Page 94 of Entangled

He drops a quick kiss to my lips, eyeing me playfully. “You going to make me, Delacroix?”

“If I have to.”

“I like the sound of that.” He slides his leg up higher between mine, pressing it against me and dropping another kiss to my lips, all slow and teasing this time. “Happy Fourth of July, by the way. You ready to party?”

I pull back from his lips and roll my eyes. “I still think it’s a terrible idea.”

“It’s the perfect idea,” he argues, perfectly mimicking our debate from last night as he slides his hands down to my ass.

It was not only the Fourth of July today, but it was also Tiff’s birthday, which meant there was a huge party planned at the beach. Well, a huge party by Landing Point standards that was. I had a sneaking suspicion that Jace was going to be a bit shocked when we got the LA. Regardless though, I thought putting ourselves out in the middle of a party after what had happened at the bar was a terrible idea. Jace disagreed.

Using his grip on my ass, he pulls me higher on his thigh. “What time is it anyway?”

“About two,” I grumble. “We’ll already be late.”

“Come on.” He nuzzles his head down into my neck. “Every cop in town is looking for them and we need this. To let go and just have fun. They won’t do anything with so many people around.” Lifting a hand, he pushes my hair to the side and starts to slowly kiss his way across my collarbone. “I’ll even stay, uh, mostly sober, so you can drink to your little heart’s content.” He pushes his cock against me, voice coming out soft. “Please, Ellie… come play with me today.”

“Ugh! Fine.” I groan. “But only if you stop calling me that insufferable name.”

He flashes me a wicked grin, flicking those playful eyes up to mine. “Never.”

***

I walk through the sand on the beach, surrounded by more people than I thought existed in the entire town of Landing Point. Tiff literally must have invited everyone within a decade of her age. The revelry is already in full swing with kegs strewn along the beach, coolers open with bottles of liquor peeking out, and music blaring from a speaker somewhere. I feel a group of guys’ eyes on me as I walk by in my white high-leg bikini and cock a brow of challenge at them, just daring them to say something.

Zane had stomped up immediately when Jace and I got here, demanding to know what the fuck was being done about the Morrison brothers. So I had volunteered to go find Tiff and let her know we were here. Sweeping my eyes across the crowd, I spy auburn waves a few groups of people away and start to head in that direction. Working my way through the crowd and having to turn my body sideways to make it through a pair of what have to be linebackers before spotting my target.

Coming up behind her, I put my hands over her eyes. “Guess who?”

A squeal pierces the air as she whips around, throwing her arms around me. “You made it! I was worried after what happened y’all wouldn’t come.”

“And miss your birthday?” I scoff guiltily. “Never.”

It really was a good thing Jace didn’t listen to my bitching and groaning.

“You have to do a birthday shot with me!” She hops up and down, blue eyes lit with excitement and already glazed. “Or two!”

“Of course.” I laugh. “But then I promised to deliver you to Jace.”

“He can wait.” She gives one more hop before turning to the cooler.

Taking in the rest of the group, I nod a friendly hello to Jared and Tommy, then skip over a few people I don’t know before my eyes land on Sam. She stands across the group from me, glaring loathsomely in her red string bikini, hip cocked and generous assets on full display. I throw her a bratty smirk and wiggle my fingers in hello, taking entirely too much pleasure in the angry flush that rises to her cheeks.

“Tequila, okay?”

Bringing my eyes back to Tiff, I pause for only a second before giving her a small smile. “Yeah, tequila’s great actually.”

She hands me the shot and we clink our glasses together before I throw it back, appreciating the earthy taste all the more after such a long absence.

Tiff’s eyes meet mine as we finish, full of mischief and reminding me of her cousin for a moment. “Another?”

“Another.” I grin.

Jace did say to my heart’s content after all.

Jared comes up and slings an arm around Tiff’s neck as she pours the shot. “So how have you been liking Landing Point, El?”

“Jared’s the mayor’s son.” Tiff giggles tipsily. “So he thinks it’s his duty to ensure every new person is enjoying the town.”

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