Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 66233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
“Great, your mom was just showing me around our room.” I turn to the side, forcing him to stop touching me.
“Thanks, Mom,” he tells her, not seeming even a little surprised he and I will be sharing a bed for an entire week. Then again, why would he be? If I actually thought about it, I could have guessed that’s how things would be. I mean, it’s not like many parents nowadays would force their kids to sleep separately from whoever it is they’re dating until they’re married.
Damn, those really were the good ol’ days.
“Well, I will let you guys get settled. I’m going to get some stuff for lunch set out, so whenever you’re ready, feel free to join us in the kitchen.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Ellis.”
“Janelle.” She pats my arm before she leaves the room, shutting it behind herself.
Once she’s probably out of earshot, I spin on Jace and shove my hands into his chest, pushing him back a step. “Seriously?” I hiss.
“What?”
“You know what,” I hiss again.
“Is this about the bed?”
“Yes, Jace.” I toss my hands into the air. “This is most definitely about the bed.”
“I’ll sleep on the floor.”
“Damn straight you will.” I fall to my ass on the side of the bed and put my face in my hands.
“My parents already like you.”
“That’s because I’m awesome.” I fall to my back and look at the ceiling.
“But there is one thing we need to talk about.”
“What’s that?” I ask, feeling the bed dip right before his face is suddenly hovering over mine.
“Every time I touch you, you get all jumpy or pull away. If you keep doing that, they’re going to know something is up.”
Shit, he’s right. Totally right.
“I’ll do better,” I assure him quickly, then jerk my head to the side when his fingers make contact with my cheek. “Obviously, I need to work on it.”
“All right.” He moves out of sight, then next thing I know, he grabs my hand and tugs me off the bed, forcing me to stand.
“What are you doing?”
“We’re going to get you used to me touching you.”
“This is dumb.” I turn to get back on the bed, but he grabs the loop of my jean shorts and pulls me back to facing him.
“Close your eyes.”
“Jace.” I sigh.
“Just close your eyes.”
“Fine.” I do as asked, then flinch when I feel his fingers on my cheek.
“Relax.”
“Okay.” I shake out my hands and bounce on the balls of my feet. “Try again.”
This time, I feel his fingers on the side of my neck, and my pulse jumps at the contact, but I don’t move. Then his fingers that are rough against my skin drag down my neck. I don’t know if it’s my eyes being closed or the sound of his breathing mixed with mine and the smell of his cologne seeping into my senses, but suddenly this whole thing doesn’t feel as innocent as it did just a couple of seconds ago.
“Good?”
“Yes.”
Oh God, is that my voice sounding so breathy as his finger slides down to my collarbone? When my nipples start to pebble and my lower stomach clenches, I open my eyes but avoid looking at him as I take a step back. “Welp, that totally did the trick. Thanks for the lesson.”
I spin around and book it to the bathroom as quickly as my legs will carry me, then lock myself inside and lean back against the door, wondering what the hell I’ve gotten myself into.
Chapter 8
Cooties
When I emerge from the bathroom ten minutes later, the room is empty, thank goodness. I think about climbing into bed and sleeping until this is all over, but my stomach growls, reminding me that I haven’t eaten today. It takes a few more minutes to convince myself to leave the room and face Jace once more.
Who knows what he’s thinking about my reaction.
Hopefully, he’s not thinking about it at all.
I open the door to the bedroom, and the moment I step into the hall, a tiny body crashes into my legs, making me stumble.
“Sorry,” a cute little boy-voice says, then before I can even accept the apology, a flash of blond hair runs through the doorway of the kitchen and around the corner. I follow behind him and find the kitchen empty except for two people—the little boy, and he’s sitting on the lap of a gorgeous woman with the same color hair as his.
As she holds him, her eyes come to me, and I smile.
“Hi, I’m Penny.” I don’t know what it is about the look she gives me, but I instantly know she’s got her guard up.
“Jace’s fiancée?”
“Yeah.”
“So Brice wasn’t lying.” She glances down at my hand with the ring on it, and it takes all my power not to hide it behind my back. “How long have you two been together?”