He pours out two violet-hued shots. “How’s life in Seattle?”
“Oh, it’s amazing.”
Yeah.Totally happy.
“Must be. Haven’t seen you around here in years.”
And there it is. The guilt that hits whenever someone back home reminds me that I’ve been missed. They all do it.
But when Jace does it, it both aches and pisses me off the most.
“Yeah, well. I’ve been busy.”
Mostly, I’ve been busy keeping away from Orchard Cove. It’s kind of exhausting as far as lifestyles go.
Other than attending my parents’ funeral last year in Vancouver, I haven’t been back to the West Coast of Canada much at all in the last seven years. I didn’t know when I left that I’d be gone permanently, but it just kind of became a thing.
I also didn’t know that I’d long for this place like I do.
Or . . . for certain people.
It’s just made me avoid them all the harder.
He picks up a shot, and I do the same.
“To Mason and Sierra,” I say, before he can say anything. We clink our shots together, then drink.
“Who’s that boy you’re with?”
I cough slightly on my gin. “Uh, you mean that man?”
He just raises an eyebrow.
“That’s Bryce.”
“Your boyfriend?”
“No. He’s a rent-a-date. I have to return him by midnight or his rate doubles.”
Jace laughs. That throaty, full-body laugh that scorches my insides. God, therushof it. I probably couldn’t be more turned on if he stroked my clit with his tongue.
“And why would you need to show up to your brother’s wedding with an escort?” he inquires, playing along.
“Crowd control. A hot man on a lady’s arm really keeps the wolves away.”
“You really could’ve gotten better for your money,” he says.
My face feels warm, and so does my belly as he pours us another shot.
“You think?” I can’t help playing along myself.
He raises his shot glass, his eyes flashing at me. This close, they’re a molten brown, like liquid fire. “To you, Haven.” We clink our glasses. “I’d protect you from the wolves for free.”
Oh, shit. He did not just say that. And I did not like it. A lot.
We toss our shots back, and he casually licks his lip. My core contracts, way too hyperaware of his every move.
Okay, nope. Not going there.
