Chapter 12
Nerissa's head buzzed like it had short-circuited — totally didn't see that one coming. Her heart started pounding out of control.
Thump.
Thump.
Each beat so loud it felt like it might burst through her chest.
Jace leaned in slowly, face inching closer bit by bit. His features were sharp, clean-cut, eyes as cold as ever, and the bridge of his nose was so high it nearly brushed hers. That faint masculine scent he carried wrapped itself around her, calm but oddly intense.
Nerissa turned her head away in awkward panic, trying not to meet his gaze. Her voice was barely a whisper, soft like a feather drifting down. "I... I'm not supposed to do this for a week."
He was the one who'd said so, after all.
"It's been a week. You're good now."
"But..."
"I'm the doctor. My word stands."
Before Nerissa could even get the rest out, Jace captured her lips in a firm kiss. One of his long fingers slipped behind her head, locking her in place, giving her no room to escape.
His breath brushed hot against her nose, making her whole face feel like it was on fire.
Her mind blanked out — not even mush, more like everything short-circuited. This was only her third kiss ever, and something about it pulled her in further than she'd expected. Whether that was good or bad, she wasn't so sure anymore.
They had sex for the first time that night in his car.
The second time was right behind the front door, before she could even catch her breath. Jace was insatiable.
Now that he'd had her once, it was as though something had snapped. His touches grew bolder, his kisses deeper, his movements rougher. He gave her no room to recover—just wave after wave of intense pleasure that left her gasping, helpless beneath him.
By the end of the second round, Nerissa's legs had gone completely weak. Her fingers dug into his toned biceps as she whimpered softly, her whole body aching in unfamiliar ways.
He was nothing like she'd imagined.
Cold and aloof on the surface—but in private, a man who unleashed every dark, unspoken desire.
And not once had he taken her to the bed.
So when he leaned over her again on the couch, pressing her down for the third time, she couldn't hold it in anymore. "C-Can we... at least do it in bed?"
Jace looked down at her.
Her cheeks were flushed, her lips swollen, her eyes red-rimmed and glassy. She looked like a trembling little deer—exhausted, overwhelmed, yet still incredibly soft and inviting.
He paused for a moment. Then his eyes darkened, and he gave a rare nod.
"You've earned it."
Nerissa blinked up at him, dazed, her body wrapped in the lingering heat of everything they'd done.
He stood, towering above her, his shirt half-unbuttoned, exposing a glimpse of firm abs beneath. The ceiling light poured down over them, too bright, too honest.
She lifted a hand to shield her eyes, cheeks burning.
This money... really wasn't easy to earn.
The next morning, Nerissa woke up early.
First thing she saw was the huge floor-to-ceiling window and the minimalistic ceiling light. It took her a few seconds to process what had gone down the night before.
She'd sold herself out again — to the exact same man. Jace was still asleep on the other side of the bed. The thin blanket barely covered his waist, leaving his upper body exposed — defined muscles, broad shoulders tapering to a lean waist. Damn near perfect.
Nerissa felt her cheeks heat up just looking at him. She quickly slipped out of bed, hoping not to wake him, and started searching for her clothes.
But her outfit wasn't in the bedroom. It was scattered across the living room floor and draped over the couch. She forced herself to ignore the soreness in her legs and took her time pulling on a T-shirt and a pair of jeans.
She'd changed out of the club clothes right after they left yesterday.
Click.
The bedroom door opened. Jace came out, loosely wrapped in a robe, and spotted her crouched by the door putting on her shoes.
He looked at her, said nothing, and headed straight to the kitchen. She watched him pour a glass of water. By the time he came back, she'd already tied her laces.
"I'm... heading out," she said, hesitating by the door.
"Yeah," he replied casually, taking a sip of water. His voice was cool and distant — completely different from the guy he was last night. Like a switch flipped.
"My stomach hurts. Can you, um... get me some medicine?"
