His eyes drift over my hair, face, and the outfit, then he shakes his head. “Jesus. Fucking. Christ.”
“Chance–” With a thunderous look, he silences me.
“Where the fuck were you?” he snaps.
“Out getting new clothes and a haircut.”
“I can fucking see that,” he growls. “You’re here one day, Jasper.” he breathes hard. “One fucking day, and you disappear on me twice.”
“I’m sorry. I lost track of time,” I try to explain.
Chance steps into my personal space. “Do you fucking understand that you’re outnumbered ten thousand to one?”
“Yes.” It’s been ingrained into me since birth.
“How the fuck am I supposed to protect you if you don’t listen to me?”
Realizing that he’s not angry but beside himself from worrying over me, I feel like poop.
“I’m sorry. It won’t happen again.”
“Damn right!” He takes a couple of deep breaths, then frames my face with his hands. Staring deep into my eyes, he admits, “I won’t survive losing you, Jai. You’re all I have. You’re everything to me.”
My lips part in shock. I knew I was special to him, but not that I was so important.
His features tighten as if he’s in pain. “I love you. The only other person I truly care about is Ethan, and God only knows whether he’s still alive.”
Chance loves me. Those are words I’ve never even considered hearing.
Lifting my hand, I wrap my fingers around his wrist and turn my head to press a kiss to his palm. “Nothing happened to me. I’m okay.”
He nods, then pulls me into his arms, holding me so tightly I struggle to breathe.
“I’m okay,” I groan. “But I can’t breathe.”
He lets out a chuckle and pulls away from me. His eyes lock on my hair. “Why did you cut it all off? Why all the changes?”
“So I can fit in,” I answer in a small voice, feeling a little insecure. “Actually, I did it for me,” I try to explain. “It felt good.”
Chance takes hold of my bare shoulders, and leaning down, he presses his forehead to mine. “You make me so fucking angry when you don’t listen.”
“I was in safe hands. You’ll like Dawn and Gerald.”
“You were lucky you met good people like them,” he says, his tone calmer. “You can’t trust everyone that walks up to you and smiles. Some will try and hurt you just because they can.”
I think of Warrick and know Chance is right.
“I’m sorry. I’ll be more careful.”
He pulls back and stares at me again. “Jesus, I’m going to have to kill half the ward to keep them away from you.”
I’m not sure, but I think there’s a compliment in there somewhere. “So… I don’t look bad?”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “You look fucking hot, little one.”
A smile curves my lips.
“A new look, you say,” he murmurs as he stands back to take in all of me. “Fuck, the shirt makes your breasts look incredible.”
I feel a little self-conscious, a blush creeping up my neck.
“Are you happy with it?” he asks.
“Yes.”
Lifting a hand, he gestures for me to twirl.
Slowly, I turn in a circle, hearing Chance groan when he sees my exposed back.
I feel his fingers on my lower back, then they brush over the curve of my butt. “God help me. You’re going to give every man a hard-on.”
When I feel his breath on the back of my neck, I can’t breathe, my abdomen erupting in flutters. My nails dig into my palms, and I let out a moan.
His fingers trail up my spine and wrap around my throat to tip my head back. Goosebumps rush over my whole body when his teeth nip at my nape and shoulder.
“How do you expect me not to fuck you senseless while you look like this?” he groans, his voice hoarse with the same need pulsing in my veins.
He drops his other hand to my hip, then trails his fingers over the torn holes on the side of my pants. His touch is electric, making me tremble with excitement.
“We’re sleeping outside tonight,” he mutters before he takes my hand and starts to walk toward the park.
“What?” I gasp. “I thought you were going to fuck me.”
Chance shakes his head. “This is your punishment for making me worry.”
I pull a disgruntled face and shoot him a playful scowl.
Leaning into him, I say, “I love the boots. They’re comfortable.”
Chance glances down. “And practical.” He lets out a sigh. “I guess I should thank God that you met Dawn and Gerald. They’re good people.”
A grin stretches over my face. “I like them a lot.”
“Don’t get too attached, though,” he warns me.
I think it’s too late for that, but don’t say anything.
Chapter 7
Jai
After showering, I dress in one of my old outfits and head out of the building to look for Chance. He said he’d meet me in the park.
Just as I round the corner, I bump into someone and fall flat on my butt. “Crap. Sorry,” I say.