Page 36 of Unmasked Anarchy
“Go shower,” he says, and gestures to the bathroom door with a jut of his chin.“Use whatever.I left a towel in there.”
I offer a small smile, going into the bathroom and closing the door.I get undressed and step in.Under the spray, I press my palms against the cheap tile and let myself cry silent, angry tears, hating how Gage’s words still fill up my head, how his actions can still hurt me so damned much.
Eventually, I get out.
I dry off then wrap a towel over my hair and tug Kael’s t-shirt down.It covers me so completely, hanging halfway down my thighs.My body aches, but I feel the faintest relief, being clean always makes me feel better.When I emerge, Kael’s already in bed, propped against a headboard that’s just a slab of wood.There’s a space beside him, clearly for me.
For a second I just stand there, towel in my hands.
He flips the blanket back.“Get in.I won’t bite.”
I am so tired, I don’t even question it.I crawl up onto the mattress and slide under, the sheets soft against my skin.Kael shifts, and then before I know it, I’m being pulled against his bare chest, my cheek flush against his skin.I stiffen, but only for a second.
“Relax, darlin’,” he murmurs.“I won’t do anythin’ you don’t ask for.”
I exhale, slowly sinking into him.
He feels incredible next to me.
I can’t remember the last time someone held me like this.
“Want to tell me what happened when you went back?”he asks, his voice low but relaxed.
“I found him in bed with two other women.I went mad at him, he accused me of sleeping with you, so I told him what happened.He lost it, threatened me, told me I am never leaving and that he will make the club wish they had never met me.I’m sorry, Kael.I should have kept my damn mouth shut.”
I expect him to be pissed.Instead, I feel the warmth of his hand settle over my stomach, his fingers tracing small circles on my flesh.
“Nobody is goin’ to touch you or the club, not here, not with us.You don’t need to worry.”
I think about Wolfe and the club, someone like me could bring a lot of heat to them.My jaw tightens, and I stare up at the ceiling.“Gage doesn’t let things go,” I say.“He’ll come for you, for everyone.He won’t stop.”
Kael’s hand moves, almost absent, making circles over my hip bone.“He’s not the first man with a grudge I’ve come across,” he says, a low rumble in his chest.“The club won’t let him hurt you.”
I exhale.“You make it sound so simple.”
“Doesn’t have to be complicated,” he murmurs, and now his thumb shadows the line of my ribs, up and down.My pulse quickens.
“What if Wolfe doesn’t want this on him?”I ask, softer now.“What if I’m not worth all the hell I bring?”
Kael’s body tenses, subtle, but I feel it.“That’s not for you to worry about,” he murmurs.“Wolfe wants you safe as much as I do.If Gage wants a war, we’ll make sure he doesn’t come out standing.”
His hand continues its exploration.It’s not sexual, just soft.Still, my lungs suddenly feel as though they aren’t taking enough air.I swallow, uncomfortable with the familiar flutter stirring deep down.
“You don’t even know me enough to help me like this.”
He chuckles, low.“I know enough.”
I close my eyes, counting my breaths.I am tired.So tired.But I don’t want to sleep, not yet.Kael’s finger dips lower, tracing my flesh, just above the ugly scar.My whole body flushes and I stiffen, scared of how this makes me feel.
He pauses, and without thought, I immediately blurt, “I want you, but I’m scared.I’m scared of the way you make me feel.”
He rolls toward me, his hard body pressing farther into mine, his hands sliding around my back and pulling me closer as his lips settle against my forehead for a long moment.“If you want me, darlin’, you got me.”
I close my eyes, breathing out against his chest.
“Sleep, baby,” he murmurs.“I got you.”
I have no energy left to fight.I let him hold me, let my guard down for the first time in years.The last thing I feel before sleep drags me under is his hands sliding up and down my back, bringing me a comfort I didn’t know I needed.
