Between the Sheets

Chapter 4

Fingers twined with mine. I looked down in surprise to see Jace’s fingers threaded with mine. Looking up, he smiled at me.

“Again?” he asked softly.

I looked lovingly at the book in my hands, “Always.”

Jace chuckled from above, shaking his head. He reached to a few shelves above me, pulling out a much less worn book and indicated back.

So we walked, books in hand, to the little shop in the back of . Reaching the barista, we placed our orders; back coffee for Jace and a whipped cream filled coffee milkshake for me.

“She’s new,” whispered Jace, leaning into my ear.

I nodded, eyebrow raised before going to the cash register. Jace pulled out a crisp twenty and handed it to the girl. Kelly, her tag read.

Once getting our drinks, we sat down at one of the little wood tables. Sucking on my shake, i wistfully  stroked the cover of my book. Jace drank his coffee, eyeing my fingers.

“I never have understood why you liked that book,” he mused, a twinge of sadness in his voice.

“Her suicide,” i said, licking whipped cream off my straw. Jace’s eyes followed the action, his grip tightening on his cup. I stopped, caught off guard. I put the straw back in the plastic cup and sucked before finishing. “I find it tragic.”

Jace shook his head slowly before taking a sip. His free hand picked up his book, part of the Enders Game series. He easily flipped to the first page and began to read. I smiled and picked up my book, doing the same.

Minutes ticked by as the two of us read, silent glances shared every few pages. Under the table, I slipped off my shoe. I poked Jace’s leg, watching him over the top of my book. He rolled his eyes as I tapped him again. I attempted not to snicker as I stealthily pushed down one of his cashmere socks. I ran my big toe along the bare skin, his book dipped revealing his smile. I continued sliding my toe up his leg, his eyes squeezing shut. I stopped for a few minutes, giving him a break. Once his face returned to its normal reading state, i ran my toe all the way up his leg; causing him to choke.

“I give, I give!” he hissed. “God why did i ever tell you that i was ticklish?”

I smiled, “For just this reason.”

He shook his head, beaming.

The two of us picked up our cups, throwing them in the bin before walking back towards the shelves.

“Jessica!” a female voice shouted behind me. I turned, the womans face lighting up.

“Hello Felicia,” I replied before being enveloped in a big hug.

“Hello dear, some rain storm, huh?” she asked. I nodded.

“Anna Karenina?” she indicated the book in my hand.

“Of course!” I chimed, smiling.

“It’s about time I give that to you, as much as you read it. In fact, take it, it’s yours. Tell your mother hello for me, will you?”

I couldn't believe it. I hugged the book to my chest.

She turned to Jace who was standing awkwardly behind me, looking at the floor and blushing.

“Now Jace, are you eating? Taking care of those things in your face? And your tattoos?”

“Yes, Mom,” he mumbled.

“Good,” she straightened his jacket. “Be good to her, you hear?”

“I know, Mom. I am.”

“Good,” she replied, taking his book from him and pushing us to the door.

The bell tinkled and she waved through the thick glass.

“I love your mom,” I said in awe as i stared at the book.

Jace cleared his throat as we walked to the back.

“Yeah, well...yeah.”

Chuckling, I nudged him with my arm.

Once in the car, Jace turned to me, “Apartment?”

“Sure.”

He nodded sharply, a light blush still tinting his cheeks.

--

I must have fallen asleep the way there because i woke up as the car turned off.

Jace got out of the car, coming around to open my door. It clicked open and he took my hand, fingers curling around mine. We walked inside to the couch, sitting, the air a lot clearer than my visit the week before.

“Did you have fun,” he asked, eyes searching mine.

“Of course I did you tomato!”

I smacked him in the chest but my hand didn't leave. I stared at the limb curiously as it slid up to his shoulder under his jacket. Jace shrugged it off in one swift movement and it slid to the floor. His hands went to my waist, pulling me on his lap. My knees sat on either side of his hips, bare knees against the back.

My fingers trailed into his hair, gripping the back of his head, pulling it down to my lips. The tips of his fingers dug into my back and he moaned. I flicked off my shoes and he leaned back into the couch.

I was calm, my mind almost entirely concentrating on the feel of his lips.

Ow, I thought as his teeth bit down on my lip. I pulled his hair and he growled. Without notice, he spun around, pinning my back to the cushions. One of his hands slid under my shirt, skimming over my ribs. Instinct took over, our kisses deepening. Jace’s hips pressed hard against me as we kissed.

Suddenly, he pulled up.

I dragged my eyes open.

Jace struggled to catch his breath before speaking.

“Jess, what are we doing.”

“Making out, I think?”

He blinked a few times before leaning back down.

He kissed me hard, sucking slowly on my tongue, and dragging every bit of emotion out of me at once. Whimpering, I tried to pull him back as his lips left mine.

“Jessica,” he whispered, fingers stroking my face slowly. “I’m not okay with this.”

My eyes popped open one at a time, attempting to focus in on him.

“What?”

Jace sighed before pulling me up and settling me in a comfortable position on his lap.

“I’m not okay with this; just yet.” he restated.

I shook my head, trying to return brain functions to normal.

“Why?” I whined, playing with his collar. His hand overlapped mine.

“Because, you’re still...you. I don't want you to stop being you.”

I pressed my face into the musky smell of his clothes.

“It’s not like we’re having sex,” I mumbled.

Jace hugged me tight to him.

“That’s a good thing.”

“Whatever,” I mumbled, wriggling in his grasp, knowing what was coming.

His fingers dug into my sides before i could escape. I screeched as he tickled me, somber face now smiling.

“This is revenge for earlier, girly.”