I swore I'd get through the weekend without touching him.
Swore I'd play it cool go to the party, smile at the right people, keep a safe distance from Jace Carter and all the things he made my body feel.
But the second I saw him across the room black shirt hugging his chest, smirk aimed at girls who shouldn't even be looking at him I forgot every single one of my rules.
We were at Mason Blake's house. A graduation blowout. Packed bodies, loud music, red cups sloshing beer on polished floors. The kind of party where everyone came to forget who they were.
And I came to forget that Jace was technically my stepbrother.
He was surrounded by people. Of course. He always was. Tall, cocky, built like trouble. He pulled attention like gravity. Girls leaned in when he talked. Guys mirrored his smirk like they wanted to be him.
I hated how easy it was for him.
And I hated that his eyes found mine before I could look away.
He didn't smile.
He didn't wave.
He just watched.
Like I was the only thing in the room that mattered.
I downed the rest of my drink and turned away, heart racing. I wasn't going to do this. Not here. Not in front of people who'd lose their minds if they knew what happened in my bed last night or in the pantry that afternoon.
But Jace didn't care about being careful.
When I stepped outside for air, he followed.
I heard the sliding door close softly behind me. Felt him at my back.
"You've been avoiding me."
"You've been flirting with everything in a skirt," I snapped, not turning.
"I was watching you the whole time."
That stopped me.
I turned slowly. His eyes were on fire, jaw tight, chest rising under his shirt like he was trying not to snap.
"I told myself I'd stay away tonight," I said.
"Same."
I crossed my arms. "We're not good at keeping promises."
He stepped closer. "Tell me to stop."
"No."
"Tell me to leave you alone."
"Can't."
He reached for me, slow and careful like he knew I'd break apart the second he touched me. His fingers brushed my waist, slid under my shirt, finding bare skin.
"You're not wearing a bra," he said hoarsely.
"I don't wear one for you anymore."
He kissed me.
It wasn't soft. It wasn't sweet.
It was filthy.
Hungry.
Mine.
I gasped as he pressed me back against the side of the house, his hands gripping my hips, lifting me until my legs wrapped around him.
"We're going to get caught," I whispered.
"I don't care."
He pulled my shorts aside, already rock hard against my center. I wasn't wearing panties. Again.
"You do this on purpose," he growled.
"Maybe."
He groaned, pushing inside me in one smooth thrust. I cried out, burying my face in his neck.
God, he felt so good.
The thrill of it the danger, the open air, the party inside it made everything sharper. Better. Hotter.
He moved fast, hard, slamming me against the wall with each thrust, like he couldn't control himself.
"You're mine," he gritted against my ear. "Say it."
"I'm yours."
He bit my shoulder. "Again."
"I'm yours. I'm oh my God Jace"
I came hard, digging my nails into his back, thighs tightening around his waist. He followed seconds later with a deep, guttural sound that made me shiver.
We stayed like that pressed against the wall, bodies locked together until the music inside grew louder and someone yelled from the kitchen.
We jumped apart, breathless.
Clothes adjusted. Mouths swollen. Hearts wrecked.
Jace brushed hair from my face. "You okay?"
I nodded. "That was insane."
"You loved it."
I didn't deny it.
But as we walked back in separately, I saw something I didn't expect.
Avery. By the stairs.
Watching us.
Her arms were crossed, expression unreadable. But her eyes? Ice.
She knew.
Maybe not everything.
But enough.
And just like that, the danger got real.
The Next Morning
I stayed in my room. Door locked. Curtains drawn.
I didn't want to face the mess we made. Didn't want to wonder if Avery would open her big mouth. Didn't want to think about how fast this was spiraling out of control.
My phone buzzed.
Jace: Come outside. Now.
I hesitated.
Then I slipped on a hoodie and stepped out onto the back porch.