Page 39 of Her Filthy Mistake

As I walk along the pebbled path toward our beach bonfire, I inhale the sweet scent of flowers and sea salt. The path is lit by small solar lights that give off a soft glow. It’s barely enough to illuminate the way, but it adds to the romantic atmosphere.

Except my atmosphere has zero romance in it.

When I returned to the suite after our salon visit, Jace was nowhere to be seen. I knocked on his door, thinking he was taking a nap or in the shower, but no, it was worse than that. He was gone. He’s pretending what happened never occurred. I want to blame him, but a part of me understands. I don’t know how I’d look my mom and Landon in the eyes and start the conversation.

‘Hey, Mom, Landon, Jace and I banged each other’s brains out, and now we want your blessing to keep having sex while on vacation; how does that sound? Now, don’t get all upset. We don’t know where things are going, but the orgasms are too good to turn our noses up at.’

Yeah, that’s not going to win me the Daughter of the Year award. If it was something more than that for him, I’d be willing to stick my neck out and deal with the fallout, but if it’s only to scratch an itch, then I’m not risking my mother’s disapproval.

I pass through the opening and stop. The beach is gorgeous. There are several bonfires dotting the oceanfront. The tiki lights around the seating arrangements cast a glow over the different groupings of guests. As they laugh and sing, my stomach cramps. I’d love to be that free and happy, but even in paradise, I don’t have what I want. Jace.

He stands at the edge of a gazebo with his phone to his ear. White gauze curtains flow in the breeze and provide a private space for couples or small gatherings to retreat from the crowd yet still remain under the stars. It’s more primitive than the one we shared earlier in the day, but my heart still constricts.

As if he senses my presence, he glances around, hastily gets off the phone without breaking my gaze. Here goes nothing. I reach down, removing my sandals and walk toward him. His long strides draw him to me faster than I can make it.

“Hey.” One corner of his mouth arches upward. “I’m sorry I wasn’t around when you got back. I’ve been dealing with a work issue.”

“What happened?” I grab his lower arm and bite back a hiss as his warmth burns my fingertips. I’d love to walk into his embrace and ignore the world, but I stand still, relieved that he’s at least talking to me. “Never mind, that’s none of my business.”

“No.” He shakes his head as I drop my arm back to my side. “It’s fine. A guy at work was taking advantage of me being gone and started taking long breaks and coming in late.” He swallows and licks his lips. “And using on shift. I had to call him and fire him.”

“I’m sure that didn’t go well.”

“You’re right. It didn’t. He was angry, which is expected, and thankfully, I’d asked my boss to up security and block his ability to come in because within an hour, he was on site.”

“Oh, no.” My heart skips a beat. I don’t know where he works, but horror stories from the news fill my stomach with dread. “Is everyone okay?”

“Yes. He was stopped at the door.” Even though it’s dark, his anger is clear to see. “He had a gun on him, but one of the guards was able to stop him without anyone getting hurt. He was arrested without incident.”

“Oh, my God, Jace.” I grasp his upper arm. “That’s horrible. I mean, as soon as you started talking, I envisioned this happening because that’s all you see on the news, but I didn’t expect it to have actually happened. Are you okay?”

“Zoe, I wasn’t there. I’m fine.”

“I know that. Don’t be difficult. I’m sure you’re relieved that no one was hurt, but he was your employee, and it was your place of work. It’s normal to be upset and shaken up.”

He chuckles without humor and cups my cheek, sending a shiver down my spine. “Thank you.” His thumb traces my cheekbone. “You’re right I am beating myself up over it. I know those were all his choices, but I was the one who hired him. Even though I knew his history with drugs.”

I lick my lips and ache to throw my arms around him. Right now, we look like two friends holding a serious conversation, not lovers who’re ready to tear off what little clothes we have on. If I climb him like a tree, there’s not going to be any questions remaining. “That’s admirable that you believe in second chances. It didn’t work out this time, but it doesn’t mean people shouldn’t have opportunities to change.”

“Thank you, Zoe.” One corner of his mouth arches upward even though the humor remains missing. “I appreciate your support. It means a lot.” He steps back and drops his arm to his side. “About earlier today.”

“Don’t.” I raise my hand to ward off whatever words he’s going to say that break my heart.

“No.” He chuckles. This time, there’s a touch of humor in his tone. “I’m not going to play it off as a mistake. It wasn’t. I’ve wanted to be with you for years.”

“What?” My mouth drops open as I gape at him. There was a part of me that hoped he was speaking the truth. But the rest of me? The rest of me thought he’d said those things to get me out of my bikini.

“You’re a beautiful woman, and you have the most amazing spirit, but I don’t want to hurt anyone we care about if this is just a fling that gets each other out of our systems.” He glances to the side, not meeting my gaze, and bites on his bottom lip. “I would like to see where things go between us….” This time, he does meet my eyes. “Before dropping a bomb on everyone. We don’t know if this could work between us. Or even if we’d want it to. You’re much too young for me. I live over 1300 miles away. I’m not remotely good enough–”

“Shut up.” I slap my hands on my hips to keep from plastering myself against him or smacking his face because he keeps spouting nonsense. “If you say you aren’t good enough for me again, I’m going to stick a sock in your mouth.”

“I can think of a lot of other things you could stick in my mouth that we’d both enjoy a lot more than a sock. And it would be just as effective at shutting me up.” The low growl in his voice vibrates my core and my nipples tighten in anticipation.

“Do you think anyone would notice if we left? Because I’d love to sit on your face and shut you up.”

“Would you?” He steps closer and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “Because I’d adore being smothered by that sweet pussy that’s drove me nuts all day. Filling it with my dick and having it suck the cum out of me was hot, but it did nothing to sate my ravenous appetite for you.”

“Lord.” I shudder from head to toe. “I think you’re an idiot if you think I’m not going to want to be with you when I’ve already been obsessed with you for years, and now, you’re talking to me with that dirty mouth, saying all the right words to make my sex slick, wet, and ready for your tongue and fingers.” He growls low under his breath. “And that rock-hard cock.”

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