And I’m walking straight into the fire.
The others trickle out as the evening fades, Noah first, mumbling something about needing sleep before his brain melts. Luca follows, tossing me a wink and a half-hearted, “Don’t miss me too much.”
Tex lingers, checking the window locks and giving Jace a look before disappearing without a word.
It’s just us now.
The room feels still in a way it hasn’t all week. Like something is waiting.
I sit on the edge of the bed and glance over at Jace, who’s by the desk, unbuttoning his uniform jacket. His shoulders are tight. Controlled. His movements precise.
“Jace.”
He pauses but doesn’t look at me.
I stand, wiping my hands down my legs.
Didn’t think the control freak’s ego would be so fragile.
I cross over to him. “Jace?—”
I blink, and before I realize it, he’s lifted me onto the desk, standing between my legs.
My eyes widen. His hand squeezes my sides gently as he leans in.
“Try,” he murmurs, “to tell me you don’t feel this too.”
His fingers press into my hips, his eyes flicking down to my lips like he’s seconds away from devouring them.
“Go on,” he challenges, leaning closer, breath hot against my lips. “Lie to me.”
I push him away, sliding off the desk.
He pins me back to the desk, one hand on my lower back, another around my neck.
He squeezes gently.
“You can push me away all you want, but I’m not a man that listens when it comes to you.”
“You’re insane.” I lift my chin.
“Never claimed to be sane.” He smiles.
I slide my phone out of my pocket, unlocking it.
He eyes my phone, his hand loosening. “Who are you calling?”
I tap a button, letting it ring out on speaker.
“Iz? Everything ok?” Tex asks.
“Everything’s fine,” Jace bites out, grinding his jaw.
“Ignore him. Can you come back? I want you to stay instead.”
“No—” Jace says.
“Be right there,” Tex says, then the line clicks.
