by K. F. Breene
The sound of an opening door caught his attention. It closed softly a moment later, light steps leading to the bathroom. It was too close to be the Demetri camp, and too light of foot to be Peter.
Jace was standing a nanosecond later, pulling on his sweats and forgoing a shirt. He left his room, striking up an unhurried walk toward the bathroom. Once there, he leaned his forearm against the door jam and waited.
A minute later the handle turned. The door swung open, a sleepy Cassie stepping out before looking up.
“Oh!” Her wide eyes caught sight of him. A soft giggle escaped. “Hi.”
Her gaze focused on his lips, longing taking over her expression. Then it drifted further south, taking in his bare chest and then resting on his tented sweats.
“Me, or morning wood?” she asked softly, those vivid blue eyes tilting back up to him. An evil grin spread across her face.
“Honestly, both.”
She stepped closer and ran her hand up his chest, letting out a small mew as she did so. His cock twitched. He glanced down the hallway, saw nothing, and stepped into the bathroom with her.
Cassie’s other hand drifted down slowly, gripping his hard-on and giving a light tug. “How about now?”
Exquisite pleasure shot into him. His balls tightened and his body basically fell against the edge of the door. “You,” he said in a hoarse voice. “Definitely you.”
Her little hand dove into his waistline, gripping his sensitive skin. “Oh, Cassie. Should probably stop. Not here.”
“Keep watch.”
“Cass—“
Her hand rubbing cut him off, fast and firm, jolting his body. He couldn’t help the thrust, and then couldn’t stop the moan when she tweaked his nipple.
“Can’t, Cass. Stop.”
She did the opposite. Faster her palm rubbed him, stroking just right.
“Stop.”
In a flash, her hand disappeared from his shaft and two hands gripped him around the waist. A tug had him taking a step into the bathroom, alarm taking over when the door behind him shut.
“What are you—“
She yanked down his sweats, dropped to her knees, and took his length in her mouth.
“Ohh.” It was more a sigh than a word. Jace’s head tilted back and his eyes rolled back in his head with the glorious suction.
A soft hand worked his balls as a warm, wet mouth sucked. He felt his tip hit the back of her throat and clamped down on another moan. But oh Lord, did this feel like heaven.
“Almost there,” he warned, his hips thrusting forward in a rhythm now. Deep as he could. Her hand worked in perfect sync with her mouth, her other hand massaged his balls.
An orgasm tore through him, draining him of the last ounce. Breath heaving, energy gone, he half fell, half leaned against the counter.
“Good morning,” she said in a whisper, dipping her face to the sink and washing up.
“We shouldn’t, Cassie.”
But his arms still snaked around her waist, and his lips still found the heat of her neck. Her feminine smell wafted around him, making him close his eyes in bliss.
“How many more days until Peter comes out?” Cassie stepped away from the sink and put her arms around his middle.
“He plans to do it on Friday,” Jace whispered. “But let’s talk about this later. Get out of here.”
She smiled and angled her head upward. He reached down with a soft kiss, intending just a peck. He couldn’t help but linger, though, feeling her smooth lips, and relishing in her willingness.
More than that, her eagerness.
She wanted him. All her attention was on him. And yesterday, if he wasn’t mistaken, she gave in when he physically demanded she give only to him. He hadn’t done that before—pushed his baser desires on a woman. He’d never allowed his more private needs to be expressed like that—so open and honest. So needy.
But she’d demanded it in turn. She’d pushed him there, knowing what she wanted, and knowing he could fulfill it. And he did.
And now he’d never be the same. If she stepped on his heart, he was sunk. He’d need to tie up his gloves and walk away from women, because he wouldn’t have it in him to start over. Not after her.
And it had only been three days.
When you know, you know.
“Okay, I’m out of here. Catch ya later.” Cassie winked and hurried around him. She opened the door slowly, peeked out, and then lit across the hall, her little pajamas almost making him hard again.
Jace walked through the kitchen a while later, after he'd had a shower and prepared for the day. Peter had been waiting for the shower after him, with his bedroom door open and an empty room beyond. The rush of butterflies at heading down to meet Cassie had Jace quickening his pace, despite the fact he should've been nonchalant about the whole thing.
"Oh, Jason, honey," his mother said as he strolled through, his eyes scanning the open space for signs of life. "Are you going outside?"
Jace stepped up to the island and grabbed a coffee cup. As he was working around to the coffee pot to fill it up, his mother stepped forward to hand him a small package with Hershey's written on the top.
"Can you give this to Cassie? She asked if I had any."
Jace took the half eaten bar of chocolate, suppressing a grin.
"And take a cup of coffee for her. She's probably finished with hers by this point." His mom waited for him to grab another cup and move back to the coffee pot before she put her fist on her hip and said, "I wonder why Peter doesn't pay more attention to her. If he's not careful, he's going to lose her."
Jace kept his silence. It was true, but now that Jace knew why, it wasn't an issue. Not for him anyway.
"Don't you think she's a pretty girl?" his mother pushed. "And so smart. She and your father chatted yesterday. You know he isn't easily impressed. Well, he is over the moon with her. Thinks she's a perfect addition to this family. But he mentioned, and I agree with him, that Peter isn't showing her the attention a girl needs. Girls like to be wooed, Jason."
"Yeah, I know, Mom. Why are you telling me?"
"Well, I don't know—you and Peter have always been close. Maybe you could say something to him. He's been alone for so long...it'd be nice if he could settle down."
Jace slipped the chocolate into his pocket and picked up his cup of coffee. "I'll say something."
"Good. He isn't experienced in this type of thing—not when it really counts. Maybe he'll listen to you."
Jace walked away without mentioning that just because he hadn’t brought a woman around to be judged by the family didn't mean he hadn't dated before. If he said that, his mother would suspect he knew something and wasn't telling. Which was true.
He walked out through the open sliding glass door and glanced around the backyard. Rachel held the baby while Jenn played with Lesley. His dad sat at the patio table with a cup of coffee and a newspaper.
"Where is everyone?" Jace asked.
Without looking up, his father said, "Nick and Demetri are playing ping pong with the boys. Peter hasn't come down yet, as far as I know—unless he's in the kitchen—and Cassie went for a walk to take in the morning. She said she wanted to write some notes for her job. She's a thorough young woman."
"Which way did she go? Mom wants me to give her chocolate and coffee."
The newspaper crinkled as his dad peered over the top. "Isn't that Peter's job?"
"Yes, but Peter isn't down yet."
His dad folded the paper and placed it in front of him on the table. His keen gaze settled on Jace. "You've been spending a lot of time with her, Jason. And while she enjoys the attention, as women do, it's not your place. You need to step back so Peter is forced to step up."
"Is that for Cassie?" Jenn called across the yard, holding her hands out for her daughter to throw a ball to her.
"Yeah." Jace took a step away from his dad. "Mom wanted me to bring it out to her."
"She's just at the bench overlooking the valley." Jenn
pointed off to the side as her daughter tossed the ball. The small, pink orb bounced off Jenn's face. Lesley squealed with laughter.
Roger didn't move, nor did he retract his disapproving gaze, as Jace nodded in thanks.
So they'd all noticed Peter wasn't stepping up to the plate. And why wouldn't they—Cassie was a great addition to the family. She was easy to be around and even easier to talk to. She smiled often, joked, participated in the family events, and somehow got along with Roger—not many women could claim all of those things. Everyone wanted to keep her, including Jace.
Peter just had to step across a giant milestone in his life, into mostly hostile waters, for this all to come to pass.
A couple more days. They just had to make it a couple more days.
Then what? He would've only known Cassie a week at that point. A week wasn't much time to admit he loved her, and a ridiculous amount of time to invite her into his family permanently.
Another rush of butterflies burst through his stomach. Those thoughts were crazy. She had his head all over the map.
He found the worn path through the trees and followed it to the bench. Her blond head sat in silence, bowed. As he came around the bench, he realized she was looking down at her phone, silent chuckles escaping her body.
"Good morning. Again," he said.
She glanced up, laughter illuminating the vivid blue. "Hi, handsome. Oh, is that for me?" She stood and took one of the cups from his hand. Instead of sitting back down immediately, though, she hesitated, then glanced back the way he came. Seeing no one, she turned back to him and tilted her head up.
He bent down for a soft kiss, relishing the electricity that passed between them.
"Mmm." She smiled as she lowered back off her tippy toes.
Keeping the closeness, he reached into his pocket and drew out the chocolate. As expected, her eyes lit up.
"She found some! Yay!" She snatched the package like a greedy kid and sat back down. "My morning is complete."
"I would've gotten you more had I realized you ate so much at a time."
"Sit." She patted the seat next to her. "Enjoy the morning with me."
Jace breathed in the fresh air and let his gaze slip out to the valley. The sun glittered in the windows far below, little disco balls announcing the new day. "I should get back. My dad gave me a talking to about spending so much time with you when Peter doesn't."
"Oh." Cassie's face fell. "It's a good observation. I tried to hang out with him as much as possible last night after we got back, but whenever we're together in L.A., there’s so much activity around us that we rarely glue to each other. Obviously. If we did, Marcus would surely raise his eyebrows."
Jace shifted, eyeing the seat next to her and then looking back toward the trees, imagining his father looking his way on the other side. "You don't ever go out with just him?"
Cassie's phone vibrated. She glanced down, read a text, and started laughing. When her eyes came back up, twinkling and full of mirth, she said, "I’m really friends with Marcus, so no, Peter and I haven't gone out alone. I know him pretty well because I'm always over at Marcus' house, or we all hang out, but I don't know him one-on-one. Only when we end up sitting next to each other when we all go out."
"Who's texting you?" Unable to help himself, Jace took a step closer, wanting to join in her laughter. Wanting to share that beautiful smile.
"Oh." She held up her phone to show a text message from a person named Kate that said, "Well fuck girl wrangle him up. Can’t let someone that hot get away."
Cassie shrugged, her smile still in place, when Jace's eyes rose to meet hers. "I showed them your picture. I took one yesterday on that ledge, and then sneaked another one yesterday evening when we were all on the grass relaxing."
Jace sipped his coffee, hiding his pleasure that she'd reported him to her friends. He'd hated yesterday after they'd gotten back, determined to stay away from each other, but fighting a pull so strong if felt like a string attached to his ribs being yanked by a Mack truck. Not overly comfortable.
"So they think I'll do, huh?" Jace asked with a smile he couldn't stop.
"I told them you weren't house trained, though."
"Oh yeah? What'd they say to that?"
"X-rated comments, mostly. It's always a wonderful idea in woman fantasy-land. You know, doing the training." Her eyes glittered with arousal, unabashed at her own fantasies running amok.
"I fulfilled a fantasy of yours yesterday," he said in a low tone. His dick twitched, matching the feeling in her eyes.
Her face flushed. "Yes," she whispered.
"First time someone has? Fulfilled that particular fantasy, I mean?"
"Yes," she repeated, just as quietly, but now with an ounce of insecurity.
"Good." He closed the distance between them in two steps. He ran his knuckles along her cheek lightly before bending down for a soft kiss.
"It's a little vanilla, or whatever, most people would say, I guess." The red in her cheeks got stronger. "And I don't...you know...like it any rougher—that was good. But, yeah, I guess I've never found a guy that was as sweet as he was crazy."
Jace barked out laughter, tilting her chin up firmly and placing a harder kiss on her lips. "I don't usually let myself lose control. Generally I stay firmly in sweet."
"I wish you would. Lose control, I mean. For both sides of your personality."
Jace spared a glance for the path as he braved putting his hand on the back of the bench and leaned over her heavily, holding his coffee out to the side to make sure he didn't spill on her. "Noted."
"Because I do love it sweet," she admonished, strength coming back in her voice. "Slow and sweet. And deep."
He sucked in a breath through his teeth as her palm found his bulge.
"And often..."
"Stop," he backed off, his whole body rigid, wanting to snatch her up and take her in that moment. "I gotta get back, Cass. I've been here too long."
"I'll come, too."
"No." He put his hand to her shoulder lightly to keep her in place. "Wait ten minutes or so."
"I hate that we have to hide this until it’s time to leave." Cassie's mouth dipped down into a frown.
He nearly asked to follow her home like a lost puppy. He'd then have to add "desperate" to his personality list of crazy and sweet. His ego wouldn't allow it. Not like this.
"I'll see you in a little bit," he said softly, hating the glossy sheen over her eyes. Hating her need for reassurance that he couldn't bring himself to provide. Not without being certain of her feelings. Plus, he had to get his two feet under him. He wouldn't offer himself to a woman while still a socially-crippled mess, especially someone of Cassie's caliber.
He threw her a wink he didn't feel, and strode back to the house, his stomach knotting up the farther away he got. Halfway to the house he ran into Peter. His brother’s expression was closed down in anxiety. His lips were a thin, tight line.
“What’s up?” Jace asked, stopping.
Peter shook his head in anger. “Dad. He just gave me a heated lecture on how to treat a woman. Dad. The man who treats Mom like a 1940’s housewife. Such bullshit.”
“What are you going to do?” Jace asked.
Peter glanced at Jace and then away. “I told Dad I was going into town. Though maybe you and Cass want to come—have some time alone.”
“Wait—“ Jace shifted, getting his bearings. “You’re getting singled out because you aren’t acting like Dad wants you to act, and now you’re going to highlight that by asking me to tag along with you and Cass?”
Peter met his eyes with a locked jaw. He stared for a beat, courage fueling his gaze. There was fear there, too. This was all wreaking hell on Peter. “I’m going to come out. That’s been decided. So, no, I won’t let Dad bully me. Plus, the two of you are so obvious—we should head to town. It’s the only way to keep this under wraps for a few more days.”
Jace opened his mouth to apologize. To try and tell his brother, w
ho was obviously derailing quickly, that he and Cassie wouldn’t give him away. That they could keep a handle on things. But as the words were coming out, Peter brushed past. All Jace could do was stare, hoping Cassie calmed him down. He hated that his brother had to go through this, and there was nothing Jace could do to ease the blow.
As he made his way to the house, he couldn’t help but think that he’d finally found someone he truly wanted, and all he saw were obstacles in their way.
Chapter 20
A little after mid-day Cassie stood by the car as Jace and Peter came out of the house, both of their faces shut down into a blank mask. And while that was pretty standard for Jace, Peter usually had an open countenance. Most of the time he showed some degree or other of happiness.
"Hey guys," Cassie said. "Ready?"
Peter's jaw tightened as he opened her passenger door and climbed into the front seat. Jace met her gaze over the roof of the car, the sun highlighting his stupidly handsome features. He paused for a minute, just looking at her, before he, too, silently climbed into the car.
O-kay.
Once in the driver's seat and halfway down the driveway, Cassie interrupted the silence. "What's going on?"
Peter looked out the side window. "My dad doesn't like that Jace is coming with us. Nick was going to come along, but Dad threw a fit."
"Not a fit. He’s just trying to control something he has no control over," Jace said in a low voice. "Nick has always gone along with the flow."
"And Dad's flow obviously trumps mine." Peter picked at his nail.
"Ours," Jace clarified.
"I don't think my great idea of bringing Cassie along was such a great idea." Peter clenched his jaw.
"Are you debating on not coming out?" Cassie asked, trying not to show any emotion over that issue.
"I don't really have much choice. Obviously we aren't a real couple—everyone has noticed. You and Jace have more chemistry on opposite ends of the yard than the two of us do right next to each other."
"We can always play this a different way, Peter." Jace leaned forward, hanging on the back of Peter's chair. "We can say you two are great friends and she agreed to come with."
