Twisting my hair into a bun on top of my head I rolled my hips to the beat while Message In A Bottle by Ty Dolla Sign played. Pulling out the last batch of cupcakes I turned the oven off checking the time on the clock.

He was fifteen minutes late with no text or call.

Trying not to feel disappointed I cut a hole in the middle of the cupcake, stuffing the frosting bag with homemade raspberry jam, filling the cupcake to its limit. Frosting the top with a raspberry cream I set a whole raspberry on top smiling at the finished product.

Placing the cupcake on a plate I turned it around slowly looking it over. Moving it right then left critiquing the details. How nice did the frosting sit on top? How much of the raspberries could be seen in the frosting? Pulling back the tin I cut the cupcake down the middle with a butter knife to see if I put too much jam inside. I didn't want the jam to ooze down the cupcake and all over the plate but I didn't want there not to be enough that you wouldn't be able to taste it in every bite.

"Oh cupcakes." Siannah grabbed the right half of the cupcake taking a bite.

"You do know there are other cupcakes over there." I pointed to the cooling tray on the ledge.

"Yeah, but this one was already unwrapped." She popped the rest in her mouth. "Hey, I have to head to Chuck's tonight for a few hours. I'll see you later."

Packing four cupcakes in a small container I sent them with Siannah to snack on. Taking a seat on the couch I went back to looking over what Jace should know for his remake. Ten minutes later there was a knock at the door.

Capping my yellow highlighter I closed my notebook inside the textbook tossing it on the table. Opening the door Jace stood outside wearing gray sweatpants with a black hoodie covering his damp hair. Debating whether I should slam the door I noticed the strange look on his face. "What's wrong?"

"Sweets, your nipples are pierced." He stated with raised brows.

Looking down at my white t-shirt the outline of my piercings were clearly visible. "I lost a bet." I shrugged, walking back to the table where my books were spread out.

Clearing his throat I heard the door shut. "I'm really enjoying the things I learn about you Sweets but you have to change."

Sitting cross legged on the couch I uncapped my highlighter and asked, "Why?"

"What you have on is too sexy for me to concentrate." Rolling my eyes I ignored his comment continuing to highlight the needed sentences waiting for him to take out his own books. Pausing to look up he shifted from one foot to the other, never moving from the door.

"You're being ridiculous."

"I'm a guy Sweets and finding out that your hot little body has been pierced at one of the most sensitive spots makes me want to tug on those beautifully pierced nipples with my teeth," he walked over covering his man parts, "and because you keep putting me in the friendzone, I don't want to ruin this study session or jeopardize our friendship. I like having you as a friend, Sweets. In fact you're one of my favorite people."

"I've never put you in the friendzone."

Taking a seat on the couch he grabbed a throw pillow placing it on his lap before stretching out his arms. "I've tried to kiss you several times and only succeeded once."

"So you planned that kiss in your room?"

"I planned to kiss you before you went home, yes. However, I didn't plan the conversation. The opportunity presented itself to me and I took it. It was hot though." He winked, awakening the butterflies in my stomach.

Tossing my notebook to the cushion next to him I shuffled through the stack of flashcards. Starting our study session I went over the cards with Jace twice before quizzing him. Missing only a few answers we went over what he didn't feel confident in as well as the answers he got wrong.

Flipping the notebook closed Jace exhaled rubbing his hands over his face. "My brain is officially fried." He smiled with his eyes closed. "You're a badass tutor. I'll give you that."

"Thank you." I smiled back, placing the books in my lap on the table. Tucking the mechanical pencil in my messy bun I folded my left leg under me, bending my right over it. "Do you feel like you can ace the test?"

"Absolutely."

Pushing his mostly dry hair away from his face he laced his fingers at the back of his head looking relaxed and at home. Watching him for a few moments I grabbed my camera from the side table quickly snapping his picture.

Opening his eyes he shook his head at me. "What? You have a photogenic face."

"Let me see your camera." He said with an outstretched hand.

"Why?"

"Because you're always hiding behind it and I want you to see how beautiful you are. Come on. Hand it over."

Hoping that my camera wouldn't slip through his fingers and break on the hardwood floor I placed it in his hand. "Do you even know how to work a camera?"

Standing up he put the strap around his neck taking his stance in front of the tv. "Can't be too hard and I've seen you take a million and one pictures. Besides, this could be my new hidden talent if I never get back on the ice. Go stand over there." He waved near the back wall leading to the hall.

"No, the lighting is terrible over there." I used as an excuse. What I looked like wasn't exactly picture worthy.

"Come on Sweets." He raised the lens. "And nice socks by the way."

"Thanks." I looked down at my blue socks with cupcakes dancing all over them. "They go perfect with my attire. I didn't want to dress too provocative and have your focus be on my flour sprinkled sweatpants." I laughed at my own joke wiping off the flour from baking just seconds before the camera clicked.

Jace raised the camera to take my picture again. "You have on sweatpants that make your hips and ass look mouth watering." Click. "You have that beautiful long curly ginger hair pulled up into a hideous nest on the top of your head that makes me want to rip it out." Click. "With those thick ass librarian glass makes you look sexy as fuck." Click. "And to put the cherry on top - and my favorite part, you have on a shirt that complements your piercings so very well." Click. Click. Click.

"Okay enough." I reached for my camera the same time he raised it above his head.

"I want the photos I just took."

Pausing my reach I lowered myself stepping away from his warm body. "You want photos of me?"

"Why not? You have photos of me."

"They're for school." I reminded him.

"Who knows what you do with them after hours." He wagged his brows. "For all I know you could be touching yourself at night. Moaning my name while looking at this handsome face."

I tried reaching for my camera again, "As if."

There was one picture that made its way into my dreams several times. We were in the locker room, Jace was shirtless wet with sweat, minus my camera. We were all alone, heat rising between us as he stared at me like he wanted to have his way with me against the locker.

"You wouldn't touch yourself to my picture?" He faked sniffed, bringing me out of my favorite dream. "I'm hurt. I thought we were friends."

"Friends don't touch themselves to their friends' pictures, Jace. That's weird."

"So now would be a bad time to tell you that I've stroked my dick to your contact picture?"

"The picture is of both of us!" I scoffed.

"I cover my face with my thumb." He shrugged and disappeared down the hall.

"Where are you going?"

Coming back seconds later with my laptop in hand he took his seat on the couch putting his boot on the edge of the coffee table. "I was serious about those pictures, Sweets."

"I'm not giving you pictures to masturbate to." I reached for my laptop the same time he pulled it to his chest.

"I won't."

"Promise?"

"Fuck no." He laughed scooting away from me. Patting the now vacant spot he asked me to sit next to him.

Watching him log into my account and take the memory card from my camera, inserting it into the laptop he clicked and scrolled before setting the laptop on the table nodding towards it. I should get a new password. "Those are all the pictures?"

"I have more people to go through but yours are done."

"Dawson and Moore too?"

"I haven't partnered with Reid yet. Did you want to see what I've finished though?"

Handing over the laptop he smiled, "Hell yeah I want to see and of course by that I mean the ones of myself." He rubbed his hands together.

Shaking my head I clicked on the folder labeled Jace Carter peeking over to watch his reaction as his pictures loaded one by one. Double tapping the first one I set it to slideshow and watched with him as each picture passed. We watched the same slideshow two more times before I closed the window tab putting the laptop to sleep. Setting it back on the table I asked for his honest opinion and to not spare my feelings.

Sitting back he crossed his arms, "You want honesty?" Nodding my head I let out an uneven breath pulling my bottom lip in between my teeth. Reaching over he gently grabbed my chin pulling down until my lip fell free from my nervous biting. "If anyone should be biting your lips, it should be me."

I wanted to kiss Jace. I really really wanted to kiss him but there were too many questions that would follow after but that wouldn't stop me from fantasizing about kissing my . . . friend.

"Well," he grabbed both of my hands, "I think you should just turn in my pictures so you can get the free tickets and pass with flying colors."

"Just your pictures?"

"I mean look at that face and those abs! I make everyone else look like babies."

"Don't hype yourself up too much pretty boy, I did do some editing on you and I still have more partners to go through."

"What? You don't believe me?" Standing up he pulled his hoodie and shirt over his head, "Look at this body. Matter of fact, come here." He pulled me up rubbing my hands over his chest and abs. "No editing needed, Sweet Girl. I'm all muscle baby."

Our hands moved over his toned abdomen at a pace that wasn't giving me time to admire. Slowing down to feel every indent with each stomach muscle his hand dropped from mine completely. The butterflies had vanished from my stomach and a new longing pulsing feeling throbbed in between my legs. My heartbeat pounded in my ears while I breathed him in letting his natural smell surround me putting us in our own little bubble. Touching his necklace I picked up the anchor that rested on his chest.

"My god-dad was in the Navy." He spoke in a soft tone.

Lifting my eyes to his moving lips I moistened my own thinking back to him saying that I put him in the friendzone. Taking this moment of eye gazing as my opportunity to show him that I wanted to be more, I stood on my toes bringing his head down to mine before I lost my courage.

Feeling his hand on my waist he closed the millimeter of space between us bringing me closer to his chest. Goosebumps scattered across my skin as his hand ran up my arm. Heat rose to my ears, probably coloring them a warm red. Heartbeat racing as if I was running a marathon I moved my lips with his, grasping the hair at the nape of his neck feeling his silky locks.

Letting out a soft moan I felt the stiffness of his member against my stomach as he walked us backwards until we fell onto something soft. Flipping over to straddle him with my newfound courage we crashed to the floor breaking apart groaning in pain. "Ow! My elbow."

"Shit, my knee." We both looked at each other pausing a second before laughing hysterically.

Wrapping his arm around my waist he pulled me towards him. Sliding his hand from my cupcake curves down to my thigh he placed it over his legs flipping me on top of him before I could figure out how to calm my breathing. "You drive me crazy Sweets."

Shivering from the gentle touch at the back of my head Jace stared back at me with his Granny Smith eyes lowering my head to his when the door opened making me scramble off of his lap.

"I got to put my design on someone's . . . back . . ." Siannah paused, easing the door closed. "Am I interrupting something?" She smirked with a raised brow.

Moving further away from him, I grabbed his clothes, tossing them at his chest. "No nothing." I stood busying myself with stacking the books we studied from. "Jace's was um - he was just leaving."

"I was?"

"Yes."

Siannah crossed her arms, "Are you sure?"

"I'm sure." Heading for the kitchen I grabbed the tray of cupcakes handing them over to Jace as he took his time putting his clothes back on. "Good luck on your retake."

Never looking at Siannah he walked over to me and stood without taking the tray. Slightly tilting his head as if trying to read me I looked away first not wanting him to read my thoughts. Feeling the tray slip from my fingers he mumbled a thanks and goodbye leaving my sister and I alone.

"What the hell was that?" Siannah asked, closing the door behind him.

Going back to the table I fixed the mess I made trying to act nonchalant when Siannah walked in on us. "Do you think people can change?"

"I think so. Does your question have anything to do with Jace?"

"No, I was just . . . I don't know, I was just asking." Picking up the stack of notebooks and textbooks I yelled out a goodnight to Siannah closing my bedroom door behind me.

Setting everything in my arms on the desk I fell on the bed thinking back to those green eyes and the soft touch of his lips. He kissed me as if he had been waiting a lifetime to bring our mouths together. The way he touched me wasn't in a rush to get me undressed as if kissing me was his main focus.

Was that part of his plan? To watch me drool over his body and let me think I was taking the lead. Jace was known for his Carter Charm. He knew exactly how to charm a woman right out of her panties. Was his flirting genuine? Did he really care about me or was this all pieces to the big puzzle of watching me fall?

I knew that Jace thought my body was nice. He told me on more than one occasion but I needed more. As much as I wanted to take things to the next level with him, I had to know for sure that he would want me as much as I wanted him. More than one night. More than tutor and student. More than friends.

--   --   --

Rolling over to peek at the digital clock on my nightstand it read eleven thirty. Usually my Saturday mornings consist of getting up at nine thirty or ten o'clock if I allow myself to sleep in and do some editing. Most of the time I would have an afternoon session with a family or couple but today I was free.

Checking the calendar on my cell there were zero reminders for today. Pushing back the large mane that I didn't cover before going to sleep I remembered why I didn't have any plans for today.

It was wash day.

The most hated day of every month besides cramping on my cycle, was wash day. I mean I love my hair. Having natural ginger hair for a black person wasn't something you came across often but on wash day, the thought of cutting it to baby curls or a nice fade popped in my head quite often.

The detangling, the conditioning, the washing, then styling was exhausting. It was all exhausting in the end. On days like this I canceled any plans that I had made which usually consisted of tutoring or a possible photo shoot but today I had to stay at home instead of doing anything photography related.

Standing in the bathroom I stared at myself - more so my hair and sighed. "This is going to take all day."

Clipping the towel around my neck to keep my undershirt dry I began spraying my hair with water to help the detangling process. Smoothing over the aloe vera from root to tip there was a light knock on the bathroom door.

Successfully pausing the music with my knuckle I turned to Siannah. "Hey."

"I see you have your whole day planned." She joked leaning against the door frame.

"And what about you? You've been running around all month and I have yet to see you wash your hair."

"Tomorrow night if you'll help me." She held her hands together in a begging manner. "Please Kat? Please?"

"What if I have plans tomorrow?"

"Do you? With a certain someone?" She wagged her brows at me.

Picking at the hair food under my nails I rinsed it in the sink. Looking back in the mirror at the girl with her hair a mess, my thoughts went back to Jace's facial expression when he left. "I don't know Kit."

"What don't you know, Savannah? From what I interrupted yesterday you and Jace seem to like each other enough."

"I don't want to be a little fling to him, Si. Flings were never my kind of thing. I won't deny that I like Jace because I do. He gives me butterflies all the time and we have fun. His flirting is adorable and the kisses that we did share were amazing. He makes me feel -"

"Horny?"

"Siannah." I rolled my eyes.

"Well he does!" She laughed.

"He does but -"

"But nothing! You're overthinking it, as usual. If Jace makes you feel beautiful and gives you butterflies then you may want to think about being friends with benefits. All the free making out but with no worries about a relationship beginning since we're graduating in May."

"But May is months away."

"It is so I guess you need to call Jace up and talk it out." She rubbed my shoulder before walking away. "I'm going to work! Love you sis!"

"Love you too."

Finishing off the section of my hair I put it in a twist moving on to the next part until my entire head was tucked under a shower cap. Setting the timer for thirty minutes I pulled up Jace's contact hovering over the phone icon.

What was I going to say to him? Stop flirting with me because you don't really want to be in a relationship? Don't call me sexy or beautiful because my hormones can't take a compliment?

Placing my cell face down on the counter I busied myself with laundry when the alarm went off for me to rinse my hair and start the washing process.

Fun fun

Undressing to wash my hair in the shower I wrapped a towel around me pulling off the used shower cap when my phone vibrated on the counter. Picking it up, Jace's contact picture was on the screen. Sliding the green bubble across I put him on speaker, "Hello?"

"What's your middle name, Sweets?"

"Denise, wh-"

"SAVANNAH DENISE MOTHERFUCKING THOMAS! WE DID IIIIIIIT!!"

"We did?" I smiled from his outburst.

"WE DID IT!" He yelled in my ear, "JACE CARTER IS BACK BABY! I'M FUCKING BACK!"

"Congratulations Jace but um . . . what did we do exactly?"

"Mrs. Tully sent me an email Friday saying that I could take my test this morning because she would be in her office. So I got my ass up and took that test baby and I FUCKING ACED THAT SHIT!"

"I'm so proud of you Jace. I knew you could do it!" I did a small happy dance.

"What are you doing - you know what it doesn't matter. We're going out to celebrate. I'm on my way. Where are you?"

"I would love to celebrate with you but I can't. I'm doing my hair."

"Well how long does it take? Are you almost done?"

"No," I laughed, "I'm not almost done. Not even close and it's an all day thing." The line had gone silent for so long I checked the screen to make sure the call didn't drop. "Jace, you there?"

"Can I come over?"

"You . . . want to come and sit while I do my hair?"

"Yeah, I mean since we can't go out and celebrate me getting back on the ice then we can just chill at your place. I'll even help do your hair if you need me to."

"That sounds great. We actually. . . I mean I actually need to talk to you about something. I'll leave the door unlocked for you since I'll be rinsing my hair."

Promising to be over soon with lunch I hung up with a smile so wide I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror and busted out laughing at how ridiculous I was being over him. He had me smiling like a teenager who got asked out by her crush but I guess that was somewhat true.

Brushing my teeth while the shower warmed up, I turned the knob on the sink to spit when it fell in my hand and a stream of water sprayed me in the face. Screaming in surprise I grabbed another towel covering the leaking mess as the sink began to fill up and pour over the floor. "Why is this happening?"

Grabbing another towel I switched out the damp one tossing it on the floor before grabbing my cell. As the minutes passed by I ran around the apartment like a lunatic trying to find a way to fix our sink. Running over to Nate's door while waiting for Siannah to pick up her phone, no one was answering. "Rats!"

Looking in every cabinet I was ashamed that we didn't have any tools. Redialing Siannah's number I heard faint vibrating sounds. Just when I was about to slam the cabinet under the kitchen sink I dropped my phone. Opening the refrigerator door I found Sianah's phone vibrating on top of the butter. "Ugggh!"

Frustrated with it all I dialed Jace's number pacing while it rang. "Come on. Pick up." I groaned holding the phone between my shoulder and ear while trying to soak up the water covering my bathroom floor. "Pick up your stupid phone!"

"Hey, I was about to order -"

"My bathroom is flooding and I don't know what to do! Nate is at work, Siannah left her phone, maintenance never shows, and my apartment is going to flood!" I rushed out on the verge of tears.

"Shit. I'll be there in 10." He said before hanging up.

Running back to the bathroom to survey the mess, water sprayed out of the sink soaking everything on the floor. "Crap. Crap. Crap." Walking through the small pond that was forming, I turned off the shower sitting on the edge of the tub. "I hate living here." The water was in the hall probably soaking up my bedroom carpet since my room was closer.

Hearing the door open and shut I waited for Jace to notice the mess. "What the hell? There's water all the way out here!"

My eyes started to burn with tears. Where the hell were we supposed to go? We didn't know anyone who had enough space for the both of us.

Hearing his footsteps stop at the bathroom door I quickly wiped my tears. "Sweets, why are you sitting in here?"

"My apartment is flooding. I hate living here. Maintenance never shows up, Nate is usually here to fix these kinds of problems but he's gone and I don't know where he went. Siannah is at work too but she forgot her phone and I just want to take a hot shower wash this goop out of my hair."

Taking a step in the bathroom he sat on the edge of the tub knocking shoulders with me. "I may not be the best mechanic but I'll try to stop the water. You on the other hand should change and pack some clothes for you and Siannah. The two of you are staying with me."

"But you live in a house that always has girls coming and going and where are we supposed to sleep?"

Taking off his shirt Jace hung it on the hall closet door knob giving me time to look at the creases and dips in his back all the way to his - "You two can share Shawn's old room." Pulling his hair up into a bun I tried to not watch his movements but my eyes were drawn to him. Every muscle he had was on full display. I didn't know where to look first. Between his beaded pink nipples or the way his pants hung off his waist showing that deep V that led to promises I could never have.

"Wait, rumor has it that his room is the sex room." I air quoted.

Pulling out a few tools from his back pocket he knelt on the floor in front of me letting the water soak his hair, running down his face and chest. "I'll wash the sheets when we get back."

"No thanks. Maybe we could stay with Nate but I don't have a key to his place. Shoot." I tapped my chin in thought. "Or I could -"

"You and Siannah are staying in the spare room that we have for free. All you have to do is say thank you."

Wiping away the water and hair goop from my forehead I gave my thanks telling him that it meant a lot to me that he was offering us a place to lay our heads.

"No problem. Now go pack your stuff along with your sister's before I do it for you and I'm telling you right now it'll be all thongs and no bras."

Pushing him back, I tried to hold in my smile. "You're such a perv."

"Probably but you sitting here in a soaked towel with nothing underneath only reminds me of those beautifully pierced nipples that you won't let me see."

"Because you're a pervert."

"Maybe." He smiled, pulling me up.

Being so close to him I could see his heartbeat pulsing in his neck. All I wanted to do was stick my nose in the curve of his jaw and breathe him in. One sniff couldn't hurt, right? Gosh, I sound like an addict. Sliding my arms around his neck I pulled him down to my level holding him tight.

Wrapping his arms around my waist bringing us up to his full height he squeezed me slightly tighter wiping my forehead. "You sure you're okay, Sweets?"

No, but you smell amazing.

"I'm good. I just want to say thank you again."

Looking into his eyes I wanted nothing more than to kiss him. To feel the soft flesh of his lips against mine. His kissing skills were perfect. Out of the few I've had, Jace was number one on my list. He knew exactly what to do and even though the thought of him learning and practicing his skills on every girl here, our kisses still felt special.

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