Enraptured(51)

I shook my head as Dace walked into the apartment. "What does Dace know?" He asked.

I jumped at his voice and I knew my face was pale. "Nothing."

He frowned and weary eyes flickered between me and Dee. I shrunk under his gaze but Dee acted like she couldn't feel it at all. Either she was immune to his penetrating blue, or she was one hell of an actress. I envied her either way.





Chapter 14

Dace's lips parted and I knew by the question in his eyes that he wasn't even close to dropping it. He wanted an answer to his question and if I knew Dace at all, he wouldn't give up all that easily. But there wasn't an answer I could give him - there wasn't one I was willing to give him. He was my friend. I had no desire what-so-ever to dive head first into facts of my sex life, or lack thereof. He didn't need to know that I'd never had a relationship worth talking about. He didn't need to know I was a twenty-two year old virgin. That would only creep him out. Most people who found out got the creeps. They all thought I was saving myself like some saint - I wasn't. The opportunity to get it done and over with simply hadn't arisen. And I didn't necessarily want to get it over with per say - call me a girl - but I wanted it to be special. Hearts and flowers weren't necessary, but I wanted more than a couch in a dimly lit room like most of my friends. I saw no reason why a guy couldn't light a candle or two and wash his sheets.

"Are you guys coming or what?" Kyle asked, wiping the sweat from his brow despite the fact that it was currently snowing. By the swirling white flakes outside the window I could say it looked more like there was a blizzard brewing.

Dace closed his mouth and I knew the interrogation was on hold. I let out a breath of air I knew he didn't miss and Dee answered Kyle. "We have more bags of clothes you can take. And the beds good to go." She looked at Dace. "Do you have a place she can store her dishes and all that good stuff? She shouldn't give it away. She probably won't be staying with you long, so she'll need it soon."

His voice was calm and controlled, but I could see the anger in his eyes. "Why won't she be staying long?"

"Well, she'll get her own place as soon as she can." Dee shook her head as though Dace was dense and I wanted to find a bed and hide beneath the covers. This bad day was getting worse by the second.

"She'll be staying with me for as long as she needs. She won't be pressured to find a place and she should at least stay until her schooling is through. No sense in getting another apartment and going through the stress that's led her to this moment."

"Her parent's,"

"Enough!" Dace growled. His hands were fisted and his arms were folded over his chest. In the black leather jacket and heavy boots, he looked mean. "She's moving in with me now and that's all that matters."

"Dee," Kyle warned when she opened her mouth to continue.

With an eye roll, she murmured. "I just wanted to know she had a place to store her extra stuff."

"She has everything she needs at my house."

"Exactly," Dee said pointedly. "It's your house."

"And after today it's hers too." Dace said slowly and evenly. His words sounded sharp enough to cut through the thickest of wood.

I looked to Dee. "I appreciate your obvious worry, but I made this decision all by myself and I'm sticking to it." As I said the words, I felt Dace's blue eyes settle on me. I knew without doubt he was remembering his persuasive demands that I move in with him to ease my financial stress only this morning. Dace had practically informed me that I was moving in with him rather than allowing me to make any decisions solo, but I didn't mind. So I was stretching the truth, who cared?

"All right," Dee raised her hands in defeat. "If you're comfortable with this then I support you. But we're still doing our sleepovers and all that good stuff."

I laughed and Dace sighed. I watched him throw an incredulous look at Kyle and I knew he was wondering how on earth he put up with her. That made me laugh harder and I nodded. "We will definitely do our girl nights."

"Preferably when I'm working." Dace mumbled.

Dee shot him a warning look. "What job?"

Dace tensed and I frowned as Kyle ran a stressed hand through his hair. "Dee, stop harassing the guy."

Dace set icy eyes on her and for the first time since meeting Dace, I feared him. I wanted to cower from the burning rage in his eyes. I don't know how Dee maintained a straight back and eye contact. Finally, Dace spoke. "You really want to go there?"

Dee's bottom lip twitched. "I'll give you more time, Dace. But you better let it out soon."

"Or else?" His brow raised and he took a heavy step toward her. I watched as she instantly moved to her feet and Kyle stepped between them.