Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
THE HEATHEN
Iwake to Carter staring at me, his dark eyes watching my every move as I lift up and kiss his chest.
“What time is it?”
“A little after three thirty. Killian brought in a bag for you with everything you need if you still want to go.”
Sitting up, I kiss him briefly.
“I’m going to take a quick shower. I smell like sex.”
I go to move, and he wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me tight against him.
“I like it when you smell like sex.”
Kissing his neck, I giggle.
“Yes, but you don’t want them smelling me like that.”
I don’t bother explaining who they are, he knows, and confirms my statement with a low growl.
“Go take a shower.”
I get up and walk to the bathroom. Turning to him, I spot the scowl on his face.
“I love you, Carter.” I sing-song and he shakes his head at me.
“I love you too. Goddamn Heathen.”
After turning the water on and getting the temperature just right, I step under the spray. Washing my body, I try to ignore the cross on my skin, but can’t. It has the effect on me Jedediah wanted. It was meant to hurt me and consume my every thought.
“Baby, stop. I can see you mentally berating yourself.”
Jumping at the sound of Killian’s voice, I turn and look out the glass shower doors and nearly gasp at how handsome Kill looks. He’s wearing black shorts and a black shirt. It’s nothing fancy, but he makes everything look good.
“Where’s Carter?”
“He is in the other shower.”
He stands in the doorway, arms crossed over his chest, his eyes dark with an expression I can’t read.
“So, you’re going to stand there and watch me shower then?”
“No,” he says and then adds, “I’m going to stand here watching you shower and make sure you’re not obsessing over temporary things. Things that are not part of you but were done to you, against your will.”
I hang my head down in shame. If he knows, I can’t help but wonder if they all know that I think about these damn brandings constantly.
“Is the bathing suit a one piece?”
He narrows his gaze and answers my question.
“I bought both so you could decide. You have nothing to be ashamed of, Killer. No one will look at you and judge you for it. This was not a choice you made. Stop beating yourself up over this.”
I turn the water off and wrap my body in a towel.
“It’s not a choice, Killian. Do you think I want to feel this way?”
He pulls me into his arms and holds me tight against his chest.
“I’m sorry, I’m fucking this up. No, I don’t think you’re choosing to feel this way. What can I do to help?”
I wrap my arms around him, hugging him back as the anger I felt only moments ago dissipates.
“This. And maybe help me find someone to cover it up.”
Placing his hands on my face he tilts my head back.
“Done. Now get dressed before I lose my fucking mind.”
He kisses me just below my eye and groans as he leaves the room.
“Beautiful and naked. Dangerous combination.”
Grabbing the bag on the counter, I pull the clothing out.
A bikini and a one piece, both purple of course, along with shorts and a t-shirt.
I opt for the two piece when I spot the black cover-up that he got with it.
Maybe he doesn’t understand why I’m losing my mind over the branding, but he is trying.
My chest squeezes from the way he thought of everything.
After I get the shorts and t-shirt on over the bikini, I grab the cover-up and search for Killian.
I find all three of them sitting on the sofa together, nursing a beer. When I walk into the room, the conversation stops as they stare at me.
Walking over to Killian, I climb on him, straddling his lap.
He stares at me, his eyes dancing with amusement until I rub my thumb along his bottom lip and heat fills his gaze.
“Killer,” he says with a stern warning in his voice.
I giggle as I kiss his cheek softly.
“Thank you.”
His cheeks turn pink and I laugh hard.
“Oh, my God. Killian blushes. Isn’t that the most adorable th-“
He grabs my hair and yanks my head.
“Do not finish that sentence. I am not fucking adorable.”
I bat my eyelashes at him, and he grumbles as his brothers laugh at him.
“Call me adorable again and your ass will be red.”
I stroke his cheek gently while I stare at him.
“I love you, Killian. I really do. Please don’t be mad at me, it's not my fault you’re adorable.”
His phone chimes, and he pulls it out of his pocket and answers it.
“Yeah. We are on our way.”
He disconnects the call and glares at me.
“They are waiting for us, so we are going but-“
He holds his hand up before continuing.
“You will be spanked when we get home.”
“Promise?” I ask sweetly.
He glances at Knox.
“This woman.”
I climb off his lap while giggling.
“You’re supposed to say I love you too when someone says it to you.”
He gets up and walks to the door before responding.
“Oh, baby, I love you too. Remember that later.”