Page 25 of Jace

“You’ll find out soon,” I step aside ready to lead her out to my awaiting car.

“Well, will you at least tell me if this outfit works? Or am I so overdressed that I will look ridiculous when we walk into some back alley bar?”

“Really,” I say with a laugh. “A back alley bar huh?”

“You don’t date,” she deadpans, “you go out for drinks, and loud music. I don’t know if I’ve ever heard you going anywhere fancy. Not that I need fancy, I would however like to know if I need to change.”

Stepping forward I reach out and hook her waist, pulling her a little closer. Taking a moment to look her over from head to toe, I fight the rush of lust that hits me. Damn she has incredible fucking legs. Those heeled boots are not helping me keep my thoughts pure.

“You look incredible,” I tell her, reconnecting our gaze as I carefully rein in my urges. Sliding my hand around to her back, my hand coming to rest on the swoop of her waist leading to the top her ass. “I may not date, I may prefer a rusted bar, with fried food and pretzels, but I’m not an ape. I do love a good steak, and I know how to use a fork.”

I kiss the tip of her nose and she slaps my chest playfully.

“I never said you were an ape.”

“What you’re wearing is perfect,” I assure her, leaning a little closer to kiss the corner of her mouth. As I move in, she turns and instead of getting the side, I get her sweet little mouth instead.

A little moan escapes her and it triggers that need I was trying to tame. Gripping her waist tighter, I pull her body to mine and for a few minutes the two of us are lost in the kiss.

Fuck, my head is spinning, my pulse racing and if I’m being truthful what I really want to do it back up and lock us both away in her apartment. I want nothing more than to kiss every single inch of her body, feeling her pant and claw at my back.

I pull back, resting my forehead to hers, taking a slow deep breath.

“We should go,” I tell her, refusing to give in to the want in me. “Our reservations are for seven.”

She attempts to ask me more, but I pull her forward and close the door. Taking her keys I place them in the lock and ensure her apartment is secure before linking my hand with hers.

Chapter Seventeen

Aurora

Jace is quiet, and I’m thankful at the moment as I need the time to clear my head. The idea of barricading my apartment door and locking out everyone but Jace sounds really great right now.

My entire body feels alive.

When we pull up along the curb and I see the familiar name, I can’t help the grin that spreads out over my lips.

“Trinity’s,” he says and I look up to meet his stare. “Bree said it was your favorite and I know it meant a drive into the city but I wanted this to be perfect.” Again with the sweet grin that heats that space low in my belly. Jace is incredibly attractive and he knows it. He has that dirty little smirk that when you see it you know he is definitely up to something. He’s dirty but in the sexiest way. I hate it and love it all at the same time. He is my weakness and even when I tried so hard to hide the truth, it was like it was written on my sleeve. The way my body reacts whenever he is near cannot be hidden.

“I do love Trinity’s,” I finally form the words. Remembering earlier what he said about steak I know he’ll be more than happy with the choices here. Trinity’s has the greatest steak I’ve ever had. And the pasta, my mouth is already watering.

Pulling his keys from the ignition, he climbs out and walks around to the opposite side, opening my door.

Jace reaches out, and I place my hand in his and he helps me from the car. Hand in hand we walk toward the front entrance and for the first time in days I feel the tension ease. This seems natural, even though he and I have never done anything like this before.

“Damn,” Jace practically moans as he takes a bite of his steak. “How did I not know about this place?”

“It was an accident that Bree and I found it.” I smile remembering the very night. “We got asked to our junior prom by two senior boys.” I look up to find Jace staring at me from across the table, his lips pressed in a tight line. “What?”

“Is this seriously a young love story that’s gonna sour my dinner?” Laughing, I roll my eyes at him.

“No, it’s far from young love.”

He holds my stare, then waves me on, so I continue.

“We spent the entire day getting all pampered, our hair, our nails. We’d found the perfect dresses, shoes and decided on matching jewelry. We thought we were so cool getting invited by older guys.” Now I can laugh about the situation but the night it happened, I was pissed. “An hour before they were set to pick us up, a friend of ours sent us screen shots of some stupid thread a bunch of senior guys had been passing around. They’d all had bets going on how fast they’d be able to get their dates out of their dresses.”

I notice the way Jace’s jaw flexes.

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