Page 9 of Touch Me

I’VE NEVER SEEN HIM SMILE BEFORE

It’s notpossible to die of embarrassment, right? Are there any documented cases? I have the urge to whip out my phone and google it, but I don’t think the answer will help either way.

Jesus, I’m an idiot. I can’t stop rambling and fidgeting. If Jace didn’t think I was an idiot before, he certainly does now. He’s never made this much eye contact with me before, and I’ve never heard him speak so much at one time. His voice... damn. So deep and smooth. And his face? He was good-looking in high school, no doubt, but man Jace?

Good god!

A chiseled jaw and carefree hair that has that just-fucked look. He hasn’t even stood up yet, but I can see the muscles and definition under his long-sleeved t-shirt and sweats. And his eyes? It’s like they seep into my very being and settle in my soul.

My hands are slick with sweat, and my heartbeat pulses in my ears. Of course, it’s to the beat ofI Will Surviveby Gloria Gaynor, because why wouldn’t it be? Apparently, that’s still in the number one spot on the soundtrack of my life.

Perfect.

“Jace, why don’t you give Cassie a tour, and I’ll go down and grab her boxes out of my car.”

Record scratch.

“Wait, what?” The chaos inside my head is confused as to whether my heart leapt to my throat or fell out my ass when she said what I think she just said. “My boxes are still at the dorm.”

“No, I packed them in my car before we went to lunch while you were in the shower. I’ll have to go back for the stuff you used to shower, but I brought everything else,” Jess says in an octave a little higher than normal and turns away from me to avoid my eyes. At least she has the decency to look remorseful. “I figured you might as well get used to the place. The new girl is moving in on Monday, anyway, so...”

I throw my hands out to my sides. “So, what? You’re kicking me out?”

“No, no. I just thought you might want time to get used to the place and get comfortable before you start your internship.” She takes a calculated step toward me as if she is trying to corner a scared animal.

“That’s more than a week away,” I whisper between clenched teeth. “And the new girl is comingnextMonday.”

“Oh, my mistake.” Jess shrugs off her deception. “Well, no use moving your stuff again.”

Mistake, my ass. What’s her deal? Or maybe she really did just want to get rid of me. I know we didn’t spend as much time together in college as we had in high school due to our schedule conflicts, but damn. Rejection comes in many forms, and they all hurt. Especially when the scars are just starting to scab over. A fresh one coming unexpectedly when you think you’re almost healed hurts more than the original wound.

Defeated and resigned, I offer one short nod. “Right, got it.”

“Don’t be like that. I’m not far away, and we can meet for your lunch breaks and hang out on weekends. I’m only a phone call away.” She’s backtracking, trying to smooth over her betrayal with promises. She sure does look sincere for someone who packed my stuff up and all but shipped me off.

Realizing, with embarrassment, that Jace has been witness to my little hissy fit, I square my shoulders and smile. “It’s fine, really. I’ll be fine.”

“Great, I’ll go get your stuff.” She bounces away, grabbing Jace’s card to get into the building on her way to the elevator.

I turn to Jace, and he instantly looks away.

“So, your place really is beautiful. What a view.” I peer out the wall of windows and take it all in. The sun is high in the sky, glittering the waves with tiny shimmering diamonds, the palm trees slightly bending in the breeze, and the beach is speckled with swimmers and sun-bathers. My skin pebbles with goosebumps as his eyes roam from my head to my toes but says nothing. “I bet the girls love it, huh? I know I would. Not that I’m one of your girls or anything, just that I would be impressed if a guy took me back to his place and it looked like this. Not that I do that.” I gesture wildly to... the window? Definitely not looking at Jace. “Just go back to guys' houses all the time or whatever. None of the guys I know even have houses or apartments—”

“Cassie, relax.” I turn, and he looks right at me, a small smile on his lips.

I’ve never seen him smile before.

My lungs struggle to pull in a full breath for a second, and I glance down at my feet. “Sorry, I’m a little nervous.” I bite my lip and clasp my hands behind me.

“You don’t say.” He stands and my mouth drops open. I’m five-eight, and he is at least six inches taller than me.

Close your mouth, Cassie, before you catch a fly.

He looks down at me for what seems like a solid, soul-searching minute without speaking, all broody and mysterious.

Well, if he didn’t grow into a huge hunk of man...

It’s the first time I’ve been this close to him in forever, what with me avoiding him for the last six years and all. There’s something different in his eyes. Not hatred. Maybe...curiosity?

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