Locke:
Do you want me to interrupt? Or are you having fun without me?
My breath catches, and then I huff in irritation. Silly of me to make a stalker joke and not expect at least one of them to show up.
It’s not just the words, though. It’s the timing, as if someone is watching me right now.
I don’t answer. Refuse to let it ruin my night. I’ll get this sorted… some other time. Not right now.
Because Jace leans in, the light citrus notes of his cologne playing with my senses. His mouth is warm against the edge of my jaw, trailing up just slow enough to give me the illusion that I can pull away.
I could. I just don’t want to.
“Come home with me,” he suggests, voice a low hum as his lips brush against the shell of my ear.
And I almost say yes immediately.
Except I don’t make it a habit to go into strangers’ homes unless I have a weapon or eight and am prepared to kill them. So, no, I’m not going to his house.
But… I can’t take him back to my place, either. That’s not even an option. I mean, I kill people there. Sometimes.
Not in the last month… But like, prior to my fake relationship and somewhat real breakup, I was killing people there pretty fucking often.
What if there’s still blood on the walls or some shit?
I text Roo before I answer.
Me:
Borrowing your bed. Promise to wash the sheets.
She sends back a single heart emoji and nothing else.
I smile, taking his hand as I reply, “I’m almost positive my place is closer.”
Jace watches me like he’s trying to memorize my behavior. His eyes are steady, tracking every move I make as I push the townhouse door shut behind us and drop my jacket onto the nearest chair.
When I turn, he’s right behind me, close enough for the air between us to thicken. My fingers twitch, caught between wanting to touch him or… Run.
He’s staring at me like I’m his prey, like he’s trying to read my mind so he knows which direction I’ll dart. His hands remain in his pockets, his restraint almost as loud as my pounding heart.
I’m not nervous about a one-night stand… But the way he observes me. It’s the way I study my marks before going in for the kill.
“Do you always bring strangers home?” he inquires.
“This isn’t my home,” I quietly point out.
“My question still stands.”
I shrug, testing his reactions as I take a step backward, further into Roo’s townhome. “Only when they follow the rules.”
“What are the rules?” he asks, intrigued as he continues after me.
“I could tell you, but if I do?—”
“You’ll have to kill me?” Jace guesses, a bright smile lighting his features. “Not a chance.”
“Well, you are in an unknown house with a stranger,” I trail off, holding out my arms to showcase the space around us.
