This isn't how it should be

My fingers become sticky from the mint chocolate flavored ice-cream oozing between them. The cones turned soggy about fifteen minutes ago while I waited for Jace to return after he ran to a room in haste, leaving me to create a mess since I simply watched, unimpressed as the contents cast a design upon the porcelain tiles surrounding the pool outside the house he invited us to. During his unexplained appearance Friday afternoon, he insisted on making up for his absence with a day of relaxation but Riley's incessant protesting about his weird behavior wouldn't cease upon hearing that, therefore she demanded being brought along with us. Although reluctant, Jace agreed to her argument but only on the condition that I alone be driven with his chauffeur while she follows the directions he gives if she genuinely wanted to 'barge in,' as he put it. It's been a while since I arrived, and she texted me about her departure yet there are still no signs of her. A crisp breeze sway the hem of the white delicate and lacy dress I wore above a matching bathing suit. Scarlet leaves flow from a neighboring tree, landing gracefully on the water's surface with a small ripple. I glance at the melting ice cream with a frown, wondering to myself why I hadn't just eaten it before searching the area in hope of a bin, but my downward smile only deepens when I couldn't locate any.

A short sigh fills the silence as I recall the drive here. Jace explained that this place belong to his grandfather, making it one of the many vacation spots owned by him that's on the coast of a secluded beach. When I made the mistake of inquiring into how he was able to afford all of that he casted me a gaze that almost seemed to ask if I was being serious before returning his attention to his phone, completely disregarding my question. I had gathered some more courage to try peeking at his screen, but he only turned it away with a tut and a shake of his index finger. Going off of my extensive knowledge of romance novels, guys only did that when they had a surprise to keep hidden. With that in mind I remained quiet and instead stared out the window as the car rolled onto a stone driveway lined stylishly with plants toward a house. A wooden two-story with matching outdoor chaise lounge chairs and circular tables beside a kidney shaped pool. I spotted a grill behind the glass balcony upstairs along with a hammock and more chairs. Upon exiting the car Jace's driver grunted, disappearing somewhere behind the house when I followed Jace through sliding doors into a space that kept the same vintage theme as the outside. Leather recliners sat in front of a large flat screen tv with ping pong table situated in a corner and a bar-like kitchen where he offered me ice cream. I declined but still somehow got left with a dripping cone meant for himself.

My gaze shifts to the movement in my peripheral, sighting Jace crouching down in an attempt to sneak up on me. "I wanted to scare you." He jeers as he sidles up to my side, eyes falling to the muddle on the floor. "It looks like something took a huge wet dump here, don't you think?" My eyes follow his orange beach shorts after he retrieves his cone, moving to a bin I must have missed and tossing it in before bringing over a hose that was hidden beside the house before washing away the cream from the tiles and my fingers. I shake the water in his face when he lowers the hose to the ground, hiding my smirk behind a chagrin expression.

"Where were you?"

"I had something to take care of." He returns to the previous crouching position, catching my hands before pressing a light kiss to each individual finger. The corner of my mouth quirk up at the romantic gesture. "Playful now, aren't we." He releases them, switching to delicately trace a nail around my ankle. "Should I tell you what I did?"

My mind conjures up the night he sent me home in a walk of shame, causing my body to go rigid for a moment, but I respond anyway ignoring the warning sign. "I have the right to know."

"My grandfather called, asked about who I brought here." Soft lips travel up my calves, leaving behind airy kisses in their wake. I release a shaky breath along with any common sense I had left. "Told him I came with some friends." He chuckles low. "Called me out on my lie immediately since he already spoke to the Joseph." His eyes spark with mischievousness when he glances up at me with a playful smile – I laugh weakly.

"So, I told him I brought a girl." His lips linger behind my knee, a nibble following the rake of his teeth. My knees buckle from the shock, but he swiftly steadies me with a large palm to my butt, my eyes widening from the contact. Where was I? Right, he wanted to know what we would be doing, so I told him we'd play some cards…" His mouth latches on to my inner thigh; biting, licking, sucking.

"Ah!"

My hands fly to mouth to hide the noise as the sensation sends me under, liquifying everything I have to I lose my balance. He catches my waist, rising to his full height. Feral eyes lock with mine for the space of a breath before he removes my hands and captures my last breath. I might actually die here – That's all I could think of as I drown in him. Though we've shared a few pecks here and there it wasn't anything like this, this soul sucking devourment. My hands fidget where he entraps them to their sides, begging to hold something, clutch anything, if only to pull myself up from the depths I struggle under. His tongue plunges in, completely tying me against my will and my mind flies into chaos, knowing nothing but him. I inhale a deep lungful when he allows me to come up for air.

"Raise your leg." He grunts before slamming his mouth onto mine again. I follow his command; climbing onto him while I attempt to gain control of my sanity, fingers curling into his silky hair, if only to match his vigor. His hands knead painfully into backside in response.

He moves, lowering onto one of the lounge chairs. His teeth bite down as he pulls back, holding the crazed eyes I know I must've had with his. Our chests rise and fall with harsh breaths, neither of us uttering a word as I arch into another kiss. I melt slow and languid further under the heat when…

"What's going on here?" My neck nearly breaks when it snaps toward the owner of the voice.

Riley, along with Elliott and Ryan approach us from the driveway in quick strides, bags draping on their shoulders. She removes her shades, brows knotting into a frown as she assesses the position Jace and I are in. I scramble off his lap, swiping a hand on my mouth and straightening my dress with haste.

"H-hi" My words quaver. I avoid the disapproving gazes of the intruders by casting my eyes downward, only to notice the already bruising spot between my thighs. My face reddens when I turn to Jace with widened eyes.

"Ahh and we were just getting to the good part." Jace, completely unphased, stretches to his feet while ruffling the hair I previously…I flush brighter at the thought. "I see some uninvited guests." Draping his arm around my shoulder, he rakes his eyes over Ryan and Elliott with disdain. "The more the merrier I guess." Riley points a finger at me, then to a chair the furthest from where we stood. Jace regards the silent message, smirking while he holds her gaze and lowers his mouth to mine. My heart skips in delight but instead of deepening it like I hoped, he releases me, walk through the doors with a wave of his hand and leaves me with an angry glare from Ryan as well as Elliott's scrutiny.

Riley grasps onto my elbow, dragging me under an outdoor umbrella. "You look hypnotized." She sets her bag down before perching on the chair, eyeing me pointedly. "Aren't you supposed to be mad at him?"

"Umm…

"So, you've made up?" Her left brow raises with a crinkle in her forehead.

I glance in the direction of Elliott and Ryan, becoming intrigued by the matching coral pink pants they both wear. "Not exactly." I murmur, watching as Elliott professionally dives into the pool. In contrast, Ryan dips a toe as though testing the water. "We've been…distracted, so nothing has been brought up yet." Elliott tugs Ryan's ankle, causing him to tumble in. They begin wrestling; Ryan screams profanities as he tries to dunk Elliott's head underwater, while the creator of the conflict cackles loudly, ensuing in a series of coughs. I snicker at their interaction, feeling strangely relieved that they're getting along after Friday's dispute. Fingers whip my jaw away from the scene, puckering my lips.

"Have you guys even talked about anything since arriving?"

I shrug, whirling my eyes to the underside of the umbrella. "No, not really."

"Yeah, because you're too busy grinding on his d-

"Don't!" I slap a hand across her mouth. "I wish you wouldn't have seen that." I remove my hand, curling into my knees to avoid the daggers shooting out of her eyes. "You're disappointed aren't you?"

"I am, but not because of the making out just the guy it happened with."

I peep a glimpse at her. "You're going to lecture me aren't you?"

"No, not anymore." The sound of a splash draws our attention. Jace emerges to the surface, throwing his hair back. "I still don't agree with the relationship, but clearly there's something you're trying to do so I won't tell you anything again. Although I will say one last thing." She turns, waving her hands overhead while calling Jace over. "You guys should talk if you want anything to come out of that relationship."

"For someone who's never been in a relationship, you sure are giving me advice." I mumble, watching as Jace threads over to the short stairs at the edge of the pool.

"I got it from my mom." She reaches into her bag, retrieving a small bottle of sunscreen and squirting a bit into her hands. After pulling the string on her maroon shorts and watching them fall, she begins pasting her legs before holding the bottle out to me. "You need some?"

"Yes, for my back." I gesture with my thumb.

"Jace is coming over." Ditching her rock tee, she puts on a mossy chiffon cover up before placing the sunscreen on my lap. "Ask him to do it and this time, talk."

As she moves away, Jace swaggers over. Droplets of water sprinkle onto me when he shakes off. "What'd she call me for?" His eyes linger on her as she jumps into the pool.

"Put some sunscreen on me." I untie my dress, turning around to expose my back.

Tsk. "Couldn't she do that for you?" The annoyance in his tone has me checking if I accidentally asked the wrong person but no, it's definitely him. I frown, figuring it was wrong of me to assume that our relationship had changed because of the moment we shared earlier. "Don't look at me like that." He rubs a hand down his face with a long-suffering sigh. "Lay down." I comply, discarding my dress to expose my two-piece bikini. He kneels, squeezing the sunscreen into his palm.

"We need to talk." I state.

The tempo of his fingers skip a beat before continuing their flow. "About?"

"Why haven't you texted me all week?" I attempt to keep my voice flat, revealing nothing of how much his cold touch affects me.

His gravelly voice takes a hold of my heart, squeezing ever so slowly. "Why should I tell you that?"

"Then, what about what happened at your place." I query, swiveling my head to him. "Why did you make me leave? Who was that girl?"

"She was someone I became acquainted with since I ordered from there a lot at a point in time. It's either her brother or her that delivers." He props his elbows onto my lower back. "As for why I kicked you out…Well, I guess it's because I felt conflicted."

"Why?"

He returns to his feet. "I'll be right back."

"Wait!" I manage to catch his right leg. "Where are you going again? This'll be the third time you've left."

He shakes me off, retreating to the inside but as he's halfway there he backpedals to me. "I…" His eyes dart to the glass door and back. "Let's go on another date sometime, okay?" He's off before I can muster a response. My brows furrow – Even more so when Ryan slumps into the lounge chair beside me.

"Hey." His voice comes out unusually high and I hide my laugh with a cough. He clears his throat before trying again. "How are you?

"It's the first time I've been to someone's house other than Riley or a relative." I observe Riley and Elliott having a swimming competition. "I'm having a fun time."

"You and Jace…"

"What about Jace and I?" I incline my head to the right, beginning a braid down the side.

"If he, you know, does anything inappropriate or against your will, just holler and I'll take him down in a flash."

His ears turn pink when I bark a laugh. "What are you now, my bodyguard?"

"I'm being serious here." He extends his hand to my hair but pulls back at the last second. "I really am sorry for what I did to you."

"You've already told me before. Don't sweat it." I rise to my feet, ready to join Riley in the water when he takes my hand in his.

"Can I have your phone number?" He bites his lower lip, eyes darting everyone except for mine. I almost chuckle at the childish behavior.

"Sure." I reach down for my bag then remember I left it on the counter inside. "I'll be right back."

"I'll come with you." I shake my head but don't deny his request.

He trails after me as we step into the house. No sign of Jace, meaning he probably went inside one of the rooms again. I dig into my bag for my phone. "What's your number, I'll send you a text." My brows draw together when he casually opens the fridge and takes out a bottled water, chugging the contents before rambling off his digits. "You're acting quite familiar." I point to the bottle and the fridge.

"Oh…I just assumed we could've taken anything we wanted." He swipes a bag of chips off the counter. "You want?"

"No." I stifle a laugh at his boldness, walking over to the staircase leading upstairs. I jerk my head upwards. "Should we check it out?"

"Let's go." He munches.

We begin our climb on the cantilever stairs. At the top there's a lit hall that leads to three doorways and we proceed to the closest room first. I hold my breath when I carefully twist the knob, almost jumping out of skin when Ryan thrust the door open with his foot.

"Are you crazy!" I swat at his arm. "What if someone was in there?"

"There isn't anyone else here but us." He pops a chip into my mouth before strolling in.

I glance over my shoulder before marching behind him. I grab the pack of chips from him. "How do you know that?" He ignores my question, instead reaching for another chip.

"This room is nice huh?" He circles the area.

As he mentioned it, I must admit that it was a pretty amazing room. An underwater mural paints across the walls, stretching to the ceiling. Jellyfish, turtles, dolphins, crabs, fishes, a starfish atop corals and other sea plants decorated everywhere. Except for the exceptional artwork everything else is plain and overall, the room feels unused. An empty desk and shelf at a corner, and a made bed with deep blue sheets at the center. Nothing suggests that anyone ever set foot inside here before us. That was, until Ryan throws himself on the bed."

"Don't do that. Who knows whose room this is?" I go to his side, tugging on his t-shirt. "Plus, you're still wet, you'd soil the sheets."

"Join me." He smiles cheekily, convincing me with his dimples and child-like expression.

I resign all responsibility as I flop next to him, staring at the ceiling. "It's beautiful."

"It is, isn't it." He says softly.

I thought his eyes were glazed over when I glance at him, but he conceals any signs of sadness when he props himself on his side, traveling his gaze over my body. From my neck down, wherever his eyes land my skin feels like it's being burned under his scrutiny. They linger on my thighs for a second too long and I veer off the bed when I remember the hickey currently on display. He clears his throat, returning to his feet and exiting the room without a comment.

"Should we head to the next one?" I overtake him, lumbering to the next room. As I reach for the knob, but he stops me with a hand over mine.

He lowers his mouth to my ear, whispering. "There's someone in here."

"It's most likely Jace." I say shakily to myself to calm my racing heart. If what he said earlier is true and there's no one else here then only Jace can be behind this door. How'd he even know we were the only ones here? Then again, Jace never introduced me to anyone.

He squeezes my hand, coldness seeping into my back when he takes a step closer. His breath caress behind my ear when he speaks again, causing me to shiver. "There's more than one voice in there."

"Maybe it's just his phone on speaker and he's on a call again." Am I scared of something, I ask to myself. It's only Jace, my boyfriend. There's no reason for my heart to be pounding this loudly right now nor this nervousness that's seeping into me. "I'll just open it and see."

As soon as it's said, I hear a click and the door becomes ajar. Jace peers down at me, lips curling up in dissatisfaction. "What are you doing here?"

"Is that any way to talk to your girlfriend?" Ryan interrupts.

Jace moves his eyes to Ryan, his lips drawing back in a snarl. "Think you can do a better job at being her boyfriend?" He takes a step forward, sandwiching me between their bodies.

"You invite her here and you don't even bother to spend some time with her. You're holed up in there doing who knows what." He plasters his hand to the door with a loud thud, causing me to flinch.

"Umm, Ryan, it's actually okay." I try reeling him back with a slight push to his chest before addressing Jace. "We'll go back down if we're disturbing you from something."

They disregard me, unceasing in sizing one another up. "Do you have a problem?" Jace grits his teeth, voice low and guttural like a predator on the prowl. I sight his fist curling out the corner of my eye and I clutch his hand.

"Jace, just ignore him." My voice get increasingly tremulous as I swing my gaze to the two guys restlessly.

"If you can't treat her right then just dump her. Ryan's hand land on my shoulder, inching me away. "There's no reason to drag her into one of your little games."

"Fine," Jace shoves me away and I stumble into Ryan. "You date her then."

"W-wait Jace!"

My jaw goes slack and the bag of chips fall when the door slams in my face.