Hooked by Love (Bellevue Bullies #3) Read online

  “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?”

  Nodding my head, I look at him. “Yeah, I bet.”

  “And so we’ve all been recovering from it, because we were like the perfect family. Yeah, my dad can be a dick sometimes, but we were a unit. He went to all our games, supported us with my mom, and I thought they loved each other. That he loved us enough to be faithful to us, but then it all went to shit.”

  “That blows.”

  He nods. “Yeah, but like I said, we are trying to find our footing. Because when he left, he left. Took everything. Thankfully, me and my brothers were on full-ride scholarships, so that’s why we were able to come here. But man, he really did a number on us.”

  “Wow.” I really don’t know what to say. I can see the pain on Jace’s face and it hurts me. Like, guts me when really it shouldn’t. This isn’t my problem, it’s his, but it feels like my problem. It’s clear he hasn’t gotten over the betrayal of his father or the pain of watching his mother hurt over the whole thing. He’s still hurting. “So is that why you wanted to be a player?”

  He laughs, rolling his eyes. “I am a player, thank you.” He just laughs harder when he meets my cynical gaze. Shrugging, he looks away. “I just don’t want to go through what my mom and sister went through. They both were cheated on and hurt bad. I don’t want that.”

  “Who does?” I say sullenly, and he nods.

  “Exactly, but anyway, it’s been like two years and Mom has been really down, really only living for us. So I guess I should be happy she wants to date.”

  “You should. That’s nice.”

  “It’s just weird, you know?”

  When he looks at me, I smile. “Not really. Sorry.”

  “No, it’s fine. I’m just running my mouth and I don’t know why. I usually don’t talk about this. It’s just…” He trails off and glances at me shyly, which makes me fight back a grin.

  “Easy?” I supply and he nods.

  “Yeah.” He lets go of my hand to wrap his arm around my shoulders, holding me close. “So, yeah, it was hell when Coach asked, but I guess I should just go with it.”

  “How do your brothers feel about it? And your sister…Lucy, was it?”

  He nods. “Yeah, youngest of four, and they are cool with it. Want my mom to be happy.”

  “That’s really sweet.”

  He shrugs. “Yeah, I love my family.”

  I could tell that even without his saying it. I’m jealous of his wholehearted love for his family. I wish I had that. I wish I could stand there and just know I love my family and they love me, but I can’t. Usually, when someone loves you, they prove it with their actions and don’t just depend on the three words as enough. With Jace, it’s crystal clear he loves them. No words needed, it’s just there. I wish I had that.

  “So you said your mom and dad are still married?”

  Looking up at him, I nod. “Yup, and I have two older brothers and a twin brother, but they all treat me like an afterthought.”

  His face twists with confusion. “Don’t get along with them, I take it?”

  I laugh. “What makes you say that?”

  “You might as well have said, ‘I hate them all,’” he laughs and I shrug.

  “They aren’t very good to me, I guess,” I say, but then I pause because I’ve already said too much.

  “Why’s that?”

  See? He wants to know stuff, and I just don’t know how to share it. I never had to because no one ever cared enough to ask. Well, Mekena did, but I just lied to her. Meeting Jace’s gaze, I really don’t think I can lie to him.

  “I may be a twin, but I feel like the last priority and not li