Chapter 43
Declan sucked in an audible breath at my words. Ronan growled like he wanted to tear something, or someone, apart. And Colt was silent.
A second later, rough hands cupped my face. Ronan gently forced my head up. His eyes searched mine. “There is nothing you need to hide from us.”
I battled to keep my tears at bay. “They’re bad. I hate the way they look.”
Colt closed in so that I was surrounded by the three of them. “LeeLee. There’s nothing about you that isn’t beautiful. Those scars just show how damn strong you are.”
Declan nuzzled the side of my neck. “He’s right. You’re a miracle. Every inch of you.”
My heart hammered against my chest. “I’ve never let anyone see them before.”
I’d always been so determined to hide them from everyone around me. The thought of willingly exposing them to someone was completely foreign. But I missed swimming. I’d never felt freer than when I was consumed by the water, weightless and unencumbered.
“Trust us,” Colt whispered. “We have you.”
“Okay.” The single word was barely audible, but a cannon shot at the same time.
Colt beamed. “Come on. I’ll show you where the suits are and where you can change.”
Before I knew it, he had my hand and was guiding me outside and toward the pool house that stood to the side of the yard. My gaze ate up the space that was like a house in its own right. Expertly decorated with high-end finishes, it seemed like a waste that no one lived here.
Colt moved to a closet and pulled out a few hangers. “Here’s what Carly sent.”
I gaped at the bikinis, more importantly, at the lack of fabric. “I’ll be lucky if those cover my nipples.”
Colt barked out a laugh. “Not gonna lie, LeeLee, wouldn’t mind if you just skinny-dipped.”
My jaw dropped.
He crossed to me, his thumb sweeping across my cheek and then trailing down my neck. “Did I scandalize you?”
My breath hitched. “N-no.”
His grin only widened. “I’m going to force myself to leave right now because if I don’t, I’m gonna do something I’m not sure you’re ready for.”
I swallowed hard, any attempt at words sticking in my throat.
I stared at the door Colt disappeared out of for at least a count of ten.
“What just happened?” I whispered to the empty room.
Shaking myself out of my stupor, I focused on the bathing suits. Carly had done great with most of the clothes she’d sent, but if I saw her again, we were going to have words about what constituted a bikini. I did not need butt floss for a bathing suit.
Pulling them all off the hangers, I mixed and matched the bottoms and tops that had the most coverage.
I slipped into the bathroom and got changed.
Stepping back, I took in my reflection. The top at least covered my boobs, but it also pushed them up, making me look like I had more cleavage than I actually did.
I thought about turning around to make sure my whole ass wasn’t on display, but I didn’t want to see the mangled skin on my back.
I was worried if I did, I’d never go out to the pool.
Grabbing a towel, I wrapped it around myself and pulled it tight.
Now or never. I hurried out the door before I could stop myself.
The guys were already out there. Colt, Ronan, and Declan were in the water, shooting basketballs into a floating hoop.
Dash was standing by an elaborate display of snacks, popping something into his mouth.
And Trace was reclined on a lounger, sunglasses in place.
My breath hitched as I took them all in, each one beautiful in their own way. But Trace’s tattoos had me hypnotized. He was completely covered in them. There were drawings and words, but I was too far away to make them out.
“Like something you see, Little Bird?”
Trace’s words were a taunt, but I refused to be embarrassed.
I met his stare dead on. “Your tattoos are beautiful.”
His jaw hardened as if he would’ve much preferred I sniped back at him.
Colt flicked some water at me. “Get in. Water’s perfect.”
My mouth went dry at the thought of exposing myself, but Colt’s earlier words played in my mind. “Trust us.”
I let the towel drop, and five sets of eyes bored into me.
Dash’s hand holding a chip and dip froze halfway to his mouth. “Holy hell,” he muttered.
Declan coughed. “If this is hell, sign my soul over to the Devil.”
Ronan’s lips twitched.
Their attention was too much. So, I did the only thing I could. I dove into the water.
Colt was right, even though the air was crisp, the water was heavenly warm. When I burst to the surface, I felt instantly lighter.
Colt grinned at me. “You haven’t lost your form.”
I laughed. “I can still kick your butt in a race, too.”
He arched a brow. “We’ll have to see about that.”
He swam over to me, arms going around my waist.
I tried not to tense, knowing that his hands would feel the mangled skin. But the moment his fingers ghosted over my scars, I couldn’t help but freeze.
Colt didn’t let that deter him. He traced the scars. “Breathe, LeeLee. I’ve got you.”
Dash slid into the water next to us and moved to my side. His lips skimmed over my shoulder, sending an array of shivers across my skin. “So damn beautiful.”
“More beautiful than anything I’ve ever seen,” Declan said gruffly as he pressed a kiss to the corner of my mouth.
Ronan rounded behind me, and I fought the urge to sink beneath the surface and hide. His head dipped, and his lips ghosted over the skin I’d never shown anyone. He didn’t stop until his mouth had caressed each inch.
My breaths came in quick pants as pleasure and pain ricocheted through me.
“The most beautiful strength I’ve ever seen,” he whispered against my skin.
I leaned back against him, surrounded by the four of them like it was as natural as breathing. And then my eyes locked with Trace.
His sunglasses were dark as night, but I could still sense those eyes on me, and I couldn’t look away. And as four pairs of hands skimmed over my skin, I couldn’t help yearning for one more.