Chapter 24

Selene:

"What..." I felt tears heat my eyes.

"Nothing." He jumped off the island. I stopped him by placing my hands on his chest and pushing him against the island. He looked at me with avoiding eyes and hands flat on the island to keep him steady.

"Nothing, Selene. Dont make a scene." He tried resisting but I dropped my head on his body and held him close to me. My arms wrapped strongly around his waist and I shut my eyes hearing his heartbeat.

A warm feeling ran over my head and I knew it was a caress. I let it take over me and I relaxed in him. An awe sounded in the kitchen and I realized what was happening. My eyes snapped open and I moved slowly out of him, so as to not raise caution. Bethany and Allan stood by the entrance of the kitchen staring at us. I looked at them and then at Jace who was smiling at them.

It's always going to be an act. Your life will just be an act.

I jumped away from him and brushed the hair off my face. I turned away and dried my face off. What the hell was wrong with me? All these tears, this constant pleading for a man who only enjoyed torture in me. I had to grow stronger. Better at being who I was.

"Hey, guys." I cleared my throat. The pain ached every muscle in my bones but I knew better than to show my weakness to the man who was causing all the pain to me. 

"We just wanted to congratulate you guys with a dinner out, tonight?" Allan cupped his wife's shoulders and looked over at Jace with wide eyes. I caught the glimpse realized it to be a 'please say yes for her' look. I held Jace's bicep and walked ahead of him. I felt his eyes follow my moves.

"We would love that Allan, but only if it's my treat." I bit my lip and Bethany's lit up but fell into confusion.

"Did she just..." Bethany turned to Allan for an answer and he laughed. 

"Yeah, that's Enie for ya." He squeezed her shoulders and they knew they couldn't win the battle of who gets to pay because I always won that particular quarrel, "Be ready by seven." They left us be and Jace pulled me around to face him. 

"What the hell was that?" He scolded.

"I'm celebrating." I chuckled. 

"Excuse me?" His head tilted in anger. I tried wiggling my arm out of his hold, but he pulled me and took both my arms in his grasp. His nostrils flared and if looks could kill, I would be a blood splatter.

"Your win, Jace. I'm celebrating your win." I pushed myself away but his hold only grew around me, "Let me go." I tried punching his chest. How the hell was he stronger than me? 

"What are you aiming for? Sympathy? Care? Love?" His hold grew stronger with every word he spat.

"Surrender." I finally released myself and ran out without looking back.

Mom and dad had already hit lounge with the football game on. It was NFL season. They were crazy about to together. Aaron left after lunch and didn't even find me to say goodbye. I felt an ache in my heart to lose a good friend like him. Maybe Jace was right. Maybe I deserved all of this. 

I was standing in front of the rectangular full body mirror standing in a corner outside the built in cabinet doors. My room was a pale purple on the walls, with violet curtains on the small window that opened to the back of the house. My pictures still hung on the top of my dark brown bed post and mom had taken the time to spread white sheets, pillows and duvet on my queen bed. The floor was still the same white carpet and a futon sat by the foot of my bed. I smiled at how they'd changed nothing in my room, since I moved out.

My body was in a mid-thigh length red chiffon dress. The bell sleeves and the round neck gave my body a nice shape and I paired it with pearl studs. I was checking my make up when the bathroom door opened and Jace revealed himself in a towel. Now, I would've flinched and hidden my sight, but I took the sight in. The man was hotter than reddest of the peppers of the worlds. His hair fell on his forehead as he walked towards where I stood. I noticed something small and black on his waist, right below his chest muscles. I sighed at the thought that it must be a hot tattoo. Suddenly, he helped the end of his towel on his front and tugged at it, letting it fall. I stood up and turned around. His fresh lavender scent hit me like a wave mixed with some fresh ocean smell. Oh, it was an aftershave. 

Can I marry him? My brain asked.

Wait, you are. It responded to itself. 

I noticed he was in a pair of black boxers and his clenched jaw and eyes faced me. I gulped in a loud breath and moved out of his way. He pulled his pants and shirt from the floor by the mirror and I winced. I should've thrown the, on the little table behind the mirror. Who cares, I hated him anyways. 

In a flash, the man was dressed in a blue button up shirt and black pants. I chuckled when he started running fingers in his hair to make them. When he paused, I bent to the table gave him a comb. He declined it and I huffed at his arrogance. Taking him by the arm, I turned him to me and raised a finger at him to stop. His eyes squinted as I raised my hands and started combing his hair back. He didn't move and just watched me do it. When they were finely combed back, I used my fingers to ruffle them by the tips of his strands, giving him a fresh tousled look. Forcing him to turn and check himself out in the mirror, took some strength but when the end of his lips twitched in a smirk for a second, I knew my mission was accomplished. 

"Here." I walked to him with the grey cardigan sweater in my fingers. He looked at me confused. I'd gotten one of Allan's sweaters for him when I didn't find something warm in his set out clothing, "It's Allan's. It's going to be cold out." I pushed it at his chest and he snatched it.

"Dont be a dick tonight." I muttered, walking away.

"What did you say?" He threatened.

"I said dont be a dick tonight. Allan checked on you all that time. Be kind to a pregnant woman." I shrugged, picking up my phone from the bed.

"Are you ordering me?" He whipped up the sweater on him.

"Yeah." I nodded and headed to the bathroom to get a closer look on my face in the white light. My room had one large yellow bowl like light in middle of the white ceiling.

"Again, what?" He called on me as I turned the bathroom lights on. The bathroom was steamy so i turned the vent on as well.

"You put a ring on it." I showed him the ring through the bathroom room. I could see him standing in the bathroom's door frame.

He cocked his brow at me.

"You put a ring on it, now deal with it." He smirked a little and walked away. I chuckled.

And that's how it's done Mr. Anderson.

***

The restaurant we drove to was in the city. A beautiful private restaurant and Allan stopped me from mentioning that he co-owned it. The place was called Leisure Delights. It was known for its perfectly designed food with fast food like quantities. I was proud of Allan for his accomplishment.

Guess who he co-owned that with?

Bethany Allan McKenzie. His wife.

Those two.

Perfect.

We got the special corner booth that was Allan and Bethany's favorite. I loved how the place had a black ceiling, velvet red carpets for walls. A huge circular dance floor in the middle with black cloth round tables all around. The small seating space could be one person one table and largest could be ten to fifteen in one booth. Some were mechanically operated booths were were rotated into an angle that two corner square booths would turn to each other and make one gigantic rectangular booth for a larger party. I was thoroughly impressed by their extravagant style and creativity in the area.

Soft jazz played around and some couples danced to it on the wooden dance floor. The place was a good temperature that everyone could be in their most comfortable clothing, enjoying every moment with ease.

I turned to find Jace walking with me and he seemed to be taken by the place. I felt his hand on my back and I smiled down.

When we settled in the booth, Allan helped Bethany settle in and Jace offered me his hand so I could squeeze. He was being kind. I was scared.

"Allan, this place. Wow." Jace chuckled, looking around.

"Really?" Bethany excitedly tapped the table and Jace nodded, licking his bottom lip. His eyes would scan the place every now and then and I felt an awe rising in my chest. He loved it.

"I want to meet the owner. Wanna know what the..." he started but his fell to mine and I realized I was just staring at him dreamily. A smirk played on his lips and he leaned in.

"What?" He whispered. I couldnt help but graze a finger on his cheek and then pinch it.

"They own it." I pointed at the couple staring at us with sparkles in their eyes.

Jace's smile fell and his eyes shot to them..I turned the same way as him and they waved at him. They had goofy smiles playing on their lips. I laughed at that, instinctively dropping my head on Jace's shoulder. He played extra shocked and I loved him for it. His expression put a wild smile on Bethany's face and I was so thankful for it.

"Dude, how?" Jace placed his free big arm on the table and Allan tapped it with his free hand. On both men's one arm were us women, leaning and laughing.

A bottle of chardonnay came to our table in a black bucket of ice and four tube glasses. On a side was a box wrapped in a black napkin and I was sure it was a juice container.

"Girl's gotta pretend to drink." Bethany raised her glass after pouring apple juice from the box. I chuckled as Allan poured the Chardonnay into two glasses and handed Jace one. He poured another glass of apple juice and gave it to me. Bethany held her tongue out in apology and I waved it off. Jace looked at me in shock but I squeezed his arm to keep it cool.

I couldnt drink. I hadn't drunk anything alcoholic ever and since recovering I was scared that drinking might kill me. I was scared so I never went for it.

When Allan and Bethany started talking amongemst themselves, I leaned up to his ear.

"I dont drink. Havent ever had any drinks. Remember that." I gave him the tip and took a sip of my drink. He kissed the top of my head, surprising me.

Guess it brought back a beautiful memory.

Our first date...

I smiled to myself and drank my drink.

"Alright. Time for some dancin'." Bethany clapped her hands and o raised my hand for to stop.

"Your brother knocked me up, he can take responsibility for my fun." She pushed him to slide out.

"Come on." Allan asked us to pull ourselves out. Jace slid out in one drift while taking my hand and me with him.

Soon, we were on the floor and a soft, tingly song started playing. I recognized that song. It was new.

Something with Camila Cabello. I ignored it and enjoyed the beats of the rhythm as Jace took my waster in his fingers. I let my wrists rest around his neck and my eyes stayed down on his chest.

"I saw the site a couple weeks ago." I started, finally raising my head and matching his eyes. He raised his dark brows and tilted his head. He shouldnt have been this beautiful. It was unhealthy for me.

"The construction site?" He confirmed and I nodded.

"Its wonderful. There are parks nearby, that means more joy of the children and people can go out for walks. Their children could go for it. All over around, its quiet but there are homes starting like blocks away. The plaza across will help the people so much." I was so impressed by the place he'd chosen. Jace knew what he was doing and I was so proud of him.

"I know. I read it up before deciding the location." His eyes squinted but there was no distaste on his face. Slowly, he pushed me away and twirled me around into his arms. I fell into him with my back against his chest.

"Did you send me the list of the candidates up in line for that location?" He whispered in my ear. Although, what he was saying was completely work related, I couldnt help but drop my head back on him. I felt a surreal orgasmic feeling taking over and in that snap moment, he flipped me around, making my face come to match his. Our faces were inches apart and we could count our breaths as one. He ducked his face closer to mine and I shut my eyes at the feel of his nose against mine. I could count his fingers tapping and moving against my back and the other hand squeezing my dress. I let my fingers slide to his shirt's collar and fist the edges.

I wanted him.

"Y-yes." I answered, not knowing what I was really responding to.

"Good." He breathed before dipping closer and placing a peck on my cheek. I opened my eyes and found his soft brown ones matching mine. I felt close to him again. It was like our endless nights in his cabin. The way we danced to random music, enjoying every second of our hands on each other. We would pretend to be one and breathe like a single soul as well.

"Jace?" I finally whispered. His eyes lit up, waiting for more.

"I..." I was going to say it proper this time. It was coming to my throat, ready to spill.

"Nothing." I looked away and he sniffed in irritation, raising his head and indulging his attention in the crowd around us.