Page 83 of Between the Stars

I nod. “Yes, and then heading over to Barron and Kacy’s place afterwards.”

He laughs, and dips his lips, his breath hitting my neck. He runs a finger over my collarbone. “Now it’stheirplace?”

“They’re having a baby together. Might as well be.” I wonder if he gets the meaning behind my words.

He brushes that same finger up over my neck to my lips. “We’re having a baby together. What’s that make my room?”

“Ourroom.” I wink, but there’s a certain amount of fear in my words. I’m nervous we’re going to live with his parents forever. You have to admit, it’s a valid concern.

“Cute.” Another chuckle pushes past his lips.

I stand in front of him, naked, trying to talk some sense into him. “I can’t live in your parents’ house with you, Jace. We’re sleeping in a full-size bed.”

“It’s a queen, thank you.” He stares at me, drops of water dripping from his nose. He takes the towel beside him and wipes it over his face. “I don’t see the problem here.”

I roll my eyes as he leans in and tries to kiss me. I stop him, my hands on his shoulders. “The problem is, I’m four months pregnant and you’re trying to fuck me in the shower while your mom is literally making breakfast on the other side of this wall.”

He shrugs, his fingers running from my chin to my neck. “Irrelevant details. And my mom’s at work.”

But are they? I can feel the added pressure of where this life will take us.

He bends and captures my line of sight. “We don’t need to have it all figured out. Today is today. Tomorrow is tomorrow.” Jace has always lived his life for the now, and while I appreciate it for his carefree take on it, I worry he’s not taking this as serious as he took keeping me at bay for so long.

We’re having a baby in five months.

That’s… life-changing.

He presses a kiss to my shoulder. “I. See. You.” He tilts my chin, and I lift my stare to his. His expression aches. “You’re scared,” he rasps, emotions he holds hostage in his eyes. “You think because I live here, because I don’t have a plan just yet, that I’m not in it. But I don’t know what I have to do here, and I know I’m to blame for it, but I’m here, for us. And it’s going to take some time, but we will have forever.”

He stares at me, no room for questioning his words.

This look is paralyzing and everything I crave from him. He owns me, always has, and it’s never been more evident than it is now.

“Okay.” I nod as Jace reaches for his toothbrush again. “I’m hungry. I’ll make breakfast.”

“No thanks. I’ve had your burnt toast.” He spits suds of toothpaste in the sink, his toothbrush hanging from his mouth. “No offense.”

I gape at him, anger pulsing inside me. “If you ever want—”

I don’t finish my sentence before his hands are around my waist, laughter erupting from his chest. “Bullshit.” His teeth find my shoulder, lips closing around the bite mark he leaves in the wake, my skin burning. “You won’t deny me. You chose me, remember?”

When I can’t catch my breath between giggles, he turns me to face him, his eyes glowing, but I don’t miss the sincerity in them. His lips inch closer, teasing and provoking. “I. Chose. You.” His hand roams over every inch of exposed skin.

The kiss turns fevered as our mouths move against one another. Until a knock comes at the door.

“Seriously,” Josie groans. “I have to pee. You guys have been in there for an hour!”

Jace ignores her. “Piss yourself.”

I push on his chest. “Sorry. We’re done.”

“No.” Jace grips my hip, warning in his beautiful green eyes. “We’re. Fucking. Not.”

I wiggle out of his embrace and reach for the door. Jace wraps his good arm around my waist. “You open that door and I’ll spend the next week bringing you to the brink of an orgasm with my tongue, and I’ll stop every goddamn time.”

I glare, challenging him as he watches it, unapologetically.

“Go ahead. Test me, baby.” The sharpness in his voice haunts and teases.

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