Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 66233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 66233 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 331(@200wpm)___ 265(@250wpm)___ 221(@300wpm)
“Please tell me that’s waterproof,” I whisper when he places it on the bench between us.
“It is.” He kicks off his shoes and takes off his socks, making me realize he jumped in to rescue me while still fully dressed. That information does something funny to my chest but I ignore it.
“I thought you were working?” I say when everyone wanders off.
“Is that your way of saying thank you for saving your life?”
“I would have been okay.”
“Yeah babe, I’m sure fucking Troy would have been all too happy to save you.”
“What does that mean?” I ask, feeling my brows drag together.
“Nothing.” He shakes his head, lifting his shirt over his head. Darn but when will I be immune to seeing him shirtless? I have never been a huge fan of tattoos—not that I have anything against them; they’ve just never been my thing… until him.
“Are you gonna sit the next round out?” Haylee asks when a horn sounds, and I drag my eyes off Jace’s body to look at her.
“N—”
“Yes,” he cuts me off, and I turn to glare at him before I look back at her.
“No, I’m okay to join.”
“Cupcake, you are not—”
“Going to be told what to do?” I interrupt with a nod of my head. “You’re right. I’m totally not going to do that,” I say, and Haylee giggles.
“You almost drowned!” he growls.
“I’m fine, and if you’re so worried about me, you can join us.” I stand up, and he lets out a string of curse words as he launches himself up off the bench.
“Where’s the rest of your suit?” he bites out as he attempts to wrap his towel around me.
I bat him away and point my finger at his chest. “Remember the conversation we had about you making me feel self-conscious?”
“Your ass is out.” He scowls down at me, and I look around. Every woman out here is dressed in a swimsuit similar to mine, some with even less material and way more showing.
“I’m not wearing less than anyone else.”
“You’re not theirs.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to tell him that I’m not his either, but I can feel people watching us, and I know if they are watching, they are listening. “You’ll just have to get over it,” I grit out through clenched teeth before I storm off toward Janelle, who’s talking to Eva.
“Is everything okay?” Eva asks, reading my expression as I join them.
“Just peachy.” I force a smile, and she looks over my shoulder.
“Ah, Jace saw your swimsuit.”
“What’s wrong with her swimsuit?” Janelle asks, looking me over. “I think that suit looks very flattering.”
“Did you see the back, sweet sister?” Eva asks, and heat travels up my neck to my cheeks. “Don’t be embarrassed.” Eva grabs my hand. “You look awesome. Men just tend to become Neanderthals when they are in love.”
“He’s not—” I cut myself off, because I was just about to say he’s not in love with me. “—always a Neanderthal.” I sigh, and Janelle laughs, linking her arm with mine as we make our way to the water.
Chapter 19
You Only Live Once
Lying in bed, I stare at the dark ceiling and silently beg for my mind to shut down so I can sleep. It’s not that I’m not exhausted. My body is tired after the events of the day, and even my brain needs a break from overthinking. Still, I can’t seem to drift off. And having the man—who happens to be the reason for all my problems—next to me, sleeping peacefully, isn’t helping.
This morning, Jace didn’t immediately go back up to the house to work like I figured he would after our confrontation. No, he stuck around and even joined in each time we had to go out in the water again. And although he didn’t complain out loud, I could tell he was annoyed, which only made me more annoyed with him.
Then, when all was said and done and the winners were proclaimed—winners who were not us, by the way—I wandered off to sit alone, because I needed to have a talk with myself. Needed to remind myself that Jace and I are not in a real relationship, so whatever issues he has are not mine and vice versa. Only, my reprieve didn’t last long. Sammy joined me, along with Troy, and then Jace came over to let me know he was going back up to work.
Before I could even say “okay, have fun by yourself,” he grabbed my face and kissed me so hard my lips hurt after he pulled away.
The kiss wasn’t like any of the others he’s given me. It was filled with what I could only describe as anger, and it confused me more than the rest.
After that, I didn’t see him for the rest of the day, not even for dinner. But more than once, I would feel someone watching me, and when I’d glance up at the house, I’d see his shadow outlined in the upstairs window.