Chapter 15 #3
I lower my hand from his mouth but keep it resting against his chest, feeling the steady beat of his heart beneath my palm.
“I love how steady you are,” I continue quietly.
“Even when everything is falling apart, you don’t panic.
You just… stay. I love that you came here tonight even though you knew my dad would be furious.
I love that you stood up to him in front of the whole club, knowing exactly what it would cost you.
” My voice drops even softer. “I love that you’re not scared of him.
Or of Cross. Or of any of this. You just decided I was worth it… and you haven’t backed down once.”
Rook is staring at me like I’ve knocked the air out of him.
I swallow and keep going, needing him to hear it all.
“I love that you challenge me without trying to control me. I love that you see me, not just as Piston’s daughter, but as me. And I love that even after everything that happened tonight, you’re still sitting here, looking at me like I’m the only thing that matters.”
My eyes sting as I finish.
“I love you, Rook. All of you. Even the parts that drive my dad crazy.”
For a second, he just stares at me, my hand still pressed against his chest. Then he exhales, the sound rough and shaky, and leans in to press his forehead to mine.
“Fuck, Scarlett…” he murmurs, his voice thick. “You’re gonna kill me.”
I smile through the tightness in my throat and close my eyes, breathing him in.
For a second, he just stares at me, my hand still pressed against his chest. Then he exhales, the sound rough and shaky, and leans in.
He kisses me slow, deep, and certain. His hand slides up to cup the side of my face as his mouth moves over mine.
I melt into him, my fingers curling into the front of his shirt as I kiss him back with everything I’ve been too scared to say until now.
When he finally pulls back, he rests his forehead against mine, breathing a little harder.
“Say it again,” he murmurs.
A small, shaky smile pulls at my lips. “I love you.”
“I love you too. So fucking much.” Rook exhales like the words hit him all over again, then closes the distance and kisses me once more.
When we finally break apart, I glance down at his bloodied knuckles and the dried blood on his shirt. He looks exhausted. Wrecked.
I gently brush my fingers over the bruise on his jaw. “Come on,” I say softly. “You need to shower.”
Rook blinks at me, like he wasn’t expecting that. A tired half-smile pulls at his mouth. “You trying to get me naked already?”
I roll my eyes, even as my cheeks warm. “You’re covered in blood and my parents are upstairs. Go shower before you bleed all over my mom’s couch.”
He lets out a low laugh but doesn’t argue. I take his hand and lead him toward the downstairs bathroom.
Once we’re inside, I turn on the shower for him and grab a clean towel from the cabinet. Rook watches me quietly, something soft in his eyes.
I step closer and carefully help him out of his cut, then his shirt.
My fingers trace lightly over the bruises already forming along his ribs.
He doesn’t say anything, just lets me look.
When I finally meet his eyes again, my voice comes out quieter than I expect.
“I’ll be right outside if you need anything. ”
Rook reaches out and catches my hand before I can step back. He brings it up to his mouth and presses a slow kiss to my knuckles. “Stay,” he says, voice low. “Just… stay with me.”
I look at him for a long moment, then nod.
“Okay.” I close the bathroom door behind us as the steam starts to fill the room.
When the water is warm enough, I gently push him toward the shower.
He steps under the spray with a quiet groan, letting the water run over his head and down his battered body.
I undress then step in behind him. I reach for the body wash and pour some into my hands before gently running them over his back and shoulders, washing away the blood and sweat from the fight.
Rook stays still, his head bowed slightly under the water as I carefully wash him.
My hands move slowly, carefully, over every bruise and cut.
I wash his arms, his chest, and his bruised ribs with gentle fingers.
When I reach up to wash his hair, he lets out a low, tired sound and leans into my touch.
When I’m done, Rook turns around to face me.
Water runs down his face and over the bruises on his jaw.
He looks at me for a long moment, something soft and heavy in his eyes.
Then he leans down and kisses me. It’s slow and deep, his hands sliding up to cradle my face as the water pours over both of us.
I kiss him back just as gently, my hands resting lightly on his chest. There’s no urgency in it, just quiet, steady love and the need to be close after everything that happened tonight.
When we finally pull apart, Rook rests his forehead against mine, breathing me in. “Thank you,” he murmurs.
I don’t say anything. I just wrap my arms around his waist and hold him under the warm water, letting the rest of the world fall away for a little while.