The thought crosses my mind as I close my door, Lennon leaving without so much as a goodbye. My breathing is still ragged, my heart pounding against my rib cage as I rest my forehead against the whitewashed wood.
What if Jace is doing the same? Keeping me close until the end so he can win?
I don’t want to doubt either of them, but that’s where my mind has taken me right now. Down a dark path I don’t want to travel. The idea of being used causes a shiver to run up my spine.
Or at least I thought that was the cause of it until I notice Jace standing in my kitchen, leaning against the counter with his arms crossed over his chest.
“Aren’t you supposed to be out with Courtney tonight?” I ask, pushing off the door and slowly making my way toward him.
“I was. She didn’t feel well, so we cut it short.”
“And you thought you’d, what? Break into my place and wait for me to get back?”
“Well, my plan was to be naked in your bed when you came home, but then I wasn’t sure if you would be alone or not.” His voice has a hint of laughter in it, but there’s something else lurking beneath the surface.
Jealousy?
“Well, you’re in luck. I’m alone. You have me all to yourself,” I state firmly, stopping just outside his reach.
He makes no move to close the distance between us, which surprises me.
“Do I really? Or should we expect Lennon to make another move tonight? Because I have to be honest with you, I saw how he kissed you just now. If I didn’t know better, the man looked like he was kissing you with purpose. Did something happen on your date? Something I don’t want to know about?”
“You could say that,” I start, turning and tossing my purse on the counter. After walking back into the living room, I take a seat on the sofa and wait for him to join me. When he doesn’t, I let out a sigh. “I made my decision.”
“And?” he counters quickly.
“And he didn’t like what I had to say.”
“Which was what exactly? I need to hear you say the words, Presley,” Jace states. Each word punctuated with purpose as he slowly stalks over to where I’m seated, stopping in front of me.
When I look up, I find his green eyes pleading with me.
“I chose you, Jace. To fight for you. To be with you. Damn the game. Damn the consequences. If nothing else, I want to walk away from here with you and only you.”
Jace’s eyes never leave mine as he kneels and takes my hands in his.
“Are those the words you wanted to hear?” I tease when he doesn’t respond.
Jace nods before placing a kiss on the back of my hands, pulling me off the couch and into his lap on the floor. I’m straddling him, pressing against him in the most intimate places.
More than anything, I’m home in his arms. I feel safe. Comfortable to be myself. Loved.