7. Jace
Chapter Seven
JACE
I stir from my deep sleep as I sense movement beside me.
My eyes flutter open to see Lindsay’s silhouette, her bare back illuminated by the soft morning light seeping through the curtains. She’s sitting on the edge of the bed, reaching for something on the floor.
In one swift motion, I reach out and wrap an arm around her waist, pulling her back against my chest. “And just where do you think you’re going?”
She lets out a surprised little yelp. “Jace! I was just...um...” Her voice trails off and I can practically hear the gears turning in that pretty head of hers, trying to come up with an excuse.
I nuzzle into the crook of her neck, breathing in her sweet scent. “Mmhmm. Trying to sneak out on me, were you?” I tease, tightening my hold on her.
No way am I letting this girl slip away, not when I finally have her right where I want her - naked and tangled up in my sheets.
“I wasn’t sneaking! I just didn’t want to wake you. I thought I’d head out early...”
“Well, sorry to disappoint, but you’re not going anywhere, princess.” I roll us over so I’m hovering above her, caging her in with my arms.
Her chestnut hair is splayed out on the pillow, her cheeks flushed, those captivating green eyes wide as she looks up at me.
Lindsay bites her lip, trying to suppress a smile. “Jace, I really should go...” But her hands are already skimming up my back, creating tingles on my bare skin.
I capture her mouth in a searing kiss before she can argue, swallowing any further protests. She melts into me instantly, her body molding to mine like it was made to be there.
After a long moment, I pull back to look at her, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear. “Besides, you know you don’t really want to leave,” I tease with a wink. “Not when you could stay in this bed with me...” I flex my hips suggestively against hers.
Lindsay flushes even redder but grins up at me, looping her arms around my neck. “Okay, you win this round, Clayton.” Her eyes sparkle mischievously. “I suppose a little while longer won’t hurt.”
“That’s my girl,” I growl approvingly before swooping down to claim her lips again.
Lindsay’s fingers slide into my hair as our kiss deepens, desire crackling between us.
Fuck.
Kissing Lindsay is like coming home and getting lost all at once. Her soft lips move against mine, igniting a fire in my veins that’s only stoked higher by the little mewls of pleasure she makes. I could spend hours just like this, learning every hitch of her breath, every shiver and sigh.
My hands roam greedily over her curves, tracing the dips and hollows I’d spent all night mapping with my fingers and tongue. I palm her breast, relishing the perfect weight of it in my hand, the way her nipple tightens against my touch.
But then suddenly, she pulls back, worry clouding her expression. “Wait, Jace... what about brunch?”
I nip playfully at her jaw. “What about it?”
Lindsay shivers beneath me, but that little crease between her brows remains. “I thought getting invited to your family’s brunch was a big deal. Are you sure we’re ready for this?”
“Of course, I’m sure.” I cup her face in my hands and brush my thumbs over her cheekbones, holding her gaze steadily. “I want everyone on the planet to know that you’re mine.”
“I want that too,” she whispers, her fingers curling into the hair at the nape of my neck. “I’m just nervous. They’ve only ever seen me as your friend and employee. What if they think I’m not good enough for you? That I don’t belong?”
My heart clenches at the vulnerability in her eyes and the uncertainty in her voice. I lean down, resting my forehead against hers. “Baby, you belong with me, and that means you belong with my family too.”
Lindsay looks up at me, her eyes shimmering with emotion. “You really mean that?”
“With all my heart,” I vow, sealing it with a gentle kiss. “And I’ll make damn sure they all see it too.”
I reach over to grab my phone off the nightstand, keeping one arm securely around Lindsay’s waist. She snuggles into my side as I pull up the family group chat and type out a message with my thumb.
“Heads up, boys. Lindsay’s joining us for brunch. Be on your best behavior or else.”
Within seconds, my phone starts pinging with responses.
Luke: About damn time! We were starting to think you two would never figure it out.”
Brody chimes in next. “Fucking finally! Wait till Savannah hears, she’s going to flip her shit. In a good way.”
Wyatt’s reply pops up. “Well look at that, our baby brother is all grown up. Melody says it’s about damn time and she expects details later ;)”
I chuckle and tilt the screen so Lindsay can read the messages. Her eyes widen as she scans them, but slowly, a tentative smile spreads across her face. “They’re really okay with this? With...us?”
“More than okay, baby. They’re thrilled. I told you, you have nothing to worry about.” I press a kiss to her temple.
Relief floods her features and she turns in my arms to face me fully, looping her arms around my neck. “I don’t know what I did to deserve you, Jace Clayton.”
“Funny, I was just thinking the same thing about you,” I murmur, ducking down to capture her lips in a slow, deep kiss that has us both breathless.
When we finally surface for air, I bump my nose playfully against hers. “Now, about that shower...” I give her a heated look, my hands flexing on her hips.
Lindsay bites her lip, her eyes darkening with desire. “Lead the way, cowboy.”
I grin and scoop her up, tossing her over my shoulder caveman style as she squeals.
We don’t leave my room for another forty-five minutes.
Fortunately for us, it seems like all of my brothers got a late start this morning too. By the time Lindsay and I finally make it downstairs, freshly showered and unable to keep the satisfied grins off our faces, the rest of the family is just sitting down to eat in the dining room.
All eyes turn to us and for a split second, I feel Lindsay tense beside me. But then Jasmyn is out of her seat like a shot, pulling Lindsay into a warm hug.
“I’m so happy for you two!” she gushes, and just like that, the momentary tension dissipates.
Melody is next, wrapping Lindsay in an equally enthusiastic embrace. “Welcome to the family, officially!”
Lindsay laughs, her eyes a little misty as she returns their hugs. I feel a swell of pride and affection watching my family welcome her so openly.
“Alright, alright, let the poor girl breathe,” I tease, guiding Lindsay to her seat beside me with a hand on her lower back. “There’ll be plenty of time for you hens to cluck over her later.”
“Hens?! Careful little brother, or no bacon for you,” Savannah threatens from across the table, but she’s grinning ear to ear.
As soon as we sit down, Wyatt raises his coffee mug in a toast. “To Jace and Lindsay, for finally getting their shit together and realizing what the rest of us have known for years - that they’re perfect for each other.”
A chorus of “hear, hear!” and the clinking of mugs fills the room. I lace my fingers with Lindsay’s on top of the table and she leans into me, her smile brighter than the morning sun streaming through the windows.
Brody leans forward, a devilish glint in his eye. “So, Linds, I gotta ask - what made you finally take pity on this poor schmuck and agree to date him? Did he bribe you? Wear you down with his endless pestering?”
“Hey now!” I protest, but Lindsay just laughs and squeezes my hand.
“Oh, he definitely wore me down,” she banters back easily. “You know how persistent he can be. I figured I might as well give in before he resorts to something drastic like skywriting or a flash mob.”
The whole table erupts with laughter and I shake my head in amused exasperation. “Wow, thanks for that, babe.”
Lindsay turns to me, her expression softening. “But in all seriousness, it was inevitable, I think. He’s my best friend. My person. Falling for him was the easiest thing in the world.”
My throat tightens with emotion and I have to swallow hard before I can respond. “Falling for you was pretty damn easy too, sweetheart.” I raise our joined hands and press a kiss to her knuckles.
A chorus of “awwws” circles the table and I roll my eyes good-naturedly. “Alright, alright, show’s over. Pass the damn bacon already, would ya?”
As food starts getting dished out, the conversation flows easily, everyone catching up and laughing and ribbing each other like always. But through it all, Lindsay and I stay connected, our hands linked, her thigh pressed against mine.
At one point, Melody asks how the shop is doing, and Lindsay animatedly fills her in on some of their new projects. I watch her, captivated by her passion, her quick wit as she jokes with Luke, and the way she includes Maisey in the conversation.
She just fits. Here, with my family. With me. Like a missing piece I didn’t even know I was searching for until I found her.
“So Lindsay,” Savannah pipes up as she passes the dish of Melody’s famous cinnamon rolls, “I hear you’re bringing a special guest to the New Year’s Eve party tonight?”
I feel Lindsay stiffen beside me, and my stomach drops. Fuck.
I told my brothers about Lindsay’s dad being released, but I swore them to secrecy, not wanting to put any pressure on her. I just didn’t want things to be awkward whenever Lindsay decided to tell them herself.
But I didn’t think Savannah would bring it up this morning, putting Lindsay on the spot like this.
Under the table, I give Lindsay’s hand a reassuring squeeze even as I shoot Savannah a warning look.
But to my surprise, Lindsay takes a deep breath and meets Savannah’s gaze head-on. “Um, yes, actually... I invited my dad.”
A hush falls over the table and I see surprise and concern flit across my siblings’ faces. But to my relief, there’s no judgement, only compassion.
Jasmyn is the first to speak, reaching across the table to touch Lindsay’s arm. “That’s wonderful, Linds. I’m sure it means a lot to him, and to you.”
“It really does,” Lindsay says softly, leaning into me a little. “I know our relationship is still a work in progress, but it feels like a step in the right direction, you know?”
“Absolutely,” Wyatt agrees, his usually teasing expression serious and sincere. “Family is everything. Good on you for being brave enough to give him a second chance.”
Emotion clogs my throat as I look around at these people who have been my whole world for so long. And now here’s Lindsay, fitting in seamlessly, opening her heart to them just like she did to me. I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life - this woman is my future.
Under the table, I give her hand a firm squeeze. She squeezes back and when her eyes meet mine, I see my own feelings reflected there.
By the time we’re clearing the dishes, I feel like I could vibrate out of my skin with happiness.
This. This is what I want every weekend to look like. Lindsay by my side, surrounded by my family’s love and chaos.
“You’re awfully smiley there, baby brother,” Brody remarks as we carry the plates into the kitchen. “Good brunch?”
I glance over my shoulder to where Lindsay is laughing with Melody and Jasmyn as they put away the leftovers, looking completely at home. A surge of possessiveness and certainty washes over me.
“The best,” I reply, unable to contain my grin. “She’s the one.”
Brody claps me on the shoulder, his own smile wide and knowing. “No shit. I’m surprised you haven’t already put a ring on it.”
My mind flashes to the small velvet box tucked in my sock drawer upstairs, the one that’s been sitting there since the day me and Lindsay got back from Antler Creek.
I clap Brody on the shoulder and give him a knowing grin. “All in good time, brother. All in good time.”