Page 84

Josie groans on the other side of the door and I think I hear her head hit it, or her fist.

With one arm, he scoops me up and places me on the edge of the counter, stepping between my legs. With a wicked smirk, he drops to his knees. “What was that?”

My stomach somersaults at the sight of his chest rising and falling as quickly as mine. “Sorry, Josie, we’re—”

“Not fucking done,” Jace barks just before he slides his tongue over my clit and his fingers find that spot.

Josie knocks her hand on the door. “You’ll pay for this.”

* * *

Fifteen minutes later,we silently dress. Jace tilts his head toward me but doesn’t meet my eyes. He’s restless again. “I don’t want to go to dinner.”

“You don’t have a choice.”

He grins, steps toward me, and I know where this is heading, again. “Jace, no.” I back up but my ass hits the countertop and he has me trapped. “You’re done.”

Pulling down my shirt, he sucks my nipple into his mouth, carefully. “Oh, but I’m not.”

I laugh, cradling his head in my hands. “You’re terrible.”

He looks up at me, blinking slowly. “Youloveme.”

“I do.” I trace his cheeks with my thumbs. “Which is why you’re having dinner with me. I need you there with me when I tell them I not only didn’t take my boards exam, but their company was sold, and I’m pregnant.” I know what you’re thinking… you haven’t told them yet? Nope. Been avoiding that conversation.

Jace is silent as he nods, and walks out of the bathroom.

Before dinner, I have a doctor’s appointment Jace agreed to come with me to, and he has another physical therapy session. Josie and his parents are nowhere to be found and I’m thankful I don’t have to face anyone.

“Are you nervous?” I ask him when we’re in the living room and he reaches for his keys on the counter. It’s Saturday morning and though he usually works on the ranch on the weekends, he took the day off. For me.

“No.” He shrugs into his jacket. “Why?”

I bite my thumbnail and take my bag he hands me. “You look scared.”

“I’m not.”

Outside the house, we make our way to Jace’s car and he laughs, shaking his head as he notes the yellow frost on the hood of his Jeep.

Josie peed on his hood. “That’s talent.”

“Or stupidity.” He glowers at the hood. “What a bitch.”

CHAPTER35

Lost in her heartbeat

ABBI

Didn’t see that coming.

“You’re nervous?”

Jace doesn’t look at me as he casually thumbs through a magazine filled with babies and mothers. His knee bounces and he’s keeping his left arm closer than before. I think he’s not going to answer me so I dip my head to catch his line of sight.

He registers my look and forces a smile. “No.”

No? Okay, so he heard my question. Do you see the sweat at his temples? I think about what he said this morning.“I. See. You.”