Page 33 of Stone: The Precursor

“Then why not return it?”

I cross my arms, not knowing what to tell Jace. Because, as far as I can tell, it was a nice gesture, gentlemanly concern, but then there was that moment that didn’t feel innocent. That moment when he touched my face before Lara interrupted. If I close my eyes, I swear I can still feel his calloused finger dragging down my face. That crackling, electrical feeling that ignited my whole body. The worry and sadness about Jace and Sophia evaporated in that moment. His touch made me feel safer than I’ve felt in a long time. “It was a nice gesture and I don’t know why you’re giving me the third degree. He’s your friend! You invited him to the wedding!”

“As a friend! Not as someone for you to fuck around with! He’s not the type of man you should get caught up with!”

“Why, Jace?” Something flashes in Jace’s eyes. Something haunted. Why is he warning me away from a man that he seems to trust?

Soon, he pulls up to King’s building and parks. I’m ready to get the hell out, but he continues, and I want to know why he’s so against me and his friend, because at this point, I don’t know if my obsession with him will go away.

He crosses his arms, his position mirroring mine. “Just trust me, okay?”

“Trust you. How can I when you’re being so fucking cryptic?”

“I get it. Sophia can’t stop telling me he’s some sort of Sex god bullshit, but he’s?—”

“He’s what?” I press, wanting to know more about the man I can’t stop thinking about.

“Just not someone you should be messing around with.”

“Why? Because he’s not rich?”

“Jesus Christ, Camryn, don’t start that shit. That’s not the reason and you know it. The life he leads is dangerous, and he’s not the type of man who does relationships.”

“How do you know I want a relationship? Maybe I just want to fuck!” I challenge hating that he’s essentially telling me to stay away from his friend.

He cringes and grips the steering wheel. “Please, Camryn.”

“What? Horrified that your sister has sex!? That she enjoys getting off like the rest of the female population?”

“You’re pissing me off.” He glares, watching me.

“So? I don’t care if I’m pissing you off right now. So you were allowed to be a playboy and sleep around when you were my age, but I can’t? How many times did I hear about your ‘Parking Lot’ when I was a teenager?”

He rolls his eyes. “I’m not saying you can’t date and yes, fu—,” He clears his throat, “have sex with whoever you want, but not him.”

“Because he’s your friend?”

“Yes, dammit! Because if you— because you don’t know what you’re getting into with him!”

“I’m a grown ass woman you know.” I cross my arms and glower.

Jace scrubs his hands over his face. “I know you are, Cam. I know that, and I’m not trying to control your life, Tae does enough of that for all of us, but I don’t want you to get hurt. You’re just getting your life together and I don’t want you to mess it up.”

“You mean you don’t want to have to rescue me.”

He looks even more pissed. “Fuck sake’s, Camryn, that’s not what I meant!”

“Yes it is. You and Adam look at me like I’m helpless. You’re no better than Father.”

“Don’t compare me to him, ever. Do you understand? I’m nothing like him.”

His anger is visceral, and in the past, I would have kowtowed to him. But not anymore. I’m sick of constantly bending. “Aren’t you though? Right now you’re telling me what to do and trying to control me! Yes, I’ve made mistakes, Jace. Yes, I fuck up sometimes, but I’m not helpless or an idiot.”

“That’s not?—”

“And for your information, your good friend doesn’t want me, so you can rest your fears!”

I get out of his car, slamming the door before I run through the glass front doors to the elevator in King’s building. I wave quickly to the doorman, who calls my name. Tears start to leak down my face as I frantically press the elevator button. I can’t break down until I get upstairs.