Page 33 of Embers of Torment

I inwardly groaned when the tip of her tongue darted out and skimmed her bottom lip, which I desperately wanted to kiss.

"Crap. Is he going to kiss me?" Della said, her voice a breathy whisper.

"Yes, I am." I closed the gap between us right as Della jumped backward.

"Holy moly. Did I frigging say that out loud?" Della stared at me like she couldn't believe she'd done that and was on the verge of a meltdown.

I grabbed her hand as she tried to turn away and pulled her against me, her palms making contact with my chest. She gasped, her "doe in the headlights" expression telling me she was ready to run.

"You did say it out loud. And, yes, I intend to kiss you like I've wanted to do for a while." I bent down, my lips softly brushing hers. When she didn't pull away, I deepened the kiss, a sizzling bolt of something magical shooting between us. I felt her mouth open, allowing my tongue to explore. Our bodies surged together as I pulled her closer.

Della twisted from my grasp, her chest heaving. "No, no, no. We can't do this. I don't know what the bejesus I was thinking."

"Why? I like you, and you like me. And I planned to ask you on an official date before the night ended. So…go out with me. Let's see where this relationship takes us." I took a step toward her and reached for her hand.

Della jumped back, tucking her arms behind her. "No. I can't do that. We're friends, Jace. Just friends. I…umm. I don't think of you any other way."

"That's not what your kiss told me."

"Well, that's umm… It's umm… It's because you caught me by surprise. That's why." Della lifted her chin defiantly. "We're friends. Nothing more."

Della's stance and hardened expression told me now was not the time to push. She wanted me as much as I did her. That was obvious with the way she kissed me back and virtually melted in my arms. But what was holding her back and making her defiant, I couldn't guess. Maybe she needed time to come to grips with our sudden kiss and the possibility of something developing between us. Either way, I had to give her space or risk destroying my chances.

I lifted my hands placatingly. "Fine. We're friends. I won't kiss you again unless you want me to. Fair enough?"

"Yep." Della vigorously nodded.

"I better go. I'll be downstairs in the fitness center at nine o'clock tomorrow morning if you want to join me. Have a pleasant night." I took several steps down the hall, then spun around, catching Della off guard. "Just so you're aware. I like you quite a bit, and I truly do think you're a treasure." Pivoting, I headed to the elevator.

I wasn't going to give up.

Chapter 11

Della

My stomach fluttered like I'd swallowed a kaleidoscope of butterflies as I walked through the lobby to the bank of elevators on Jace's side of our apartment complex. The earth-toned communal space connected my six-story building to Jace's eighteen-story tower. When the doors opened, I stepped into the elevator and pushed the button for the second floor.

Reaching my destination, I strolled toward the fitness center, trying to appear calm and relaxed, even though the incessant fluttering increased with each forward step. My finger went to my bottom lip, tracing its outline as I neared the entrance. All I'd been able to think about since last night was Jace's titillating kiss. It wasn't aggressive or rough like most of the guys I'd dated, theirs making it clear where their minds were heading. Jace's was different. It was soft and inviting, letting me choose how far to take it. He didn't try to force my mouth open. I did it willingly, giving him an eager response.

That was before I realized what the bejesus I was doing and had to will myself to end it, even though my body was screaming not to stop.

And now I was acting like a nervous Nellie, feeling uncomfortably timid and anxious at the prospect of seeing him again.

Opening the glass door, I scanned the gym and its variety of equipment. Plenty of people were working out, but none of them were Jace. Disappointed, my shoulders drooped as I walked across the tan-and-orange patterned carpet tiles toward the wellness studio.

Jace said he'd be here, sowhy did he bail on his workout? Did my abrupt ending of our kiss irritate him?But that didn't make sense. Jace didn't seem like that type of person.

I entered the exercise class, mulling over Jace's reason. I jumped when someone cleared their throat behind me.

"It's about time you got here."

I spun around to see Jace grinning at me, that darn, sexy-looking lock of ginger hair falling across his forehead like usual. He gave me an elaborate bow, then motioned with a sweep of his arm to the back of the room.

"Your humble workout partner at your service. Although I do hope you'll grant me the favor of exercising in the back row rather than the front. I prefer to minimize the number of gawkers enjoying my missteps until I figure out what I'm doing."

My unease evaporated, and I couldn't help but laugh at Jace's playful expression and comments. He seemed to hold no bad feelings toward me over what happened last night—at least, none that I was aware of based on his antics.

"Well, Hortensia? Are you prepared to be amused at my expense?" Jace said, sounding cheeky.

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