Page 27 of Her Filthy Mistake

When I stomp out of the room, the lights are dim and there’s a silver dome covered tray positioned on the center of the coffee table.

“Hey.” Jace smiles as he uses a towel to dry his hair. “I took the liberty of calling room service for us. I figured your headache wouldn’t be better after talking to your dad.”

I laugh and shake my head. “Yeah, he was in fine form today.” I shake my head and lick my lips. “I love him, but that doesn’t mean I agree with him. He’s the most frustrating man on the planet.”

“More frustrating than me?” He arches his eyebrows as I attempt to ignore the fact that he smells like soap and looks like heaven. He’s showered, but rather than putting on a T-shirt and jeans, he remains shirtless showing off his tattoos and nipple rings and only wears a pair of thin athletic shorts that cradle his thighs like a second skin.

“Yes, more than you.” I walk over to the coffee table and remove the cover. Salad, fruit, sandwiches, chicken, and beans. My mouth waters. “It’s too much, but it looks and smells delicious. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” His cheeks tinge with pink as if my compliment pleases him.

“So….” I snatch a plum off the platter and pop it into my mouth. “Oh, my God, that’s amazing.”

His eyes darken as he stiffens by the door. “I’m glad you like it.”

“I do.” I swipe my hands over my shorts. “So, what’s our homework, and do I care that we aren’t doing it?”

He swallows hard over his Adam’s apple. Doing it? Shit. Visions of sex flood my mind. Don’t. Stop being a child.

“It’s a getting-to-know-you questionnaire, and the couple that knows each other the best during the quiz tomorrow gets a prize.” He paces in front of the door to his bedroom. “Not that we’re a couple, but….” He shrugs. “You know what I mean.”

“What’s the prize?” I snatch up another plum and bite into the delicious piece of fruit. Lord, I’m back in the mood for sex. This stuff is decadent.

“It’s a snorkeling trip to a private beach and a picnic.”

I whip my head around. “And we win if we know each other the best?”

“Yes, but that’s not going to happen.”

“If you were an animal, what would you be. I’d be a penguin. I love their black and white bodies and how they walk. Adorable.”

“I’d be a large cat of some kind. Maybe a leopard. But that’s not what the questions are.”

“Okay.” I fall onto the sofa and pat the seat next to me. “I’ve always wanted to go snorkeling and I love a good competition.”

He chuckles and drops down beside me. “I remember.”

“You remember what?” I cross my arms over my chest and sink into the cushions that cuddle around me like a strong pair of arms.

“The family games weekend we had when you turned eighteen. When we went up against your mom and Landon and beat them at everything we played.”

Chapter Fifteen

Jace

“Yes, we did.” Her eyes glisten with laughter and excitement, sending an adrenaline rush straight to my groin. Not that it needs any more attention as it is. “We had so much fun that weekend.”

Her eyes meet mine, and my heart lodges in my throat. It’s my fault we stopped having fun. I couldn’t handle my feelings for her and ended up pushing her away. It’s time I manned up and did the right thing. “Let’s enjoy this week. I miss spending time with you.”

She nibbles her bottom lip. “I miss you, too. I don’t remember ever laughing that hard unless it was with Daisy when we were up late eating junk food and drinking energy drinks.”

I chuckle at the thought of the two of them together. Even though I’ve avoided Zoe, I’ve not forgotten what a bond they had together. Fun. Lighthearted. Thick as thieves. I never had anyone like that in my life.

“You said Daisy was busy this weekend?” I sit sideways and rest my arm on the back of the sofa.

Her eyes darken. “I left her behind this week for her sister’s wedding.”

I frown, trying to remember the sister. “Isn’t she the high-maintenance one that always asked Daisy to do things for her?”