“I should probably get you a key if you’re going to be staying here a while.”
“You’d trust me with a key?” Jace sounded both surprised and touched.
“Of course, I would. I trust you, Jace.”
“Not completely yet,” he said, sounding a little sad but resolute, like he was resolved to change that fact.
A small quiet passed before I spoke. “Are you hungry? I have some leftovers.”
“I’m fine. I already ate. I don’t expect you to cook for me, Shannon. I know it’s a lot having me here.”
“Well, yes, I’m not used to having company, but I also appreciate you doing this. It’s not going to be comfortable. Oh, I think Ozzie has a futon he doesn’t use very often. Perhaps I could ask to borrow it—”
“I’ll be fine on your couch. Relax.”
“Right, well, let me know if you need anything.”
“I will.”
His gaze held mine, and I felt trapped, wanting to flee the intensity of his stare in the quiet house but also not wanting to move a single inch. Tingles skittered along my forearms as I swallowed thickly and finally forced my feet to move.
“See you in the morning, then.”
“You’re going to bed now?” He questioned. “It’s only nine.”
“Well, I’m getting into bed, but I’m not going to sleep. I’ve been, um, rewatching some old seasons ofRed Dwarf.”
“Without me?” he teased, a smile pulling at his lips. “Such betrayal. Why don’t you watch it down here, and I’ll join you? I can’t go to sleep this early.”
I glanced at the TV, then at the couch, knowing it was a bad idea to snuggle up with Jace watching an old favourite show. But the day had beenlong,and I needed something comforting.
“Okay, I’ll make some tea first.”
When I returned with two cups, Jace was lounging on my couch like he belonged there, the next episode ofRed Dwarfall lined up.
“You’re already on season three,” he complained.
“Deal with it,” I teased, handing him the cup of tea. “I’m not going back to the start just for you.”
His lips curved. “So cruel.”
I sat down on the other end of the couch, thankful I’d bought a three seater because otherwise we would’ve been way too cosy. I found it hard to concentrate on the show because I was too distracted by Jace’s deep chuckle every time there was a funny bit. My cheeks heated when he sat forward and pulled off his black hoodie. The T-shirt underneath rose up, and my gaze wandered to the hard lines of his back, his muscular obliques, before I forced my eyes to the TV screen.
“Are you too warm? I can turn the temperature down,” I offered quietly.
“I’m good, just getting comfy,” Jace said, completely unaware of my hot cheeks and rising heart rate.
We watched three episodes before I decided to call it a night. Any more and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep my hands to myself. Being close to him, with his scent and his warmth only a few inches away, was torturous. I couldn’t deny that I wanted him, even though my head was flashing warning lights and waving red flags. Jace had declared his intentions to win me back, and he was behaving like a perfect gentleman. A part of me wished he wouldn’t. That part wished for him to throw away his scruples and seduce me like he’d done the other morning when he’d knelt at my feet. Just the thought of a man like Jace kneeling in supplication was enough to send me into a worked up, horny spiral.
“Goodnight,” I said as I headed for the door.
“’Night, Shannon.” Jace was busy pulling the blanket over himself, getting ready for sleep. I took the opportunity to quickly leave before I did anything stupid.
Seriously, we needed to find out who the catfish was. I wasn’t going to survive too many nights of having Jace under my roof without losing the sliver of self-control I was already struggling to hold on to.
15.
Shannon
