Total pages in book: 117
Estimated words: 108362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 108362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 542(@200wpm)___ 433(@250wpm)___ 361(@300wpm)
“See you in the morning, then.”
“You’re going to bed now?” He questioned. “It’s only nine.”
“Well, I’m getting into bed, but I’m not going to sleep. I’ve been, um, rewatching some old seasons of Red Dwarf.”
“Without me?” he teased, a smile pulling at his lips. “Such betrayal. Why don’t you watch it down here, and I’ll join you? I can’t go to sleep this early.”
I glanced at the TV, then at the couch, knowing it was a bad idea to snuggle up with Jace watching an old favourite show. But the day had been long, and I needed something comforting.
“Okay, I’ll make some tea first.”
When I returned with two cups, Jace was lounging on my couch like he belonged there, the next episode of Red Dwarf all lined up.
“You’re already on season three,” he complained.
“Deal with it,” I teased, handing him the cup of tea. “I’m not going back to the start just for you.”
His lips curved. “So cruel.”
I sat down on the other end of the couch, thankful I’d bought a three seater because otherwise we would’ve been way too cosy. I found it hard to concentrate on the show because I was too distracted by Jace’s deep chuckle every time there was a funny bit. My cheeks heated when he sat forward and pulled off his black hoodie. The T-shirt underneath rose up, and my gaze wandered to the hard lines of his back, his muscular obliques, before I forced my eyes to the TV screen.
“Are you too warm? I can turn the temperature down,” I offered quietly.
“I’m good, just getting comfy,” Jace said, completely unaware of my hot cheeks and rising heart rate.
We watched three episodes before I decided to call it a night. Any more and I wasn’t sure I’d be able to keep my hands to myself. Being close to him, with his scent and his warmth only a few inches away, was torturous. I couldn’t deny that I wanted him, even though my head was flashing warning lights and waving red flags. Jace had declared his intentions to win me back, and he was behaving like a perfect gentleman. A part of me wished he wouldn’t. That part wished for him to throw away his scruples and seduce me like he’d done the other morning when he’d knelt at my feet. Just the thought of a man like Jace kneeling in supplication was enough to send me into a worked up, horny spiral.
“Goodnight,” I said as I headed for the door.
“’Night, Shannon.” Jace was busy pulling the blanket over himself, getting ready for sleep. I took the opportunity to quickly leave before I did anything stupid.
Seriously, we needed to find out who the catfish was. I wasn’t going to survive too many nights of having Jace under my roof without losing the sliver of self-control I was already struggling to hold on to.
15.
Shannon
I woke up to the smell of bacon. Quickly dressing and going to wake Zara, I headed downstairs and found Jace in the kitchen. Zara’s breakfast was prepared and waiting for her, while he busied himself making eggs and bacon for the two of us.
He wore jeans and a clean T-shirt, his hair wet and falling over his forehead. Seriously, this wasn’t fair. How did a person look so incredible first thing in the morning? Was it the nepo baby genes? Pure luck? The bacon-y aroma adding a little something extra to his handsomeness?
His smile was wide when he saw me. “I made breakfast if you’re hungry. I hope you don’t mind that I used your shower.”
I tried not to flush at the way he took me in while butterflies wreaked havoc in my belly. “I don’t mind, so long as you didn’t waste my expensive Japanese shampoo by using it as shower gel again,” I teased, and he smirked back at me.
“That was one time,” he countered with a chuckle.
“And it was traumatising enough for me to remember.” I paused to study him. “How did you sleep?”
“Not too badly. I think those old episodes of Red Dwarf helped me drift off.”
“Rewatches are always relaxing,” I agreed.
Jace nodded before a shadow passed over his features. “I filled my dad in on everything that happened yesterday. He’s decided to go see an old friend of his today. A senior Garda. The law can be fairly useless when it comes to stalking and harassment claims that don’t involve actual bodily harm, and especially when it’s happening online, but he thinks it’s worth a shot to get some official advice on the matter.”
“It can’t hurt. Just out of curiosity, is there any type of person your father isn’t friends with?”
Jace shook his head. “He knows everyone, from criminals to law enforcement to fintech moguls. He’s always got an acquaintance he can ask for a favour.”
“I’d love to see his little black book. I bet there are some surprising people in there.”