Page 70 of Fractured Faceoff

“It was revolutionary!” His laughter echoed off the walls, lightening the atmosphere between us.

“You really expect me to believe that?”

“Hey! Don’t knock it till you try it,” he replied with feigned indignation. “Plus, who wouldn’t want a guy who can bake? It’s like hitting the jackpot.”

“Oh sure,” I said sarcastically. “Nothing says romance like spicy brownies.”

He stepped back slightly but kept that playful glint in his eye. “I could even give you private lessons if you're interested.”

I felt my cheeks warm as I curled a loose strand of hair behind my ear. This moment felt too real, too intimate, and it sent my heart racing. Jared’s playful demeanor had me second-guessing everything.

“Which reminds me,” he said, his eyes glinting with mischief. “I have your room cleared out for you.”

I blinked, momentarily lost in thought before he turned and started down the hallway. A strange mix of excitement and apprehension coursed through me as I followed him. He led me to the spare room right next to his master suite, opening the door with a flourish.

“You can stay here as long as you like,” he announced proudly.

As I stepped inside, I took in the space. The walls were painted a calming shade of blue, adorned with framed hockey memorabilia—jerseys and photos that captured moments frozen in time. I wondered if he had a decorator hang up his things this week, just to make it look more lived in. A queen-sized bed sat against one wall, dressed in crisp white linens that looked inviting. A small nightstand held a lamp that cast a soft glow over the room, while a window overlooked the backyard where shadows danced under the moonlight.

I hesitated, feeling out of place among his belongings. “I won’t be here too long,” I replied, turning to face him. “I wouldn’t want to trouble you.”

He took a step closer, an easy smile spreading across his face that made my stomach flutter. “Come on now,” he said softly. “You’re family. You know that.”

His words lingered in the air like a warm embrace. Family? The weight of it settled over me, both comforting and overwhelming.

“I don’t want to impose,” I managed to say, my voice barely above a whisper.

Jared shook his head slightly but didn’t back away. Instead, he stepped closer still, closing the distancebetween us until all I could see were his eyes—dark pools filled with sincerity.

My throat tightened as I swallowed hard, fighting against the urge to lean into him. In this moment, surrounded by remnants of his life and all its unspoken promises, everything felt more intense than it had moments before.

“You belong here,” he insisted quietly.

And just like that, uncertainty slipped through my fingers like sand as I stared up at him—his presence both grounding and exhilarating at once.

“Isla,” he said, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between us. “I wanted to ask you. Was it too much? Earlier? When we kissed?”

I blinked, caught off guard by the question. “W-what?”

He ran a hand through his hair, looking slightly sheepish. “I didn’t want to overstep. I know things got… passionate.”

“Oh.” I felt warmth rush to my cheeks as the memory of our kiss flooded back, vivid and electrifying. “Well, no. I-I think it was f-fine.”

“Good,” he replied, relief washing over his features. His eyes dropped to my lips, and an intense heat radiated between us. “You see, I was thinking I should try it once more. Just so… I know how you like…”

His voice trailed off, leaving a heavy anticipation hanging in the air.

I swallowed hard, heart racing as I processed his words. Did he really want to kiss me again? A part of me longed for it—the heat of his body so close to mine ignited something deep inside.

Without thinking, I leaned in slightly, testing the waters as ourgazes locked again.

Jared closed the gap without hesitation, capturing my lips with his once more. This time it felt different—more urgent and alive as he deepened the kiss with an intensity that sent shivers down my spine. His hands found their way to my waist, pulling me closer as if he couldn’t get enough of me.

I leaned against him, surrendering to the moment as our bodies moved together in perfect sync.

His lips were warm and demanding, coaxing me into a rhythm that quickened my pulse and left me breathless. I lost myself in the sensation—the taste of him was intoxicating; every brush of our mouths ignited a fire within me that begged for more.

It was strange. Kissing him felt so natural… like this was the hundredth kiss, not the third.

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