“Food should be here in about half an hour.”
“Sounds good.”
I couldn’t stop staring at his profile, in particular his jawline. I wanted to run my fingers over it, then down his corded neck and firm shoulders. I had itbad. Jace said he was going to prove himself to me, and it was working. I already couldn’t imagine going back to our old arrangement. In the last few weeks, he’d made himself indispensable.
We made short work of the Chinese food when it arrived, then settled back in for more episodes. I wasn’t sure how it happened, but we gravitated towards one another until I was snuggled into him, my head resting on his shoulder with ablanket pulled over us. The episode we were watching came to an end, and my breath quickened when he peered down at me, his smile tender as he brushed some hair away from my face.
“Do you want to watch another, or are you too tired?”
“I’m not too tired, although someone needs to get up and change the disc.”
“But I’m comfortable right here,” he replied, his gaze soft. “Why couldn’t you be a normal person and watch your shows on a streaming service?”
“Because I already own the entire DVD collection, so why should I pay twice?”
A fond look came over him. “Remember when you found Season One in that old charity shop and bought it on a whim because you thought the cover looked cool?”
I laughed at the memory. “Right, who knew that random purchase would lead to a lifelong obsession.”
His lips twitched in a smile. “When you used to come over to my house to watch episodes, those were my favourite times.”
His eyes found mine, an intensity in them I wasn’t expecting. Jace was so close, our sides pressed together, his heat seeping into me. A long moment passed during which my entire body came alive with need.Kiss him, my heart urged.
“Fine, I’ll change it then—” Before he could move, I pounced on him, plastering my lips to his. A gust of breath escaped him. Then, a deep, satisfied groan that travelled all the way down to my toes. Suddenly, Jace was cupping my cheeks, his tongue sliding inside my mouth like it belonged there. I inhaled sharply when his lip ring moved languidly against my lower lip, one hand going to the back of my neck, cupping possessively as he tipped my head back and deepened the kiss. Moments later, my back hit the couch as he climbed over me. I locked my legs around his waist, needing him closer. I felt his hard length pressinto me before he broke the kiss, burying his face in my neck as he began kissing and suckling.
“Shannon,” he breathed in between kisses.
“Jace,” I responded, his name half gratitude, half plea.
I cupped his jaw and pulled him back to me, resuming the kiss when a loud vibration broke through the haze of our connection. His phone was ringing. I felt it buzzing through his pocket as his tongue danced sinfully along mine.
Quickly, he pulled it out and silenced it, but almost as soon as he did, it started ringing again.
“Bloody hell, Elias, it can’t be that serious,” he muttered.
Noting it was Elias gave me pause. I really didn’t want to stop kissing Jace, but the call could be important. Elias hadn’t turned up to the memorial, and I remembered what I’d overheard last night, how he might owe money to some bad people. Jace had just silenced the call again when I placed a hand to his chest.
“Maybe you should answer.” I was still breathless from his kisses.
Jace shook his head. “It’s just Elias.”
“Right, but he might be in trouble. He could need your help.”
“He probably just wants to harass me about writing new songs for the next album.”
“I don’t think it’s that,” I blurted, and Jace frowned.
“What aren’t you telling me?”
I hadn’t planned to tell Jace about what I’d overheard, instead intending to speak with Elias privately. But if something bad had happened, then Jace needed to know.
“I … I think Elias might be in debt. I overheard him on the phone last night pleading with someone for more time to pay back what he owes. Plus, he never showed at the memorial, and it’s not like him to miss something that important.”
Jace’s expression hardened, and then his phone started ringing again. This time, he answered with a gruff, “Elias, what is it?”
I couldn’t hear the reply, but Jace’s features grew tense before he said, “Okay. Try to calm down. I’ll be there soon.”
He hung up then let out a long sigh, rubbing at his temples as he explained, “He joined a private poker game at a casino in town last night. Obviously, he was trying to win back whatever money he owes. He wouldn’t say how much he lost, but the people organising the game won’t let him leave until he pays up. He’s been stuck there all day. I’m going to have to try and plead his case.”
