Page 14 of Dirty Ruck (Ruck Boys #5)

Chapter Fourteen

Chelsea

The moment we got back to the mansion, the guys all exchanged looks and disappeared in opposite directions without a word. All except Dallas, who took my hand and led me to my room. All of the room had ensuite bathrooms, with big baths, but mine was the biggest.

That’s where he took me, keeping his fingers laced in mine while turning the water on.

"I can do that myself," I protested.

"I know, but I want to do it for you," he said. "It's been a long day. And night."

He was right about that. It was almost midnight.

I was tired, but too wired to sleep right now anyway. My mind was buzzing like crazy, thoughts tumbling over and over in my mind like a clothes dryer. Turning in an endless circle without any answers. It seemed like the more we knew, the more we needed to know.

Did I want to know more? Not really, but I had to.

Like it or not, we were in this up to our eyeballs.

Where it would end I had no idea, but we had to see it through.

If we didn't, it would force us to anyway.

If we ran from Dusk Bay, it wouldn't be far enough, no matter where we ended up. Trouble would always be a step behind.

Or ahead.

"It's a lot," I said softly.

He took a bath bomb from the shelf, opened it and dropped it into the water. "Yeah, it is." He squeezed my hand and we stood together, watching the water rise, the steam like misty fingers climbing towards the ceiling.

That was all we did for several minutes, until the water was high enough. He reached over to turn off the tap and face me. He offered me the faintest smile before starting to help me out of my clothes.

I could do that too, but I decided not to argue. If this would help him to get his head around everything, then who was I to argue? Besides, it was nice to be spoilt once in a while. A girl could get used to it.

Once I was naked, my clothes in a pile on the floor, he took my hand again and helped me to step into the water. I lowered myself down and closed my eyes.

"This is perfect." I exhaled softly.

"You're perfect," he told me. He scooped up my clothes and put them aside before stripping off his own. He climbed into the bath behind me, his legs to either side, and wrapped his arms around me. His cock nudged my ass, but all he did for now was hold me.

I leaned back against him and let the water slowly wash away the stress and anxiety.

"This is cosy," Atlas remarked.

I opened my eyes and looked over to where he stood, a glass of wine in his hand. He smiled and handed it to me before disappearing out of the bathroom. A few moments later, Storm entered, a plate in his hand.

"Where did you get chocolate covered strawberries from?" I asked while gratefully taking the plate and inhaling the sweet smell.

"I have my ways." His gaze lingered on my bare body before he too slipped out of the bathroom.

"Did you guys organise this without me realising?" I asked.

"Nope," Dallas said. "I think we all knew what you needed."

"And you call me perfect," I said. I took a sip of wine before setting it down on the side of the bath. I was about to try a strawberry when Dallas took the plate from my hand.

"Let me do that." He picked one up and pressed it against my lips.

I opened my mouth and took a bite. "Mmm, that's so good." The perfect combination of sweet and a hint of acidity.

His cock hardened a little at my moan.

"This is good." He bit into a strawberry of his own. "Maybe we can stay like this for a few hours and let the others wait on us."

"That's a good idea because you forgot something important." Frost entered the bathroom, carrying an arm full of candles. He placed them around the room before lighting them one by one and then turning off the light. "That's much better."

"My bad," Dallas said. He didn't seem too concerned. "Thanks, bro."

"Any time, bro." Frost leaned over to kiss me before stepping back out of the bathroom.

I peered at the door. "It's not like we don't have everything we need, but I'm wondering if Jay and Ramsay are up to anything."

"I was wondering the same thing," Dallas said. "Maybe they’re bringing you the heads of your enemies. That might take some time."

"Especially given we don't know exactly who our enemies are," I agreed.

Honestly, I didn't want a disembodied head, but if it meant this was all over, then maybe it wouldn't be so bad. Just this once. I would prefer they not make a habit of it.

Jay stepped into the doorway and tapped on the frame. "Hey, would it be too corny if I played you something on my guitar?" He held up his hand, his fingers curled around the neck of his instrument.

"I didn't know you played, but that would be perfect," I said. I should have guessed that was coming next. If not an actual instrument, then speakers and soothing music.

"I'm not the best guitarist in the world." He shrugged, leaned against the vanity, positioned the guitar and started to play the opening chords of Hallelujah . That was followed by a ballad from Wolf Venom, and then one by Ice Blue Roses.

"You're putting me to shame," Ramsey remarked. He'd stepped into the bathroom halfway through the second song. He also carried a guitar.

"I can't help being awesome," Jay said, humble in spite of the words. "Do you know this one?" He played a few chords before raising an eyebrow at Ramsey.

"Course I do." Ramsey leaned against the wall and played the next few chords of what I recognised as an Abbie Hart song.

Jay joined in again and the pair played together, Ramsey singing softly and in key.

"I've never been serenaded before," I said to Dallas.

His body rumbled as he chuckled. "Me either. Especially not while in the bath with a beautiful woman. I think I'll stay here forever."

"Me too." I sipped wine while leaning against him and watching the other guys play.

This was like something out of a dream, or a movie. The whole world melted away and all that was left was us and this moment. Six wonderful guys all working together to make me feel special. Somehow, they all knew what I needed in order to unwind and forget about things for a while.

I couldn't help myself; I fell in love with each of them a little more. Chances were, I’d never fully understand why or how I got so lucky, but I was counting every single blessing.

If I could capture this moment in a bottle, I'd keep it close forever.

As it was, I savoured it, committing it all to memory, in case everything came crashing down around us tomorrow.

In unison, Jay and Ramsey finished the song and bowed over their guitars.

Careful not to spill my wine in the bath, I clapped. "That was so good. When you finish playing football, maybe you should join a band."

"I've always wanted to be a rock star," Ramsey said wistfully. "But only if you'll go on tour with me. Otherwise, I'll keep my music for times like this."

"What he said," Jay agreed. "It's fun once in a while, but I don't think I want to do it all day. I'll play for you anytime you want me to, though."

"Me too," Ramsey said. To Jay he added, "Any time you want to jam, hit me up. I'm always down for a session."

"I'd like that," Jay said, suddenly looking shy and awkward. "I haven't had anyone to play with for a long time. It's… Kinda… My happy place, you know?"

Ramsey grinned. "Mine too. One of them, anyway. After football and the gym." He lowered his guitar. "I might put this away, the steam isn't good for it."

"Yeah, good idea." Jay followed him out the door, leaving us in silence and the light of a dozen flickering candles.