Page 210 of Malice and Surrender
“Shit, I’m sorry. Why didn’t you say anything?” I placed my hand on his chest, and his eyes softened.
“I don’t lean. I deal. I fix things when they need to be fixed. That’s who I am.”
There was a whole lot of telling off I wanted to do, but one thing at a time. “So what does that have to do with tonight?”
“After speaking with the guys, we agreed I’d make a few calls and get someone else lined up. I don’t know how he found out, but he threatened that if I left him, he’d dig up anything he could on you and release it publicly, making it impossible for us to be together. I know he’d do it too. I could see it in his eyes. I don’t know when he turned the corner from having morals to none, but I wasn’t following him down that street.”
Jace rolled out his shoulder and walked in a circle as he took a few deep breaths. It was easy to see how this was getting to him, and I couldn’t blame him. This had to be picking at old memories of his family.
“I decided on the plane, which is why I never spoke to anyone. Besides, even if I had thought of this before leaving, Avro is already dealing with enough. Kai would never have let you get on the plane, and I was unsure what you’d do.”
“Son of a bitch. I can’t believe Allen did all of this.” I groaned, annoyed with myself for not talking to Jace about my gut feeling at the concert. “He was questioning me and promised to find out if I was a gold digger at your concert. Said if I was, he’d ruin me.”
Jace glared, and I swallowed hard. “Why didn’t you tell me? I asked if he threatened you, and you said no.”
I shrugged. “Honestly, I figured you’d blow a gasket. Then he’d have all the ammunition to want me out, make you look bad, or both. I hoped it was better to let the heat die down and have it blow over. Maybe he would end up excited about us. I should’ve said something, but I thought I was protecting you.”
“Guys like Allen don’t blow over, not unless you beat them with a big stick first.”
“I see that now.”
“Anyway, I decided to get ahead of him and his plans. I fired him just before they announced the award winner. Now if he digs up shit, he will look like a petty, bitter ex-employee that just wants to stir up dirt. The millions that were watching will have our back. They will crush him. Having fans has its difficulties, but in a situation like this, there is no one better to have at your back than millions devoted to you.”
“But this is a gimmick. Won’t your fans just see through what you’ve done if Allen does do something?”
Jace stood up straight but cupped my chin. “I didn’t have time to prep anyone, and yes, this was much faster than I would’ve done if given the option, but it’s not a gimmick. You and what we have are not a joke to me, Raine. I’d be honored if you married me, and I mean that. It’s not just placating or pretty words. Avro has always been part of my heart, and now you are as well, and I’m not letting that go. Not for Kai, and definitely not for fucking Allen.”
It was not lost on me that he used my name, not Peaches. Butterflies took flight in my stomach, and I tried to picture myself as Mrs. Everly. I smiled and wanted to go all mushy. I mean, who wouldn’t? But there were other people in the relationship to consider and there was a gnawing of guilt that was marring the happiness.
“Look, the thing is that no matter what I said out there, we can’t get married for any reason without talking to Avro and Kai. We can play it up for the media if you want, but they would be crushed. Not only do I not want to do that to them, but if I’m getting married, I want all of you to be involved,” I said.
Jace stepped back and rubbed at his chin. He looked so serious with the furrowed brow and intense stare.
“You’re right, I feel the same, but I’m just trying to figure out how to play this.”
I grabbed his hands, and they felt so hot compared to mine.
“We don’t need to figure it all out now. We can talk about it on the plane and then speak to the guys when we get back. As for right now, we’ll go out there and pretend all is normal. What I’m saying is, you don’t need to fix it all tonight.”
“You’re amazing, and I know why Avro fell so hard and why Kai has never stopped. I wasn’t certain I wanted anything in my life to change, but you’re worth every second of it.”
I couldn’t stop the blush from spreading. “I can’t believe the first time you told me you loved me was on national television.” He smirked.
“You always remember your firsts. There is no way you’ll ever forget that,” he said, tipping my head up and dropping his mouth to nip at my lower lip. “I wish I didn’t have one more award to wait for because I’ve been dying to get you out of this dress all night.”
“Now, if it were Kai, he’d have just done it in front of everyone.” I teased and loved that, for once, I was getting to poke at him.
Jace’s lip curved up. “Don’t tempt me ‘cause I’m all for it. You must know by now that I love when people watch. Let them drool. Let them hate. I don’t fucking care. It all turns me on.” Turning my head to the side, he kissed my jumping pulse. “Maybe I should. I’m not sure how I will top that first award speech, and that would definitely do it.” He nipped at the sensitive skin, and I shuddered in his hold. “What do you think, Peaches? You want to be my naughty girl and let me fuck you on stage?”
“No amount of begging or pretty words is going to make that happen,” I said and then sucked in a sharp breath as his hand easily slipped between the high cut split in the dress, his fingers sliding between my thighs. “Even if you proposed again, I wouldn’t do it,” I panted as his finger rubbed little circles, teasing me.
“I do love a challenge, Peaches, but you’re right. We shouldn’t get arrested. At least not tonight. We need to spread out the firsts.” Moaning, my hands gripped his shoulders as his finger pushed into me. “Such a good girl not wearing any underwear.” Jace sank his finger deeper, and my hands gripped the material of his jacket into my fist. I couldn’t even care that it would wrinkle the material.
“We shouldn’t be doing this,” I said. “What if someone sees us?”
“Then they’re going to get a show ‘cause I’m not waiting any longer to be inside this sweet pussy of yours. Unzip my cock and pull it out,” Jace ordered, his finger never stopping the teasing assault driving me crazy.
“Jace, I don’t….”
