After reprimanding myself for being so impulsive and incredibly stupid I brushed my teeth and got into bed, pulling the blankets over my head. The kiss replayed over and over in my head, my mind deciding it enjoyed the torture.
And for the first time in years, I thought of the night that started it all.
Five years ago
I didn’t really want to be here. The loud music and stumbling bodies made me cringe. The way some of the guys eyed me made my skin crawl. Going to the party was an impulsive and, as I came to realize the moment I set foot inside this house, terrible idea.
This wasn’t me. And I hated that I let my stupid hurt feelings and anger push me into something I wouldn’t have normally done.
Something cold splashed my arm, and I gasped.
“S’cuse me,” a voice slurred. Then a big and sweaty body bumped into me.
Gross. I really need to leave.
Too bad I was a stubborn idiot and trying to piss off my latest bodyguard, Gunner. He was different from anyone else my dad had ever hired, and I hated the way he seemed to get under my skin.
I’d also had a stupid crush on him that I just couldn’t seem to shake. At least I did until I overheard him calling me a spoiled princess with no common sense.
He was arrogant and rude, but up until I found out what he really thought of me, I thought we’d been getting along. But nobody called me a spoiled princess and got away with it. Hence why I was currently at a party I had no interest in, making an idiot out of myself.
I really had to stop being so impulsive.
Evading more drunk guys and their sloshing drinks, I pushed my way to the back of the room. I was planning on hiding out there for a while and then going back home. That would piss Gunner off sufficiently, especially since he was an arrogant prick who didn’t think anyone could pull one over on him.
Guess he didn’t see me coming when I locked him in the bathroom and slipped out the back door, getting past my dad’s guards unnoticed.
I cringed when someone bumped into me from behind, spilling another drink on my top. With the rate I was going, I’d smell like a distillery in no time. And I hadn’t even had a single drink yet.
A hand settled on my shoulder, and I flinched. “Shit, sorry for spilling my drink on you.”
I turned and looked at a boyish grin that made me smile back. The guy’s baseball hat was on backward, and he was wearing a T-shirt that seemed a little snug. But despite him looking like a frat boy on the prowl, I couldn’t force myself to tell him off.
“It’s okay. I was already wet.”
My eyes widened and I cringed at the way that sounded. He didn’t seem to mind my obvious awkwardness and threw his head back, roaring with laughter.
“I’ve never seen you here before. Do you go to Loyola?”
I wish.But since my family was overprotective, I wasn’t just stuck with a broody bodyguard but also had to study my graphic design degree online. I longed to experience college life. But that would never happen.
“Just wanted to see what all the fuss was about.” And the fuss didn’t seem justified, if I was honest. I’d heard so much about the legendary college parties and wasn’t overly impressed so far.
He put his hands out, causing his drink to splash over the side of his cup again. “Well, you’ve come to the right place. I’m Jace.”
His eyes were slightly glassy, and he talked slowly, enunciating every word carefully, as if he was afraid he’d slur them.
I knew I’d made a mistake coming here. Jace kept talking, but at that stage, I’d tuned out. I didn’t want to know about his upcoming game. Or his roommates. Or what he’d eaten for dinner. Instead, I longed to be back in my soft bed, watching TV or reading a book.
But since it was nobody’s fault but my own that I was stuck here, I was also the one who had to get her stupid ass back home.
I smiled at Jace, hoping to extricate myself from the conversation. I’d have pissed Gunner off well enough by now anyway. No need to hang around.
A movement to the side made me look up to find Gunner’s tall and muscly body pushing through the partygoers. He was shouldering his way past drunk people, who stumbled out of his way, uncaring of who he hit in the process.
Brute.
Making another snap decision, I put my hands around Jace’s neck and pulled him down. He wasn’t much taller than me, so I reached easily. His face lit up at my move, and he bent down eagerly, fusing his lips to mine.
