“We should work on some stuff together, merge our sets together. It would be awesome.”

“For sure.” He does have a great voice and I could definitely grow from working with him.

“So you wanna go out tonight? Drink it up?”

I feel Jace’s gaze on me; it’s like he is staring a hole in the side of my head and I know why. His comment from earlier about me being his girl still has the hairs on my arms standing at attention. Apparently, he wasn’t joking around. Not that I thought he was anyway. He doesn’t seem like one of those guys who just says stuff. He usually means it. I have no intention of blowing him off, though, but I’m not blowing off this opportunity either. “I actually have plans tonight. So, let me get with him, and then I can see you later.”

“Oh, I didn’t know you had a boyfriend,” he says and I quirk my brow.

“I don’t,” I say even though Jace is still staring at me. I mean, he isn’t my boyfriend, so I don’t know why I feel awkward for saying that. It’s the truth. I don’t even want a boyfriend.

Right?

“Oh. Cool.”

“Yeah, see ya, Todd.” I wave as he walks away before I go back to packing up.

“So I have competition? Cool.”

Glancing over at Jace, my lips curve. “What in the hell are you talking about?”

His eyes are playful. “Your fan there, he clearly wants you.”

Laughing, I roll my eyes. “Please, be real.”

“One hundred percent real, right here.”

“Whatever.” I wave him off before I stand.

“Don’t believe me, it’s cool. But I’m not backing down to that dude.”

Narrowing my eyes, I shake my head. “You have nothing to worry about.” He eyes me suspiciously and I roll my eyes again.

“But I’m not your boyfriend,” he supplies, his eyes burning into mine and I nod.

“You’re not.”

“But would a ‘friend’ do this?”

Before I can even move, he reaches out and takes me by the front of my jeans, pulling me to him as his arm snakes around me. I can’t even catch my next breath before his mouth is on mine, devouring me. Just like they did last night, his kisses take me out of this world. My heart speeds up in my chest, my stomach clenches, and everything is hot. So freaking hot. I wrap my arms around his neck and he deepens the kiss, his tongue playing with mine in such a stimulating and fulfilling way.

Leaning me back, he holds me to him as he kisses me. I swear it feels like he is trying to become one with me. Absorb me inside of him. And I don’t think I’d stop him. His kisses are sinful and perfect, and when he pulls away, I go to my toes, pressing my lips back to his, unable to get enough. His fingers dig into my sides, his heart rattling my chest, it’s beating so hard.

“Get a room,” someone calls out. I think it was Markus, and I grin against Jace’s lips as his hands hold my hips tightly.

Opening my eyes, I find that his are still closed, his mouth so close to mine as his nose rubs against mine in the purest way. He is so beautiful with the way his dark lashes touch his cheeks and how hot his lips are against mine. Finally, he opens his eyes and they are so dark, I’d almost argue they aren’t even green. His gaze is intense and hits me straight in the chest. Everything inside me wants to hold on to him and never let go.

Give him all of me.

But whoa, no. Calm down, killer.

This is too intense.

“I’m pretty sure you’re wearing my lipstick now,” I say as I reach up, running my thumb along his lips to wipe it off.

“Good, maybe then that singer guy won’t try to steal ya from me.” He doesn’t even smile. He’s serious and I’m breathless.

Blinking, because what the hell do I say to that, I just look at him. How did this get so intense? Ah, who am I kidding? It was intense the moment I met him.

“Let’s go,” I say, still trying to catch my breath. His hand slides into mine as I pull away, but I don’t get far before his other hand catches my chin.

“You did great, Avery. I’m thoroughly impressed by you.”

A grin pulls at my lips as I lean into his hand. “Well, thank you. It’s easy to say you were my biggest fan.”

He nods, his own lips curving. “That’s my plan.”

He presses his lips to mine softly but only for a second before he reaches for my guitar and looks at me. “Ready?”

No. I’m not. But I don’t tell him that. I can’t.

I mean, how do you tell someone you’re unable to move because you’re trying not to fall like a sack of boulders for them?

I still haven’t recovered from the moment onstage when Jace kissed me as we head to across campus. Jace, though, he’s great. Animated as all get-out, and even though I’m dealing with my own demons, I can’t help but laugh.

“Like, seriously. I wanted to barf everywhere.”

Laughing, I shake my head as my hand wraps around his thumb, his hand molding around mine. I don’t know why I’m holding his hand. I mean, come on, we aren’t together. But it’s like, any time I’m around him, I have to touch him. It’s hard not to, and he doesn’t make it easy to resist when he’s touching me too. Even if it’s just a brush of his hand or a bump into my shoulder, we somehow end up holding hands.

I know, it’s been maybe twenty-four hours since the first moment I met him, but it’s just so crazy. We are walking, talking about his family so I feel even I know them. He’s so candid, so personable and honest, it’s hard not to fall victim to him. To want to be his.

Oh, Jesus, did I just think that?

I need to stop because I’m pretty sure this is how it was with Caleb. I fell hard and fast and then…

Shaking my head to get rid of the thoughts, I squeeze Jace’s hand, making myself smile as I say, “It couldn’t have been that bad. He just wants to date your mom.”

He gives me a deadpan look. “So I’m guessing your parents are still married?”

I smile. “Yeah.”

“Okay then, you don’t understand the awkwardness of it.” His grin slowly fades as he looks out in front of us. “The split was nasty. My dad is a cheating bastard and my mom is the greatest person in the world, which is why it was so bad. She’s just so good, you know?”