He tilts his head to the side, deepening the kiss. His kiss is possessive. His firm, scruffy jaw scraping my sensitive skin. It started slow, but it’s quickly progressing into the no turning back zone. His hands grip my ass, and I grind against his thigh, moaning into his mouth. I squeeze my arms around his neck like a vise, needing him closer. I can’t seem to get enough of his taste, his warmth on my skin. One kiss, and I’m instantly drunk.
Wild hot passion courses through my veins. My breasts are heavy; my nipples hard like little diamonds. The empty throbbing between my legs has me grinding on his thigh for relief.
Jace tugs my bottom lip between his teeth, slinking his fingers through my hair, and I fear I’m about too combust any second. His hardness pushes against my belly, and I’ve never been so turned on by a man like this before. Not even Zach, and that’s a pretty shitty thing to consider. I break the kiss, leaving us breathless, my entire body flooded with desire. One minute I’m melting in his arms then I turn stiff as a board.
“What’s wrong, baby?” He scowls.
“Everything. I…I need you.” I snatch his hand and place it flat on my lower belly. “Touch me.” I want him to slip his hand underneath the waistband of my sweatpants, and run his fingers through my slick folds, feel how wet I am for him. I smooth my other hand up his chest. “Take me to bed, Jace.” Make me feel alive.
I lower my hands, about to tear open his jeans and reach inside when a throat clears behind us, breaking the spell. “Y’all have some seriously hot chemistry going on. Should I make some popcorn?” I cringe at the sound of my little cockblocker sister’s amused voice, wondering how long the little voyeur has been standing there.
“I should go.” Jace backs away, slipping his hands in the pockets of his jeans.
“I’ll walk you out.” I don’t want him to leave.
Jace quickly ducks out of the room after an awkward goodnight to Lilly. I follow behind, stepping out onto the front porch with him. “Look.” He turns to face me, lowering his head so his eyes are hidden. “I want nothing more than to pick you up and carry you to bed right now…”
“But we can’t,” I finish the sentence. My arms remain at my side, itching to touch him.
“I’m here to do a job…”
“No need to explain. I get it.” I shrug, trying not to sound bitter. I want to tell him to fuck off. Instead, I shoot him a thin smile.
“We should keep things professional…”
“Jace, you should go,” I snap, already irritated. “If you want to keep things professional, that’s fine.” I cross my arms over my chest. “But you should stop kissing me then.”
“I’m sorry,” he mutters. The look of regret on his face makes me want to smack it off. God, I’m such a hothead.
“Goodnight, Jace.”
“I’ll recheck the perimeter before I go. Lock the door.” He lingers with his hands in his stupid pockets, glaring at me like it’s killing him to leave. He’s so fucking confusing. “Set the alarm.”
“Yes, sir.” I walk backward and salute him. I shut the door on his chuckle. Asshole. I press my fingers to my lips, his kiss still lingering on them.
“Ho. Ly. Shit!” Lilly fans her self. “That was fucking hot.” I set the alarm code, and march past her, but she tailgates me into the kitchen. “What the hell is going on between you two?”
Absolutely nothing. I don’t know what the fuck the guy wants from me. “How long were you standing there?”
“Ooh…long enough that I need a cold shower now.”
“Shut up.”
“I think you should do a pregnancy test, just from the way he was looking at you.”
“You…” I point my finger at her. “…are a jerk.” I bend down, pulling out a plastic container from the bottom cabinet. “I made pasta, put the rest in here when you’re done. I’m going to bed.”
“Wait.” She grabs my arm lightly as I try and breeze past her. “What happened tonight? Why was he here, and why did you call me earlier?”
I sigh, plopping on a kitchen chair with one leg crossed underneath me. “I thought somebody tried to break in.”
“What?” She clutched her chest.
“The window in my bathroom was wide open, and it looked like the screen was pulled out. Maybe I left it open.”
“Charlotte…you never open that window.” She perches down in the chair next to me.
“I know.” I rest my elbows on the table, rubbing my temples. “I don’t know what to think.”
“Are we safe here?” She runs her hand through her blonde-streaked brunette hair. “What the hell is going on lately? Are you in danger?”
“I don’t know.” I start chewing on my cuticles, and quickly stop myself. A habit I haven’t done since I was a teenager. “Look, there’s a man out front in a car watching the house. I set the alarm, and everything is locked like Fort Knox.” I cover my mouth, muffling the yawn that manifests.
“What about Jace?”
“What about him?”
“You think it’s wise getting involved with your bodyguard?” She nibbles on her bottom lip.
“We are not involved,” I huff, squaring my shoulders.
“You seemed cozy when I walked in.” She tilts her head, waiting for an explanation. I remain silent, stretching my aching muscles, avoiding eye contact. “What are you keeping from me?”
I hesitate for a moment before I let out a sigh. “We sort of met before.”
“What? When?” Her same sparkling golden brown eyes, identical to mine, widened like saucers. “Jesus, it’s like pulling teeth with you. Tell me.” She inches forward in her seat.
I let out a harsh breath. “The night of the party…he’s the man I met in the bar.”
“No way.” She cackles like a damn hyena. “You hit that already? Girl, you little devil. He’s so fucking hot. The chemistry between you guys is…”
“Over. We’re not getting involved. We’re not getting married and having little bodyguard babies. I have more important things to do. Now, I’m going to bed, and you have an early class tomorrow.” She looks like a disappointed child who had her favorite stuffed animal ripped from her arms. I rise from the chair and step over to her, leaning down I place a kiss on her forehead. “Goodnight.”
“We’re talking more about his tomorrow.”
“No, we’re not,” I singsong, heading to my bedroom.
“Hey, Charlotte,” Lilly calls out. I turn around to face her. “I bet those babies would be adorable.” I roll my eyes hard, ignoring her, and continue to my room. “Wait, don’t you want extra batteries for your vibrator?” she heckles with a silly giggle, making me peek back around the corner to extend my middle finger toward her.
By the time my head hits the pillow, my brain is so jumbled, I can’t sleep. Am I really in danger? Every little creaking sound from the house has my pulse racing. Then I think about Jace and it races even faster.
I don’t know what the hell is going on between us. I’m not sure if I want to strangle the guy or wrap my hands around his neck while I hate fuck him. I’ll tell you one thing, if he tries to kiss me again and run away, I’m going to kick him square in the dick.