Chapter 29
Lilla
On the way home, I think about Jace and what he went through while he was gone. I remember the phone call and the honest heartbreak in his words when he told me he didn’t want to leave. It was the same tone he had today when he told me another truth.
Every time he opens his heart, the guard around my own lowers. He has the power to knock the wall down completely, but it also gives him the power to break what’s left of the fragile heart I’ve spent years protecting.
Ultimately, I am falling in love with Jace Evans. No matter how hard I try to push these feelings away, they only come back stronger. It’s like my soul is begging to be loved by him, to be seen with him, and his last name.
Tonight, we are just going as friends. He’s only coming to piss my parents off. That’s what I’m going to tell myself and him all night, until I believe it’s true.
After getting ready, I stand before my full-length mirror, taking in my outfit.
My hair is down, in spiral curls, falling down my mid-back.
Make-up is done to a T, after overly obsessing over it.
The outfit was the easiest part. I opted for a long black off-the-shoulder dress with an open back.
The low V in between my breasts shows the perfect amount of cleavage without giving room for a nip slip.
The deep plunge ends just between my ribs, cinching in my waist, and the dress wraps tightly around my ass, showing off every curve.
The right side has a slit in the fabric that starts at the bottom of my hip.
Sliding on my black high heels, I am finally ready, dressed to impress and piss off.
At six forty-five, I hear Jace pull into my driveway.
I watch him through the blinds like a nosy neighbor would.
He looks elegantly handsome in his black tux.
He steps out of the car, and my gaze drops to his dress shoes and dress pants that fit perfectly.
Working my way up to his white collar that hugs his muscular neck, I take in the way his black suit jacket hugs his pecs, following down his black tie.
He has cuff links on each arm, catching my attention as my porch light shines on them.
The closer he gets, his silver watch shimmers as he presses his jacket down, before knocking.
Opening the door, his marble gray eyes assault mine, his sight drops, drinking me in, like his final drink of water. He clears his throat, swallowing hard, until a smirk forms, as I watch him struggle to find his words.
“You look exquisite. Shall we?” His hand reaches out for mine, sliding mine into his. His tattooed fingers run between mine, fitting perfectly in the grooves, like my hand belongs in his, just as my heart belongs to him, and that’s what terrifies me. How perfect we are together.
He opens the door and helps me slide into the car. My dress falls open. His eyes immediately fall to my exposed thigh, “Friends, we’re going as just friends.” Jace gives me a sexy grin.
He leans in, moving a strand of hair behind my ear, and whispers, “We’ve never just been friends.”
Jace pulls into the valet line, where a well-dressed gentleman opens my door and greets me with a warm smile as he reaches for my hand.
Jace is around the car within seconds, bumping the young man aside and nudging him along.
“I’ll take it from here.” His tattooed hand reaches out for mine.
Oh, Daddy’s gonna love this. Happily, I slide my hand into his as we step onto the walkway, making our way to the large rotating doors.
The inside’s packed with fancy people with more money than I'll ever make in my life. My parents type of people, and there they are. My mother hangs on my father like his grand prize; meanwhile, my father’s eyes are anywhere but on her.
Jace wraps his arm around my waist, pulling me closer, leaving no gap between us.
“Tonight, you’re mine.” A blush creeps up my neck into my cheeks, making him smile.
His, the very thing my body craves, to be owned by him, devoured in every possible way.
His hand moves down to my lower back, and warmth starts spreading between my thighs as he draws small circles with his finger.
“As friends.” His smile turns wicked as he nods, leading us toward my parents.
My father is the first to look our way; instantly, his eyes grow wide, his head begins to shake, and the only look I’ve ever received masks his face; disappointment. Perfect.
Strutting over to the well-dressed individuals who flock to my father, my mother turns to me as I step beside her. Jace’s grip tightens on my side, pulling me into him.
“Well, look who finally decided to show up.” My mother stands tall, her eyes on my attire, taking in each slit with disgust, while I smile with pure joy.
“Couldn’t miss Daddy getting his big promotion, could I?” Sarcasm laces my tone, because how would that look for the perfect Lane family? Jace’s fingers slide against my bare lower back. I shift into his hold, craving his touch.
“Gentleman, this is my daughter, Dr. Lilla Lane. Excuse her late arrival, she was saving people.” Animals.
I was saving animals. The gentlemen extend their hands one by one, shaking mine and introducing themselves.
Each man puts their title before their name.
When they say, ‘CEO’ and ‘CFO’, I hear, asshole, and douchebag, but of course, they would never own up to how they behave behind closed doors.
Here I am judging again. To be fair, I see the way they’re eyeing my tits and swallowing hard to push down their desire to act on impulse. Scums.
Meanwhile, my father won’t accept me for who I am, even after I've done big things with my life; he needs bigger. Instead of animals, it’s people. Instead of saving them, it will be bringing them back from the dead, because, let’s face it, nothing I do will ever be enough.
I’ve accepted it. “Pleasure to meet you, don’t let daddy dearest fool you all, I am a vet, simply saving animals, not people.
That would be this hunk.” I give Jace’s ass a good, hard smack, just to make my dad squirm at my indecent behavior, making me smile.
The men’s eyes grow wide, shifting their focus to Jace.
Before my father can make a comment, Jace beats him to the punch with the introduction.
“I’m Jace Evans. Pleasure. If you don’t mind, we’re going to find a refreshment before the speeches begin.” He retracts his hand from the last gentleman's, placing it on my back and leading me to the bar.
Standing by the bar, my eyes flow over the full shelves, stocked with top-of-the-line bourbons and scotch, “What are you getting?” Jace looks up from his wallet.
“Nothing, I don’t drink, but I’m buying whatever you want.” He gives me his card, “I’m running to the restroom, get whatever.” He kisses my cheek so softly, I lean in, longing for more.
All I can do is nod, because somehow he steals my words just like he steals my breath.
All in one moment, one touch, it’s like he freezes my body, my mind, and my soul; and I gladly give myself to him.
It’s terrifying. I watch him fade in between the black suits and ball gowns as the bartender asks for my order.
“Yes, I’ll have lemonade, please.” Just as the barman hands me my drink and the card back, I hold the card up for Jace as he slides around me, giving him a shy smile.
“What did you decide?” My heart flutters because what he doesn’t know is that this is the only drink I have now.
“Lemonade.” His face softens as his head turns to the side. He eyes the glass and me, when I see his hand lifting, my smile grows.
Slowly, he dips his finger into my drink, stirring it, just like he did all those years ago, making my stomach grow warm.
“You’re contaminating it.” He eyes me as he pulls it out.
Without hesitation or a second thought, I grab his hand.
Looking at him, and only him, I slide his finger into my mouth and suck off every last drop that coats it.
He licks the bottom of his lip gently, leaning in, he whispers, “Are you being a naughty girl to piss off daddy?”
I nod, and his hand comes around my body, pulling me flush to his body, kissing down my neck.
“It’s working, baby.” When I look up, my father is fuming, his eyes dark with rage.
While the men next to him have a very different look in their eyes, “Those men need to learn to take their eyes off what’s mine, or this is going to get ugly. ” He bites my earlobe.
A man steps onto the stage. “Everyone, please find your assigned seats so that we can begin!” The older man watches everyone find their seats, doing as he says.
Jace and I find our table; my mother and father are seated next to us. There are eight chairs to a table, and we wait to see who will occupy the other side.
Just then, a short man approaches my father and shakes his hand.
“Matt, good to see you. Congratulations on your big promotion.” The man pulls out a chair for his wife, and that’s when I see her.
Ava. Big Bitch Ava, with Jeff. Fucking hell.
Of course, just when it can’t get worse.
I watch as her father pulls out her chair, kissing the top of her head as she sits.
I shift in my seat, catching Jace’s attention. He leans over slightly, grabbing onto my chair and slowly scooting it so it touches his, moving me as far away from them as he can.
My father looks over at us, his demand written on his face, then shifts his gaze to our table guests. “Hello, pleasure.” I stand, shaking the hands of Ava’s parents. When Ava reaches for my hand, I retract mine. Nice try bitch. I give her a stern nod, completely ignoring Jeff.