Love or Lust (LOL): Part 3

Now that the world knows, I don’t care what they see. I don’t care that there’s a camera hidden in this room, recording a very intimate moment I’m sharing with Jace right now.

Which is why I smile brightly when I straddle him, grinding my hips against him.

And why I don’t stop him when he slowly begins to lift my shirt even though I’m not wearing anything underneath.

I’m done hiding how I feel. I’m done denying myself what I want.

Ed madeit perfectly clear last night that this week is the most important one yet. It’s our final chance to make an impression. Our final week to get to know each other and decide if we want to make a lasting connection.

Or one that only lasts the night.

I’m pretty sure that’s the direction he was pushing us in. After all, I’m sure the producers were banking on all of us having sex with each other for six weeks.

Sex sells.

It makes TV more interesting.

Which is a big part of why Jace and I were featured last night. Why they spliced images and videos of us together in a way that told a story that was only partially true.

So this week is all about cozying up.

I’m calling it our Netflix and Chill week.

Each of the guys is supposed to pick out a movie for us to watch. Something that sets the mood for the evening. The girls are responsible for providing the snacks.

With there only being three nights dedicated to dating each other, we also have two group activities. A pool party and another game night. The final day is a free day. We’re allowed to do whatever we want as long as we don’t leave the ranch.

And that includes stealing horses and riding to the creek.

Yeah, they included that clause in this week’s packet.

I’m surprised they didn’t put a gold star and our names next to it.

Jace thought it was hilarious as we read through everything this afternoon. I didn’t find the humor in it. I don’t like being called out publicly. I certainly don’t appreciate the backhanded slap across the face it felt like I was getting when I read the agreement.

It stung, more than I care to admit. Even to Jace. I felt like a child being punished.

“What kind of movie do you want to watch on date night?” Jace asks as he pulls me into his arms, kissing me on the top of my head.

I’ve been trying to kick him out for twenty minutes, and he keeps finding excuses to stay. Starting conversations. Kissing me. Pretending to search for his shoes when he knew exactly where they were.

Under the bed.

I saw him kick them under there when he was pulling his pants on.

“You get to pick, remember? I can’t tell you what kind of movie to choose. That would be cheating.”

“Not really. I don’t plan on watching the movie anyway.” His lips turn upward against my cheek as he confesses his plans for our evening.

I push him away. “Then you better pick a movie I’ve seen before.”

“I’ll figure something out between now and then. Promise me one thing, though.”

“What’s that?” Resting my hands on my hips, I stare up into Jace’s gorgeous green eyes.

“Don’t wear that yellow bikini to the pool party tomorrow. I don’t want to get in a fight with Milo or Lennon for looking at you. You know, now that the world knows your mine.” He wiggles his eyebrows as he slowly backs out the door, blowing me a kiss before closing it behind him.

Searching my cupboards for snacks, I come up empty and rush across the way to Bella’s villa. She answers after the first knock, looking as panicked as I feel.