Yeah, he’s tipsy, all right.
I stare at him for a few moments, very aware of the distance between us—or lack of it. His body is close to mine, his right arm almost brushing the side of my thigh. His presence is overwhelming. I’m not sure if it’s the size of him or the memory of what we did yesterday, but it’s shredding my self-control.
“Always thought you slept naked,” he murmurs, gaze dropping to my mouth before flicking back up to my eyes.
I sink a little deeper into the blankets, every nerve on high alert, my pulse loud in my ears.
“In a house where insufferable hockey players can walk in at any given moment?” I ask, voice tight.
“Just one.” He taps his chest with a finger, that lazy smile inching wider.
“You’re lucky I didn’t scream.”
“I was hoping you would,” he murmurs.
“I knew you wouldn’t be asleep,” he says after a beat. “Storm’s too loud.”
“So you did walk in here on purpose.” I glance at him.
He shrugs one shoulder.
“You could’ve stayed on the patio with the others.” I exhale.
“I didn’t feel like being around people.”
“You’re with me.”
“You’re not people.”
“What am I then?” I snap, sitting higher.
“It’s a compliment,” he chuckles. “Try to keep up.”
I shift slightly, trying to breathe through the heat spreading low in my stomach. He doesn’t want to be around people, but he wants to be around me.
“You’re tense,” he says, like he’s offering an observation.
“I wonder why.” I roll my eyes.
“Is it me?” he asks, tilting his head. “Afraid there’s nowhere to run off to this time?”
“I can always go to Dom’s room,” I toss.
“Mm.” He hums. “And tell him what?”
I clear my throat, pulling the blanket tighter like that’ll save me.
“This is…” I struggle. “This is stupid.”
“Which part? You’re gonna have to be more specific.”
“You’re on my brother’s team.” I shoot him a look. “And his best friend,” I add, in hopes of reminding him that Dom is terrifying when he gets mad.
That should be enough, but Jace just grins wider.
“Ah,” he breathes. “That’s what we’re going with.”
He shifts onto his elbow, body angling toward mine, the space between us shrinking by the second.
