Grabbing our stuff, we head upstairs to their apartment. Jase unlocks the door and opens it wide for Quinn and me to walk through. I stop in my place when I see a woman sitting on the couch, fiddling with her cell phone. I glance around and don’t see Jax anywhere. Does she live here as well?
She looks up, and it’s as if she doesn’t even notice Quinn or me in the room as she smiles at Jase. She’s naturally beautiful with fiery red hair and emerald green eyes, but she looks exhausted—like she has the weight of the world sitting on her shoulders. Her eyes then dart to me, and she glares daggers my way. When her gaze goes back to Jase, her smile comes back. Interesting…
“Jase!” She jumps off the couch and flies into his arms. His eyes meet mine, and he shoots me, what looks like, a silent apology. The woman is dressed in black jeans that are clearly too tight on her, and a tiny blue tank top. A large tattoo peeks out from under her shirt on her lower back, disappearing under the top of her jeans. And a twinge of jealousy surfaces as I wonder if Jase was the one to give it to her.
“Amaya,” he says, pulling away from her. “How are you?” His eyes trails down her body, not like he’s checking her out, but more like he’s making sure she’s okay.
“I’m fine,” she says a bit too upbeat. It reminds me of the way my mom speaks to Victoria to hide how drunk she is, or when she doesn’t want her to know we’re without electric or water. “Are you going to introduce me to your friend?” She nods my way. “Or is she Quinn’s friend?” she adds, hope evident in her voice.
“She’s with Jase,” Quinn says matter-of-factly to the woman, and I bite down on my bottom lip to stifle a smile. Quinn just got major points for that in my book.
“This is Celeste,” Jase says, then turns toward me. “This is my friend, Amaya.”
“Best friend,” Amaya corrects with a bit of snark in her tone.
“Nice to meet you,” I say politely. “I’m going to shower the sand and ocean off me.” I give Jase a soft smile so he knows I’m trying to be nice and leave them to talk. She’s obviously here for a reason.
“Bye!” Amaya waves at me like she’s five years old.
Jase shoots her a cool glare, then mouths a thank you to me.
* * *
I let out a soft sigh as the hot water rains down and massages my scalp. My eyes are closed so the shampoo doesn’t burn them as the water rinses the suds and salt from my hair. I’m completely lost in myself, in my thoughts, so I don’t hear Jase come in. When the shower door opens, and the cool air pricks my heated flesh, I let out a loud shriek. Jase laughs, but when his eyes land on my now pebbled nipples, his laughter stops, and the smile he was just sporting turns into pure hunger.
“Get in or get out! It’s cold out there!” I yell, trying to sound mad. A laugh breaks through, though, giving me away.
Jase steps in and closes the door behind him, and that’s when I notice he’s naked—which makes sense since he’s getting in the shower with me. His dick is semi-hard, and it bobs heavy between his thighs as he steps toward me. The shower is a decent size, but not huge, so he doesn’t have far to go. Wordlessly, Jase picks me up and pushes me against the wall. The water continues to fall around us, but it doesn’t deter him in the slightest. My legs wrap around his waist, and my fingers grip his shoulders. His mouth finds mine, and he devours me. His tongue pushes through my lips, and I taste everything that is Jase. His cock pokes against my ass, and I let out a moan, needing him to be inside me. The air around us grows thick with lust. Our bodies go from zero to one hundred in a split second, with a single touch. And a million thoughts hit me at once, like how is it so easy to get lost in this man? Is it like this for everyone in the beginning? Will it always feel this way with Jase? This explosive? Is this how it was for my mom?
My heart constricts as Jase pushes up into me, filling me completely. Our kiss turns rougher, more demanding. I can feel him everywhere. His fingers digging into my ass, his mouth devouring mine. His dick thrusting in and out of me. Every part of him is touching me. It’s as if he’s become an extension of me. He’s gotten under my skin, and there’s no getting him out.