“Well,” Jace begins as he hands a similar drink to Lennon, “if we were in Greece, I would have used ouzo, which is a Greek fermented liquor, and it would be called an outizo. Ouzo is basically moonshine. Since we’re not, I had to make do with what I had on hand. Mint-flavored syrup and juices. So that’s a pomegranate and pineapple mojito.”
The others join us, and Jace begins handing out beverages. Milo is the only one who doesn’t indulge in Jace’s drink of the night, instead opting for water. I have a feeling he’s still hungover from their excursion off the ranch. I know he was last night even though he had two beers.
“To the final few days,” Bella says as she raises her glass in the air. We all follow suit, standing in a circle. Jace is to my right, Lennon to my left. “It’s been a fun ride so far. I’ve enjoyed getting to know each and every one of you. If nothing else, I’m leaving here with new friendships that I will cherish forever. May the best man and woman be left standing at the end.”
As our glasses clink together, I catch sight of Teegan out of the corner of my eye. She’s shooting hate-filled daggers in my direction, not even trying to hide her disdain for me.
Jealousy doesn’t look good on her. She really should get over it.
The sound system comes to life, and music echoes across the vast expanse of the ranch. I don’t understand the words, but it’s still beautiful, and I can’t help but slowly spin in place to the rhythm of the music. Bella joins me, and then the guys steal us away, Lennon leading Bella to an open area near the pool and Jace pulling me into his arms only a few feet away.
“You like this?”
“I’ve never heard it before. It’s different. It’s upbeat, but it sounds sad in a way.”
“I’d hate for you to be sad,” he replies as he leans in closer, brushing his lips across mine. “Then again, I know a way to put a smile on your face so...”
“You’re such a little horn dog,” I say as I smack his chest. “I think your lack of undergarments—”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” I can feel him smile against the side of my neck as he trails kisses from my ear lobe to my shoulder.
“Someone’s in denial,” I state as I turn us so his back is facing away from everyone else and slip my hand inside his toga. His smile widens the lower my hand slides, and then I hit fabric, stopping me suddenly. “Breaking the rules?”
“Not exactly.”
“Care to explain why you’re wearing underwear then?”
“Let’s just say I was missing a piece of my outfit. Lennon was kind enough to help me out.”
Figures. That must have been what those two were in cahoots about. I knew they were up to something.
“That was nice of him, but I have to say, the idea of you being naked underneath your toga turned me on a little. You know, since we had plans after this,” I tease, pressing my body against his.
“You keep doing that, and the party is over.” I’d love to say Jace’s words are just an empty threat, but his toga hides nothing, underwear or not. I can feel how excited he is, which only adds to my growing need.
“How much longer are we expected to stay?” I ask as he spins us in a circle. My eyes fall to where Bella and Lennon are swaying to the music, and notice something I hadn’t before.
The way he’s holding her, gently but possessively. How her head is cradled in the crook of his neck, her eyes closed as if she is completely comfortable in his arms.
Compare it to the way Milo and Teegan are dancing, at least two feet between them, neither looking at each other, and it all makes sense.
They have a thing for each other.
Something is growing between them
It doesn’t look like lust, but then again, how would I know? Jace and I jumped from lust to love quickly. And for a moment I even thought I was love-lusting after Lennon. Hell, I may have been lusting after all the guys at one point. They each had good qualities that I found attractive.
Well, everyone except maybe Gage. His true colors were hard to hide. He was an ass from the moment he got here.
“I’m going to miss this,” I say as I continue to watch Bella and Lennon slowly spin.
“What exactly are you going to miss?” Jace inquires, stopping suddenly.
“This. The quiet. The little moments when you forget you’re on camera. When people show you who they truly are without even knowing it.”
“Me?”
Of course I’ll miss him. There’s no doubt in my mind. Once this is all over, though, I know I’ll see him again. I’ve been thinking a lot about what Naomi and I talked about. About Jace’s offer. About moving to Miami, continuing our relationship. Possibly taking it to the next level.