbreakable Bonds #1)

Chapter Twenty-Three

chapter twenty-three

CELINE

Ace was kissing me.

Mr. Asshole was kissing me.

My fingers slipped into his wet locks as his tongue brushed my bottom lip. With a small moan, my lips parted, electricity lighting my veins on fire as Ace deepened the kiss, licking into my mouth like he wanted to devour me.

A tiny whimper escaped my throat as he reached up to cup my face, his thumb rubbing my flushed cheek. His other arm held my body to his as his lips dominated mine, his fingers just brushing the curve of my ass. I pressed my body tighter to his, feeling his answering hardness against my belly. My core clenched, and I clenched my thighs, lust clouding my brain until I could think of nothing but Ace and how good , how perfect , he felt against me.

He pulled back, his nose brushing against mine, our breaths coming out in uneven pants. “Ace,” I whispered, my voice husky and trembling. I’d never wanted someone so badly in my life.

“Yes?” His tone was husky, and I clenched my thighs even tighter, my skin flushing.

“Again,” I pleaded.

Groaning, he closed the small gap between us, taking my lips in a deeper, dirtier kiss. My fingers tugged at this thick, black hair, and a groan fell from his parted lips when I traced his full, bottom lip with the tip of my tongue, eager to make him break and give me what I so desperately wanted.

His kiss turned demanding—bruising—his tongue exploring my lips, his fingers lacing in my hair to tilt my head back the tiniest bit so he could control me. I whimpered when he pressed me back against the bathroom counter, pinning me there while also taking the pressure off my legs. I couldn’t even bring myself to care about how uncomfortable it was to have the bathroom counter digging into my lower back.

I pulled away, panting for air, looking at his swollen lips and messy hair. His eyes were so dark, they were almost completely gray, and he looked about two seconds away from fracturing at the seams and giving me what I wanted.

Him inside of me. On me. Devouring me. Touching me.

“Again?” he asked, his voice no more than a mere growl. When I nodded, he lifted me, hooking my legs around his hips. I moaned at the feel of his thick cock pressing against me, and I helplessly ground against him, unable to do anything but cling to him while pressing hot kisses to his jaw and neck.

“Kiss me. Please,” I begged, looking into his blue-almost-black eyes, dilated with lust. Lust for me .

He crashed his lips onto mine, his ferocity taking me by surprise. He sat on the edge of my bed, his hands sliding down to my hips. My towel fell to the floor, long forgotten, but I couldn’t bring myself to care. All I was capable of thinking about was him. All I could breathe was him.

When I ground against his thick length again, he snarled, biting at my lips hard enough to make them bleed before he soothed the sting with his tongue, kissing me again. His tongue thrust into my mouth as he rocked my hips over him. I whined, clutching at his hair and shoulders, my heart slamming against my breastbone like it was threatening to burst right from my chest.

“That’s it, princess,” he rumbled, moving one hand up to grip my hair. He yanked my head back, his other hand still guiding my hips as he leaned down to suck and lick at my neck. “Take it, baby. Take what you need. Fuck , you’re so hot like this.”

“Ace,” I panted, so fucking close, I could barely breathe. “Ace,” I pleaded again.

“ Fuuuck ,” he groaned, biting down on my collarbone just hard enough to make it sting. “Come for me, princess. Let me see you fall apart.”

I shattered , crying out his name. He kissed me again, clutching me to him as he eased me down from the explosive high, his touches turning soft and tender. Only when I could breathe somewhat normally again did he lean back a little to look down at me.

“Do you have any fucking idea how beautiful you are when you let go like that?” he asked, licking his kiss-swollen lips as he ran his eyes over my naked body. I shivered beneath his gaze. Taking it as the shiver meant I was cold, he grabbed my towel and wrapped it back around me, covering me up and hiding me from his hungry gaze.

My phone pinged with a text, though I didn’t look at it. Still, the sound had me blinking, and my stomach sank.

Ryan was going to murder him.

“What about Ryan?” I blurted.

Ace scoffed. “You don’t think I can handle him?” I shook my head, laughing a little. “We’ll figure it out,” he promised, making hope surge, “but for now, let’s get you dressed before I lay you out on this bed.”

My cheeks heated, and I quickly dropped my hands from his face to clutch the damp towel to my body. Chuckling, he set me aside like I weighed nothing and stood up from the bed. His gaze raked over my towel-clad body. And then, he froze, his body going stiff as his gaze locked on my legs.

My scarred legs.

He hadn’t actually looked at my legs before. The one and only time they’d been bare, he’d been determined to not see me as anything other than Ryan’s little sister—his off limits little sister. He didn’t know just how bad the scars looked.

I wished I could cover them. Could hide them from his gaze.

“Celine?” My name was nothing more than a hiss on his lips. “What the hell?” he mumbled more to himself than me. Raking a hand through his tousled hair, his eyes locked with mine.

“It’s from the accident.” I hated that my voice trembled. “The burns were severe, and then the surgeries… The scars were inevitable. I just keep them covered to avoid reactions like yours.”

He winced and reached up to rub the back of his neck, looking sheepish and a little angry with himself. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have, uh… I’m sorry.” Regret flashed in his blue eyes.

“Don’t worry about it,” I sighed. My mood was officially killed with his horrific reaction to my legs. “There’s a reason I keep my legs covered, Ace.” I gestured to the closet. “Can you help me to the closet? And then, we can… forget about this.”

He shook his head slowly, tightening his fists that hung limply at his sides. “Celine, I didn’t?—”

I interrupted him, speaking louder, just wanting to forget this moment. He’d completely fucking ruined it. “You had a normal reaction, Ace,” I snapped. “Let’s just forget about it, okay?”

He scowled. “No, it’s not okay. My reaction was screwed up, and I’m sorry. Your scars make you beautiful and show your strength—your journey. Don’t hide them from me ever again.” He reached for me, not waiting for an answer, and took the four steps to my closet. Letting me stand, he kept an arm around my waist, taking my weight.

“I need to do this alone,” I muttered. Seeing uncertainty on his face reflected in the floor-length mirror, I squeezed his hand, wishing I hadn’t been so cruel to him. I mean, I’d known how he would react, hadn’t I? “I won’t fall this time, I promise. I don’t think my butt will appreciate another bruise anyway.” He laughed, his shoulders shaking, a grin forming on his full, kissable lips—lips that had kissed me only moments ago. That had licked and sucked and nipped at my skin, driving me fucking crazy.

Pulling his arm from around my back, he retreated from the closet and closed the door to give me privacy. Picking a bra and shirt was easy. Wearing one of my favorite, worn-out work shirts as house clothes were typical for me. Looking between the stack of soft, workout shorts and sweatpants, I decided to listen to Ace and grabbed the old pair of soft, black shorts. Sliding them on was difficult, but I managed with only a few minor grunts of pain. Then, I took a quick glance in the mirror, a little surprised by my reflection.

Staring back at me was a flushed blonde with swollen lips and messy hair, her eyes bright with excitement and happiness. Ace had done that to me. Jesus .

“Done,” I called, reaching to push the door, but he opened it before I could, his arms wrapping around me instantly.

When he raked his eyes over me, he smirked, making my blood sing. “Nice shorts, baby girl. Very sexy.”

Resting my palm against his bare chest, I looked straight into his ocean-blue eyes. “Thank you, Asshole.” He chuckled at the familiar nickname, his eyes lighting up. With a deep, raspy chuckle, he leaned down and kissed me again, yanking me against his body.

Yeah… I could kiss this man forever .

We spent the day lying lazily around on the couch, his one hand twirling a lock of my hair and the other resting on my thigh, rubbing a constant soothing circle as we spoke about our childhoods and our futures. We didn’t even bother with the TV, just content to be together.

The evening passed by quickly, and since we were both falling asleep on the couch, we separated for bed. Ace decided on Ryan’s bed for the night since his room was right across the hall from mine. He gave me more Tylenol after he helped me into bed, placing a kiss on my temple before he walked out, leaving the door open so I could call for him.

I thought about asking him to sleep with me just so I wouldn’t be alone—and also because I just wanted to be close to him—but I didn’t want to seem needy or pushy. Sure, he’d gotten me off and we’d had the hottest make-out session of my life, but that didn’t mean Ace was ready or even wanted something more intimate.

The next afternoon, Ace woke me up a little after lunchtime, complaining of being hungry. We threw together some PB you’re going to drop me,” I urged when his sock-clad feet almost slipped on the tiled floor. I clutched at Ace’s shirt, curling my fingers into the fabric, my heart in my throat.

“I won’t put you in danger or hurt you,” he promised, his feet under him a mere split-second after he slipped.

The loud squeak of the door that led into the garage opening and closing echoed throughout the big house. “Celine, baby?” My mom called, running into the foyer where we were waiting. Ace settled me on my feet before gripping my hips, holding me upright so I could hug my mother.

“Mom!” I cried into her neck as she wrapped her nimble arms around me, crushing my body to her chest. Her hot tears hit my skin, both of us falling apart.

“I’m here, baby. I’m here now.” My father and Ryan walked into the foyer next, dropping their bags. Dad came over to us and wrapped his arms around my mother and me. I suddenly felt Ace’s hands leaving my sides, my parents now holding me up.

Looking over my mother’s shoulder, I saw Ryan looking over my head at Ace, anger turning his expression bitter. But he held his tongue and joined the hug, kissing the top of my head and running his hand over my blonde hair, that I still hadn’t brushed.

My parents pulled away, but Mom held my hand, tears shining in her eyes. Ryan’s hands rested on my sides, taking my weight and Ace’s position. Ace stepped aside, looking at me nervously, his eyes darting between my face and Ryan’s hands. What did he want me to do? To say? I was just as unsure as he was.

My mother, the caring woman that she was, pulled Ace into her arms unexpectedly, and I laughed upon seeing the big, strong man speechless. Shock was written all over his face at the affection coming from my weeping mother.

“Oh, thank you, Ace, honey. Thank you for saving her and for keeping her alive. God knows she couldn’t have done it alone.” My jaw dropped open in disbelief. Ryan snickered from behind me.

“Mom!” I shouted in disbelief. She smiled at me and pulled away from Ace, shooting him a grin, too.

“You always get yourself into trouble, Honey. Remember when?—”

I shook my head, waving my hands at her. “It’s okay; we don’t have to reminisce right now.” Ace grinned. “There are more pressing matters, like unpacking the car or something.” Ace’s grin only widened.

“Or getting you to Alex.” Ryan’s voice was tense as if he were the one in pain.

I sighed. “Or that.” I nodded, leaning my head back against his familiar chest.

“We called Alex in the car,” Mom informed me.

“He said we could come in this afternoon, and he would come in specially to see you. He doesn’t want things to escalate too fast. We can take you now, and Ace can go on home. I’m sure he’s tired of caring for you,” Dad said, speaking for the first time as he walked back toward the garage, nodding for Ryan to follow him.

Ryan held me in his strong, tanned arms with no grunt of complaint as he carried me to the garage.

“Unfortunately, Mr. Wilson, my bike is at your beach house,” Ace said, looking nervously at me over Ryan’s shoulder. “Can I come with you? I’d like to know how she is.” Licking his bottom lip, he ripped his gaze from mine, looking at my dad. He swallowed nervously, his Adam’s apple bobbing with the movement.

Oh, how I wanted to kiss those lips again. No one had ever kissed me like that—with so much want, need, and desire. No one had ever touched me like he did. Like he wanted to claim me. Possess me.

Own me.

“Why do you want to come with us?” Ryan abruptly stopped, and my head was thrown back against his shoulder. I grimaced in pain, reaching up to rub the side of my head.

“Because I want to know if she’ll be okay,” Ace retorted, his tone darkening just as Ryan’s had. I flicked my eyes between them, suddenly nervous. I wanted Ace, but I didn’t want him to lose Ryan as his best friend. He needed Ryan. From what I understood, Ryan was really the only person he had.

“I told you not to get attached,” Ryan snapped at him. “Now, remember your place as my friend and only that . Call an Uber. You aren’t coming with us. This is for her family only .”

I gaped at my brother as Ace’s face darkened, his hands curling and uncurling at his sides—like he wasn’t sure if he wanted to punch my brother or rip me from his arms.

“Ryan, that’s enough,” Mom hissed, anger lighting up in her eyes. “He’s kept her alive for almost a week, carried her everywhere, and been on the other side of her pain. If he wants to come, he can. You aren’t in charge of this family, young man— I am .”

Ryan’s body tensed. “Yes, Mom.” He ground his teeth around his words, the sound audible and making me cringe.

“Hurry up and get in the car,” Mom snapped at him before shooting an apologetic look at Ace. “Celine has waited long enough.”

Ryan followed my parents wordlessly while Ace walked behind us. My eyes latched onto his over Ryan’s shoulder, and I saw the anger and disappointment on his handsome face. I flashed him a smile and got to witness some of that anger and disappointment bleed away. My heart warmed; I loved the effect I had on him.

Five minutes later, Ace, Ryan, and I were squished in the backseat of Dad’s truck. I was sitting between the two hostile men, their anger making everyone uncomfortable.

A dull pain continued to shoot through my legs, sharpening with every jostle and bump on the short ride to Dr. Alex’s building. Mom and Dad were whispering to each other in the front, but the music was loud, so we couldn’t hear them. I knew they were talking about me, though and how bad my legs might be.

I was thankful I couldn’t hear them, honestly.

Fear crept into my veins when we pulled into the deserted parking lot of Dr. Alex’s office, seeing more damage from Hurricane Dawson. I swallowed the ball of nerves in my throat, my fingers clutching the edge of my shirt tightly.

Ace’s hand brushed mine, his fingers wrapping around my shaking ones quickly, then retreating before anyone could notice. He then placed his warm hand right next to my leg, and his thumb began rubbing circles on the outside of my thigh.

Silent assurance that he was here.

That I was going to be okay.

Though I wasn’t sure if I would be.

Dad pulled into the closest parking spot, and Ryan threw open the door before the truck had even stopped moving, extending his hands to me, ready to be my legs. Unbuckling the seatbelt, Ace’s hand left my leg as he hopped out of the truck, slamming the door shut before he walked to the front of the truck, his mouth moving as he talked to Mom.

I hated that I was coming between them. Why did Ryan have to be a dick?

“Come on, Cece.” Ryan’s impatient voice reached my ears.

“I’m comin’,” I muttered. Scooting myself to the edge of the seat, a jolt of pain flared in my right leg when I put my weight on it to move. “ Ah !” The small scream slipped past my lips without warning, and I squeezed my eyes shut, struggling to draw air into my lungs.

“Shit, I’m sorry. I’m sorry, Celine. How can I help you? Tell me what to do,” Ryan begged, all his assholery gone. Worry filled my brother’s tone, and pain was etched across his handsome face.

“You’re doing it; don’t worry.” He handled me carefully, his arm sliding under my thighs while the other went around my back. Pulling me from the truck slowly, a worried frown remained on his face.

“I’m always going to worry about you until the day that I die. You’re my responsibility. I didn’t keep you safe before from him . I won’t fail you again. I won’t .”

“Ryan—” I croaked.

“You’re my baby sister, and it’s my job to protect you,” he said quietly.

“You’ve always been my hero—ever since I was a little girl and fell off my bike, thanks to you.” He laughed, a carefree smile replacing the worried frown. I was just thankful my little bit of teasing had worked.

“How was I supposed to know you would listen to me and try to ride without hands? Come on—you were just gullible. Not my fault.” Mom laughed from behind us, holding the door open for Dr. Alex’s office.

“I remember that story differently, Ryan. I think it was more like you did something stupid, and naturally, your sister had to do the same. You both fell off your bikes, but you, my sweet boy, ran into the house holding Celine like she was going to die. I’ve never seen a little boy cry so much.” Ryan blushed.

“You aren’t supposed to share all my secrets, Ma. Some are between you and me for a reason.” Mom laughed as we walked through the dark waiting room and into the hall where the patient rooms were. Ace hung back, taking a seat in the waiting room.

I wanted him with me.

“I’ll wait here,” he said to all of us, but his gaze was locked on mine. I frowned, subtly shaking my head.

“Okay,” Mom said instead, “we shouldn’t be long.”

“Ryan, will you please let me know what’s going on?” Ace’s nerves were clear in his husky voice as he ran his eyes over me, worry and fear clouding his blue eyes.

“I’ll think about it.” I scowled at my brother. He could be such a prick .

“Ryan, please, I need to know,” Ace begged.

“Why do you need to know?” he shot back, stopping mid-step to turn and look at Ace. My legs barely missed the wall. I flinched.

“Because I care about her and I was with her the entire time, making sure she survived, carrying her when she could no longer walk.” Anger darkened Ace’s tone. “We’re friends, Ryan. I care about my friends.”

Friends.

Friends!

Was he fucking serious right now?

He told my brother that we were friends! Friends who kissed, friends who had almost slept together. Friends who got me off and begged me to come.

Who was he trying to convince?

“It better stay that way,” Ryan sneered. “Just friends , Ace. Don’t get feelings for her, and don’t think about her like that. She’s not for you.”

Slapping Ryan’s chest, tears pricked in my eyes. “Stop,” I seethed, anger burning me up inside.

Ryan’s eyes dropped to my hurt expression, shock coloring his features for a moment. “Celine, he’s no good for you.”

I glared at him. “That’s not for you to decide, especially not now when my legs are on fire, and I can’t walk without crumbling to the ground. Can you please have your pissing match some other time when we aren’t in a doctor’s office for me? When I’m not in pain?” Ryan looked properly chastised, and he cast his gaze away from me shamefully.

A throat cleared from the distance, and amusement flickered in Dr. Alex’s aging brown eyes as all heads turned to the older man.

“Ah, hello, Miss Wilson. Still a raging spitfire, I see. It’s good to know that some things never change.”