Page 53 of Only Ever Yours
I almost burst out laughing but just about managed to keep my composure.
“Anyway, as much as I’d like to stand here and chat shit, I have stuff to do.” Jase exited the living room and headed up the stairs.
“You sure you don’t want to go out tonight?” Finn pressed. “We had a good night at Live Wire the other week. I’m sure they’ve got a decent band on.”
Shaking my head, I stood up. “Sorry, Finn. Not tonight.”
“Ugh. Everyone issoboring these days,” he moaned. “I’ll have to hit up Liam again.”
Slipping out of the room while he was distracted by messaging Liam, I crept up the stairs. When I reached the landing, I saw Jase coming out of his room, a towel wrapped around his waist, headed for the bathroom, reminding me of the first night I had arrived in Maplebrook when I’d discovered how much he’d changed. I stepped towards him.
“There’s a sight I can definitely recommendfor myfinger vault,” I teased, running the tips of my fingers around the top of the towel, brushing against Jase’s skin.
He grabbed my wrist. “Stop it,” he rasped. “Finn is only downstairs. What do you think he’d say if he caught us like this?”
“Like what? We’re not doing anything.” I pouted.
Jase pulled me towards him, his mouth dangerously close to mine. “Like this.” He captured my already swollen lips in a bruising kiss but released me almost as quickly as he’d grabbed me. “This is it for now. Stolen moments. Taking risks. Are you sure you’re up for it?”
“Try and stop me.” I lifted my chin. “I want this, Jase. I want you. I didn’t treat last night lightly. You’re it for me.” My admission took my breath away. Stating out loud exactly how I felt this soon into our relationship could go one of two ways.
The grin that covered Jase’s face meant it went the right way. “Fuck, Hollis, this is going to be hard. How are we going to tell Finn?”
“Let’s not worry about it. We’ll tell him when the time is right.” I had no idea when that would be, but I needed some time to get used to the fact that Jase and I were going to be together.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Hollis
I had never seen Jase look so handsome. And it hurt not being able to be by his side, whispering in his ear to tell him that, but I kept my distance.
Barney and Lenora’s wedding day had dawned with glorious sunshine, blue skies, and tiny, fluffy clouds after a couple of days of overcast weather and the occasional rain shower. My mood should have matched the weather; however, I struggled with the fact that I wouldn’t be able to enjoy itwithJase. Had we managed to tell Finn sooner, we could have spent the event hand-in-hand; however, the right moment had never arisen with all of us being busy at the garage or the gym, which meant we’d barely seen each other to have a serious conversation. The days had flown by, and it was too late now.
“Are you okay?” Ella asked for what seemed like the hundredth time. I’d barely spoken to her during the ceremony, and now that we were seated for the meal, the only thing that held my interest was the bottle of wine on the table.
“I’m fine.” I took a large gulp of wine,trying not to gag. Chardonnay wasn’t for me although anything would do to get me through the next few hours.
“Then tell your face. Honestly, anyone would think this was a funeral, not a wedding.” Ella poured herself more wine. “Maybe Barney has a long-lost hot, single cousin you can slow dance with at the end of the night.”
That, at least, raised a smile from me. I wished I could tell her the truth about why I was moody, but I couldn’t risk it. “Maybe. I think I pretty much know all of Barney’s family, and most of his cousins are under twenty.”
“And that’s a bad thing, because…?” The corner of Ella’s mouth quirked. “Don’t knock the younger guy thing until you’ve tried it.”
“Remind me why you didn’t bring him today?”
“Because you were my plus one. Although, with the mood you’re in, I kind of wish I had brought him instead.”
“Thanks, Ella. That really helps to make me feel better.”
“What’s wrong with you anyway?”
Luckily, the master of ceremonies tapped his glass to get everyone’s attention and announced the arrival of the wedding party, so I didn’t have to give her an answer. I reached for my glass again, watching as Barney, Lenora, Jase, Finn, and Liam, along with Lenora’s bridesmaids, entered the room to a round of applause and cheers. Anything the MC said got lost as my gaze latched on to Jase, admiring him in his tailored three-piece suit in a faded blue shade. They hadn’t gone too traditional with the suits, meaning they could be worn afterwards. I had to come up with an occasion where I could get Jase in that suit again and then strip him out of it. I held onto the thought throughout the meal, picking at my food and trying not to get too drunk on the godawful Chardonnay.I really didn’t need Jase holding my hair a second time.
By the time I’d pushed the champagne strawberry mousse around my plate, I was plotting my escape. When would be an acceptable time to leave? Before the first dance? After that but before they cut the cake? Could I fake a migraine and leave now? I felt my phone vibrate in my bag. Ella had her back to me, chatting to the woman on her other side, so she wouldn’t be able to chastise me for looking at my phone during the wedding. Shifting slightly, I slid the device out of my clutch, and my heart pounded deeper.
Jase
Meet me outside in the garden in ten minutes. There’s a gazebo that’s fairly secluded so we won’t be seen xx
