Page 18 of Touch Me

Who am I kidding?

The thought of him bringing a date home makes my blood boil. I shouldn’t care. We are nothing. Roommates. Not even friends. He’s only letting me stay here as a favor to his sister. She probably begged him to let me stay.

But if that’s true, why did he try so hard to keep me here when I was trying to leave?

Another question to add to the growing list. Maybe he really does want help. He has a successful career, obviously, by the look of this place, but he admitted he seldom leaves. He designed this place with seclusion in mind. That can’t be healthy. So, asking me to stay was an open acknowledgment of that. Maybe he’s just lonely? I don’t understand why he’s always running away like his ass is on fire?

I’m starting my internship in six days. That leaves me almost no time at all to figure out what is going on with Jace. Looks like I have two jobs now.

* * *

Thoughtsof how to help Jace plague my mind, and it’s late when I finally fall asleep….

The sudden light breaching the doorway wakes me,and I squint toward the shadowy figure filling the space.Lit from behind, I can’t make out a face, but I would know that silhouette anywhere. Jace. He slowly, silently makes his way into the room and puts his finger to his mouth. This is a sinful secret we can only share in the dark.

“Are you awake?” he whispers.

I nod.

“I was just thinking... we never had dessert.”

Is he kidding me right now? I glance at the clock—it's two in the morning. Is he seriously asking me to get out of bed and make him dessert?

“Oh, I’m sorry. I guess I didn’t peg you for a dessert kind of guy with your workout regimen and all.”

“Take off your panties.”

My eyes widen as my heart beats wildly in my chest. That’s not where I thought this was going. I lick my lips and my core clenches. Empty. Needy. Wanting to be filled.

“Jace. Is that really a good idea?” I stammer on a shaky breath.

“Take off your panties, Cass.”

With my eyes slightly adjusted to the darkness between us, I see heat in his gaze. The look I’ve craved for half of my life. The look I wish he shared outside the darkness of this room. That look will replace the angry look from my memories for the rest of my days.

Ok, that was a little dramatic.

He pulls the corner of the covers back and slides in next to me. I melt into the bed from the heat of his body so close to mine. Laying on his side, he props his head on his hand. He traces a single finger in circles across my shoulder and down my arm.

Goosebumps pebble my skin as a shiver racks my body. He lifts my loose tank top and runs his finger over my skin, tracing circles lower and lower. When he reaches the top lace border of my panties, my body hums in anticipation. He dips a finger under the top and rubs a line from hip to hip. I arch my back off the bed, trying to get his hand where I need it.

“Such a greedy girl.”

“Jace.”

“What do you need, Cass?”

“You know what I need.”

“I want to hear you say it.”

“Touch me.”

He peppers my shoulder with teasing kisses up to my neck.

“I am touching you.”

“Touch me where it counts.”

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