Page 79 of Muse (Fighting Fate)

Jace sighed, his lips still curved up contentedly. “I love that sound.” He pulled me into him so my head was resting on his arm and my lips were pressed against his chest. “I can’t believe we get to spend the whole night together without worrying someone will catch us.”

I smiled against his warm skin. “Mmm…”

He whispered a chuckle and squeezed me tighter. “Are you worn out princess?”

“Just a little,” I giggled.

Jace sighed and kissed my hair. “What do you want to do tomorrow?”

I wriggled, moving myself so I could see his face better. “Uh…I kind of have plans in the morning,” I said, a grin spreading to my lips.

“Okay,” he said. His eyes narrowed at my expression, curiosity evident. “What are you doing?”

I smiled at him devilishly. “Mom’s taking me to the doctors to get the pill.”

Jace’s eyes widened with shock. “You told your mom we’re having sex?”

I laughed at his expression. “No, but I told her I want to have sex with you.”

The horror on his face was comical. I couldn’t help but giggle. “It’s not funny, Mia. She’s going to cut my balls off.”

“No, she’s not. She loves you. And I told you, I tell her everything. I feel bad that I haven’t told her I’m already having sex.”

He ran his hand over his face. “Fuck, I glad you haven’t. Oh my God, if Aiden knew I’ve been sleeping with you all this time...”

I cuddled into him. “Don’t worry about it. She’ll be fine. And just so you know, I’ll be losing my virginity soon.”

Panic flashed in his eyes. “You’re going to tell her?!”

I grinned. “Soon. When it’s been long enough for her to think it’s acceptable.”

Jace closed his eyes and groaned. “She’s so going to hate me. Aiden’s going to kill me.”

I frowned at that thought. “Ewww...I won’t be telling him. That’s just creepy.” I scrunched my nose up to reiterate. “And anyway, isn’t that supposed to be your thing? He’s your best friend.”

Jace exhaled loudly. “Normally I probably would, but you’re his sister. Just like I’m sure you don’t want to hear about his sex life, I’m pretty confident he won’t want to hear about yours...especially with me.”

I pressed my lips together, knowing very well I had no desire to even think about what Aiden did behind his bedroom door.

Jace suddenly scowled, following it with a groan. “I can’t believe you tell your mom everything. Can’t you just tell Kaeli instead?”

I shrugged. “Oh Kaeli already knows. I told her about Aspen the day after it happened.”

Jace sighed. “Aspen,” he said with a tinge of sadness. “That was hard. You completely threw my plans into a spin.” He shook his head as the memories flashed through his mind.

I laughed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean for the mirror to fall off the wall and smash all around me so you’d have to carry me out.”

He smirked at me. “I was just being a gentleman.”

“Yeah, right.”

“You have no idea how much of a struggle I went through that night. I wanted to protect you, look after you like your brother would, but seeing you standing there in that damned towel, with those big, beautiful eyes looking up at me with so much trust, I would’ve had to be a fucking saint to hold back. After that first kiss, I actually thought I could stop it – just pass it off as a little mistake, but then your fucking towel fell off and I had no chance.” He laughed, remembering.

“Then the next day Kacey was all over me, and you were acting like nothing had happened. I had no idea what I was supposed to do with that. I was so confused.” He gazed at me tenderly, his expression one of pure honesty. “But something happened to me that night. It was like something woke up inside me, and I was seeing you for the first time.” He twirled a piece of my hair between his fingers, his gaze settling on the long strands as he sorted through his memories. “I knew you were vulnerable. I knew I shouldn’t let it go too far, but it was like I needed you.”

I gently stroked his cheek, watching him struggle with his feelings. “I needed you too. I didn’t realize how much until it happened.” I looked down at our hands as Jace entwined our fingers together. “You know, I used to watch the other girls at school, the way they’d flirt and date, and I’d hear the stories of how they were waiting for that

perfect time to sleep with their boyfriends, waiting for that moment when they were comfortable enough for their boyfriends to see them in their most vulnerable state. And I knew right then and there, that was something I’d never be able to do.

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