Day 26
My mind was still reelingfrom Drake’s revelation hours after dinner was over. I couldn’t fathom what he went through. How he held it together until he got to where she was only to find out that she was gone.
Forever.
He lost his best friend and the love of his life.
They spent years ignoring the way they felt for each other. Didn’t realize they were in love with each other at first. Then once they finally opened their eyes and decided to explore those same feelings, their opportunity was cut short.
I felt his pain. Mourned his loss. Cried myself to sleep after he left.
I didn’t hear my phone chime with a text from Jace.
Or his persistent knocking on my bathroom window.
What I did hear was a loud bang as my front door slammed against the wall. I shot straight up in bed, and then Jace was standing over me, a frantic look on his face as our eyes locked. His breathing was ragged, as if he ran two miles in the blazing heat to get to me.
My thoughts went back to Drake. The panic he must have felt driving to find Jenny, praying what he thought he heard on the phone wasn’t really what it was.
Without saying a word, Jace left the room. I heard the front door close and slid back under the covers, pulling them up to my chin as I closed my eyes. Seconds later, the bed dipped, and when I turned over, Jace was lying next to me. The worry was still in his eyes, but the air around him seemed calmer.
Kissing me gently on top of the head, Jace rolled me away from him and then pulled my body firmly against his, wrapping one arm around me protectively. No words were spoken as he held me while I drifted back to sleep.
When I woke up this morning, he was still holding me, his fingers drawing circles on my exposed stomach. Loving the feel of his skin on mine, I pretended to be asleep until he started pressing kisses to the side of my neck.
“I know you’re awake, Presley.”
“No, I’m not,” I whisper, smiling to myself.
I like Jace in the morning. He’s playful and sweet. Not to mention, waking up in his arms is a great way to start the day.
“You scared the shit out of me last night. I saw Drake drinking at the pool so I knew he wasn’t here with you, but you weren’t answering me.”
Well, maybe not playful this morning. I can hear the concern in his voice.
“I’m sorry. Drake was telling me a story last night, and I was so consumed by it I was exhausted by the time he left. I completely forgot you were coming by.”
Nudging my shoulder, Jace turns me so we’re facing each other and props his head on his hand so he can stare down at me. “So not only did he get to spend the night with you but he stole all your attention away from me. I think Drake and I need to have a talk.”
Welcome back, playful Jace.
“What was so interesting that you forgot about me completely?”
“That’s not my story to tell. What matters is that you’re here now.” Reaching up, I cup Jace’s cheek with my hand.
“And there are more cameras in this tiny villa than we probably know about. You owe me a makeup date. I hope you realize that.”
“How do you figure? I let you sleep over last night. That has to count for something.”
“You wouldn’t have been able to get me to leave if you tried.” Leaning in close, Jace continues, “Not that I heard you complaining about me sleeping here.”
Closing the distance between us, I press my lips to his. Our kiss is innocent, at first, until I try and pull away. Jace takes control, rolling on top of me and pressing my body into the mattress with his.
“Do you want to give the entire world a show, Presley? I’m game if you are.”
“Not a chance,” I reply, lifting my hips, eliciting a groan from him before he captures my lips again.
Our make-out session is cut short when the alarm on my phone starts beeping.