Page 55 of Reckless Rebel

His grin is devilish now, "Oh there are plenty of things I'd like to share with you, Riles."

I feel the heat between us ignite once more as he stares down at me. He is so close I can make out each tattoo on his chest, and there is a scar along the side of his abdomen that I have never noticed before.

"Fine,” I snap, moving to step back, but as soon as he relaxes, I pounce.

Jace is a lot quicker than I am though, his arm scoops around my waist as he hauls me against him, spinning me around, and pushing me back against the counter. The cold bite of marble is welcomed against my scorched skin that is alight with his touch. He wrestles my arms above my head with a wicked smirk.

“You don’t play fair,” I huff in defeat.

“You’re right, I play to win.” He leans down until his breath is warm against my neck. “Now what’s my prize?”

I wonder what he would do if I said anything. Would he throw caution to the wind and kiss me? Would I let him? I open my mouth to say something but my phone rings beside my head cutting me off. He pulls back and my eyes don’t leave his face, but he looks at my phone and his expression immediately changes.

“Your boyfriend’s calling.” He steps back, straightening up and moving to pour himself another cup of coffee, like nothing even happened.

I jump off the counter, picking up my phone and look down to see Rick’s name lighting it up. I don’t even think twice about rejecting the call, not really interested in whatever he has to say as I slowly turn back to Jace, “He’s not my boyfriend anymore.”

He doesn’t get the chance to respond because Sofia comes stomping down the stairs with my parents on her heels, “Good morning!” She sings songs, heading straight for Jace who lights up again now she is here.

“Morning kids,” my dad says cheerfully as he enters himself. “Are we hiking to the waterfall today?” He looks between Jace and I like he knows exactly the kind of tension we have just experienced, and I can feel my mom's glare burning into the side of my head.

“The waterfall sounds great,” I nod, “I’ll go and get ready.” I need to get out of here before they see the secrets tattooed on my skin and I make it awkward for everyone.

I disappear to my room quickly without waiting for a response from anyone and leave them all to have breakfast without me. I take the coldest shower I have ever experienced and then without second guessing, I bypass the bikinis that Jace picked out for me and grab a black one piece instead. I cover it with some cut offs and a loose tank and then throw on some sneakers, I don’t need to be cute, just comfortable.

All I need to focus on is the family vacation, Jace would never seriously flirt with me anyway, so I just need to remember that what I have is nothing more than a silly little crush.

* * *

Three hours later and I have repeated ‘silly little crush’ more times than I can even count. Jace lost his shirt about half way up to the waterfall, and being forced to walk behind him with his bare back on display and swim shorts that just won’t quit should be considered a hate crime against me. I can’t believe I ever wondered how he got so many girls on their knees for him, I mean look at him.

Now as I watch him effortlessly throw Sofia around in the water while she giggles her head off, I find myself unable to take my eyes off his sculpted frame.

“Stare any harder and your eyes will fall out.” My mom's voice jerks me from my inner turmoil.

I avert my gaze from Jace immediately, trying to style it out. “What are you talking about, I’m not staring at anything.”

“Hunny, please, everyone here between the ages of 14 to 25 is staring at him.” She rolls her eyes, not looking up from the book she is reading. My dad laughs beside her, giving her arm a quick squeeze.

“Yeah, well I’m not.” My argument sounds weak to my own ears and my dad laughs again.

I huff, standing from where we have set out our chairs and strip off my shorts and shirt. I head towards the water to join Jace and Sofia, and as soon as I get close to them I feel his eyes on me, burning me in my wake as they trail over my skin.

“Nice legs, Red.” Jace winks and I feel myself flush.

“Don’t start with me, Playboy,” I scold him, but he just smiles and shrugs.

“Sunscreen!” My dad yells and Sofia immediately moves from the water to go to him, leaving me alone with Jace.

I stand awkwardly at the entrance of the water as it splashes against my toes as Jace walks further out, revealing his wet, shirtless frame. “Not coming in?”

“I’m fine here thank you.” My response is curt, but in my defense I am trying my hardest not to ogle him.

“What, don’t you want to get wet with me, Riles?” His voice is husky as he delivers his innuendo and our eyes lock, then that tension I am trying my hardest to ignore ignites once more.

“Jace Conrad?” A new voice cuts through the pull building between us and Jace’s head snaps around in search of it.

I follow his gaze and see the moment he spots a guy I have never seen before, heading towards us with two other guys and one girl. All of them looking between us two as Jace comes fully out of the water to stand next to me.

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