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“I’m sorry.” Jace’s voice was softer, but unfortunately, she could still hear it when he said all angsty and throaty and appealingly, “I love Ayla and I’ve got to get through to her so she knows I would never betray her with Iluminada and how deeply I love her.”
Ayla leaned her head against the door as more tears came.
“Ayla!” The neighbor, Joseph, was banging on the door now, startling her away from it. “Open up so this guy can profess his love to you and I can get some sleep.”
“No,” she yelled again. “I can’t let him trick me.”
If she looked into those eyes of his … she’d probably be sunk, and she’d be the one stupidly professing her love. Giving up her life and her family to chase after him. She’d been willing to do that. Not now. No way.
Her phone beeped a text. She pulled it out. Taryn.
No stinking way! I’m coming over now.
Please come quick. Jace is here.
The neighbor on the other side, Mary, was calling her cell phone, so she didn’t see Taryn’s response. Ayla slid it on.
“Ayla, dear, there’s a ruckus. Should I call the police, or do you know the handsome gentleman outside your door? It’s the same one who came by an hour ago. Charming, good manners, and those brown eyes ... Got my old ticker racing, I tell you. He’s a right handsome one.”
Ayla pushed out a breath. “I know him,” she admitted. She knew those brown eyes. “Don’t call the police.”
Though it would serve Jace right if the police hauled him away.
“Ayla, please let me in,” Jace said.
“Please,” Joseph called louder.
“Let him in, sweetheart,” Mary urged.
Ayla growled and flung the door open, then dropped her phone and just stared.
Jace stood there, looking like the hero of her every dream. His dark brown eyes were full of angst and love for her. His muscles were all tight, outlined in the long-sleeved shirt he wore. This strong, perfect man could and had rescued her heart, body, and soul. He was so incredibly handsome, so … Jace. She wanted to kiss him all over his face.
No! She was still heartbroken and angry. The image of him kissing Iluminada was seared into her brain. Her stomach clenched in pain.
“What do you want?” she demanded.
“You,” he said softly, staring deeply into her eyes.
“Well, you can’t have me. You’ve got Iluminada.”
“Ayla.”
Joseph looked on with interest. Apparently, working in the morning wasn’t quite as important. Mary peeked out of her door as well.
“Can I come in?” Jace asked.
Ayla didn’t respond. She simply stared at him.
“Where are you from, handsome?” Mary asked.
“Colorado,” he told her, giving her his appealing smile. “Jace Jardine.” He nodded to her and then extended his hand to Joseph. “Nice to meet you both.”
“You too.” Joseph looked at Ayla as if Jace using his manners should convince her to give him a chance.
“He came all this way,” Mary said. “And he’s so handsome.”
Jace’s smile grew a little bigger, but his dark eyes were full of pain and anguish.
