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I think I’d been mostly OK until the water had tossed my car around. That had kind of been the defining moment in this misadventure. Then Ice had come. I’d met the man before but when we were both a lot younger. I had been a kid, not even in my teens. Ice -- Cliff -- and his brother, Daniel, had been larger than life. They’d both been nice to me, but then, most people were. After all, I was the Devil’s daughter. But they’d been different. At least, it seemed to me like they were different. Like they… saw me. As a person. Not some kid they had to be nice to or her daddy’d kill them.
I wasn’t sure how long I sat there trembling, but when the shaking subsided, I felt strung out. Exhausted. Stumbling to my feet, I leaned against the wall again. Time to get moving. Lord only knew how long we had before the power went out and with it the hot water. Hell, there was no guarantee the water would still be available.
I hurried through the shower, not wanting to take up too much more time so Ice could have a turn. I’d already taken up too much time trying to gather my courage.
As with the first set of clothes I’d changed into in the garage, these were quite a bit too big. The shorts had a drawstring, which I cinched as tight as I could get it, and I knotted the shirt at my waist. No underwear. I hung up my other clothes before opening the bathroom door and exiting into the first room of the suite.
“You good?” Ice moved to the doorway from the other room, leaning one hip against the frame with dry clothing bunched in one fist. He was sinfully sexy. Way out of my league.
His jeans were wet, clinging to every muscle in his thighs. He’d taken off his shirt, and there was no way I could prevent myself from staring.
I’d seen a lot of shirtless men in the years I’d been in the Black Reign compound. Sure, there were things that went on I was never a part of -- Lord knew the club parties could be legendary -- but I was a virgin and then some.
Even though we lived in the middle of it all, my dad sheltered me from everything he possibly could. Unlike some of the kids in Black Reign, I was the epitome of a good girl. I never wanted to be anything but a good girl. Why? Because if I got into trouble, my dad would never see my wrongdoing. No. It’d be someone else’s fault, and then he’d kill them. OK, so not really kill them but I was certain it wouldn’t be comfortable for anyone but me. Me, he’d coddle and give anything to make it all better.
So, yeah. Faced with the bounty of a man in front of me, there was no way I could keep from staring. If we holed up in this motel for more than a day, it was going to get supremely uncomfortable. Because there was no way I could keep from looking at Ice. He had my full, undivided attention.
“Um, yeah.” I tried to eke out a smile when I was still reeling. Not only had I nearly died today, but now I was presented with the most delicious man I’d ever seen and had no idea what to do with him. I was sure I’d reached the end of any endurance I had. “I’m fine.”
He winced. “Honey, I’m not a ladies’ man or anything, but I have a wonderful mother who taught me when a woman says she’s fine, she’s anything but.” He stood and crossed the room toward me slowly. He had a concerned look on his face, but the whole situation reminded me of a panther stalking his prey. “Did you get hurt before or are you just on overload?”
“Overload,” I managed to say. I looked down at my feet, not sure of what to do.
Ice tilted my chin up so that I was forced to look him in the eye. “What do you need, honey?” he asked softly, his eyes searching mine.
I felt my cheeks flush as his proximity made my heart race. “I don’t know,” I admitted, feeling vulnerable and exposed. “Everything’s just been more than I’m used to handling.” I tried to snort out a deprecating laugh but wasn’t sure I was believable. “Believe it or not, my dad always made sure me and my mom were never in Florida when a hurricane was in the area. Took me several years before I realized what he was doing.”
Ice grinned. “Yeah. I can see him doing that. Why don’t you lie down for a bit? I’ve ordered room service. As long as the power stays on, they’re going to keep cooking. They’ve assured me they have plenty of sandwich meat, fruit, and cheeses to last a few days if need be.” He brushed a lock of wet hair off my cheek gently. “I’m gonna run through the shower real quick. I should be out before they get here, but if I’m not, tell them to set the tray outside the door. Don’t let anyone inside and don’t leave the room. Understand?”
