Chapter 9 #2
From the moment she had first seen Jace, she had been inexplicably drawn to him.
He was like an unstoppable force that pulled people in.
She hadn’t even tried to get away. The need to know him, to touch him had seized her, and the instant their eyes had met that long-ago night, she knew that she had known him—and loved him—in another life.
His nearness made her blood quicken through her veins as her body heated with need. The minute he looked down at her mouth and lowered his head to hers, she stopped breathing. No air flowed into her lungs until their lips met.
The chaos that had surrounded her these past years halted as if Jace’s very presence commanded the cosmos.
His mouth moved over hers, teasing and tasting and nipping.
She sighed and wrapped her arms around his neck.
A moan rumbled through his chest as he held her firmly and slid his tongue between her lips.
An inferno of need and a longing so intense, so potent that the rest of the world ceased to exist, engulfed her.
Jace kissed her as he did everything else—with everything that he had and was.
He knew just how to hold her, how to move his hands over her back.
When to deepen the kiss in a way that sent her already hungry body into overdrive.
His kiss was like a drug, and she was experiencing her first taste after what felt like an eternity. The future was uncertain, but she had tonight. In the arms of the man she loved so much that it hurt.
Tears fell down her cheeks as he ended the kiss. They were both breathless, their passions running high. Jace gently brushed away her tears with his fingertips. She smiled to let him know that they weren’t tears of sadness.
“I never thought I’d have you in my arms again,” he said.
The tears fell faster. “I didn’t either.”
“I don’t think I can let you go. Not tonight. Not ever.”
“You won’t have to if I’m holding onto you.”
This time when his mouth descended on hers, the kiss was fueled with desire that she couldn’t ignore. They tore at each other’s clothes until they were finally skin to skin. She didn’t have to tell him about her need because it was his, as well.
Jace pressed her against the wall, helped her wrap her legs around his waist, and was inside her in one thrust. Both of them stilled for a heartbeat, taking in the feeling of their bodies joined once more.
When he began to move, all Taryn could think about was how right it felt to have his cock sliding in and out of her.
She threaded her fingers into his hair as their bodies moved as one.
Their gazes locked as they got lost in each other’s eyes.
Her breath hitched when she felt her orgasm building.
A pleased smile graced Jace’s lips as he recognized that she was tumbling toward her climax.
He shifted just slightly, and that’s all it took for her body to tighten as bliss filled her.
Taryn clung to Jace as he shouted and climaxed, as well.
They clung to each other for several minutes, and then Jace pushed away from the wall and carried her to the sofa, lowering both of them down. With their bodies still joined, they lay entwined, his fingers brushing at her hair.
“I like it longer,” he said.
She smiled, so happy she thought her heart might burst.
“I meant what I said earlier. If you leave, I’ll follow you.”
She looked into his hazel eyes and nodded. “I know.”
“How long do you have before you need to return to them?”
“Two and a half days.”
“I’ve got the money, but I can’t get to it that quick.
I’ll need to talk to a few people to see if I can get a short-term loan until I can pull the rest of the cash from my investments.
I’ll start everything first thing in the morning.
Hopefully, I’ll have all five hundred thousand for you by lunch. I take it you need to bring cash?”
Taryn nodded, her throat tight with emotion.
Jace paused and twirled a lock of her hair around his finger. “Stay here tonight. Please.”
“Are you worried I’ll leave?”
“You want help, but you don’t want me involved. And since you know I won’t give you the money otherwise, you’re telling me what I want to hear but are considering returning to these people alone. Tell me I’m wrong.”
Taryn drew in a shaky breath and looked at Jace.
It was because she loved him so deeply that she was trying to do everything possible to keep him out of the shitstorm she was in.
“I believe Payton is still alive. You’re right in saying that I need confirmation, which I’m going to get.
Since I think she’s waiting for me, and I need the money, it means I also need you.
Even if I would do anything possible to keep you out of all of this. ”
He stared at her for a long, silent minute. Taryn prayed that she looked convincing because she was crying rivers of regret and guilt inside. The first time she’d left Clearview in the middle of the night, she had done so against her will. The second time would be her decision.
She detested herself for giving in to her need to see Jace again and explain.
She could tell herself it was so he didn’t hate her, but she had known exactly how he would react.
Now, Taryn told herself it was all right since it was all for Payton, that Jace was a grown man with combat experience. And if anyone could help, it was him.
But looking into his beautiful hazel eyes, hearing that deep, silky voice of his, and having him make love to her once more had brought back all the memories of their years together. Reminded her how much she had loved him. Jace and the love he had given her had kept her going in those dark days.
Unfortunately, she had been too weak to realize that until she stood before him once more. Had she accepted that earlier, she never would’ve come to see him. Weakness and love had brought her to him again. But the strength of her love for him would help her walk away.
“What’s going through that mind of yours?” Jace asked in a soft voice.
“Thinking of when we were still together. My biggest problem was Dad.”
Jace’s lips twisted ruefully. “We’ll get this sorted. I give you my word.”
“You’re the best man I know, Jace. I’m sorry I brought this to you.”
“I’m only sorry you didn’t come sooner. We could’ve had a few days to come up with a plan. But it’ll be fine. You don’t need to worry about anything.”
She wished with all her heart that she could believe him.
This was her family’s mess, and it was her responsibility to deal with it—no one else’s.
Jace had seen her as no one else ever had.
He loved all of her, accepted everything about her, and had given her a glimpse of a future she had been looking forward to.
If only she could return to that time and do things differently.
She would’ve moved out and left her father and brother to their own devices.
Her life would certainly be different now.
So would Payton’s. But her sister was counting on her.
Taryn wished she could come through for her, but maybe this was the better alternative.
“I’ve got to get my things,” she told him.
He frowned but nodded. “I’ll come with you.”
She put a hand on his bare chest and raised a brow. “Don’t you trust me?”
“I’d feel better if I went with you.”
“I’ll be right back. Promise.”
Jace bowed his head. “All right.”
They rose and began to dress. As she hooked her bra, she caught sight of the many scars that crisscrossed Jace’s back, shoulders, and sides.
There were more on his chest, arms, and legs.
They were more faded now. She used to kiss them when they lay together.
She’d told him that her love would heal his soul as medicine had healed his body.
Things had been so much simpler back then.
She was happy to see that he was doing well.
When she finished dressing, she faced him as he looked at her. Unable to resist, Taryn wrapped her arms around him and held him tight as she squeezed her eyes closed. This would be the last time she got to touch Jace. “Thank you,” she whispered.
His arms came around her, and they simply stood there for several moments, holding each other.
Taryn released him and backed away. She flashed him a smile and waved as she walked out the door.
The tears fell before she even reached her car in the driveway.
Right before she drove away, she looked at the house to find Jace still standing with the front door open, watching her.