Page 6 of Always. Forever.

“Don’t worry yourself, babe, we have all been there. Plus, I think it will be a good story to tell the grandkids,” he says with a wink and a bold smile.

“You what, grandkids?” I step back, eyes bulging.

Jace throws his head back on a laugh. “You should see your face right now. I’m joking, of course,” he says sarcastically, which makes me think he isn’t joking, but he must be because who on earth would want kids with me with the state I’m in.

“Let’s get some food in you before you go anywhere.” He looks at me with puppy-dog eyes. “Please.” He sticks his bottom lip out.

I chuckle and give him a quick nod.

After eating, Jace loads up the dishwasher while I sit there playing with the ends of the shirt I’m wearing. He turns and says he can drop me home once he’s finished, to which I let out a breath I didn’t even realize I was holding.

“Don’t appear so pleased to be leaving me.” He pulls a sad face.

“I just feel a bit grim. I want to get home, freshen up, and die in bed all day,” I say with an awkward laugh.

“Nah, I get it. Your clothes should be dry.” He grabs them out of the dryer and passes them to me. I thank him and head back to his room.

I must ask him what softener he uses; it smells amazing.

Once dressed, I head back out into the kitchen, feeling a bit awkward dressed back in the clothes I was wearing last night. Jace did offer to lend me a pair of joggers and a top but there is no way he will want to see me again after today, and I won’t want his clothes as a memory of how embarrassing I was.

Jace is standing against his kitchen counter, looking as beautiful as ever, which makes me more conscious as I have my hair up in a bun on top of my head and last night’s makeup on. Luckily, the waterproof mascara is life and still looks pretty good.

“You ready?” he says while eyeing me. The ache between my legs reminds me I never even got to touch or kiss him. The sexual tension in here could slice through ice.

I nod because I don’t trust opening my mouth. With the way I’m feeling, I could fuck him right here, right now, but I feel dirty and haven’t even brushed my teeth, as Jace couldn’t find a spare toothbrush. Smirking as if he knows what he’s doing, he turns and grabs his keys off the kitchen counter.

“Let’s go, then, beautiful,” he says, throwing his keys up in the air and catching them.

I follow Jace out to his car and head toward his BMW. He opens the passenger door for me, and I raise a brow at him but take a seat inside. I have to wonder what this guy does for a living.This has to be the newest model.

Jace jumps in the car and starts the engine.

“You good to direct me from here?” he asks.

“Yeah, just head toward the mall, I can direct you from there,” I say, blushing.

I’m staring out the window, feeling a little awkward in the silence, but I have no idea what to even say. Thankfully, Jace interrupts my thoughts.

“I didn’t even ask you how old you were?” He laughs awkwardly. “That probably should have been something I asked before taking you home, hey?”

I grin. “Yes, it should have”—I raise my brow at him—“but you’re safe, don’t worry. I’m twenty, how old are you?” I question.

“Don’t worry, you’re safe too, I’m twenty-one,” he shoots back with a grin.

“Then we’re both safe and no one will be getting arrested today,” I say, trying to be serious but end up laughing, to which Jace follows.

“Well, technically, no rules would have been broken, anyway,” he points out.

“Okay, yes, don’t remind me of my exorcist audition last night, please.” I wince.

Jace roars out in laughter.

“That was a good one, but it wasn’t quite that bad, don’t worry.”

He has made me feel at ease, even if he wasn’t trying. The rest of the journey is in comfortable silence, apart from me telling him where to go.

“Well, this is me,” I say, turning to Jace.

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