Broken Bonds (Unbreakable Bonds #1)

Chapter Twenty-Five

chapter twenty-five

I couldn’t stop thinking about her. About how those blue eyes cut straight through my shit, stopping me from spewing all sorts of lies to get away from her. And those pink, plump lips that were sweet as candy. I could kiss her all day. Touch her all day. Watch her fall apart for me all fucking day .

Once I had tasted those luscious lips, I was a goner. With lips so sweet, she had me begging for more. I couldn’t get her off my mind. She consumed me.

Staring at the ceiling of Ryan’s dark room, his snores filling the quiet air reminded me of why I shouldn’t be thinking about her, why I shouldn’t want her. But wanting her and thinking about her were inevitable.

Closing my eyes, I only saw her smile, her beautiful pink lips curved in a way that took my breath away every time she flashed it at me.

Celine Wilson—my best friend’s little sister.

She was everything I wanted but couldn’t have.

Turning on my side, I pulled the covers up to my chin, willing her sun-kissed face to disappear from my mind, though it was futile to even hope. She filled every bit of me.

The room was silent, Ryan’s snores no longer filling the air. “You awake?” his sleepy voice called.

I grunted. “Yeah.”

“You have to stop this; stop encouraging her.” His voice was pleading. I didn’t say anything. “You don’t deserve her, Ace.” His words punctured the silence, each one stabbing me in my gut.

I don’t deserve her.

I didn’t deserve anyone after letting Jack die.

I didn’t deserve happiness; he was right.

A bitter laugh spilled past my lips. “There’s nothing to end.”

I could feel his scowl burning into the back of my head. “Ace, I mean it. Stop fighting me on this, please.”

“I didn’t start anything with her.” The lie slipped off my tongue so easily, it was frightening. Because I had started something with her. Something beautiful. Something I wanted more than anything else.

I wanted Celine to be mine . But her brother was always going to remain in my way, wasn’t he?

“Then, what was Amber going on about?” he demanded.

Anger rumbled in my chest at his accusation. “Must be some stupid gossip between the two. I didn’t sleep with your sister,” I snapped at him. I wanted to. God , did I want to. But I’d done nothing but relieve some of the tension in her body. I hadn’t even gotten off, instead choosing to ignore my own erection and give myself blue balls. Because Celine was all that mattered.

Ryan shifted on the bed. “Don’t even think about touching her. I won’t be held accountable for what happens if you do.”

His threat hung in the air for a moment. When I heard his deep breaths, I knew his fists were clenched.

“Don’t threaten me, Ryan,” I warned him, my voice cold. “I won’t be told who I’m allowed to screw. You don’t own her body.” My words were a mere hiss. I’d been pushed around and told what to do long fucking enough. I’d escaped all that shit. I didn’t give a damn who Ryan thought he was; I wasn’t one he could bully.

“I’m her protector, and I’ll keep her safe from you, even if this friendship ends,” he promised.

I clenched my jaw. “I’m going to bed, dickhead.”

“I don’t want to have this conversation with you again, Ace,” he warned me. “I don’t want her to come between us because I won’t pick you over her. Blood comes first.”

Pain tightened my chest at his words. If only that were actually true.

“As it always should,” I quietly told him.

The next morning, I woke up alone, sunlight streaming into the room through a slit in the blinds and shining right into my half-lidded eyes. Ryan swung into the room a moment later, the bedroom door slamming against the wall, only making more light wash over me. I groaned.

“I’m trying to sleep here,” I grumbled, shoving my face into the pillow.

“Get your lazy ass out of bed, Ace.” He kicked the air mattress hard, making me roll to the floor with a loud thud.

“Leave me alone,” I snarled, but it came out muffled through the pillow I was still clutching to keep away the light.

“Can’t do that. Your presence has been requested downstairs.”

I groaned. “Tell them to screw off.”

Ryan snickered. “I don’t think my mother will approve of that.”

I sighed and slowly lowered the pillow, squinting into the too-bright room. “I’ll be there in five.” I lifted my head to see him shuffling out of the room. “How’s Celine?” I blurted.

He paused, looking back at me. Instead of lashing out at me like I thought he would, he sighed, his shoulders slumping. “Not good, man. Not good.”

Fuck .

When I dropped my head back to the pillow, Ryan left the room, closing the door on his way out. I pushed myself up from the floor and hurriedly got dressed, brushing my teeth and combing my hair the best I could so I could get downstairs and see Celine for myself, Ryan’s words running on repeat through my head.

Not good, man . Not good .

Five minutes later, I walked into the kitchen to find everyone already seated at the big table, munching on pancakes.

“Nice of you to join us, Asshole,” Celine chirped, a giant grin on her beautiful face. I watched her lips close around the fork she was bringing to her mouth, and her eyes closed as she ate the pancake. “These are so freaking good, Mom,” she moaned, looking across the table at her mother.

She was putting on a show. Her smile was too big, her eyes too wide as she tried to force some chipperness into her voice. Ryan was right. She wasn’t doing good.

The chairs beside her were taken by a grumpy-looking Amber, all that fiery red hair piled on top of her head in a big knot, and Ryan, who had his mouth filled with pancakes, syrup all over his face.

“Morning to you, too,” I mumbled, taking the only open seat left, which was next to her father, who was on the phone.

“Here you go, Honey. Freshly made pancakes.” Mrs. Wilson stacked four pancakes on a plate and handed it to me.

“Thank you, ma’am.”

Conversation was lighthearted through breakfast with no mention of Celine’s legs or the last few days. The constant noise of the news filled the spots of silence as the TV in the living room showed the destruction of Hurricane Dawson in all parts of Florida. After breakfast, we all helped clean-up, except for Celine, who sat rambling about the class she and Amber had together. “Can you believe he said that?!” she exclaimed.

Amber laughed, almost dropping the pan she was washing in the sink. “He’s such a rude man. I’m not looking forward to going back.”

“I can’t wait to go back to campus. I liked all my other professors. What about you, Ace? You’ve said nothing all morning.” All the attention in the room turned in my direction.

I shrugged, trying to feign nonchalance. “I’m enjoying the extended vacation.” My answer seemed to be enough. The three started on the topic of their past summer vacations, allowing me to get lost in my thoughts.

They drifted back to her—to the girl sitting at the kitchen table, a fake smile plastered to those kissable lips, her brows furrowed in pain the same way they had been for days. Ryan bumped into me, seeing my gaze on his sister, and shook his head.

His words flashed through my mind, reminding me of his threat last night. I don’t deserve her.

She laughed at something Amber said, and her head fell back, her blonde hair tumbling down her back, exposing her slender neck. I wanted to kiss her there, suck the skin, bite her. I wanted her so badly, I could barely think past it.

Celine stared at me, confusion in those blue eyes that always seemed to pull me in. Those lips puckered, teasing me like my favorite candy, and her long, tanned, bruised, and swollen legs were on display in a pair of small shorts, a big hoodie covering her top half. Despite the hideous discoloration on her legs, she was still so fucking beautiful, she stole the breath right from my lungs.

“Ace, what are you looking at? Is there food on my face?” Her mouth was moving, and her sweet voice caught my attention.

“Nothing.” I shook my head, smiling at her. “Just making sure you’re okay.” Nervousness raced through my veins, causing my words to jumble and the Texas twang I grew up with to come out. She smiled, making me ache for those lips just a little more.

You don’t deserve her.

YOU don’t deserve her.

Ryan’s voice screamed through my mind. Sneaking a glance in his direction, I was thankful to see he was deep in a conversation with the redhead. By the looks on their faces, he wasn’t going to last very long with that one.

“Move me over to the couch please?” Celine whispered for my ears only. Who the hell was I to say no when she was looking at me like that? Like I was the center of her universe. Like she was desperate for even a sliver of a moment with me.

Looking at me like I was hers— her man. Fuck, I wanted to be hers so badly.

You don’t deserve her. The words rang in my head again. Regardless of the voice screaming in my head, I took a step in her direction and then another until I was right in front of her. Sliding one arm around her back and the other under her thighs, I lifted her into my hold, feeling her warm body sink into mine, her hands clasping around my neck, our lips so close, noses almost brushing.

“Thanks.” Her warm breath blew against my lips, and the sickly-sweet smell of syrup hit my nose.

“Anytime, princess.” My words were low, only meant for her ears, so as not to alert her brother of our stolen moment.

I walked out of the kitchen and into the foyer, where I walked over to the place that they had made for her to keep her legs elevated. Placing her gently down on the soft couch, I gingerly wrapped my fingers around her ankles to place them on the chair with the pillow waiting for her.

“I’m not going to break, Ace.” She was still whispering, eyes on her ankles where my hands were.

I swallowed, my Adam’s apple bobbing. “I don’t want to hurt you.”

“Then stop looking at me like you have been all morning.” Placing her legs on the pillow, she shifted, and I slowly brought my gaze up to hers. Could she see how tormented I was inside? How conflicted I was over what I should do?

“I’ll get the ice.” She grabbed my hand before I could stand upright.

“Don’t end whatever this is before it starts,” she begged. “Give me a chance, Ace.” Her fingers tightened around mine. Her eyes were pleading with me, and her lips were softly parted, taunting me.

“I don’t want to hurt you,” I repeated, not knowing a better reason to stop this. Because I would hurt her. It was inevitable. I hurt everyone .

“Please.” The plea left her lips in a soft whisper that I barely heard. She licked her plump bottom lip, my eyes following her pink tongue until it disappeared back into her mouth.

“I brought you some ice.” Amber broke our intense gaze, my eyes dropping to Celine’s black and blue legs, and my shoulders sagged with relief at the interruption. Because I wasn’t sure if I could give her what she wanted.

“Thanks.” I heard the disappointment in Celine’s voice without having to look at her face. Slowly, I pulled my hand from hers, listening as hers dropped to the couch.

“I’m gonna head home, get out of your hair for a bit, then I’ll come back tomorrow to keep you company.” She squeezed Celine’s ankle after placing the big ice packs on her calves and thighs. Ryan walked in with a blanket, his eyes darting between Celine and me, eyes narrowing at our proximity.

He dropped the large, fluffy blanket on her legs, and a sigh left her lips as she tugged it closer to her body.

“Thanks, Amber. Maybe you can come tonight. Bring a bag this time.” Amber’s whole face lit up, and her eyes gleamed with happiness.

“Deal, girl! I’ll come around this afternoon. We’re going to binge something, so I’ll bring some of my favorites.” The redhead was bouncing, her excitement rolling off of her in waves.

“I hope I’m invited. Otherwise, I’m crashing this slumber party,” Ryan interjected, a shit-eating grin taking over his face. He eyed Amber in much the same way I always looked at Celine, and it made anger swirl in my gut. How was it fair he got to flirt and tease Amber, Celine’s friend, but I didn’t get the same fucking courtesy?

“Only if Ace comes.” Celine was quick to look at me, her big blue eyes pleading.

I sighed. “I’ll think about it.”

“How about I take you to the beach house to pick up your bike, and then we’ll swing past your place—check if it’s still there?” Ryan stole my attention again. I hadn’t even thought about home, to be honest. Or my bike. I’d been consumed by Celine.

“Yeah,” I nodded. “Sounds good. I should probably make sure the place wasn’t swept away.” Celine and Amber giggled that obnoxious way girls do when they get together.

Amber bent at the waist to hug Celine and then left with a parting, flirty wave to Ryan, who was quick to jog up the stairs afterward. “Grabbing the keys,” he said, taking the steps two at a time.

“Promise you’ll come back.” Celine’s eyes were locked on me, her lips turned down in a frown.

“Princess—” I started, my chest tightening. I didn’t want to give her more hope.

“Just promise me you’ll come back tonight, and we can work on the rest.” Both her small hands clutched my big one, her fingers tight around mine, her ocean eyes big and pleading.

God, how can I say no?

Celine Wilson had me wrapped around her little finger.

“Okay,” I breathed.

Those addictive lips turned up into a small smile of victory. Before I could think better of it, I was leaning forward and claiming that smile—and those lips.

She was going to fucking wreck me.