I glanced over at my clock.

12:00 A.M.

I made him wait an extra hour for the crap he pulled earlier. I still didn’t know how to feel about him tasting me without my permission. I might want to jump in, to go along for the ride…even though I had a feeling it would end badly.

The heat between us had kicked up a notch. I needed things to slow down a little bit.

Can't keep giving in when he is pressed into me. Must remain strong. Mantras were the only thing keeping me sane.

Playing around might be okay, but I couldn’t really screw him. Right? I wouldn’t do that to my family…would I??

You aren't?

Of course I'm not. Shut up inner freak show.

Maybe things had gone too far. Maybe I’d taken them there, but if I blamed myself, then some of the blame should be on his head, too. And, he’d started it anyway.

Why did I have to have morals? Why?

Just when I’d made my mind up to go to his room, my door creaked open. Stepping in, he shut the door behind him, clicking the lock in place.

All of a sudden it became difficult to breathe.

I couldn’t tear my eyes from him as he sauntered to my bed, my heart thumping harder and harder with every step he took. When he stopped at the edge, he wrapped his fingers around the post, tapping a rhythm against the wood, a song without a melody, but it still did something to me…something I didn’t want to admit out loud.

"Why must you incessantly fuck with my head Lessa?"

I gulped and scooted back into my headboard. "I—I don't know what you’re talking about."

He swung around the pole, his body covering it. His tongue snaked out; licking his lip in such a sexy maneuver goosebumps slithered down my arms. His gaze scorched me, the heat from it pooling right between my legs. I shifted, squeezing my thighs together.

He noticed, his lips turning up into a smirk. "The game could’ve gone on. But, instead, you hid in your room for a whole hour. And for what? To teach me a lesson?” He paused, tapping his index finger against his chin. “Or maybe you wanted to make me realize what I’ve done. Guess what, though? I know exactly what I’ve done. I know we are in uncharted territory.” He paused, a humorous gleam shining from his eyes. “You can throw all the lessons you want at me, Lessa. It won’t make a bit of difference. I won’t give in, not until I get what I want. And that is to be deep inside you.”

           My mind screamed a silent plea to give in.

My lips had a mind of their own, though. "God, won't you just touch me already and get it over with?"

He froze, mid swing around the pole, and looked at me with hooded eyes. "You don't have to ask me twice."

I slapped my hand over my mouth. "Shit did I say that out loud?"

"Why yes, yes you did."

I pulled my knees into my chest, backing even further into the headrest. He dropped to his knees on the bed, crawling toward me, a predator seeking his prey. Slowly. Seductively.

His lips kissed the tips of my toes, his fingers skimming the bottom of my foot, tickling.

A laugh burst from my mouth as I tried to squirm away from him. "Stop," I whispered. Don't stop, my mind begged.

He kissed his way up my foot, over my calf, and across until his chin tickled underneath my thigh. My breath hitched, faster and. faster as he blew hot air from his mouth, scorching my shorts in all the right places.

"Fuck."

He smiled, blowing out another breath before his soft lips whispered over my thigh again. His strong hands forced my legs apart, arrowing out past my chest on the side of my bed, and his mouth assaulted the top of my thigh, almost searching for something as he nipped his way around to the front, then up and up some more until he stopped, deliciously close to my core. Then, his chin hit me right there, and I squirmed as his eyes met mine from between my legs.

"You should probably take a shower." A laugh flew from his lips—the lips that were just on my legs—and for a minute I wanted to hit him, but at the same time I wanted to laugh, too. What was wrong with me?

"Are you saying I smell?"

He raised his eyebrows, a gleam shining from his humor-filled eyes.

Take a shower? Like what the fuck? I asked myself.

"Stupid, cocky, sexy jerk."

He chuckled, but it came out almost as a snort. "That right there is one of my favorite things about you. When you think you’re in your own head, but really you’re speaking out loud. I love it.” He licked his lips. “Cocky? Why yes, I am. Sexy? Most definitely can check that one off the list. I’d even say I’m so sexy you can't get enough. Jerk? I haven't shown you that side of me yet, but keep cock-teasing me and I just might.” He paused, running a fingertip down the outside of my leg. “And no, you don’t smell. Quite the opposite, in fact, which is why I said what I did. If your scent keeps tickling my nostrils, I’m going to lose control. That won’t work for me. Not when I’ve taken so many measures to ensure I don’t. Most of the time it works, until today, when I slipped.” He shrugged. “It was bound to happen, though.”

I tried to pull my legs up, to close them and move them from under him, but I failed as he gripped my ankles, holding them steady right where they rested.

"Do you say that to all the ladies you're trying to seduce?" I asked, my voice so full of attitude it stunned me, but I met his eyes, not taking a single word of it back.

He looked taken aback, shaken even. Anger flashed across his face and retreated as quickly as it had come.

He jerked up to sit on his knees, his hands still wrapped around my ankles. A flash of anger zipped across his face again, but it disappeared even quicker. "I don't try to seduce other women. Only you. Sure, I can have anyone I want, but you…nobody has ever denied me before.” He shrugged his shoulders. “This game we play is fun, what can I say?”

He could hide his anger, but when it boiled inside of me, I didn’t stand a chance. With a fixed glare, I shifted to climb off my bed.

Since he still had a hold of my ankles, he yanked on them until I slammed back down on the mattress. Thank goodness it was soft, or else the move might’ve hurt. Although something inside my head liked the idea of pain more than I wanted to admit.

"Move Jace. I want to take a shower." My tone screamed annoyance.

He didn’t seem to get the memo. No, instead, his fingers ran up my thigh, brushing over my center and across my stomach.

"Leave me the fuck alone."

Asshole. Fucking player. This is why I have morals. I bet he is fucking the women he works with, and anyone else with a damn vagina, I thought, my fingers curling into my palms.

His hand snaked out, resting around my neck, pinching into it just enough to make my heart speed up. Did he want to strangle me now?

"Is this..." he trailed off, something on my face making him realize he’d hurt me. He pulled his hand to his side. "Are you jealous?"

Tingles attacked my neck, and I reached up, tracing the spot he’d held me a moment ago. It felt wrong to like it, but I did. Every second of it made me feel alive. The pain only added to my pleasure. In fact, I wouldn’t mind if he did it again…even though I’d tried to make him think he’d scared me.

What the fuck is wrong with me? I asked myself.

"No." I gulped. Loudly. So much for believability.

"For your information, I am not screwing any other women. I only want you." The way he’d said “you” sent shivers up my spine.

I needed to stop speaking every word that traveled through my mind…I had no control it seemed. Over my mind, my body…over anything.

"God, now he thinks you’re some insecure little jealous shit." The word vomit tumbled from my mouth, and I could only sit in utter shock.

"Quite the opposite actually." He laughed. "It only makes me want you that much more."

My hands flew to cover my mouth before any other obscenities could come out. He took that as an opportunity, raking his fingers up my neck, prying my own away from my mouth.

"Jace I'm serious. Go back to your room. I'm going to take a long, cold shower."

He stood, smiling. Stalking back to the door, he peered over his shoulder at me. "Do what you want Lessa. But don't be pissed when it's time for me to leave for work and you didn't get your daily fix."

Arrogant asshole. As if I could be addicted to you, I thought.

The moment he was out the door, I released a heavy sigh. It was the only way to keep from accidentally saying it out loud.

He might have control around me, but I had none around him. I had proven that today when things between us changed, and my inner thoughts became words spoken aloud.

I gathered up some clean pajamas and walked to the bathroom, grabbing a towel from the closet in the hall. Just like I’d told him, I needed a cold shower. A really cold shower, because the heat between my legs was almost unbearable.

As the cold water cascaded down on me, I started belting out the lyrics to Taylor Swift's Wildest Dream without even thinking. Singing in the shower calmed me somehow.

I finished scrubbing myself in record time, wondering how I could make this last longer. Not wanting to, my mind replayed how he’d touched me, and for a moment I could feel his hands on me again. Goosebumps rippled down my arms. I couldn’t take it anymore. Giving in, I slipped my hand between my legs.

"Oh Jace." I panted.

My fingers circled the spot, my spot. Before I knew it, I increased the speed, flicking over and over again. A moan flew from my throat, the cold water increasing the pleasure as it mingled with my hot, hot center.

My release hit me, hard and fast. The sound I let out was all pleasure. My legs almost gave out on me, so I shut the water off and slipped the towel off the curtain rod, wrapping it around me.

I pulled the shower curtain open and screamed.

Jace sat on the closed toilet, his hooded eyes raking over me in nothing but a towel.

"I didn't..." I couldn't make the words come out. “That wasn't...” I knew he had heard me moaning. I knew it by the way he looked at me now. He must’ve heard me call out his name. I didn’t even have to look to know he sported a hard on right now.

He gave me his signature smirk before turning and leaving the room.

Note to self. Lock the door next time, I thought.

Throwing my clothes over my still damp skin, I ran into his room.

"Did you enjoy the show?" I bit out, angry that our new arrangements meant he could watch me shower. I hadn't agreed to this.

He palmed himself with one hand and patted the bed with the other.

"I didn't look. I have more control over myself than that. No Lessa...hearing was enough. For now."

I crossed the room with my fists balled, ready to pounce on him. "You...you..."

He laughed, throwing his head back. "Sexy piece of man meat you want deep inside you?" he finished for me.

I felt the blush creep across my cheeks, turning my head to try and hide my face.  

He stood, stalking over to me. His fingers grabbed my chin, tilting it up. "Don't hide it baby. I love it when I make you blush.” His hand brushed down my arm, grabbing me and pulling me to the bed. He sat, so I stood in front of him. “Don’t be like that Lessa. Come sit with me. I only have thirty minutes left before I have to leave for work. I would love to make each of those minutes count.”

I sat down beside him, reluctantly.

So much for the cold shower, I mused.

He shifted on the bed, his arm snaking around my waist as he pulled me back into his chest.

I looked down, realizing that my breasts were popping out of the tank top I had chosen, on full display for him.

His eyes followed mine, and he breathed in deeply when they landed on my cleavage.

"I do love this view," he whispered, his icy hot breath fanning my neck and ear.

I ignored him, choosing to stare at the TV instead. I could glare daggers at it all night if this was how he wanted to play.

His hand ran across my belly and up toward my breasts, pushing them up to give him an even better view. His fingertips brushed over my swollen nipple, eliciting an almost inaudible moan.

“Hello peoples,” he whispered softly in my ear. Peoples was a random word he used sometimes when talking about his nipples. I didn’t really understand it much, but it always made me chuckle.

His other hand fisted in my wet hair, grabbing a handful and pulling so my neck was exposed to him. He leaned down, blowing tiny breaths along the vein in my neck.

My back arched, and he pulled my hair tighter.

His lips connected with my neck, and he trailed long, slow, wet kisses all the way up to my ear.

"You know you want this. Maybe even more than I do," he said, his voice a shiver of sound over my smooth skin. My nerves jumped in delight.

My panties were soaked, overtaking me, betraying me. How could I practice control when my body went against my mind every time Jace came near?

He slid his tongue across my ear, sucking the earlobe into his mouth, nibbling the tip.

I nuzzled into him, wanting more even as my mind screamed at me to move, to get up.

He cupped my breasts with his hands, all the while his tongue assaulted my neck and earlobe.

How is it possible that this feels so good? I asked myself.

I closed my eyes, pleasure threatening to drown me. He flipped me over, so I straddled him, and my eyes snapped open, meeting his jade-green ones. His eyes didn’t leave mine as he traced his tongue across the seam of my shirt, right over my breasts.

Clothing did nothing to stop the sensation as he pressed his manhood between my legs. It hit the right spot and I released a moan, enticing him to tilt his hips and slam into me again.

Without removing my shirt, he grabbed my breasts in his hands, squeezing them as he brought them to his mouth, sucking them in through the shirt, pounding into me the whole time, a rhythm I could get used to. I wanted my clothes off. I wanted more, more, more.

Fingertips slid down my sides, into the waistband of my shorts. Hands cupped my ass, bouncing me on top of him.

And moans flew from my mouth faster than I could count. A realization hit me. I could say I had self-control all I wanted, but when it came to Jace, I had none. When he touched me, it dissipated into the air. I wanted him. So bad…

Fuck morals.

I grabbed at my shirt, ready to pull it over my head and finally give in to this torture.

Before I could pull it off, he moved me back beside him.

"That was quite fun. But I must be going to work now."

I groaned, hitting him on the shoulder.

I watched as he took his shirt off, changing into his work attire. I watched as he slid his sweatpants off, sliding into a pair of black slacks, although I couldn’t understand how his bulging hard on fit inside them. Then, I watched as he stalked toward the door.

"Stay wet for me," he said over his shoulder, and then he left.

I sat there, on his bed, my jaw gaping open, my body screaming for something I couldn’t get right now.

Of course. I finally decide to fuck him, and he gets up and leaves. I almost laughed at the irony.

Lying back, I pulled his pillow over me, wrapped my arms around it, and inhaled his scent, releasing a heavy sigh. He smelled of cherries and cedar. It was intoxicating. It was exhilarating.

How can a guy smell this good?

With a deep breath, I closed my eyes and replayed one of my favorite moments with Jace.
April 20, 2004

"I'm afraid a dress won't due for today’s festivities. But darling, if you had some yoga pants, I wouldn't object to that," Jace said, eyeing me up and down.

I rolled my eyes and slammed the door, groaning a little at his arrogance.

Okay, what to wear?

After pulling literally everything from the closet, I finally settled on a short grey sweater dress and black leggings.  I even put on my favorite pair of leather boots. Damn, I loved the spring time.

With one final glance in the mirror, I blew myself a kiss and opened the door.

"So boss man, does this outfit work for you?"

Jace's eyes ran up and down my body twice before settling on my cleavage.

Hmm. I could use this to my advantage. The boy practically had drool dripping down his chin.

"Utterly perfect Kitten. Though it's going to be very hard to keep my hands off you."

I could feel the heat bursting across my cheeks.

Fuck, had someone turned the thermostat up?

With a playful swat, I turned and made my way down the stairs and into Jace's waiting car.

When we pulled up to the arcade, I couldn't stop the smile from stretching across my face.

How did this boy know me so well?

Jace appeared at my door, offering me a hand. I took it and followed him into the arcade.

"Go-Karts first, or arcade games?" Jace asked as he wrapped an arm around my waist.

"Most definitely Go-Karts." I laughed.

I followed Jace out the back door toward the track.

"First ride is a two-seater. I will even let you drive us. Second, we’re going to race in the one-seaters."

My eyes widened like a kid in a candy store, and I started bouncing around on some fake sugar high. This might top the list of my best days ever.

As the gate opened on our turn, I raced forward toward the blue car. Jace laughed behind me, watching as I bounced into it and started checking every button and lever in the thing. He climbed in, reaching across me to strap the seatbelt on. As he pulled it across my lap, his fingers brushed against my thighs and I closed my eyes, unable to hear or feel anything except my own breathing.

Just like that, the bouncing and excitement disappeared, leaving only a girl sitting perfectly still; perfectly quiet…the only sound coming from her labored breathing.

Why did it feel so good when he touched me? It should feel wrong, but instead it never did. Never had.

The horn blew over the speakers, ripping me from the fucked-up thoughts swirling through my mind, and I slammed my foot down on the gas pedal. I laughed as the car lurched forward and off we went.

It was freeing. The wind whipped through my hair as we flew around the track. It turned me into a kid again. Nothing mattered anymore except this moment.

Just as I started to get my groove, Jace reached over and laid a hand on my thigh. I inhaled a breath, the car losing momentum as I all but forgot I was driving, but then I snapped out of it and hit the gas even harder.

The horn sounded again, signaling the end of our ride. I pulled the car back into the little side road, parking it for the next patrons.

"Come on. Let's go warm up. We can have our race later. For now, I’ll beat you to ski-ball.”

Jace took off without another word. I laughed and started after him, yelling about how he’d cheated. It didn't matter though, because it did nothing to slow him down.

I finally caught up to him next to the ski-ball machine and he handed me a handful of tokens.

"Winner gets to pick the next game," I said, giving him an evil half-smile.

"You're on."

Jace picked up the first ball and without even looking, rolled it. He got all egotistical when it landed in the thousand hole.

I grabbed my first ball, rubbing my hands over it for good luck and shot it.

"Oh, that's not good. First ball and I'm already up by five hundred points." He taunted.

This continued for quite some time, until I stole the lead.

"Oh, spoke too soon there, Jay. We're tied now. Looks like all that macho mumbo jumbo doesn't always work for you, baby."

Jace’s eyes widened, his eyebrows pressed together in such a delicious way I wanted to slide my finger between them to smooth it out. I wished I could stare at that look forever. He hadn't expected me to go there. Not when I’d been fighting off every one of his advances, keeping a nonchalant attitude about the whole thing.

And he had to know I wanted him. I couldn’t go there no matter how much I did, though. It would be wrong on so many levels…

I grabbed the fourth ball, kissed it, and rolled it right into the ten thousand hole.

"Okay that was nasty. You don't know where that ball has been, and you graced it with the presence of those royal lips? Totally didn't deserve it— just saying. I could think of many other places you could put those lips a lot less nasty than that freaking ball." Jace wiggled his eyes and pulled me into his arms, resting his forehead against mine.

I quickly moved away, not liking the way it made me feel, and shot a few more balls, taking my high score to an all new level.

"Okay fuck, you win." He held his hands up in surrender. "What's next?"

I looked around the room, scanning each game.

"Dance Dance Revolution. And just a fair warning, I'm going to beat you again."

Once I finished the game, I tore the tickets off the printer and hurried to the next one—the game I’d picked. With a few flicks of my hand, I had it set to expert.

As the song started, Jace watched me for a moment before jumping in and hitting every single move.

Somehow, the bastard beat me. No one had ever beaten me at this game. It was my jam.

"Oh, you must be a pro at this game to beat me." I patted him on the shoulder.

"I've never played before today."

No fucking way.

"Come on. Let's go play air hockey and winner gets to pick the losers car color for our race." Jace’s fingers closed my open mouth.

"B-Beginners luck? Are you freaking serious?"

Jace only nodded as he pulled me over to air hockey. "Come on, I'll even let you start."

I grabbed the puck and slammed a goal, almost instantly.

"Is that all you got, Princess?"

What was with these fucking nicknames?

My eyes narrowed on him right before I gave him the finger.

"I'm not a fucking Princess, so get off the royal kick."  As I said it, I slammed another goal.

Remembering the way he’d looked at me earlier, I decided to play dirty. I slid my fingers slowly across my chest, and waited for his eyes to lock on my movements. As soon as he was distracted, I slammed another two goals.

"You fight dirty, don't ya Lessy?"

            Jace caught my eyes, shooting me a smile that would have any woman dropping her panties for him. Then he slammed a goal.

Fuck. He figured out my method and used it against me.

The game continued this way, until I was one shot away from victory. I knew I had to pull out the big guns in order to get him in the hot pink go-cart.

I leaned over the table, flashing him enough boob to slam the final goal while his eyes were glued to my features. When it slammed into the hole, I danced in place, my arms rising over my head in victory.

Boys were so damn predictable.

"Oh baby! I win! It’s going to be so much fun watching you race that neon pink car."

Jace grumbled as he walked around the table. I didn’t expect it when he pulled me flush against him, his lips landing on my ear. A shiver shot through my entire body. I hated it, yet loved it.

"You showed me tit, so you won on a technicality. But, you can win anytime you want if you show me more." Jace's voice turned raspy, like he couldn’t quite catch his breath. When he pushed his hips against my side, I lost my footing, falling right into him. His arms wrapped around me, catching me. "You feel what you did to me?"

I ignored Jace, the feelings swirling through me making my heart pound in my chest and fear soar through my veins. Without saying a word, I ran toward the Go-Karts.

He followed, moving to the pink cart, his bottom lip sticking out. I laughed, pulling out my phone.

"Please can I get your picture?" I asked, giving him a fake pout.

"Only if you will be in it with me."

I stood beside Jace, holding my phone up in the air for a selfie. At the last second, he turned and kissed my cheek.

"Now mine."