Chapter 7 #3
Trekking through the party, I see no one, all while knowing everyone sees me.
I keep my eyes locked on Jace’s back as he pulls me through the pointing and laughing people.
I hear nothing but my thoughts, telling me lies that I will forever believe.
It was my fault; I asked for it. I took him up there.
I basically begged him. Everything plays on a loop in my mind.
“Lil, look at me.” Jace is in my face, with my back pressed against his car.
“Hey!” His voice is deep and demanding. “Stop. Whatever you're thinking right now, stop.” I nod, silently telling him I will, both knowing it’s a lie.
After telling him my address, the ride home felt like it would never end.
Stopping at a stop sign, Jace turns towards me, “You gotta stop. You can’t beat yourself up like this; it will eat you from the inside out.
Tell me something honest, Lil.” My heart races.
Here he is, sitting right next to me, taking me home.
The boy who runs off temptation and mystery.
I have always liked the chase, but now he’s caught me.
My mouth feels dry, and it’s hard to say if it's the drinks or the way he takes everything from me with those sparkling eyes and gruff voice.
I look at him with somber eyes, “You first.” He smirks at me, leaning his head back in his seat, as he lets off the brake.
“It’s not worth it. Jumping… Sorry, floating. I knew it was you I passed on the bridge. Your turn.” Just when I thought there couldn’t be any more surprises, there he was.
My pulse quickens, “I fuckin’ hate doormats with slogans on them.” It was the first thing that came to mind.
He pulls into my driveway, shutting off his car, and he turns towards me, “Go make your own slogan; what I said to you on the bridge was the truth. I wasn’t lying; I wouldn’t do that to you, and I won’t start now.
I meant it when I said tonight was not your fault.
I meant it when I said you were too pretty to float with sticks, and I mean it now when I say no one is going to fuck with you anymore. ”
My mouth is dry, and I’m dying for some water. Finally, my heart begins to slow, but my head is still spinning like a merry-go-round. Jace jumps out, rounds the car, and opens my door. “Let’s get you inside. Should I be worried about you waking anyone up?” He asks before he opens the door.
“No, I live alone.” I watch as concern etches across his face. He opens the door, and we file in.
When we reach the kitchen, he gently sets me down on the stool at the island. He takes a quick look around, grabs a glass from the cabinet, fills it with water, and hands it to me. “Drink this.”
I down the whole glass, making him smile. His pearly white teeth shine in the kitchen light, and his grey eyes soften. “Will you take me to bed?” He laughs, his deep, sexy chuckle, sets my glass in the sink, and helps me off the stool.
“Oh, I hope you remember asking me this tomorrow,” he smirks.
We take one step at a time, up to the third floor. “I didn't need you risking your relationship to save me. But thank you.” He sits next to me on my bed, and his hand comes up, moving my bangs out of my eyes.
“You didn’t deserve what they did to you.” I can feel my body gravitating towards him. I want him; I’ve wanted him since the first year, and now he’s here in my bedroom, alone.
My breath hitches, “Why did you? I mean, you never did before.” He turns his head to the side, our eyes fighting over desire and the strength to hold off.
He pulls back my covers, “I tried every time. I pulled her away every time I was around. I thought I've been saving you this whole time.”
I start pulling my shirt over my head, and I watch him swallow hard as his Adam's apple bobs. He keeps his eyes locked on mine. “Did you mean it when you said you wanted me to beg? Or do you really think I’m not worth it?” There’s a long pause following my comment; his eyes look amused but guarded.
“Tell me something honest…Why do you look at me? At every party, I see you watching me. Then you corner me, like you have some sort of claim over me.” The alcohol is firing my words without control. I want answers, I need them.
He slides my legs under my sheets before leaning over, “Because you’re you.
You don’t see what I see; you intrigue me.
I watch you because I want to know you. I get close because with each step, I become addicted to the way my body feels; it hums and comes alive in your presence.
And you like the chase. Now I'm trying to figure out why you think you're not worthy of saving?” Easy to think, when it’s all I’ve felt.
He crawls gently over me, kissing my cheek softly until he rolls over to his side, placing his body in the space next to me.
“I just want it to stop, make me forget tonight.” Jace wraps me in his arms, warming my half-naked body as it vibrates with desire and tiredness.
Resting my head on his chest, he pulls me in and whispers, “I have a feeling, I’d do anything you asked me to.”