Waking up to the soft sounds of Jace sleeping, a smile spreads wide across my face. I wanted to start my birthday in his arms and he made it happen. Those strong tattooed limbs hug me tightly to his bare chest, rising and falling with his every breath.

Careful not to wake him, I tilt my head back to look at his peaceful chiseled face. The cut on his cheek is fully closed and already starting to fade. He'll still have a scar but it makes him look more rugged than he already is, just like the light stubble peppering his jaw. Everything about this guy is masculine, tough, and oh so tempting.

It feels like I should pinch myself to make sure I'm not dreaming. I never thought I'd be here, next to him, in his bed, being held like a precious part of his life.

Then again, maybe my half-awake mind is reading too much into things.

No, stop that. No self-doubt today!

Taking a calming breath, I let my hands glide over Jace's firm pecs, relishing in the feel of his body beneath my fingertips. As they slide upwards, I find the necklace I got him still hung around his neck, the silver sword resting on his chest. Remembering the words he said last night and the way he looked at me when I gave him his gift warms my heart. I hoped he would like it, but I didn't think he'd like it that much.

"Morning, sweetheart."

I drag my eyes from the shimmering sword between my fingers to look up at the half-mast blue pools gazing down at me.

Oh, yeah. This is the best way to start the day.

"Morning." I smile and prop my head up. "Sleep well?"

"Fuck yeah," he rasps, stretching out an arm while tightening his grip on me with the other.

"Good, but you're gonna have to let me go. I gotta get ready for school."

I struggle against his grip but he doesn't budge.

With a mischievous grin, Jace shrugs. "Might be a little late for that, baby."

My body stills as my eyes grow wide. Frantically, I jerk my head to look at the alarm clock.

"It's ten!" I shout and wiggle harder to get free from Jace's grasp. "What the fuck happened to the alarm?"

The hint of a grimace pulls at Jace's face. "I turned it off."

"What!" My screeching voice echos through the apartment making Jace wince and drop his hold on me.

I seize the opportunity and roll off the bed. Rushing around the room, I scramble to grab some clothes but by the time I have everything bundled in my arms and attempt to leave the room, I find Jace already standing in front of the closed door.

"Move!" I demand with narrowed eyes.

Crossing his arms over his bare chest, Jace's lips twitch as he fights back a smile. "No, baby. You've already missed the first few hours, and it's your birthday. So you're gonna play hooky with me." He steps towards me with a dangerous glint in his hypnotizing eyes. "Now, calm your sexy ass down before I throw you back in the bed and make you forget your own fucking name."

His heated threat sends a shock of excitement to the pit of my stomach. The idea of testing him crosses my mind. To force his hand and see what would happen. But after getting him worked up last night and leaving him hanging, I have a feeling pushing him more will be the last straw. He'll give me exactly what I want and that alone is terrifying.

I want him. I want us. But I'm scared to take those final steps until I know about all his dirty secrets.

Chewing the inside of my cheek, I nod. "Fine. So what's the plan?"

A crooked smile tips his lips. "Get dressed, sweetheart, and grab your bathing suit." 

Jace took barely a minute to throw on some clothes before rushing around the apartment like a mad man. I pay him little attention as I get dressed, slipping a purple sundress over my black bikini with the crisscross straps beneath my chest and matching bottoms that cross over my hips. It's simple but cute with a pinch of sex appeal.

Leaving my dark hair wild and wavy, I slide my feet into some flip flops as Jace calls for me. I'm not entirely sure what he has planned but we must be going swimming somewhere, or maybe to a waterpark. Around here, the possibilities are endless despite the time of year.

Thank you, Florida!

Jace waits for me by the door in a pair of black swim trunks, an all-white T-shirt with the sleeves cut off, and a backpack slung over one shoulder. His eyes light up as they take me in.

"You ready?" he asks in that hushed raspy tone, the one that fills my stomach with butterflies and makes my pulse race.

Holding his penetrating gaze, I nod. "As ready as I'll ever be."

A boyish smile takes hold of his face as he wraps his hand around mine and leads me out. But as soon as we reach his bike in the parking lot, he lets go and turns around with a devilish look.

Slowly, he pulls a black and gold bandana from his pocket. "Alright, Alexis, if I'm kidnapping you I'm gonna do it right." With a smirk, he twirls his finger in a circle. "Spin around for me so I can tie this on you."

"Why do I need to be blindfolded?" I step back with narrowed eyes.

Not that I'm entirely against the idea but a girl needs to know the game in order to play, and right now, I have no clue what he has up his sleeve.

Jace smiles wickedly, snapping the bandana. "It's a surprise. You trust me, right?"

Maybe...yes.

With a resigned sigh, I nod and turn around letting Jace cover my eyes with the cloth and tie it. After he yanks on the bindings, he slips his spare helmet over my head. While my ability to see is cut off, I cling to my capacity to feel as he climbs onto the bike and situates himself in front of me. Jace's rough hands find mine and wrap my arms around his waist, giving me the security of his firm body as I pray that our trip isn't a long one.

The bike roars to life between our legs and we propel forward. For our entire journey, which can't be more than twenty minutes, all I can do is hold onto Jace. My hands take turns between fisting his shirt for dear life and tracing his muscles beneath the cotton material. The wind whips my hair around me while Jace's reassuring words fill my helmet every so often.

Eventually, we slow down as the road turns rocky, the bike bouncing us around. My grip tightens and with my next lunge full of air, I taste salt on my lips.

The familiar sounds of seagulls break through the rumbling noise of Jace's bike and before long, we finally come to a stop. Jace climbs off first and then picks me up, removing me from the bike to set me on my feet. I leave him the pleasure of sliding my helmet off me. Placing both of his hands on my shoulders he slowly turns me around before his deft fingers untie the bandana covering my eyes.

"Happy birthday, beautiful," his deep voice whispers in my ear just as the blindfold falls away.

Opening my eyes, I take a second to adjust from complete darkness to blinding light. But once the scenery comes into view, a smile the size of the moon spreads across my face.

Warm beige sand stretches out from the small parking area we're standing on. Waves of various shades of blue and salty foam lap at the damp ground further away, while a couple kids squeal and run from the approaching water. Their laughter fills the air, mixing with the caws of seagulls and reaching up to the golden sunlight that bathes the world around us. The smell of the ocean dances with the light breeze as it sways the palms standing tall and proud.

"The beach," I say in awe.

For living so close to such a serene location, it's been ages since I've taken the time to visit. I've missed it so much.

"Better than school?" Jace teases from behind me.

I turn to him, my face lighting up as bright as the sun above us. "Yes. Way better than school."

Without hesitation, I get on my tiptoes and kiss Jace, making sure not to linger too long or risk giving our fellow beachgoers a show. He nibbles my lips as I pull away before securing his backpack on his shoulders and taking my hand in his.

We find ourselves a spot on the beach, just out of reach of the splashing water and other visitors. This isn't hard to do considering the laughing children and their observant parents along with just a few others are the only ones currently enjoying the day. It's just another one of the benefits of coming here during a weekday. Not that I'm going to tell Jace that. He's already pretty proud of himself based on the ear to ear smile he's sporting.

Jace pulls out a blanket from his backpack as well as some drinks and snacks. It's not a lot but to me, it's perfect. He strips his shirt off, gaining a stray look from a woman yards away. I can't blame her. I'm eating up the view of his rippling six-pack and toned arms myself. But my thirsty looks are soon returned as I shimmy out of my sundress.

Jace's eyes scan me from head to toe, his lip trapped between his teeth. "Damn."

"You can close your mouth. It's just a bathing suit." I roll my eyes and spread out on the blanket.

"I think we need a new rule," Jace says as he sits beside me. "One that allows me to see you in that bathing suite a couple times a week."

I prop my chin on my hand. "Does that mean we're coming to the beach a couple times a week?"

"Fuck, if that's what it takes."

I chuckle at his reaction but secretly love it. Any kind of reaction from Jace is not only exciting but empowering. Like I can bring this hulk of a man to his knees with one look.

I might have to actually try that sometime.

Jace claps his hands and jumps to his feet. "Alright, sweetheart. Time to get in the water."

"What? No! I wanna soak up the sun." I pout and hide my face in my arms.

For a few seconds, nothing happens. Thinking he's left, I lift my head only to be snatched off the blanket like I'm light as a feather.

"Fuck the sun, you're about to get wet, baby," Jace informs as he throws me over his shoulder.

"Let me down, you caveman!" I try to sound demanding but that's hard to do when I'm thrown into a fit of giggles from Jace slapping my ass. "Oh!"

"Don't act like you don't like it." He chuckles, stepping into the water.

"Jace Hall, if you throw me in this water I will fucking kill you!"

His laugh jostles me but my threat must do the trick. Instead of tossing me in, he slides me down the front of him so I can wrap my legs around his waist just before our lower halves submerge into the water.

"OH! That's cold!" I shiver and tighten myself around his hard body, trying to drink in his heat.

"Wimp." Jace smirks. "You just wanna get closer to me."

"If that were true, I'd just do it. Why make excuses?" I raise a challenging brow at him.

Jace's ocean eyes narrow. "You've been awfully mouthy lately."

I shrug. "Maybe you should do something about that."

Something heated and dangerous flashes in his gaze, making my stomach clench with excitement. One of his hands travels up my spine before wrapping around the back of my neck and pulling my face to his. Closing my eyes, I moan as soon as his lips find mine. His mouth overpowers mine, dominating each movement, tangling his tongue with mine, and deeply tasting my mouth. It's consuming, sending my mind and body into overdrive.

When his hand reaches between us to skim along the outside of my bikini bottom, I whimper like a lust-sick idiot.

"Mmm, someones a little excited today," Jace hums against my mouth before chuckling darkly.

Frustrated, I mirror his move and reach between us to find his own source of excitement. I wrap my hand around his hard dick and smirk when his eyes grow wide and he sucks in a sharp breath.

"Looks like I'm not the only one excited," I purr and nip his bottom lip.

I don't know how he does this to me. How he turns me into the temptress he's mentioned before. Even now as I pin him with a teasing stare, my thoughts trip over themselves with panic. The pulsating shaft in my grip feels huge, too big for my fingers to fully close around. I'm both dying to see him bare, cock springing free of any coverings so I can get a better look as well as terrified of how something so big could fit inside me.

My worried thoughts must be bleeding through my expression as Jace's lips quirk to the side.

"What's going through your mind, Lex?" Jace asks, his fingers circling against my bottoms, pressing harder as he lightly kisses my neck. "Don't tell me you're getting scared."

Regaining my composure, my hand slides up and down his length over his slacked swim trunks, testing the weight and feel of him through the barrier. His dick jerks in my grasp and a groan falls from his mouth.

"Who said I was scared?" I whisper in his ear.

Scared? No. Fucking petrified? Yes. But he doesn't need to know that.

Jace's voice deepens. "Think you can handle it?"

I fucking hope so.

"We'll see."

His head jerks back with his eyebrows skyrocketing.

Biting back a laugh, I shrug. "Maybe. One day. Not today though." My eyes travel to something in the distance and I nod. "Not when we have an audience."

Jace follows my line of sight and spots the pissy looking woman laid out on the beach, watching us like she's ready to call the cops.

"Damn nosey ass people," Jace grumbles.

"Can't blame them. We are the ones doing naughty shit out in the open after all."

Jace sighs and lets me go. "You should probably head back to land. I...need a minute."

I roll my lips in but a snort of laughter still manages to escape as I nod and swim back to the beach. Eventually, Jace joins me, no longer standing at attention. We eat the food he packed and spend the rest of the day talking, laughing, and swimming without all the extra touching.

Before we know it, the sun starts to dip on the horizon. Agreeing it's time to go, we pack everything back up and head to the bike. Only like before, Jace pauses and reaches into a small pocket on the side of his backpack.

"Do I really need to be blindfolded again?" I scoff.

He chuckles. "No. No blindfold this time. But, uh..." Jace licks his lips as nervous energy fills his face. "I do have something for you."

He pulls out a small box. Chewing the inside of his cheek, he holds it out to me.

"Happy birthday, Alexis."

I reach out for the box, my fingers brushing against his skin as I take it from him. An electric current rushes through my body like a livewire whipping at every nerve. It's like Jace has passed his anxiety to me, making my hands shake as I lift the lid.

What I find brings an instant tear to my eyes.

Sitting in the box is a silver bracelet with several charms hanging from it; the number eighteen, a seashell, a heart, a spatula and whisk, a motorcycle, and an anchor.

"It's beautiful," I whisper, unable to take my eyes off of it.

All of it connects to me and this day on some level. All but one that is."

Tearing my gaze away to connect with Jace's warm gaze, I squint. "Why the anchor though?"

He laughs and scratches the back of his neck, fighting to hold my stare. "Because...you keep me grounded. You're my anchor."

My heart.

Closing the lid, I throw myself at Jace and slam my lips to his. My hands tangle in his hair, pulling him closer to me, showing my appreciation with the way my mouth dances with his, saying what words can't. He returns the kiss with the same intense current, crushing me to him until we both pull away gasping for air.

"T-thank you." I pant.

The look on Jace's face shows now only his shock from my reaction but his heart. The way he feels for me displayed for anyone to see.

He lightly takes the box from me and pulls the bracelet out. Once he has it fastened around my wrist, he grabs his spare helmet. "Ready to go home, baby?"

"If you're going, I'm going." I smile like a maniac. 

Riding on the back of Jace's bike is enjoyable, like always, but all I can think about is getting back to his place and spending alone time with him. But when we pull up at the apartment, any plans of being alone are quickly washed away. We park and are instantly greeted by Marcel and Ava, holding a stack of DVDs, a cake, and a plastic bag full of snacks.

"You didn't really think we'd wait until tomorrow to celebrate, did you?" Marcel asks with a smirk.

As much as I want some privacy with Jace, I'm thrilled to see two of my three besties.

Ava, on the other hand, slightly frowns. "Sorry, Caleb couldn't make it. Said he had to do something."

I'm not surprised. Even if things seemed good between us yesterday, I'm pretty sure someone would have to pay big bucks to get him to come to Jace's place.

"All good." Jace shrugs as he gets off his bike, hiding his disappointment at losing this alone time. "Hey, Marcel, you mind giving me a hand with something real quick?"

Marcel doesn't even hesitate.

"Sure." He nods and hands me the bag of snacks and DVDs.

Without an explanation, Jace leads Marcel across the road while Ava and I head up to the apartment.

"What was that about?" Ava asks as we walk in the door.

I shrug. "No idea."

After I quickly shower off and get dressed, the two of us start setting things up. We spread the snacks out on the coffee table, grab a few drinks, pick our first movie, and settle in to wait for the guys to return.

"So...how's your birthday been?" Ava asks, still looking down and out.

"Good." I smile wide, unable to conceal my happiness. "We went to the beach for the day. It was great."

"That's good." She nods, her eyes traveling to the ground.

I know Marcel said to wait for her to come to me, but I hate seeing Ava so glum. If she won't bring it up, then I have to.

"What's going on, A?" I ask in the sweetest voice I can.

Ava's eyes stay on the floor as she shrugs. "What do you mean?"

"Come on, Ava. You've been upset. Please, just talk to me about it. I wanna be here for you but I can't do that if you don't talk to me."

She sighs heavily. "I...I just...it's stupid."

"Ava, you can talk to me about anything. Really," I assure her, hoping she'll listen to me.

Dragging her warm brown eyes up to meet mine, she chews on her lip before taking a deep breath. "I like someone."

Okay?

She always likes someone, this is nothing new. Though I'll give her credit, this is probably the longest she's gone without actively setting her sights on someone. But I don't say that out loud. Instead, I patiently wait, urging her to go on with my eyes.

"He likes someone else though," she adds, the corners of her mouth tipping further down. "And she doesn't even feel the same way about him, but he doesn't get it. He doesn't see that I could give him so much."

"Have you told him this?" I ask, scooting closer to her on the couch.

She shakes her head. "No. I haven't even told him I like him. Hell, I more than like him. Have for a long time too."

Now, this is breaking news. Ava's never liked anyone for more than a couple weeks, a month or two at the most.

"How long?" I press, dying to know more.

Hanging her head again, she softly whispers, "A few years."

Wow!

"I know, I've been with a bunch of guys over that time but it was just to get him to notice me. I mean, yeah, I'm boy crazy. I know that. But deep down, I was hoping he'd see that I have options. That I'm desirable and won't always be around when or if he finally realizes that I can be exactly what he needs."

Poor Ava. How could all this be going on in her life and I didn't notice? Am I that blind or is she that good at hiding her feelings?

Fidgeting with the hem of my shorts, I ask the biggest question of them all. "Who is it?"

Ava shakes her head. "I'd rather not say right now. Sorry, Lex."

I'll admit it, that stings a little. We used to tell each other everything and now she can't even tell me about the boy she likes. I guess I should be happy she's talking about it at all, but still, it hurts to know she doesn't trust me with this.

"Okay." I nod, trying to find the words to be here for her. "Well, sounds like you need to just tell him how you feel. Maybe he does notice you but never thought you were interested. You won't know till you try."

Ava sighs again. "Yeah. Maybe you're right."

"Has he been invited to the party?"

"Lex, seriously?" She deadpans. "Everyone has been invited to the part."

"Good, you can make your move there."

A sly smile slips across her face but she's unable to say anything else before the apartment door opens. Marcel and Jace walk in holding various tattoo equipment.

"What in the hell?" Ava's eyes shoot open. "What's that for?"

Jace's smile lights up the room. "Another present for Lex."

Jace gets cleaned up and changes as fast as he can so we can get started. But as the movie gets going, he nods for me to come to the dining room table.

"Alright, you can say no if you want. But you said you wanted to get a tattoo for your dad, so I drew this up," Jace explains as he hands me a piece of paper.

The drawing and the offer floor me.

Leave it to Jace to remember everything I've ever said.

Sketched out in beautiful detail is a feather with the word "Dad" curved along with it. It's simple but so beautiful.

"I don't know the day he passed but I can include that too," Jace adds cautiously. "Most people like the idea of angels or wings but I figured a feather can represent that without going overboard. Do you..."

I cut him off, throwing my arms around him and burying my face in his neck. "Thank you. It's perfect."

He shrugs in my embrace. "It's not much, really."

"No, it's amazing." I let go and pull back. "I wanna do it. Let's do it."

Jace's eyes stray to our guests before connecting with mine. "You sure? Your friends might not wanna hear us getting down and dirty, sweetheart."

I slap him with the piece of paper and laugh. "You know what I mean! Let's do the tattoo."

Jace laughs and starts setting up his equipment at the table. I decide to have the memorial for my dad placed on the top of my foot, and soon realize how big of a mistake that is. The second the tattoo gun makes contact with my skin, sounds of pain fall from my mouth like rain.

"Sorry, babe. Should've warned you, the foot can be a tender spot for this," Jace winces at my next complaint. "We can stop if you want."

I grit my teeth and grip the table like I could crush it between my fingers. "No...just...keep going."

After two movies, and several ear-shattering yells, Marcel and Ava change their focus from the TV to us. They each pull up a chair to sit nearby and watch Jace at work.

"Almost done, baby," Jace murmurs to me for the third time.

Marcel and Ava both give me a look at the word "baby" but I'm too busy to acknowledge their questions.

Ava leans closer. "I've gotta get me one of these."

Marcel nods his agreement.

"You do watercolor?" Ava asks Jace, tilting her head up.

Jace nods. "Yeah, I can do that."

A few more minutes and he's finally done. He cleans my foot, takes a picture, and places a bandage over it.

"Best part," Jace smiles from ear to ear. "I can help you take care of it while you're here."

I nod as he gets up to clean off and pack up his supplies. Ava starts rambling about all the different tattoo ideas she has when Jace's phone vibrates on the table beside me.

"Lex, can you check that for me?" Jace calls from the other room.

"Sure."

"Thanks, baby."

Marcel gives me a pointed look. "Baby?" He whispers.

"Yeah," Ava nods vigorously beside him. "We need to talk about that. When did that happen?"

I roll my eyes and laugh while I pick up Jace's phone. The screen lights up right away with a text.

Kade: Good news, you're getting initiated next weekend. Call me as soon as you can.

My heart slows in my chest.

Initiated? What the fuck does that mean?

Seeing the look on my face, Marcel's eyes narrow. "Everything okay?"

"Yeah." I nod, trying my best to hide my concern before yelling to Jace, "It's Kade. He wants you to call him."

💋____________________________________💋

Hey lovelies! Sorry this chapter took me a little longer than normal. I know it's not a lot going on but the next chapter is party time!!!

So, what did you think of this chapter? Did you like the gifts Jace gave Lexi? Were you surprised about the tattoo? What about Ava's crush? Who do you think she's talking about? And what about this initiation?? 

Let me know what you think in the comments and if you like what you read, please hit that star button!

ALSO......KME has hit 20k reads(and more)!!! OMG thank you all so, so much! You readers are amazing, seriously! This is such a huge milestone to me, one that I never though was possible. I really can't thank you all enough!

As usual, the teaser for chapter 31 will be posted on my Twitter and Instagram in the next day or two!