by H. M. Irwing
Jace: Wakey wakey, sleepyhead!
Lucy grinned at her messages from him. There were ten in all, and all from Jace.
Jace: Get your sweet ass up and call me.
Jace: Its freaking nine am, are you planning on sleeping the day away? Call me.
Jace: You better be up by now or I am coming right over.
Jace: Babe?
Jace: Honey?
Jace: Wtf Lucy? I am trying to get some work done here. Call me.
And those were the just the few that didn’t require censorship. Lucy pressed the call icon and waited for Jace to answer.
“Where have you been?” Jace demanded instantly, forgetting his manners.
“Good morning, Jace darling.” Lucy murmured pointedly.
“If you wanted me to wish you good morning, darling, you should have answered your freaking messages.”
“I would have answered them if I had seen them.”
“Figures!” He huffed back and then the phone went dead. Lucy stared at it incredulously. Had he just hung up on her? Grumbling at what looked to be a poor start for her day, Lucy got out of bed again and made haste over her usual ritual. She craved her daily dose of morning coffee with a penchant that surprised her, knowing it was only after her morning coffee and breakfast that she would feel remotely human enough to function rationally at all.
“What’s with you anyway?” asked Emily, much later, still rummaging about in her drawers as Lucy emerged from the bathroom dressed for the day in her usual assortment of mismatched clothing. “Jace’s been here for hours already, and quite frankly he’s been in the way. Can’t you…?”
But whatever else she had been about to say was lost on Lucy as she scrambled out the door, making for the dining room as quickly as she could.
It was empty but for Jace. Lucy crossed the room in record time and flung herself into his outstretched arms. The wide grin on his face brought about an answering grin of her own.
“You’re still here,” she whispered, breathing him in.
“I never left,” Jace agreed, then added, “We have a lot to discuss. I waited for your parents to head off to work before coming down for breakfast.” Jace grinned down at her and Lucy was quite simply happy. “I am thinking we could spend the day together.”
Lucy blushed prettily, excited to have Jace there with her. “Yeah, okay,” she whispered shyly. It didn’t make sense that he made her feel this way around him. They had known each other just about forever; there was reason to feel so bashful in his company.
But knowing that did nothing to stop her from ducking her head and tucking in her morning meal. Gone were her usual tendencies to indulge in breaky with relish, instead Lucy felt abnormally shy and that made her the butt of Jace’s teasing. He responded to work emails on his phone while he teased and taunted Lucy on the side. But, for once, her famous temper did not rise to the bait.
Lucy found she even suffered Jace’s taunting over her bland choice and unexciting breakfast with equanimity. She doubted anything could get a rise out of her today; Lucy was just that content. She gulped down her coffee with secret delight.
“Right, get a change of clothes and a swimsuit. We are going swimming today,” said Jace.
That put a damper on the mood. Swimming? It was not as if Jace would go down to down to the local haunt. Besides, just thinking of the local swimming pool was a turn-off. Lucy hated having to pass her eyes over that many bare asses and bare breasts all jiggling for attention in the changing rooms. It just amazed her how the women would just strip bare before strangers. Call her old-fashioned, but it gave her the creeps. She’d imagine the men’s changing room wouldn’t be any different.
Besides, the local pool was just so not Jace’s scene. But they couldn’t be going off to his dad’s place, could they? The Neils would bar her entry. So, where the hell were they going swimming? The beach?
“Hurry up! Half the day is gone already.”
That had Lucy scuttling forward to comply. She ran back upstairs to dive into her swimsuit and tug on a pair of dilapidated jean shorts which, like the rest of her wardrobe, had seen better days. It was not as if Lucy couldn’t afford a new pair, but rather she preferred the already-broken-in look. It suited her equally unkempt form rather nicely. Tugging on a t-shirt with faded lettering that could no longer be deciphered, Lucy was ready to go.
“I’m ready,” Lucy announced out loud as she skipped down the stairs, her trusty bag, packed with a change, in tow.
A wail rang out from above at that.
“Noooo! You cannot leave without telling me where the damn rollers are,” cried out Emily.
That, if nothing else, had her shooting out of the house at warp speed. She had to run along laughingly with Jace a fair bit as his car was parked a distance away so that it remained hidden out of sight. Jace clearly thought of everything. Lucy was huffing and puffing and generally out of breath by the time she was buckled into its seats. Jace breathed hard beside her, sparing her a wicked grin before he shifted his car into gear, and then they were off.
“So where are we going?” Lucy asked excitedly.
“To Richard’s place,” Jace said blithely, “he has loaned me the use of his apartment.”
Then, at Lucy’s horrified look, Jace added, “Don’t worry, he won’t be there, and even if he was, he won’t be bothering you again. I’ve had words with him and he understands that you are off limits.”
Lucy, somehow, didn’t share his confidence. Richard was not the sort to just leave things be.
“We could go elsewhere,” Lucy suggested. There was no need to go swimming. But Jace shook his head. Reaching out, he got hold of her hand and intertwined his fingers about hers.
“Nope, I need some alone time with you where we can be ourselves. I want to have some fun with you,” Jace dropped her an endearing grin, and just like that her sensible protests died a sudden death. Lucy smiled back at him, willing to go wherever he led.
Chapter 12
The clear, blue water barely rippled as his power-packed dive cleaved through its surface in a controlled effort.
“You should be in the Olympics,” Lucy exclaimed from the sidelines as Jace emerged, dripping water as he ran a hand through his damp hair.
He flashed her a quick grin at that, then said unsurprisingly, “Now why would I want to do that? Swimming is all fun for me. I am not about to turn it into work.”
“You’re incorrigible,” Lucy grinned at him then playfully splashed at him before running away from the pool’s edge.
“You really shouldn’t have done that,” he said with all seriousness, but Lucy saw the impish glimmer in his eyes and knew he was up to no good. She watched with baited anticipation as his slicked wet body emerged from the pool. His arms and thighs contracted to haul up and support his weight, visibly bulking up the muscles he had there and drying her throat at the same time.
“Uh-uh,” she doubled back as he lunged forward. With a skittish yelp, Lucy threw herself into the water with a loud messy splash, but Jace wasn’t far behind. Diving back in right after her, he reached up to make a grab for her as she struggled to surface. Lucy was pulled under. Still holding her breath, she felt the pressure mounting as the need to breathe grew, but then he was kicking them both up to the surface and Lucy drew in a mighty gasp of much-needed air.
“Are you alright? I’m sorry that was stupid of me. I caught you too quick. You didn’t have a chance to draw in a breath first. I’m sorry,” called out Jace urgently, growing frantic at her lack of response. “Speak to me, dammit! “
Lucy slapped his wet chest with her open palm, effectively getting him to shut up. Anger rose to the surface. His stunt had been infantile. He could have… but her gaze was then caught and held in his. Darkened wet lashes framed his baby blues and the fire in Lucy’s liquid gold turned into something else entirely. Without a word, Lucy wound her legs about his waist and took his lips in a hungry, devouring kiss.
Jace reacted on instinct. H
e hauled her up higher and pressed her in closer, never breaking contact as he took over and ruled the kiss. They gulped and slurped at each other, taking face eating to new heights until Jace caved in and called a halt,” Enough! Any more and I will…”
“Will what?” Lucy asked, still struggling to get back some semblance of control over her aching body that only wanted to grind itself against him, and then some.
“I will not be responsible for my actions,” he replied firmly.
“If you are not responsible, then will I be?” Lucy questioned suggestively. “Will I be responsible… for… your… actions?”
“Stop it,” he grouched, before grinding his hips hard against her and eliciting a moan of excitement. Lucy laughed. Loving the feeling of power that playing with fire gave her. Jace shifted his hold to push her up higher so that he could bury his face in the valley between her breasts. He shook his head like a wet dog and Lucy squealed, calling out, “Uncle!”.
His blue eyes darkened as passion clearly took over. Their lips met one last time. Parched for more and then drinking hungrily from each other, before Jace tore them apart to abruptly toss her aside in a resounding splash and kicked off to the opposite ends of the pool.
Lucy spluttered as she drew up for air. Her gaze raced across the expanse of the pool to lock in with Jace’s. All humour drained away at the intense hunger she saw reflected in their depths. Lucy gulped helplessly, knowing hers reflected the same. His fingers clenched to grip the pool sides as if to hold him physically back.
The moment ticked by yet neither of them moved. Their breathing grew ragged. Finally, Lucy couldn’t stand it anymore. In a mindless whimper, she called out, “Jace?”
Hauling himself out of the pool, Jace paused one moment to let her see the full implication of her effect on him and then he was gone, oblivious to the heat churning within her own veins.
Lucy made use of the only other bathroom in the apartment, standing beneath the spray of cold water. Showering away the chlorinated water, she thought back to their fun-filled afternoon, disappointed it had ended abruptly.
Yet at the same time, Lucy couldn’t help being touched; Jace had held back for her. Lucy was so lost in her own thoughts that she didn’t immediately register the presence of another in the bathroom. But when she did, Lucy stifled a shriek to shut the water and face her observer.
“Don’t mind me. I can wait my turn,” said the husky voice Lucy was beginning to recognise.
“I’ll scream,” Lucy threatened automatically.
“You would have done so already if you really meant to,” he said.
“Please leave,” she said firmly, trying to see him through the foggy glass, yet thankful at the same time to have the fog obscuring him. It meant he couldn’t see her either, at least not entirely.
But Lucy still needed to reach her towel and he knew that. But try as she might, Lucy found she couldn’t even scream for Jace. Oddly enough, her throat felt constricted and tight. She swallowed a dry lump down her throat and called out determinedly, “Jace?”
The deep chuckle was mocking. “Is that the best you can do?”
She shuddered in reaction and called out harder, “Jace! ”
“Missing me already,” said Jace, sounding remarkably close. “I heard you the first time, luv.” The door to the bathroom swung open to reveal Jace.
“What the hell?” There was a strange smacking sound and then, “Don’t you ever try that again!”
Lucy peered through the clearing fog and saw Jace’s fist captured in Richard’s grip. They strained against each other, but she could see them easily now. Lucy snapped open the door, using their momentary distraction to reach out a groping hand to feel for the towel on the nearby rack. Touching fabric, Lucy tugged it forth and was quick to wrap it around her.
Fairly decent, she then rounded on the two testosterone-flexing men and yelled, “Out! I need to get some clothes on.” Anger rose to the rescue, stifling embarrassment at being caught in such a predicament and getting the attention of both men in the bathroom.
Richard turned glittering dark voids at her and said, “No need to shout, love. We can hear you just fine.” Then, glancing back at a furious Jace, he added, “Jace and I were just about finished here, I think. If you will excuse me, I’ll go cool off.” He threw a heated glance Lucy’s way before turning to the door, “I’ll see you tomorrow for a country weekend at the farm.”
With that, he stepped out. Lucy shuddered out a relieved breath and moved to get dressed. Turning to Jace, she met his intense stare and knew she would be in for it on the way home. They didn’t waste any time leaving Richard’s apartment and the drive home was tense.
Lucy spent most of it staring at Jace’s expressive hands as they flexed and clenched over the steering wheel in agitation. She was in part angry with Jace for letting that happen. She had warned him, it had not been a good idea going to Richard’s for a swim. He was the culprit behind the Neils’ ambition to have Jace wed Richard’s sister. She should have known something as screwed up as this would happen. Jace should have known it too. They were really both to be blamed.
Lucy could see Jace was clearly unhappy. But she wasn’t entirely sure just where he placed her in the scheme of things. Was he going to blame her for his friend’s crazy schemes? She sat quietly fuming in her seat and clasped her hands tightly in her lap to keep from fidgeting.
All too soon, they were back at her place. Lucy turned to face Jace, wanting to see his expression. He killed the engine and stared back mutely. So, she asked the question that has been bothering her, “You’re angry at me?”
Jace sighed heavily then, “No, just the whole entire situation. Look you don’t have to go this weekend. I’ll make something up that will appease him.”
Lucy didn’t need to know who ‘him’ was, but she needed to know why he mattered at all. “Why must he be kept appeased?”
“Richard is the sole reason we are still solvent. He has been keeping both his company and ours afloat over the last few years. That is why he wants me for his sister—to merge the two companies and reap the benefits of his past efforts on our behalf. We cannot repay him any other way, simply because we don’t have the means.”
“Can’t you just sell out to him?” Lucy asked logically. It was obvious Jace had no yearnings to take over the company’s reins.
“He doesn’t want to buy it outright, not when he doesn’t have to. We are indebted to him in more ways than you can think. He’s just calling in his chips.” Jace let out a heavy sigh. “Besides, he doesn’t trust the documented understanding we have in place. Richard has serious trust issues. And quite possibly with some reason,” Jace paused to smirk at that. “He wants to take things just that step further and needs something ironclad that will hold us together when the profits roll in,” explained Jace gloomily. Lucy didn’t understand it, but she knew Dad could explain it to her better. She would have to ask him about it later.
“I’ll see you shortly,” said Jace tiredly. Lucy could guess he was going out to get a meal from the local diner then pop back for sleepover. She felt sorry that he could not just dine with them, but he had the right idea; her Dad would frown on his nightly visits.
And Lucy could not bear to have him simply stop coming. She leaned over to kiss his cheeks and then he was gone, gently rolling down the rough road, tires popping over loose gravel.
She opened the door to the solemn vibe of her family and knew instantly she was in trouble.
“Look at the time,” started her mum, “it’s almost dinner and you didn’t even have the courtesy to call and let me know you would be running late…” Mum’s voice faded in and out as she bustled about getting the evening meal ready while maintaining her tirade at Lucy.
“Sorry, Mum, I lost track of time,” Lucy explained feebly. She looked to her dad for his usual support, but he refused to look back at her; instead he simply moved to take his usual spot at the table, and said, “Eat.”
Dinner was a
sober affair. The twins’ presence was sorely missed. They would sleepover at their friend’s house after the party. This was the last week of school break. Next week would be positively gloomy with the twins off to summer camp, not because they needed to, but because they wanted to and for varying reasons. Lucy had to shake her head at that—Cat and her constant need for more studies, and Emily’s desire to mingle.
Then Jace would be back at his final term of university, although his courses there would only start three weeks later, but being heavily involved in sports, Jace usually re-joined earlier. As much to get away from the office as to indulge in what he loved—footy. But in all that, Lucy would be left here, alone and clueless as to her future.
Lucy was not happy with herself at that moment. She envied everyone else who had drive, ambition, a purpose in life. Music had been her life. Her purpose. And if she denied herself that then what else was there? Lucy sighed heavily as she munched on the peas she hated and then downed them with a gulp of water. She looked up to see Dad doing the same.
He hated his peas too. She learnt this method of eating them from him. An involuntary grin broke free and Lucy beamed up her amusement at Dad. Catching on, Dad guffawed heartily as well. Just like that the subdued vibe was gone and oddly enough it was the horrible peas that saved the day.
It was with a light heart that Lucy went up to bed that night. It was later then she had planned. Mum, Dad and Lucy had enjoyed a good laugh over the silliest things after the pea incident. She guessed they all needed a reprieve from everything on their minds.
Lucy pushed open her room door and was happy to see Jace already in bed. Propped up against her pillows with her bed sheet riding low across his hips, Lucy stared at the inviting expanse of his naked chest. Her eyes trailing along the ridges of his tanned abs. Then she let her gaze ride slowly up to lit on the wolfish grin he wore on his face. He patted the spot beside him and gave her a wicked grin.