“Whatever,” I huff, shoving pillows between us. “Just stay on your side of the bed.”
“Did you just build a pillow fort between us? Afraid you won’t be able to keep your hands off me?” I hear the smile in his voice, and I roll my eyes.
“Yes, I’m very concerned I might strangle you in my sleep.”
“Strangle, hm? I like a little breath play.” He chuckles, and I bite back a smile, because seriously, this guy is too much.
“Just go to sleep.”
“Okay, love muffin.”
“And stop with the nicknames.” I lie back down and drag my blanket up over my head, hoping I’ll be able to go back to sleep quickly.
“I will when I find the perfect one,” he says, sounding thoughtful, and I sigh.
“You’re annoying. Has anyone ever told you that?”
“No,” he replies, and I’m sure he’s not lying.
“That’s because everyone else is afraid you’ll fire them.”
“Probably, but you’re not.”
“Nope,” I confirm, then feel the bed move.
“Night, Penny.”
Letting out a breath, I close my eyes, then whisper, “Night, Jace.”
I know even before I open my eyes that I’m in trouble. Or maybe I knew that subconsciously last night when Jace got into bed with me. The pillow fort I built to keep us separated is long-gone, and now we are both in the middle of the bed.
He’s behind me, my head pillowed by his bicep, and his other hand is cupping my breast while his groin presses into my bottom.
I squeeze my eyes closed, trying to ignore the fact that my body is on fire and that his cock feels seriously huge pressed up against my ass.
I already knew he was hot. I did not need to know he is so well-endowed.
Needing to get away from him, I quickly untangle myself from his hold and get out of bed. He doesn’t wake up, which is a relief. I don’t think I’d be able to look at him again if he saw my face right now. I’m sure with one glance he’d be able to read all the dirty thoughts going through my mind.
Stealthily, I go to the bathroom and lock both doors before I turn on the cold water. I splash some on my face, hoping to cool my overheated skin and wash away the lust still fogging up my brain. It’s been years since I’ve felt even a hint of desire, and the last thing I need right now is for my body to take over all my rational thoughts.
And worse, in this situation, I don’t even have a way to work out this pent-up sexual frustration on my own.
Lifting my head, I look at myself in the mirror and remind myself I can do hard things. That’s something I tell my kids all the time and something I need to remember now more than ever.
After brushing my teeth, I open the door for the bedroom and find the bed empty. I don’t know where Jace is, but I can smell coffee coming from the kitchen, and that’s all the motivation I need to put on a bra and leave the room. When I get to the kitchen, it’s empty except for a shirtless Jace, who is focused on his phone sitting on the counter while he holds a cup of coffee in one hand. I think about leaving and coming back with a shirt, for him to cover up. No one, especially not me, needs to see him in all his glory this morning, not after waking up like I did.
“Good morning, snuggle bunny,” he says without looking at me, and heat spreads up my neck to my cheeks. Does he know he was playing the role of big spoon this morning?
He couldn’t. He was asleep, wasn’t he?
“Morning.” I shift on my feet when his gaze hits mine.
“Coffee?” he asks, turning to lean back against the counter with his mug in his hands.
“Please.” I walk toward him, and his eyes move over my hair that I know is a wild mess after sleeping with it down while it was still wet.
He takes his eyes off me and turns to one of the higher cabinets, grabbing a mug from inside. “Creamer, sugar?”
“You don’t know how she takes her coffee?” Janet asks, making me jump, and I inwardly groan. “You two are hopeless.”
“Morning, Grandma.” He sends a charming smile in her direction, and she rolls her eyes before walking over to give him a kiss on his cheek.
“Did you sleep okay?” She pats his arm.
“Yep, Penny apologized right after you left, so we both got a good night’s sleep.”
Oh my God.
“Your advice was life-changing.” I smile when she looks at me.
“Maybe there’s hope for you after all.” She tips up her chin in approval. Or dismissal. With her, I have no idea.
“I hope so.” I keep my smile in place, and she huffs before looking at Jace.
“Make me a cup of coffee, darling. I’ll be outside,” she orders, then walks out the back door, leaving it open.
When I’m sure she’s out of earshot, I get close to Jace, and he tips his head down to me. I ignore the fact that my stomach dips when my chest presses into his, and I lift up on my tiptoes, placing my mouth as close to his ear as I can get. “I’m going to cut off your testicles when you’re sleeping.” I give him a sugary-sweet smile when I fall to my flat feet, and he chuckles like he thinks I’m joking, when I one hundred percent am not.
Chapter 12
Duck
“You’re a cheater!” I cry dramatically as I race Dash down an aisle.
“No, you’re old.” He giggles, running faster, and I listen to his mom and grandma laugh from behind us.
“I’m not old. You’re old.”
“I only three,” he says three like free, making me laugh.
“Ugh, you won again.” I give him a high-five when we both come to a stop, then lift him up off the ground so he can’t run away again while we wait for Haylee and Janelle to catch up with the two of us.
“Thanks.” Haylee grins, taking him from me when she reaches the end of the aisle.
“Any time.” I watch her smother his face with kisses that make him giggle, and I smile.
“So how many grandkids are you and Jace going to give me?” Janelle asks as we all continue to walk.
“Oh.” I bite my lip. I should have known this question would come up. After all, she does believe I’m her son’s fiancée, and that is something a normal couple would have talked about before ever getting engaged. But still, like everything else, I didn’t prepare for it.
“I don’t know. Maybe two.” I shrug, figuring two is a good, even number.
“I can accept that, but make sure one is a girl. I want a granddaughter.”
“I’m not sure we get to decide that, but I’ll do my best.” I look over at Haylee when she laughs and hate that she is close enough to hear this conversation.
I mean, from what I’ve gathered, she is totally over Jace, but this whole thing is still weird. And that’s part of the reason why this morning over breakfast, when Janelle told me that Haylee and Dash would be joining us for a trip into town so I could get a swimsuit, I considered coming up with an excuse as to why I could no longer go.
I didn’t want to make things uncomfortable for anyone, myself included. But then I saw the look on Janelle’s face and knew I couldn’t do that to her. Plus, with Jace busy with work, that would leave only Janet to keep me company at the house. And I’d rather walk over hot coals barefooted and covered in tarantulas than spend time alone with that terrifying woman.