The sound of thunder booming wakes me up with a jolt, but strong arms clutch me tighter.
Jace.
I’d recognize his touch anywhere.
It’s like a warm blanket wrapped around me in the middle of a snowstorm. Keeping me safe and warm.
“It’s just thunder,” he whispers against my temple.
Turning in bed, I face him. “How long was I asleep?”
“Three hours and seventeen minutes.”
“Wow, that’s…precise.”
The edge of his thumb traces my jaw. “How are you?”
He’s looking at me with so much concern, I fear my heart might burst right out of my chest.
“Better.”
Because of him.
After I ran over here like a psycho during a meltdown, Jace took care of me.
No, more than that.
He listened without judgment as I unleashed everything I’ve been keeping inside.
My problems. My fears. My pain.
And then he held me while I cried myself to sleep.
His eyes search my face. “You should get some more rest.”
I’m about to concede, because the exhaustion coursing through my body makes me feel like I could sleep for weeks and it still wouldn’t be enough, but then I remember.
I bolt up. “Oh my God, Sawyer. We were—”
“Relax.” He nods to my phone on his nightstand. “Your phone kept ringing, so I answered it. I told Sawyer you were going through shit and spending the night here.”
Oh. “How did that conversation go?”
Amusement lines his face. “After asking for photographic evidence proving you were safe, she threatened to take a chainsaw to my nuts and my brother’s if I didn’t return you in one piece.”
That’s my girl. “I’ll give her a call in the morning.” Nausea barrels into me. “I should probably tell my cheating, cradle robbing aunt I’m here.”
Slinging an arm over my waist, he eases me back on his bed. “Don’t have to. I told Oak to cover for you and say you’re spending the night at Sawyer’s house.”
“Oh.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask if he told Oakley what I walked in on, but I can’t without bile rising up my esophagus.
“I…uh…” My voice trembles with the threat of tears and I clear it. “I don’t know why I’m being so dramatic about this. It’s just…”
“Someone you loved made a mistake.” I feel the muscles in his body knot up. “One that permanently changed who they were in your eyes.”
That’s exactly it. “I don’t know how to get past this. Between her and my father…”
“I know. I get it.” He rises up on his elbow and stares down at me. “At least I thought I did.”
Lifting my hand, I trace the curve of his eyebrow. “What do you mean?”
“Maybe everything isn’t so absolute, you know?” He exhales sharply. “I used to believe everything was black and white…right and wrong. But now I’m starting to think people might not be the sum of their greatest achievements…or their worst mistakes.” He swallows thickly. “Maybe someone can do the cruelest thing imaginable…and somehow…still be a good person underneath.”
I think about this for a moment and realize he has a point. My aunt did something awful, but she’s still my aunt.
She’s still the one who drove four hours to see me when I got my period for the first time, and then whisked me away to my first concert to celebrate. The woman who took me shopping for my first bra. The person who didn’t even hesitate to take me in when my dad ended up in jail.
“The bad doesn’t always erase the good,” I whisper.
“No.” His eyes cut to mine. “I think it just blends.”
Kind of like the sky. The clouds are in the way, but it doesn’t make the blue any less beautiful.
Unfortunately, Jace’s concept doesn’t apply to everyone.
“I might be able to salvage the relationship with my aunt, but I can’t say the same for my father. It hurts too much.” The tears welling in my eyes spill down the sides of my face. “He doesn’t want me, Jace. He stopped loving me the day she died.”
I force myself to breathe and try to calm down, but it’s no use. I’ve unearthed the underbelly of the beast.
The cold, hard realization that you’re unloved by the one person who’s supposed to love you the most is the worst feeling in the world.
My chest heaves and it becomes a struggle to breathe. “Sometimes I’m not sure if anyone loves—”
His mouth is on mine so fast, I’m breathless.
The possession in his kiss is absolute…as if he has a point to prove.
And my heart is so tattered and needy for him, I soak it up like a sponge. Wrapping my arms around his neck, I pull him closer.
I part my thighs and he settles between them. Instantly, the feeling in my chest kicks up a notch, going from soft and needy to urgent and frantic.
I need this…need him so badly I’m willing to put myself directly in the line of fire again.
Raising my pelvis, I grind against him and he groans. I can feel how much he wants me, and I want him just as much, if not more.
We stare at each other, both panting before our lips meet again. Our kiss grows hungry, all-consuming, like a rocket right before blastoff.
My hands tug at the fabric of his t-shirt, there’s too much clothing between us. “I need this off.”
Breaking the kiss, he reaches behind him and pulls his shirt over his head.
But it’s not good enough for me. I need more.
His lips descend until they coast along my neck, but he doesn’t bite, he nips and licks my flesh until I’m clawing at his shoulders. “More.”
It’s the only word I’m capable of at this point.
Reaching for the hem of my sweatshirt, I peel it off and toss it across the room. My bra quickly follows, courtesy of Jace.
His eyes are hooded as he stares at my breasts and my insides swoop when his mouth dips, ghosting over my nipple. He teases and taunts me with his breath on my skin until finally, his lips part and he sucks me with greedy pulls.
I stroke his neck when he moves to the other one and lavishes it with the same attention. “That feels so good.”
“It’s about to feel even better,” he rasps, lowering himself down my body.
Warmth surges through me when he kisses the spot under my navel and unties the drawstring of my pants.
I raise my hips and he pulls them off, along with my panties.
He smirks coyly as his gaze settles on where I’m wet and aching, like he knows what he’s about to do is going to drive me absolutely out of my mind.
I gasp when his head disappears between my thighs and he plants hot, sloppy, open mouth kisses up and down my slit.
My toes curl and I wiggle with need.
“Jace, please,” I beg when I can’t take it any longer.
His head snaps up and he places his finger over his lips, reminding me to be quiet because his siblings are right down the hall.
Oh God. I have no idea how I’m supposed to be silent when…
I slap a hand over my mouth as long fingers spread me open and his tongue licks me into a helpless frenzy.
I glance down and find he’s staring up at me. The heat swirling in his dark orbs sears my skin as he suckles my clit and slides a finger inside.
Squirming, I bite my hand because my orgasm is close, and I can’t make a sound.
I buck my hips into his mouth as he relentlessly draws every ounce of pleasure from my body until I’m shaking and spasming.
I barely have a chance to catch my breath before he climbs up my body and attacks my lips.
Lust rushes through me when he grinds against my core, hitting all the right places. I arch my back, silently pleading for more.
The tips of his fingers press into my jaw and he searches my face, as if seeking permission.
I nod. He already has my heart, if he wants my body and all my fucked-up fragments too, I’ll gladly hand those right over.
God knows I want every single jagged piece of Jace Covington there is to have. I don’t care how sharp and deep the cuts will be.
Inclining his head, he maps kisses down my throat while reaching into the nightstand for a condom. “Spread your legs for me, baby.”
I do, without hesitation.
Kneeling in the open space between them, he shoves his sweatpants down. Anticipation floods through my veins when his cock springs free, long and thick. It twitches and pulsates as he tears open the foil packet.
A low, strangled grunt leaves him when I wrap my hand around his length, giving it a light stroke. Every part of him is perfect. My pulse thuds in my ears as I swirl the fluid leaking from his tip around with my thumb before taking the condom and rolling it down.
His nostrils flare on an indrawn breath as he settles between my parted thighs, lining himself up with my entrance.
My blood quickens and I place my hand on his heart. It’s pounding just as fast as mine.
The space between us tightens and we lock gazes. Gently, he lifts my ass and angles his hips, slowly guiding his dick inside me.
He’s so big it almost hurts as I stretch to accommodate him.
A moan lodges in my throat when he drives forward, filling me to the hilt. I’ve had sex a few times before, but this is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced.
His eyes close and the muscles in his back ripple as he pulls out and pushes back in.
“Christ,” he groans low and deep. “You’re so goddamn tight.” His eyebrows pinch. “I can go slow.”
Spreading my thighs wider, I whisper, “Don’t.”
I bite back a whimper as he moves faster. Fucking me with quick, steady strokes.
His mouth finds mine and he gives me a slow, languid kiss. “You feel so fucking good.”
Me? This is all him. Every time he moves, a shiver of pleasure races through me.
I never knew it could feel like this. I want to have sex with Jace Covington every second of every day from here on out.
An incoherent sound leaves me when he thrusts again, hot and strong.
“Oh, God. Don’t stop.” My voice is thready, desperate.
Gripping the headboard with one hand, he picks up his pace, working me so well I have to bite down on his shoulder to stop from screaming.
His eyes lock with mine and something passes in his gaze. It’s as if he’s memorizing every moment of this. He’s not the only one.
Tension in my core tightens and my breathing becomes shallow when he reaches between us and rubs my clit.
The sensation is so intense my body vibrates. “I…”
I can’t speak. Hell, I can’t even move. I’m too far gone.
The coil of pressure snaps and pleasure slams into me so fast and harsh I swear I see actual stars.
He nuzzles the hollow of my throat as I clench and squeeze him. “That’s it, baby.” Shuddering, he thrusts harder, fucking my orgasm out of me. “Jesus Christ.”
My legs shake and I cling to his shoulders as the final ripple courses through my body.
Cupping my nape, he holds me steady as he pumps into me hard and fast one last time. “Fuck.” His cock pulses and a low, strangled grunt escapes him as a violent tremor runs through his frame.
My hands glide down his back as we both catch our breaths.
Emotion clogs my throat when I catch the pained look on his face and the storm brewing in his eyes.
Oh. God. He’s regretting this. Just like last time.
I start to move, but he halts me. “Stay.”
My vulnerability must be palpable because he shifts and pulls me into his arms.
I snuggle in close, pressing my cheek to his chest as his fingers trace the curve of my back.
“I love you,” I whisper.
Always have. Always will.
When I look up, his eyes are closed. The soft, steady sound of his breathing tells me he’s already fast asleep.
Tilting my head, I plant a tender kiss on his chest.
It’s not long before the sound of his heart beating lulls me to sleep.
