Series: Shame On You Series by Willow Winters
Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 51495 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 257(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51495 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 257(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
The night is dark, but there’s plenty of laughter to be shared in Aria’s studio. It’s the safest I’ve felt since all of this began.
Finally, Addison drops her head into her hands, laughing. “I’m going to fall asleep at the table.”
“That's it, then.” Aria stands up, a warm smile on her face. She rubs at Addison’s back. “On your feet, babe. It’s time to head to bed.”
She leads us out of the studio and locks the door behind her. Then Aria hugs me and Addison. “Braelynn, if you need anything, you text us. We’re only a minute away.”
“I don’t have your numbers,” I say into the crush of the hug.
Aria pulls away, laughing, and we exchange phone numbers. My phone doesn’t feel pointless anymore. These two women are people I actually could call if I needed anything. I don’t have to worry about hiding from them. There’s probably nothing I could say that they would find shocking. The relief is undeniable. So is my gratitude as Aria walks me back to Declan’s wing.
“Get some sleep,” she says. “They’ll be back sooner or later, and it won’t help you to stay up worrying.”
“I will,” I promise her. I’m sure the wine will help me sleep tonight. “Thanks for tonight,” I add quietly.
“It’ll all be okay,” she promises with a gentle smile.
Her compassion was unexpected and I didn’t realize how much I needed it.
I didn’t believe her earlier in the evening, but now…I think I do. If she and Addison have made it through harder things, like they said, then eventually I’ll be on the other side, too.
On my own again, I brush my teeth and wash my face. Clothes discarded, I pull one of Declan’s T-shirts over my head. My mind hums with a gentle peace and I even catch myself smiling. I’ve almost always been kind of a loner and the last friend I really had was Scarlet. What’s that say about my friend choices?
This is different though. I can feel that in my bones.
I’m only a step away from climbing into the bed and following Aria’s instructions when the bedroom door opens.
I whirl around, feeling in that moment exactly how tipsy I am. The heat of the alcohol in my blood softens the shock of seeing Declan shirtless. All his muscles are on display, and I have to force myself not to dwell on how hot Declan Cross is. That’s not my fault, though. It’s just an instinct to notice. Still, worry manages to push through the wine haze.
“What happened to your shirt?”
He scrubs his hands over his face, hesitating for a moment. “It had blood on it.” Before, I would have stayed in the bed and let him come to me. This time, I go to him. His eyes flicker and his brow cocks as I put my hands over his chest to feel his heart. It beats strongly under his carved chest. His skin is hot on mine as I balance myself.
He questions, “Are you okay?”
“I’m much better now.” I’m reminded of everything that worried me before he left. “You okay?”
He murmurs an answer, “I’m a bit better, I think.”
With one hand over mine, he pushes my palm tighter to his chest, then leans forward and kisses my forehead. He smirks a deadly sinful smirk that the devil himself must’ve taught him and whispers at the shell of my ear, “Give me a second to wash up and I’ll make you much better. How about that?”
With goosebumps flowing down my spine, he steps away. A few seconds later the shower runs, and I pad after him into the bathroom.
I don’t want to be alone. I don’t want the liquid courage to leave me. He’s stepping into the shower when his eyes lift and he sees me at the door. Declan raises his arms and pushes the water through his hair, his eyes on mine. Despite all that’s happened, I still feel the heat behind that look.
My heart hammers and I’m only vaguely aware of what I’m doing. I want it to be easy again. I want to go back to when it started. That’s all I can think about in this moment.
Take me back to that place where I fell in love with him.
I pull his T-shirt over my head and drop it to the floor. Declan’s eyes track down my body and follow my hands as I find the waistband of my panties and take them off. My heart in my throat, I cross to the shower and get in with him.
The hot water is soothing and the white noise that surrounds us only urges me to keep going.
At first, I just put my hands to his back, skimming my palms over his shoulder blades. He lets out a low noise and turns, pulling me tight against him. Water slicks between us. Declan tips my face to his and kisses me.