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“So I’m not leaving?” I ask, needing to hear him confirm it for me.
“Not yet.” His answer causes me to let out a breath and relax back against him.
He wraps his arms around me and rests his chin on my head. We fit together perfectly. His warm embrace makes me feel safe. It could be because I was on edge from the moment I saw Claudia standing outside my door, but with his arms around me, I feel like my body has gone limp.
“I should probably go. Claudia is waiting for me to sign these.” I shake the papers again for emphasis. I’ve been holding onto them so tightly they’ve crinkled slightly. I’ll have to flatten them out first.
“Or you could stay for a while and make her wait.”
The thought is enticing. I am enjoying the way I feel right now. I also know things can change quickly, and the last thing I want is to move to fast with Lennon. I can see myself falling for him, but I can also see myself getting hurt if I let that happen before really getting to know him.
Turning in his arms, I push up on the balls of my feet and gently press my lips against his. It catches him off guard, and he sucks in a swift breath before moving his hands from my hips to my face.
“Thank you,” he says, admiring my face as he traces my bottom lip with his thumb.
“For what?”
“I felt like I stole our kiss yesterday. I didn’t ask permission. The fact that you kissed me willingly just now means a lot to me.” I can hear the sincerity in his voice. “I have to confess it makes me want to kiss you again.”
What are you waiting for? I want to ask but don’t.
“I’m sure you will,” I say instead, unwrapping myself from his embrace and turning for the door. Looking over my shoulder as I step outside, I thank him for his help. All he does is smile and wave as I pull the door closed behind me.
Jace is standing outside his villa talking to Drake when I turn around. Waving to both of them, I walk back to my villa with a smile on my face. If one little kiss can make me smile this big, I wonder what a real kiss would feel like.
Would it be like fireworks exploding?
Would I come unglued at his touch?
I’m getting ahead of myself. One day at a time. One kiss at a time.
First things first. I need to settle this contract with Claudia. Then I need to get ready for tonight. I have no idea what’s going to happen, but I need to be prepared for anything. Someone has to go home, and there’s no guarantee they don’t rig it so Jace and I are the victims of their little plan.
Claudia leavesin a huff after I sign her paperwork, making sure she knew to pass on the message that I’m not going to take shit for the fact I stood up for myself and everyone else. If they thought they were going to be able to manipulate me because I came here with a broken heart, get me to do whatever it took to move past my ex, they have another thing coming to them.
I’m here to play. I’m here to stay.
I will be the last woman standing, and I’ll do whatever it takes to make sure it happens.
I’ll find a way to make every last one of the guys fall in love with me and break hearts in the process, hopefully keeping mine perfectly intact in the process.
Starting tonight, it’s game on. I’m focused. No more distractions from Jace and Lennon.
Well, as best as I can help myself. Because if I’m honest with myself, their mere presence has me on edge. I’m teetering between the two, leaning into one and then the other. Drawn by the magnetic pull I feel from both of them. I could easily fall into either of their arms. Without hesitation.
It’s going to take a lot of concentration and self-control not to lose focus on the bigger goal.
I pull my hair into a messy knot off to the side of the base of my neck, then take one of the umbrellas from the drinks the other night, open it, and then stick it in the knot. Steeling my resolve, I slip into a floor-length black dress that hugs me in all the right places. I love how this gown makes me feel and can’t help but admire myself as I twirl in front of the mirror. But it’s still missing something, so I finalize my look with teardrop diamond earrings and a long gold chain that dips into the cleavage of my dress.
It’s not until I have my heels on that I feel empowered to walk out the door and to the meeting where I’ll find out if I’m being sent packing or if I get a chance to stay and decide if I want to fall.
The girls are waiting for me when I finally exit my villa. We’re walking together in a united front, knowing that one of us won’t be making the walk back. Kyra slips her arm through mine, and we bring up the rear of the line.
“Thank you,” she says, leaning in close.
“For what?”
“For being you. For taking a stand when it would have been easier to just let them have complete control. For being my friend and helping me come out of my shell. No matter what happens tonight, I want you to know that I’ve had more fun in the last three days than I think I’ve ever had in my entire life. I may not have wanted to come here, but I’m so glad I did.”
