Page 69 of Reckless Rebel

We don’t speak, just stare at one another as his tattoo is finished up. His hand continues to flex around my waist in a move that has me aching for him, and his other hand stays in mine. By the time he is done I feel on edge and I don’t know why. I watch as his ink is patted down and covered in a sheet of his own protective film, before he stands from the chair and stretches out his torso. I follow the lines of colorful ink and muscle as he flexes before me, and I see that knowing smirk cross his mouth when he catches me checking him out.

“Ready to take a look?” He asks, leading me towards a full length mirror in the corner, he turns me so my back is to it and then passes me another small mirror from the shelf next to us.

I hold it up until I can angle in a way that shows me the new mark now etched onto my skin forever. There on the top of my shoulder is a beautiful red butterfly and I can’t help the gasp that leaves my mouth as I stare at it in awe.

“It’s a butterfly,” I say pointlessly, because obviously Jace knows.

“I thought it was time we both had something special for our favorite person.” He smiles, knowing how much this means to me. Sofia has been my world since the second my parents brought her home, my beautiful little butterfly, and now I have a symbol to represent that forever.

My eyes flick over it so many times, unable to look away. “Why is it red?” I let my eyes leave the mirror to look at Jace and he smiles.

“I think you know the answer to that one, Red.” His eyes darken as I bite my lip at his response and I feel my heart rate rapidly increase as we stare at one another. “Let’s go home.”

I nod and we both turn to head out. Jace stops to thank both the artists and hands over a huge stack of bills to each of them as he shakes their hands. They thank him for his business and we head outside to where Jace has a cab waiting for us.

The drive back to the cabin is over within a blink of an eye as my mind focuses on the gift he just gave me and how perfect it is. When we make it back inside my dad is still awake in the kitchen and smiles wide when he sees us.

“There's my girl, well how was it?” I see his eyes flick over the skin I have on show as if to look for the tattoo.

I step towards him, turning and moving my hair so he can see the butterfly. His thumb lightly traces my shoulder before I turn back and see him smiling. “It’s beautiful, kid, Sofia is going to love it.” I beam under his praise, and get excited thinking about her reaction.

“What about you?” He turns to Jace and watches as he lifts his shirt to showcase the place where both his sister’s names now rest and my dad smiles just as proudly at his, “Looks great!”

“Thanks, G-Dog.” Jace drops his shirt and then lets his eyes flick between me and my dad, “Well I am gonna head to bed.” He hesitates only slightly before moving over to me and dropping a kiss to my forehead, “Happy birthday, Riles.” He doesn’t wait for a response, just turns and leaves the kitchen to presumably head to his room.

I watch him leave, desperate to go after him, for what? I don’t know, but it’s my dad that keeps my feet planted where they are. I feel him watching me so I let my eyes drop and move towards the fridge to grab a drink. The silence continues and it starts to get awkward until he finally breaks it.

“You know it’s okay right?” He states with a smile.

“What’s okay?”

“To like him,” he confirms with a smile. “I know he has his demons, Riley, but underneath that is a good boy.”

I open my mouth to protest but no words come out because he is right. I do like him, he is good, and he does have his demons. I nod slowly and then smile, “I’m gonna go to bed too.”

“Come on then, kid.” He puts his arm around my shoulders and we head upstairs, hitting off all the lights we pass as we go, and checking the locks on the doors. We only part when we get to my door at the top of the stairs, my dad leans in and kisses my cheek, “Goodnight, Sweetheart.”

“Night, Dad.” I push inside my door and then flatten my back against the other side taking a deep breath.

I try to organize my chaotic thoughts. The last twenty-four hours have been completely unexpected. Last night was surreal, kissing him, letting him touch me, falling asleep with him, all of it something I never could have imagined we’d do and it makes me realize only one thing. I want him, I want Jace. I know I shouldn’t, I know he could probably have any girl he wanted, but the way he looks at me sets my skin on fire. This can’t just be in my head, not anymore, not after last night, and I want more.

I head over to my suitcase and dig out the only set of nice underwear I brought on the trip. It’s nothing special, just white silk mixed with a little lace, not overtly sexy, but I feel sexy when I wear it. I lose the dress and black thong I am currently wearing and slide the silk set onto my skin, checking myself out in the mirror. I look good and I feel good which gives me the confidence to do what I am dying to do.

I grab my robe from the end of my bed and then move back over to my door, opening it as slowly and quietly as possible, hesitating slightly to make sure no one is still awake. Once I’m sure all is quiet, I slip out of my room, closing my door behind me and heading downstairs. I tip toe quietly towards Jace’s room, the darkness clouding my intent from anyone, and when I reach my destination I take a slow deep breath to try and calm my racing heart.

When I feel a little more in control of my oxygen intake I raise my hand to knock, but pause when I hear my name through the door. “Riley,” Jace grunts and I startle, how does he know I’m here, did I already knock? I stand transfixed for a moment until I hear my name again, “Riley.”

I push my final nerves aside and slowly press down the handle without a sound, taking one last look behind me before I step inside his room and shut the door. Nothing could have prepared me for the sight that lies before me.

Jace is leaning back against his pillows, naked from the waist up, and his boxers slightly pushed down to reveal his inked fist wrapped around his cock. His hard and pulsing cock. His hand strokes up and down in a rhythmic motion that has me transfixed, his head tossed back and eyes scrunched as if pleasure and pain are clashing together in the palm of his hand. It’s the most erotic sight I have ever seen.

The way he pants in pleasure, the sweat slick on his torso, the rough grip on his cock, all of has me pressing my thighs together as I imagine taking over for him. The thought causes me to groan softly, but Jace hears it immediately, his eyes snapping open landing on mine. His hand falters on his cock, squeezing himself slightly before coming to a stop and suddenly with his glare on me, I feel awkward, like I shouldn’t be here.

“I’m sorry,” I gasp, turning quickly to fumble with the door so I can leave before I die of embarrassment.

His presence is quick against my back as he stops me from leaving, turning me around to face him. “What are you doing here, Red?”

He’s so close, but keeps that last breath of distance between us which I hate. “I just came to see you,” I reply lamely.“And I thought I heard my name,” I add on weakly, maybe it was just wishful thinking.

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