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“Whoa,” she laughs. “Let’s not get carried away. This isn’t a lifelong, all-access pass for you…but, for this dance, and this dance only, I will allow you to parade me around shamelessly.”
“Really!”
“Yes. I’m serious though, Mare, only this dance. Don’t get any forever plans in that head of yours.”
“Who, me?”
Jasmine’s response is to glare.
“Okay. I’ll admit, I may get a little out of hand?”
“A little?”
“Okay, okay. Maybe more than a little. But I’m so good at it.” I whine.
Jasmine cackles as we dress.
“You want to ride home with me?” I offer. “I have to swing by and pick Alex up, but we could hang out for a little while if you want to.”
Since the incident with her mom, Jasmine’s been avoiding me. “Maybe tomorrow? Jace said he’d take me today.” She forces a smile, confirming my suspicions.
“All right.” Again, I let the awkwardness slide, filling the silence with current events. “Andrew’s at the top of your date list. What do you think about him?”
“Andrew?” Jasmine asks. “Isn’t he dating a cheerleaders?”
“Not anymore. Word is he dumped her, so he’s up for grabs.” I shove my clothes into my bag. “You want me to go fishing?”
“Sure. He’s as good as any, I guess. Fish for whatever dirt you can find. Keep me informed, considering I’ll be the one going to the dance with him.” I nod in agreement. “You seem to focus on me, but who are you going to the dance with?”
“I haven’t thought that far ahead. You know me, I’ll find someone.” The guy who sits behind me in class was at the top of my list until that went up in smoke. Now, the only guy I can think about at all is Jace.
“I’m heading out. I’ll talk to you later.” Jasmine hoists her pack onto her shoulder.
“Okay.” I wave as she leaves.
All right, operation Find Jasmine a Date has commenced. She’s capable of finding her own, being stunning, but she’s not interested in the “dating scene” as she calls it. Besides, with Jace and Alex scaring the living shit out of anyone who decides they like her, Jasmine doesn’t get many offers. Hence, the challenge ahead of me.
There’re three guys I’ve selected, Andrew being at the top. Unfortunately, Erick and Lane are friends with Jace, so convincing them may be harder to do. They’ve had it ingrained into them that they’re not to entertain any notions of either myself or Jasmine. Courtesy of our brothers. Which has its setbacks, since most of their friends are hot as fuck. But for the most part, it’s a blessing, allowing my focus to remain on school, and getting into college.
Lost in thought, I gather my stuff and walk out of the locker room, rushing into a solid chest. As I bounce backwards, an arm snaps securely around my waist, preventing an embarrassing fall. My hands find and grip thick biceps as the muscular arm tightens firmly. With my breathing reengaged, recognition flares as his scent hits my senses.
Jace.
His body is covered in sweat, and I can’t decide whether it should gross me out, or turn me on. My body doesn’t seem as confused as it leans closer of its own accord and inhales deeply. Did I just smell him? Yeah, I totally did.
“¡Mierda! Lo siento.,” I exclaim in Spanish, but still clutch and possibly caress his well-defined arms.
“Whoa! Mare, what’s going on?” His face is so cute when it scrunches up, all worried. “Hello… Marisol?” Jace waves a hand in front of my face, trying for my attention.
My cheeks flare with heat as I drag my eyes from his chest. “Um…”
A cocky smile tugs at his mouth, his body flexing under my grasp. “You started babbling,” he chuckles. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing,” I squeak. Oh, jeez. There it is… I’m one of those girls now.
“You sure?” Now he’s teasing, knowing full well that I’m drooling over his touch.
Teasing?Is he flirting? It’s then that I realize he hasn’t let go. My body is flush against his, chest to chest, hip to hip, and softness to hardness in all the right places. Enough with our dance of denial. Let’s test the theory.
Leaning closer, hand planted on his bare chest, I whisper, “I’m better now.”
Jace inhales sharply; eyes exploring, devouring every miniscule movement. The intensity building between us thickens the air, causing the organ in my chest to thump heavily as my entire body warms with his proximity.
“You shouldn’t say things like that, Marisol.” His words are coarse, growling up his throat as he leans close.
“Why?” The question’s a soft whisper as my hand trails across the hard plains of his chest, only to slow on his pounding heart.
Jace locks my hand in place with his own, his eyes pinch closed as if my touch is physically painful, before breathing deep, and then capturing my gaze again. “Because I’m trying to be honorable and stay away from my sister’s best friend.”
