Page 36

He continues working his fingers through my hair, his thumbs digging into the knots at the base of my skull. He knows every weak spot I have and exactly how to use them against me.

"So, are you going to tell me what happened with Nate?"

"No."

"Does it have something to do with our pretty little assistant?"

I open my eyes.

"Jace."

"What? I'm curious."

"You're nosy."

"That too." He grins. "But I think this has something to do with that ridiculous agreement you two made."

"There's nothing ridiculous about keeping things professional."

"Baby, you've been home for less than an hour, and you're already trying to murder gym equipment because you can't have what you want." His fingers pause against my scalp, and I immediately miss the pressure. "Nate's been an asshole all week. You're ready to bite someone's head off. And Sloane doesn't even know she's driving the three of us crazy."

"Leave her out of this."

"Can't. She's why Nate called me, and she's why you're trying to bench-press your problems away."

"Nate is the reason I'm pissed."

Jace grins. "Because he caught you getting too close to her?"

I tighten my grip on his waist. He doesn't retreat. If anything, he looks pleased that I've finally given him something other than an argument.

"You're playing a dangerous game, pup."

"I know." He brushes a loose strand of hair away from my face. "But you wouldn't hurt me."

"No," I agree, holding his gaze. "I wouldn't."

His smile softens for a moment. Then, because he's Jace, he ruins it. "Doesn't mean I can't make you work for it, though."

I laugh despite myself. "You're impossible."

"And you love me."

"God help me, I do."

He bends down and kisses me, his fingers still tangled in my hair. I return it without hesitation, sliding a hand up his back and holding him close.

When Jace lifts his head, he's still wearing that insufferable smile.

"Maybe instead of pretending we don't want Sloane, we should figure out what we actually plan to do about it." I shake my head, but Jace catches my hand and presses a kiss to my knuckles. "Seriously, Eli. You both want her. I want her. And instead of talking about it, you two decided we're all better off pretending otherwise."

"Wanting someone doesn't mean we get to pursue them."

"I know that." His expression grows more serious. "But you can't keep pretending you don't feel anything, either."

I don't have an answer for that.

Jace doesn't demand one.