Total pages in book: 43
Estimated words: 38973 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 195(@200wpm)___ 156(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38973 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 195(@200wpm)___ 156(@250wpm)___ 130(@300wpm)
Silently, as the water heated, turning almost scorching, I stripped out of my clothes, then eased him out of his, tossing them outside the shower as well. Then, I sank to the floor and pulled him down onto my lap, touching and kissing him. He quietly cried as he leaned into each of my touches, seeking more of my hands on him. And I didn’t stop.
I had no idea how long we sat there with me mapping the planes of his lean body with my hands and mouth, but eventually, his tears stopped, and his eyelids grew heavy, sleep tugging at him.
“Stay awake for me a little longer, sweet boy,” I murmured, pressing a soft, tender kiss to his lips. “I need to bathe you and wash your hair, okay?”
“Okay, Papa,” he croaked, his hands smoothing over my chest, his nails raking through the hair there. I pressed a kiss to his bruised cheek, then grabbed the bar of soap, running it over his tender skin. Once I deemed him clean, I gently shampooed and conditioned his hair, letting him cling to me as I did so. It didn’t make the task easy, but I didn’t care.
No amount of difficulty would make me ease him back some to make my task easier.
I toweled him dry, then dressed him in my briefs and one of my long-sleeve shirts, which swallowed him and damn near fell to his knees. He sat on the bed, watching me as I got dressed.
Crouching between his spread thighs, I gripped his knees, looking up at his bruised face. Absently, he slid his fingers into my hair, blinking down at me through swollen, bloodshot blue eyes. “Can you eat, Ace baby? Jax made dinner.”
He yawned and nodded, then wrapped his arms and legs around me—a silent order for me to carry him. When we got downstairs, Jax looked up from where he was setting bowls of spaghetti on the table. Ace smiled a little, his eyes growing watery.
“Is it like Blakely makes it?”
Jax shrugged. “I don’t know, kid. She walked me through it, but we all know she’s the best cook.”
Ace sniffled and laughed a little, nodding for me to sit him down in the chair. He winced when his ass met the seat, and immediately, I lifted him again, sitting down and settling him on my lap. I dragged the other bowl over to me.
“Papa is best, but she’s second-best,” Ace told him. He looked at Jax as he picked up his fork. “Does she know…”
Jax looked at me. I sighed. “Everyone knows, baby.” He sighed and closed his eyes, his expression pained. “But it’s okay.” I pressed a kiss to his abused cheek. “You’re going to stay here with me and recover. When you go home, you’ll be as good as new.”
“Blakely is coming to stay with us,” Jax told him. Ace frowned. “Shaw is bringing her, so she’s not coming by herself, but Shaw’s not staying, Ace. And you don’t have to face Shaw if you don’t want to.”
“Jax and I won’t let him bully you,” I promised. “This is your home. Your safe place. And we won’t let anyone destroy that. You hear me?” I gently gripped his chin and turned his head to look at me. “Do you understand me, Ace?”
He nodded. “Yes, Papa.”
I kissed him softly. “Good boy. Eat your food. Then, we’ll put on a movie and cuddle. Sound good?”
He smiled a little, and something inside my chest eased, some of the tightness dissipating. “Sounds good.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
Gunner
Ace stirred when a soft knock sounded on the front door. Jax grunted and stood to his feet, his steps silent as he crossed through the living room. Ace’s eyes blinked open as Jax opened the door, revealing who I assumed was Blakely, since I hadn’t had a chance to meet her yet, and Shaw. I blinked in surprise at Blakely. She was a gorgeous as hell woman—certainly not who I expected a man like Jax to end up with, honestly. Jax was so rough around the edges and a bit scruffy. But Blakely was drop-dead gorgeous with long, blonde hair and eyes that shone.
And she was covered in hickies, bruises, and… were those bite marks?
Jesus Christ, Jax and Blakely were into some kinky shit.
“Ace…” Blakely breathed, brushing past Jax and into the house, her worried eyes locked on my boy. There was no pity there—just concern and anger. She crouched in front of us, not even sparing me a glance. “Can I touch you?”
He grabbed my hand in both of his, squeezing tightly before he nodded. She gently cradled his face, turning his head to look at the bruising and swelling better. Blowing out a soft breath, she released him, then marched into my kitchen like she owned the place. I watched over my shoulder as she grabbed a Ziploc bag, dropped some ice cubes in it, closed it, and wrapped it in a dish towel before coming back over to us. She held it out to Ace, and he slowly took it from her, frowning.