Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 108362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Jace gave a tired smile, then tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, causing a small tremble. “You always have the best ideas.”
I watched as he lifted himself back to standing, offering his hand to pull me up. I took it, and then we stood facing one another. Jace straightened his shoulders and took a deep breath. When he exhaled, I saw his strength return, like a battery visibly recharging. Had I helped? He held out his arm, and I reached for it, letting him lead us back inside the house. He went to speak with Cai’s parents again, then mingled with the other guests, sharing memories of his friend and letting others share theirs.
When it was time to leave, Jay drove us home. Zara was excited to spend Saturday night with her grandparents, probably because they always spoiled her rotten. I didn’t mind on this occasion and was happy for Zara to have some quality time with Jay and Matilda. It gave me the opportunity to make sure Jace was all right, that he hadn’t gone back to that dark place in his mind, the one he’d been in after Cai died.
I was also grappling with my own feelings. Seeing him today, how he’d almost broke but then managed to pull through. It had all sorts of emotions, old and new, stirring within me. Things were different now because before, Jace wouldn’t have pulled through. He would’ve let his inner turmoil consume him before seeking oblivion in his addiction. The way he’d acted showed me he’d developed new coping mechanisms, that he was stronger than before.
I opened my front door and let us inside. Jace followed close behind me, and by the time we reached my kitchen I couldn’t take it anymore. I stood by the counter, gripping the edge tightly before I turned and faced him.
“Shannon?” Jace asked, seeming to notice my tenseness.
I need you. I caught the words before they escaped. Jace was in a vulnerable place today, and he didn’t need me taking advantage of him. Instead, I went and grabbed some menus from the cupboard.
“What do you want to eat?”
I spread the menus out on the counter, and Jace approached, his warmth hitting my side. I ignored the goosepimples covering my arms and neck.
“Hmm, let’s see.”
He picked up a menu, scanning the options, and I took the opportunity to get myself under control. When we’d each decided what we wanted, I put the order in, while Jace went to turn on the TV and line up the next episode on the DVD player. Yes, I was that big a fan that I had every season on DVD.
After changing into some comfortable lounge clothes, I returned to the living room and found Jace seated on the couch, his tie loosened and his shoes off. I took the space next to him, keeping some distance between us.
“Food should be here in about half an hour.”
“Sounds good.”
I couldn’t stop staring at his profile, in particular his jawline. I wanted to run my fingers over it, then down his corded neck and firm shoulders. I had it bad. Jace said he was going to prove himself to me, and it was working. I already couldn’t imagine going back to our old arrangement. In the last few weeks, he’d made himself indispensable.
We made short work of the Chinese food when it arrived, then settled back in for more episodes. I wasn’t sure how it happened, but we gravitated towards one another until I was snuggled into him, my head resting on his shoulder with a blanket pulled over us. The episode we were watching came to an end, and my breath quickened when he peered down at me, his smile tender as he brushed some hair away from my face.
“Do you want to watch another, or are you too tired?”
“I’m not too tired, although someone needs to get up and change the disc.”
“But I’m comfortable right here,” he replied, his gaze soft. “Why couldn’t you be a normal person and watch your shows on a streaming service?”
“Because I already own the entire DVD collection, so why should I pay twice?”
A fond look came over him. “Remember when you found Season One in that old charity shop and bought it on a whim because you thought the cover looked cool?”
I laughed at the memory. “Right, who knew that random purchase would lead to a lifelong obsession.”
His lips twitched in a smile. “When you used to come over to my house to watch episodes, those were my favourite times.”
His eyes found mine, an intensity in them I wasn’t expecting. Jace was so close, our sides pressed together, his heat seeping into me. A long moment passed during which my entire body came alive with need. Kiss him, my heart urged.
“Fine, I’ll change it then—” Before he could move, I pounced on him, plastering my lips to his. A gust of breath escaped him. Then, a deep, satisfied groan that travelled all the way down to my toes. Suddenly, Jace was cupping my cheeks, his tongue sliding inside my mouth like it belonged there. I inhaled sharply when his lip ring moved languidly against my lower lip, one hand going to the back of my neck, cupping possessively as he tipped my head back and deepened the kiss. Moments later, my back hit the couch as he climbed over me. I locked my legs around his waist, needing him closer. I felt his hard length press into me before he broke the kiss, burying his face in my neck as he began kissing and suckling.