Page 31 of The Fallen Ones

“Whatever.” I stepped aside for Jace but grabbed his arm as he made to pass me. “Jace, don’t?—”

“I won’t screw this up,” Jace murmured, his eyes meeting mine. “A little trust, Damien.”

I swallowed hard and nodded before letting his arm go. I stood next to Caleb and watched Jace walk in the direction of the art building.

“What do you think?” I asked softly.

“I think we’re going to fuck everything up,” Caleb answered just as softly. “I only hope she remembers the reason why we did it.”

“And why did we do it?”

“Because we love her.” Caleb looked at me, his eyes filled with sincerity. “Right, Damien?”

I looked away from him and stared ahead of me before answering.

“Something like that.”

Chapter 11

Lily

“Damnit,” I muttered, dropping my bag of paintbrushes onto the floor as I tried to balance three large canvas, a bag of new paints, and my backpack. Caleb texted and said he’d be late, but I needed to get moving since I had to be to work in less than an hour. Waitressing paid the bills and Thursdays always seemed a good day to make extra cash for some reason. I figured it was because it was ladies’ night at the bar down the street and people wanted to eat before a night on the town. Or a night after. Both were typically lucrative.

“Need some help?” A deep, familiar voice sounded out.

I froze and straightened, not bothering to grab my brushes from the floor. Standing in front of me was Jace looking as breathtaking as ever. My heart did an awkward flop in my chest. He’d stopped messaging and calling. After our last encounter, I’d done all I could do to avoid him. Despite it all, he was heavily on my mind, even when I tried to shove him out. I missed him, plain and simple.

“No. I’m good. I got it,” I said, wincing as I tried to adjust the canvases again.

He reached out and grabbed my canvases and paint from me. “You were never a good liar.”

“Jace, I don’t need your help. I got it. Go back to whatever co-ed you left behind.” The words were bitter, and I knew they were, but I couldn’t stop them from tumbling from my mouth in a rush.

He smirked and cocked his head at me. “Remember, you let me go. Not the other way around. You’ll need to work on your jealousy.”

I stared back at him for a moment before looking away, frustration ebbing from every pore in my body. He wasn’t wrong. This was on me, but why did it have to suck so much? Why did I still find all these feelings and desires weaving their way around my heart?

I hadn’t realized he’d placed my canvases down, but he had because his warm finger was beneath my jaw and guiding me back to look at him.

“Look at me,” he commanded softly.

“Why?” I whispered. “It won’t work with us.”

“Stop lying.” His eyes bore into mine. “Stop fighting what you want. Stop denying it. Give in, Lily Pad, so you can live a little.”

“And then what?” I swallowed thickly as he leaned in closer, the smell of his rich cologne filling my nose. I loved the way he smelled. Just so… Jace.

He didn’t answer me. He simply brushed his lips against mine. There was no hesitation from me. I parted my lips for him and let him kiss me. I knew I shouldn’t since I was trying to get over him. That he’d been with girls since our recent breakup. That every crying session, every pain in my heart, would have to restart after the kiss ended because I was broken and could never give him what he wanted.

“Stop,” he murmured against my lips. “Stop thinking.” He deepened the kiss until I let my bags fall from my hands and onto the floor with a clatter.

A soft groan left his lips as we devoured one another’s mouth.

“Are I interrupting?” A sharp voice called out.

Immediately, I jerked away from Jace, the embarrassment at being caught heating my face.

“What the fuck are you doing?” Jace snarled, glaring at Damien who stood in the doorway, his arms crossed over his chest.

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