Page 97 of Entangled

Taking a deep breath, I step even closer, lifting my head with a vicious look. “I hate you right now.”

His firework eyes drill into mine for a second before a grin pulls at his lips and he shakes his head. “No, you don’t.” He presses our bodies up against one another’s, dropping his mouth to my ear. “Want to lick me so they know I’m yours?”

“Ugh!” I push at his chest. “You’re insufferable.”

Jace turns his head to Andrea and Zane. “We’ll be back in a few.” Then he leans down and shocks the hell out of me by throwing me over his shoulder and calling out as he starts to walk away. “Blondie here needs to cool down.”

Chapter 26

Present Day

The sound of people hooting and hollering fills the air as Jace’s shoulder digs into my stomach. “What the fuck do you think you’re doing, Dawson?” I gasp.

“We’re taking a time-out to figure out what’s really got you all worked up.”

“Like hell we are.” I reach down and smack his ass, kicking my legs uselessly, trying to get him to put me down as I hear the waves coming closer.

He reaches up and smacks my ass in turn. “You’re right, Ellie. We are.”

“You don’t get to call me that!”

“Yes, I do.” He smacks my ass again and I bite my lip to quell the scream of protest trying to escape, having to settle for glaring at the sand in retribution.

I watch as the sand under his feet turns into silty water when we hit the ocean, but still, he keeps going. Not stopping until the water is just below my head and hitting him high on the waist. Only then does he lift me back over his shoulder and slide me down his body, hooking his hands under my knees to hold me against him.

I cross my arms and glare at him. “Cool down, very funny.”

“I thought we could use some privacy.” His lips twitch and he dips his head down close to mine, eyes soft and searching. “Now are you going to tell me what really upset you back there? Because I know you and it’s something more.”

I drop my eyes from his to stare at the water, feeling as if my heart is shifting uncomfortably in my chest. “I don’t know how to do this.” I finally admit with a sigh.

“What do you mean?”

“Last summer…” I shake my head and bring my gaze back to his while looping my arms around his neck. “Last summer was anything but a normal relationship and before that I’d never been in one so I don’t know how this is supposed to work.”

He pulls his bottom lip through his teeth and I can see the grin he’s trying to hide. “You’re going to have to give me a little more to go on here.”

“You—” I start and then roll my eyes at myself, heaving a breath. “You introduced me as El.”

“Yes?” He draws out the word, tilting his head at me in question.

“Just El.”

I see the moment it dawns on him and his expression goes slack. “Oh.”

“It’s just—three days ago you said, you know, those words, which I know you meant.” I rush out. “Mean. And I’m not asking you to say them again, that’s not what this is about. But then today I was just… El.”

“I see.” That flash of dimples strikes for a moment before he can hide it. “Listen… you’re not the only one new at this. I didn’t think to—I’m sorry, I should have told her you were my girlfriend?” he guesses.

I give him a nod and dart my eyes away, entirely too embarrassed by this entire ordeal.

He lifts a hand to my chin, bringing my eyes back to his. “I still mean them. Ya know? Those words. I’m just trying to give you…”

I nod and press a quick kiss to his lips. “I know.” Because I do, I see it every time he looks at me, cares for me, plays with me.

“It is nice to know you care though.” He gives me a wicked grin. “It’s kinda hot, seeing you get all possessive.”

I stare at him in affront. “Of course I care!”

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