Chapter 67: 6-7 | We Can Be Messy Together [CASTLE BONUS]

There it was again. That question hanging between them. The same question from earlier but different now. Heavier.

Meeting parents meant something. It meant this was real. Not just neighbors fooling around. Not just a transaction that spiraled into sex.

Real.

Chloe bit her lip. "Your family doesn’t know about the inheritance thing, right?"

"Not the full specifics."

Another lie. The whole thing is a lie.

"So they just think I’m your girlfriend. Regular girlfriend. Normal girlfriend."

"Yeah."

"Okay." Chloe nodded slowly. "I can do that."

"You sure?"

"Yeah." Her smile returned. "Besides, I want to see what kind of family produces someone like you."

"Someone like me?"

"Hot but weird. Confident but awkward. Good at sex but terrible at lying."

Jordan’s face heated. "I’m not terrible at lying."

"Jordan. Your face turns red every time."

"It does not."

"It’s doing it right now."

"That’s because you’re still naked and holding my dick."

Chloe glanced down. Her hand was indeed still wrapped around him. "Oh. Right."

She released him. Stepped back.

The loss of contact made Jordan want to reach for her immediately.

"Shower?" Chloe asked. "For real this time?"

"Yeah. Probably a good idea."

They walked to the bathroom together. The small space was already steamy from the running water.

Chloe stepped under the spray first. Let the water cascade over her hair and down her back.

Jordan followed. Pressed his chest against her back. His arms wrapped around her waist.

"Hey," Chloe said softly.

"Hey."

"Your mom sounded nice."

"She’s the best."

"She’s excited to meet me."

"Yeah."

"No pressure or anything."

Jordan pressed a kiss to her wet shoulder. "She’ll love you."

"You don’t know that."

"I know my mom. You defended me in front of Alexis. You invited me to watch movies. You let me check your apartment for killers." Jordan’s lips moved to her neck. "Trust me. She’ll love you."

Chloe leaned back against him. Her hands covered his where they rested on her stomach.

"What about your dad?"

"He’ll probably interrogate you about your intentions."

"My intentions?"

"Whether you’re serious. Whether you’re going to hurt me. Standard dad stuff."

"And if I tell him the truth?"

Jordan’s chest tightened. "What truth?"

"That I’m one of three." Her voice went quiet. "That this is temporary."

The words stabbed through Jordan’s ribs. Twisted deep.

She thinks this is temporary. She thinks I’m going to find two other girls and she’ll just be number one in a lineup.

"It’s not temporary," Jordan said.

"The inheritance says—"

"A real relationship."

Chloe turned in his arms. Water streamed between them. Her dark eyes searched his face.

"Jordan—"

"I mean it. I don’t care about the money. I care about you."

Another lie. The biggest one yet.

But also the truest thing I’ve said all day.

Chloe’s expression softened. "You’re going to make this really hard, aren’t you?"

"Make what hard?"

"Keeping my distance. Protecting myself."

"You don’t need to protect yourself from me."

"Everyone needs to protect themselves." Her hands moved to his chest. Traced the muscles there. "Especially from people who make them feel things."

"What do I make you feel?"

Chloe’s cheeks went pink despite the steam. "You know what you make me feel."

"Tell me anyway."

"Why?"

"Because I want to hear you say it."

Chloe’s eyes narrowed. "You first."

Fair enough.

Jordan took a breath. Let his forehead rest against hers. "You make me feel like maybe I’m not completely fucked up. Like maybe I can actually be someone worth knowing."

The words came out raw. Honest.

Chloe’s breath hitched. Her hands slid up to cup his face. "Jordan—"

"Your turn."

She bit her lip. Looked away. Looked back. "You make me feel safe. And seen. Like you actually want to know the real me, not just Calypso or the campus version."

Something warm exploded in Jordan’s chest.

"I do want to know the real you."

"Even if the real me is kind of a mess?"

"We can be messy together."

Chloe laughed. A real laugh that echoed in the small bathroom. "God you’re cheesy."

Jordan kissed her. Soft and slow under the spray. His hands traced her spine. Her fingers threaded through his wet hair.

The kiss deepened. Chloe’s tongue swept against his. Her body pressed closer.

Jordan’s cock hardened again. Pressed against her stomach.

"Again?" Chloe pulled back slightly.

"Can’t help it."

"We just finished like twenty minutes ago."

"Blame the good genes."

Chloe rolled her eyes. But she was smiling. "At this rate we’re going to be late to karaoke."

"So?"

"So Kumiko will be sad. And Leo paid for the room."

"Right." Jordan sighed. "We should probably actually shower then."

"Probably."

Chloe grabbed the body wash. Squirted some into her hands. Started washing Jordan’s chest with slow, thorough movements.

Her hands traced every muscle. Every ridge. Took their time.

"You’re not helping," Jordan said.

"I’m washing you very responsibly."

"Your hands are getting lower."

"I’m very thorough."

Jordan grabbed the shampoo. Squeezed some into his palm. Started working it through Chloe’s hair.

His fingers massaged her scalp. Worked the lather through her dark strands. Found the blue streak and paid it extra attention.

"Mmm." Chloe’s eyes closed. "That feels good."

"Yeah?"

"Really good."

Jordan continued. Took his time. Let his fingers work magic on her scalp.

Chloe practically melted against him.

Twenty minutes later they emerged from the bathroom. Both clean. Both pink from the hot water.

Chloe wrapped herself in a towel. Jordan grabbed one from the rack.

"What time is it?" Chloe asked.

Jordan checked his phone. "Six thirty." 𝑓𝑟ℯ𝘦𝓌𝘦𝘣𝑛𝑜𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝑐ℴ𝓂

"We have an hour and a half."

"Yeah."

"I need to get ready."

"Okay."

Chloe walked to her closet. Started pulling out clothes. "You should probably go change too."

"Right."

But Jordan didn’t move. Just watched Chloe sort through hangers. Her towel slipped slightly. Exposed the curve of her shoulder.

"Jordan."

"Yeah?"

"Go. If you stay I’m not getting dressed."

"Is that supposed to motivate me to leave?"

Chloe threw a shirt at him. "Out."

Jordan caught the shirt. Laughed. "Fine. I’ll be back at seven forty five."

"We’ll take your car. Mine’s low on gas."

"Deal."

Jordan headed for the door. Paused at the threshold. "Hey Chloe?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks."

"For what?"

"For not running away."

Chloe’s expression softened. "Thanks for not giving me a reason to."

Yet, Jordan’s brain whispered.