Unbroken

Chapter 20: Trust

A/N: Hey, Peeps! I hope y'all enjoy this chapter. I know it's been a while since my last update, but I'm finally getting caught up on where I need to be with my published works. If you enjoy Unbroken, there's a chance you might like my series Chimera Project: Discoveries by K Swanson. Book 1 came out a few months ago, and book 2 should have a release date relatively soon.

Light filtered through my eyelids, and a deep voice whispered something softly nearby. Who was that? Blinking a few times, I finally pried my eyes open enough to see wide, bare shoulders. In bed with me?

"... fine, Kace. It's not your fault." He was quiet for a moment, then said, "I'll talk to her and text you. Yeah. The grounding is legit, but I can't for the life of me imagine what she did to earn it." He spoke softly for another few moments, then hung up.

After putting his phone on the nightstand, he lay back down and wrapped an arm around my waist. "Morning."

"How did you know I was awake?" It wasn't like I'd really moved.

"Your breathing changed." He buried his face against the back of my neck and a chill ran down my spine.

"I didn't mean to eavesdrop," I said in way of apology.

"If it had been a conversation where it really mattered, I would have texted."

His body was warm against my back, and I spun in his arms to rest my forehead against his chest. "You're warm."

He chuckled softly as my chilled feet brushed against his calves. "And you aren't." His fingers danced along my spine.

"Are you going horseback riding today?" I asked, tilting my head back so I could see his face.

He huffed out a breath in amusement. "I ride nearly every day."

I rolled my eyes. "I was just wondering because that's what you were texting about yesterday."

"Actually... we were kind of wondering if your mom works today."

I nodded. "She works most school days, and even though we don't have school today, she still has to work."

"So... you could technically sneak out?"

My eyes widened. "Absolutely not. I've never done that before."

"What exactly were you grounded for, again?"

"Wearing a skimpy swimsuit," I muttered as my cheeks heated.

Rook went completely still for a moment. "The swimsuit your sister got for you? After she tossed your old one?"

I nodded.

"And she didn't get in trouble?" He sounded incredulous.

"My mom doesn't know that part," I admitted in a whisper.

"Why the hell not?"

"Part of the twin code." Now that I said it out loud, it sounded stupid.

Rook grumbled, then gently pushed me to my back and hovered over me. "I'm sure you looked hot as fuck in it, but we never even really saw you wearing it, since you wore a shirt over it."

I nodded miserably and his thumb brushed over my lips. The touch tickled and I gently bit his thumb. His eyes darkened as they dropped down to my lips. I shivered in anticipation as I watched him. What did he plan on doing now? Did I even want to know? Was I a horrible person for wanting him to kiss me? I should stop this right now. I'd already kissed Kacen, and I definitely didn't want to start any fights between them.

Before I could look away from Rook, his head lowered and his lips brushed against my cheek. "You're fucking adorable when you're overthinking things."

"How am I—"

He cut me off when his lips touched my own, and my heart sped ridiculously fast. He gave a small smile that I felt against my skin, and my arms slid up and around his neck as he rested both his legs on either side of my right one.

He bit lightly on my bottom lip, giving it a small tug that made me buck my hips slightly. With a soft groan, he pushed his hips forward, keeping me pinned to the mattress. Not that I minded. My thoughts felt hazy as his tongue brushed against my lips, asking for permission. I opened for him and he shuddered.

I felt his hardness against my thigh and it made my breath escape in a pant. But then I remembered I'd recently kissed someone else. Someone else I also really liked. I pulled back and he followed, dropping his forehead against my own. "Damn."

I could still feel his hard-on against my thigh, and I swallowed hard, not sure what to say in this situation. I didn't want things to change between us, but I'd also started to realize I might like all three of the guys as more than friends.

Footsteps on the stairs jolted us out of it, and when they got to the second floor and turned toward my door, he shoved a hand under the pillow, grabbing his meter before rolling over me and dropping to the floor.

Just in time, because my door opened and Mom stepped inside. "You're not to leave the house unless it's an emergency. I'll be home in time for dinner." She didn't wait for my response before leaving my room and heading for Ari's.

I got up and crossed my room to shut my door again, then I hopped onto my bed, scooting across the surface on my stomach until I could look over at Rook. "She's gone."

He released a breath, then got up and sat down next to me. We waited in silence as Mom headed back downstairs and out the front door. Once we were sure it was safe to talk again, Rook ran his fingers through his hair and sat his meter down on the bed.

He met my gaze. "Was that too fast?" His voice was soft and a gentle finger under my chin lifted my face toward him.

I played with my fingers as my heart began to beat furiously again. "I..." I wasn't sure what to say. Would he be ticked off at me knowing that I'd kissed Kacen? I didn't want to upset him.

"Shit, it was. I'm sorry, Em."

I shook my head. "No, it wasn't. Honest." That was something I didn't want him to worry about. Because he hadn't taken advantage of me. I'd wanted to kiss him... I just... shouldn't have wanted it.

"Then what's that look for?" His thumb brushed over my bottom lip.

I couldn't stand for him to think he'd messed up somehow. "I kissed Kacen," I blurted out.

His brow furrowed for a moment, then his expression cleared. "I'll talk to him."

My eyes widened. "No! I mean, I don't want to come between you guys. And it won't happen again!"

He chuckled softly and dropped a kiss to the top of my head, making my entire body heat. "You worry too much, Ember." He was still for a moment, then got to his feet. "I need to head out before anyone finds out I was here. And hopefully none of your neighbors see me leaving, considering I didn't bring a shirt with me." He made it to the window and swung one leg over after shoving his meter into the waistband of his shorts. As I watched him, he smiled. "Trust me?"

I nodded. Of course I trusted him.

"When you're ungrounded, I'll take you horseback riding."

I smiled. "See you later."

With one last look, he descended down the tree and my smile fell. He was right. I did trust him. I just hoped he wouldn't get in a fight with the others over it.