Have to admit, I got an enormous kick out of that when Bree told me. I didn’t stop laughing for at least ten minutes. It’s good to know he’s still putting her in her place, but I wonder how long it will last. Clearly, he’s getting over our breakup quicker than me. He hasn’t even looked in my direction all night, preferring to drink and joke around with his football buddies.
“Go away,” I say without opening my eyes. I can’t deal with Jase tonight. I’m already in too much pain, and he’ll only add to it.
“Not until you tell me what’s wrong,” he says as his fingers thread through mine.
Blinking my eyes open, I yank my hand from his and step back. I glance at the now empty kitchen and the closed door, narrowing my eyes in suspicion. This feels like an ambush. “Why do you care? You all but ignore me now.”
What the fuck, Ash?I’m blaming the alcohol sloshing in my veins for that stupid outburst.
“I have to,” he says, reclaiming the distance between us. His hands land on my waist, and he hauls me up against his rock-hard body. “I’m playing an angle, hoping it will get me out of this mess.”
“I can’t deal with this shit tonight, Jase.” I attempt to wriggle out of his arms, but he only tightens his hold on me.
“Please don’t. Just let me hold you, Ash.”
I guess there is no limit to my weakness because I stop protesting and sink into his arms. Resting my head on his warm chest, I close my eyes and pretend like it’s months ago when everything was perfect.
“I miss you so much,” he whispers, running his fingers softly through my hair. “Pretending you don’t exist is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done.”
“I know,” I whisper, being lulled by the steady, strong beating of his heart under my ear.
He rests his chin on top of my hair. “Talk to me. What’s going on? What has put that sadness behind your eyes?”
“I’d have thought it was obvious.”
“I know this is more than just me.” He tilts my face up with one finger, and we stare at one another for a couple of intense minutes. I wonder if the longing I see in his eyes is reflected in my own gaze.
His gaze sweeps over me from head to toe. Admiration is etched upon his face as he takes his time examining my tight, short, strapless black dress with the cutout panels at the sides. I paired it with sneakers to dress it down a little. Piercing green eyes pin me in place. “You’re so fucking beautiful, Ash.” His gaze conveys nothing but sincerity, and that’s probably the hardest thing of all to handle.
If he no longer cared, if he truly was into Julia, it would make things much simpler. It would be easy to hate him in that scenario.
Knowing he wants me, like I want him, crucifies me.
I still can’t make any sense of the situation, and he refuses to give me more than vague answers.
“It hurts so much to see you and not be with you.” His slim fingers sweep across my cheeks, and I lean into his touch, wishing things were different.
I long to sink into his arms and lose myself in his body. Jase would be the perfect distraction—if he still belonged to me.
But he doesn’t.
My heart throbs with the reminder, and a fresh wave of sorrow crashes over me. “How did all my plans turn to shit so fast?” I ask, lowering my guard further thanks to the three beers I’ve consumed. “How is everything falling apart?”
“I wish I had the answers,” he replies in that deeply sensual voice that speaks to my inner soul. “Is Ares a problem because I can take care of that for you?”
I stiffen in his arms, concerned at his words and the underlying sentiment behind it. It’s enough to snap me out of this temporary insanity. “Let me go, Jase.” I push at his chest.
“Never.” Leaning down, he rubs his prickly jawline against my face as he inhales deeply. “I’m never letting you go, Ash. This isn’t the end. I won’t let it be.”
“Someone could come in, and I’ve got enough troubles without renewing all that shit with yourfiancée.” I spit the word out, and it does the trick.
Reluctantly, Jase lets me go. “You saw the announcement in the paper.”
“It was front page of theNew York Timestoday. I doubt there’s a single person on campus who hasn’t seen it.” I only saw it when we returned from the game and Bree showed me. Crossing my arms around my waist, I wish I could snap my fingers and be upstairs alone in my bed.
Why did I think it was a good idea to have a party tonight?
Between Jase’s engagement, my guilt over the cheating, concern over this supposed danger I’m in, and Ares’s not so subtle eye fucking, I am ready to be done with this day.
