Caught Between Brothers

Chapter 7 - Uneasy

Rose POV

Amber. Who is she in Jace’s life? Is she the reason why Jace won’t walk with Baron on Wednesdays?

I sat frozen where I was and did not notice that Jace had woken up.

“Hey, Rosie, you look like you have seen a ghost. Are you alright?” Jace asked, his voice husky from the nap.

After blinking a few times, I was able to answer.

“I am. I- uh- remembered something, missed out in my chapter. I better go and edit.”

I stood up, walked to the dining table, and sat before my laptop. Still thinking of the bimbo, I sat staring at the monitor, not really doing anything. A few seconds later, I heard Jace's footsteps coming from the living room. I pretended to be doing something, so I started browsing the internet, not minding what was really in front of me.

“Is that the one you missed in the chapter?” Jace's voice came from behind me.

“Uh-huh,” I answered, nodding at the same time for additional effect.

“Porn? You missed writing the s*x in your chapter?”

The f**k! I started to pay attention to what was in front of me and indeed it was porn! It was my go-to website when I needed to write a s*x scene in my story. The website was saved in my favorites. Of all the links that I could click, it happened to be this website! Damn!

Riding on my lie, I said, “Yes. I wanted to include it, so perhaps in the chapter, I would be able to put it in.”

“Will you let me read it?” Jace asked as he sat down beside me.

Embarrassed and afraid that he would find out I was lying, I could not look at him. I just moved to another website and scrolled. My fingers just had to do something.

“I’m not sure. I’m not really good with s*x scenes. You might laugh at me.”

“”No, I will not laugh. My feedback might even help you improve your s*x scenes. Experience is the key if you want to make it more realistic.”

I was sure he was laughing at me for being inexperienced, but I did not hear any noise coming from him.

“And I guess you are experienced?” This time I wanted to see his reaction, so I turned to face him.

“I wouldn’t lie to you. I have my fair share of adventures,” he said while looking directly in my eyes with all seriousness. “It is not something I would brag about, but if I can be of help, I will.”

I was sure my face would have been so red. Apart from my readers and co-authors, I had not talked about s*x with another person. And all I had ever mentioned about s*x were all jokes!

“We’ll see when I have written the chapter. I might take you up on your offer.”

“Alright. That’s good to hear.” He reached up to my face and softly touched my cheek with his thumb.

Electrified by his touch, I moved back before asking, “Is there dirt on my face?” I wiped my cheek where he touched me. I wanted to melt right then and there when his skin touched mine.

“No dirt. I just find you beautiful.” He smiled then stood up to go back to his laptop. “I’m sorry I fell asleep. It was a tiring morning. I'll shut down my laptop."

“I understand completely. I’m sorry I disturbed your sleep. You should have slept some more.” I also shut down my laptop. “Would you like some more coffee? Your coffee has turned cold.”

“No, thank you. I don’t need another cup right now. If I drink, I will not be able to sleep later.”

“How about an early walk so we can get to sleep early tonight?” My body must have caught what Jace was feeling. I felt tired all of a sudden.

“That’s a good idea. Get ready then.”

It was still bright outside but I had to do what I had to do. In a few minutes we were in Jace’s car.

“Jace, can I pay you gas money? You had been driving for us the past few days and I have not even shared anything at all.”

“Don’t even think about it, Rosie.”

I was about to say something but he cut me off.

“Don’t even think about it. We missed a lot of years and I’m just happy to do all this for you. Don’t think you have to pay me anything.”

“Okay,” I replied silently.

The ride was silent but not awkward. It was the way I wanted it to be. My mind wandered a bit to the event happening the coming Friday and thought of how I would interact with the people who acted as my second parents. As Jace told me, his mom was missing me. I really hoped that was the case and that they were not mad at me for just leaving and not visiting them for so long. My thread of thought was still on the dinner when suddenly a problem hit me.

“Fudge!” I muttered to myself. Apparently, Jace heard it.

“What’s wrong?” he asked, placing his right hand on top of mine. “Did you forget something?”

“Yes! Argh!” I grumbled in frustration.

“What is it?”

“I was thinking of the dinner on Friday.”

“And?”

“I forgot I don’t have anything to wear.”

Jace was quiet for a moment.

“I should have bought something in the mall earlier when we were there. Anyway, I’ll make a quick trip tomorrow.”

The dinner would be in one of the posh restaurants in Chicago overlooking the river. I hadn’t bought a nice dress for the longest time as going out was not in my vocabulary.

“We can go Thursday, since I have to pick-up the ring.”

“I have nothing to do tomorrow. And besides, I’m sure you have lots of things to do. I don’t want to take much of your time and-”

“Rosie, please. I would not offer if I didn’t feel like doing things with you. I’m happy to spend time with you, and if there would be any issue, I would tell you.” He intertwined our fingers and squeezed my hand a bit.

I was not able to say anything but a small, “Okay.”

We went on our routine, but this time, Jace wouldn’t let go of my hand. Even without talking, my heart felt at peace walking beside him. I wished the feeling wouldn’t go away.

And that night Amber was forgotten.

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Wednesday came and I worked hard to do advanced chapters. It was all I could do to not think of Jace. He didn’t even drop by in the morning to see me.

Anyway, I was able to do three chapters, which I was so happy about. It was draining but I felt accomplished.

That night, Baron was whining noisily that I could not concentrate on the game show I was watching. It was time for our walk, but I had no interest in going out of the house. I got so used to having Jace around that it felt like the house was empty without him.

After a few more minutes of Baron’s whining, I gave up. I wore my rubber shoes and took the dog leash. In five minutes, Baron and I were out of the house.

It felt different to be running alone with Baron, but I knew we needed it. We should not rely on somebody else. In the first place, this was supposed to be the real set up. This was the plan I had in mind when I came home. Baron and I, alone together.

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I didn’t know what to expect the day after. Jace did not contact me the whole Wednesday. It was as if he left the face of the earth. And so, it was just right to assume that he would not be the one to deliver my food in the morning.

But lo and behold, I opened the door and there he was with all smiles.

“Did you miss me, angel?”

“Um, no.” I opened the door wider and turned around. It took all my effort not to jump on him. “How was your Wednesday?” I didn’t mean it, but the question came out on a sour note.

If he thought I forgot about Amber, then he thought wrong. I wanted to ask what they did yesterday. I wanted him to cuddle me and say nothing happened between them.

“Got busy yesterday, then went out in the evening.”

“Alright.” I didn’t have the energy to instigate further. “Wait up, I’m going to return something.” I saw him walk to the dining table as I ran upstairs. I grabbed what I was about to hand over and returned downstairs. “I’m sorry it took so long to return this. I had it washed the other day.”

He looked at me with mouth agape. “Why are you returning this? You can have it. I want very much to see you wearing it.” His eyebrows then knitted in confusion.

It was his hoodie, the one he let me wear a few nights ago.

“Don’t be silly. I am giving it back to you so you can spray your cologne on it. You have to bring it back to me tomorrow.” I was trying hard not to laugh or at the very least not give a hint of a smile. It was cheesy but I thought Jace liked what he heard from me. The corner of his lips turned up into a wide grin.

“Well, I told you it was my natural smell.”

I was not prepared for that moment. He took off his shirt in front of me. Not an ounce of shyness could be seen on his face. Why would he be when he was so fit, gorgeous, and looked animalistic with the tattoos he had on his arms and chest. It was the first time I saw everything, except if there were more on his back.

“You like what you see?” he asked as he grabbed the hoodie from my hands and threw it over his head. In a second the beautiful view was gone. “Shut your mouth, angel. You’re already drooling.”

That made me wake up from my fantasy, where I was pushed against a wall with my hands held up above my head by none other than Jace.

Fuck this! Jace had me melting again.

“I’ll wear this for a while, then I will give it back to you later.”

My plan of kidding him backfired on me, and I could not even deny it.

I rolled my eyes before replying, ““Eww… I don’t know where else you have been. You might be all sweaty and stinky. You can have it. I don’t want it anymore.” The truth was, I didn’t mind at all as long as it had his scent!

Before I knew it, he was hugging me from behind.

“Stinky, huh? Let’s see who’s stinky.” Jace squeezed me more which only got me laughing.

“Stop! Great, you have your sweat on me now!”

Jace then stopped with the squeeze but did not release me from his hold. He swayed me gently from side to side. He had his face buried in my hair.

“I missed you, Rosie,” he gently whispered. “How can I convince you to stay and not go away again?” He loosened his hold on me and turned me around to face him.

I thought it would be the moment. JC pressed his forehead against mine as he swayed around the dining area. I was waiting for it, but he only kissed me lightly on my forehead.

Was I that desperate to be kissed on the lips? Most likely so, and I attributed this longing to Jace as he kept on teasing me.

I didn’t know how I could last a day with him. It was only morning and he had me weak on my knees.

But, hey, our trip to the mall was successful. Jace got his gift to his Mom, and I was able to shop for my outfit for the dinner - all care of Jace.

He didn’t give me a chance to turn him down to buy me all that I needed. He was even being extra!

If it was on me, I would have bought myself some cheap but nice dress, since I knew it would take a long time for me to go out again.

However, Jace being Jace, he brought me to the other side of the mall where the branded clothes could be found. I knew I wouldn’t be able to afford the clothes there, so I prayed to the heavens to make me see a sale.

But no, it was not granted. The god himself bought the dress, coat, shoes, and bag for me.

The dress was floral in the shades of green and pink. It was a body-skimming dress that featured a sexy cowl neckline, adjustable skinny shoulder straps, and elegant midi skirt. It perfectly hugged my curves. Together with the dress was a pink coat. Jace also bought me matching shoes and a bag.

I didn’t know what to feel after. Jace was being too generous. I knew their family was loaded, and he, as a businessman, would have been making a lot of money. But was it normal to spend thousands on a girl who was not even your girlfriend?

“Think of it as a gift. A few years’ worth of gifts,” Jace said.

All I could do was thank him and that alone made him look so happy.

“I am so excited for tomorrow. Mom will surely be surprised. What do you think?” Jace asked on our way home.

“I’m excited as well. For sure, she will be surprised,” I said in agreement.

The truth was, I could not sleep that night, feeling uneasy for most part.

Jace would be there. What else could go wrong?