The Chase

Chapter Ten

“Are you sure about this?”Heavenly asked with her hair coiled up in hot rollers as she sat in front of the vanity in Beck’s modern master bath, a cache of cosmetics spread across the pristine white quartz counters.

“Absolutely. Why are you worried?”

It was hard to put her finger on the reason. “I had a lot of fun shopping, so please don’t take this the wrong way, but it feels like I should be working or studying or…”

Raine rounded the chair and bent, taking her shoulders in hand. “You’ve had a tough week. It’s spring break, and you just got home from scattering your dad’s ashes. Neither of the guys expects you to do anything industrious today. Go easy on yourself.”

Heavenly dragged in a breath. “It’s a huge change of pace…”

“I’m sure, but if you’re going to live with Beck and Seth as a trial, don’t you want to give yourself plenty of time to see how well you all get along?”

“Of course. I’m taking this very seriously…but your little grin makes me nervous. What are you up to?”

Raine laughed. “Just helping. I admit I have ulterior motives. I want you to stay.”

Heavenly stood and embraced her friend. “I feel so blessed to have you and the guys—heck, everyone I’ve met lately—in my life. You’re the best.”

“Back at you.” Raine winked, but it didn’t cover up her sniffle. “Don’t you tear up, too. It will ruin your makeup. Have you checked your phone lately? Are Beck and Seth on their way back?”

Heavenly plucked the device off the counter and saw a text from Beck. “Yeah, they made their way out of a traffic jam twenty minutes ago.”

“We should hurry, then.” The bubbly brunette sent her a speculative stare as she swept some peachy-pink blush over her cheeks, then set her face with a spray before handing her a tube of lipstick. “Put this on. I hope you understand the power dynamic here.”

“Power dynamic?” Heavenly applied the color to her lips, then blinked at the effect. “This is darker than I’d normally wear…”

Raine turned. “I knew Lollipop Pink would be perfect on you. Keep that. You wear it way better than I do.”

“But...is it too much?”

“Are you kidding? Doesn’t that mouth say fuck me?”

Heavenly pursed her lips together. They were a bright shade between coral and pink. Glossy. Sexy. “I guess, but—”

“Then it’s perfect. Now focus. Power… Beck and Seth told you they’re Doms, right?”

The question didn’t shock Heavenly. Raine probably knew because they all belonged to Hammer’s club.

She nodded. “They kind of explained once, but I’m still not sure what that means.”

Raine raised a dark brow. “Guess there really hasn’t been time for explanations. They’ll fill you in. What I mean is, do you understand your power?”

Heavenly shrugged. “I did some Googling on my phone on the plane this morning. The website I saw said I had the power, but it sounded like the only power I have is to say no.”

“I get why you might think that…until you truly understand. It took me a long, painful while to grasp everything, so I’m going to be a friend and give you some tips.”

“Even if I only stay a couple of months, I think I’ll need them.”

Raine smiled. “First, Beck and Seth will put your needs above theirs, but you have to be real and honest about pretty much everything. Definitely no more lying to them, like, ever again.”

Heavenly winced. “I was just trying to work and take care of my dad and—”

“They know, but none of those reasons matter. What does is that you didn’t tell them about your problems.”

“This again? They were mine.”

“In your head. Not to them.” Raine frowned. “Did they find out about Bazookas and your dad before or after they told you they’re Doms?”