“How long have you known it’s me?” she asks, squinting in the sun as she looks up at me.
“Since before we came here. I saw your tattoo—the little heart behind your ear. I already had my suspicions before that, but that was the moment I knew.”
“And you kept quiet?”
“You couldn’t stand me already. I was buying time. I didn’t want you to look at me and regret all of it. Didn’t want you to pull away and think ‘fuck, I opened up to that guy?’”
“You can’t control the narrative like that, Jace.” She shakes her head. “I’m not an idiot. You thought I’d what? See your fuckboy stats and run? I googled you, you know?”
“Did you now?” I grin, unable to help it.
“I was curious,” she bites. “I wanted to know what the all fuss was about.”
“And did you?” I tease with a smile.
“Firsthand,” she says, her lips twitching into a smile. “You are a man full of contradictions, Jace. You’re annoying, you’re cocky, you’re arrogant. But you’re also all of the things I praised you for before I found out who you are. When you made me say what I liked about Ghost…about you.Which was messed up, by the way.” She points a finger at me.
“Insufferable, remember?” I chuckle.
“You’re full of yourself.” She narrows her eyes, but there’s amusement dancing in them.
“So were you last night,” I say, stepping closer. “Full of me.”
Her pupils dilate, her lips part, and the pink returns to her cheeks.
I grab her ass and pull her flush against me. Her gasp is sharp and delicious.
“Lucky for you, I plan on filling you again, and again,” I murmur, dragging my nose along the side of her neck.
“This conversation isn’t over,” she breathes, her hands fisting in my shirt as she looks up at me. The fabric stretches as she pulls me toward her, and before I know what’s happening, her lips are on mine.
Holy fuck.
She kissed me first. My entire body wakes up the moment her lips touch mine. Her movements are hesitant and unsure, but filled with desire. Her tongue swipes against mine, small and testing. I slide one hand up her back, tangle it in her curls, and pull her head back just enough to expose her delicate neck. Her lips slide up and leave mine with a sharp inhale.
“You remember how it felt, Melody?” I whisper against her neck.
“I do,” she whimpers.
“Still mad?” I ask, biting down on her soft skin.
She gasps, hands still tugging at my shirt.
“Still hate me?” I taunt, dragging my hand down her stomach, slipping under her white dress.
“Yes.” Her voice is barely a whisper.
I cup her over her bikini bottoms, fingers pressing firm.
“Then why are you wet for me again?”
She bucks into my hand just once, but it’s enough for me to know I’ve got her.
“Are you going to run from me again?” I ask, hands sliding up to her ass.
“Are you going to chase me if I do?” Her eyes flash with that defiant little fire I fucking live for.
Challenge accepted.
