Chapter 2

This kiss wasn't like the one she gave him earlier — nervous and clumsy. Jace's kiss was intense, almost possessive. His tongue slipped past her teeth without hesitation, pushing deeper with confident dominance.

That mix of whiskey and his unique scent overwhelmed her senses. Nerissa froze, her mind blank, barely registering what was happening as she passively received the fierce kiss.

Who knows how long it lasted, but when Jace finally pulled away, both of them were breathing heavily. Her lips were swollen, her eyes unfocused, and at some point, her knit sweater had slipped off, baring pale skin to the cool air.

"You don't know how to kiss?" Jace's voice was low and rough. He brushed his thumb over the corner of her mouth where it was damp. "Close your eyes. Breathe."

Then he was kissing her again. This time, Nerissa didn't resist. She shut her eyes like she'd been told. Jace kissed like he knew exactly what he was doing — somewhere between tender and wild. Her whole body started to go limp in his arms, mind fuzzy. She felt his hands slide behind her back — then the clasp of her bra came undone, and the white strapless piece slipped away.

Nerissa instinctively tried to cover herself, but he grabbed her wrists and pinned them against the back of the couch. "Don't."

Jace leaned in, his lips grazing down from her neck slowly. Nerissa had never experienced anything remotely like this before. Her body trembled as waves of new sensations surged up her spine like jolts of electricity.

Soft, unfamiliar sounds slipped from her mouth. Embarrassment rushed through her like a wave, making her want to curl up and hide — but her body wasn't listening to her anymore.

Jace paused when he reached her chest, leaving a vivid mark with his mouth.

He looked up at her, eyes dark and unreadable. "Take your jeans off."

Nerissa moved on autopilot, her hands awkwardly fumbling at the button and zipper. Her whole body was trembling.

And once she had nothing left on, the shame hit her like never before. She instinctively curled in on herself, but Jace held her down.

"Lie still."

He eased her onto the wide sofa cushions and came down over her. The weight and warmth of him made her heart race. Their skin touched, heat rising between them like fire. His lips found her again, and one hand slid slowly from her waist down to the inside of her thigh.

Nerissa tensed up immediately.

"Relax," he whispered near her ear, his breath hot. "Isn't this what you wanted?"

Yeah. This was the path she'd chosen herself. Nerissa squeezed her eyes shut and tried to let go of the stiffness in her limbs. When Jace's fingers brushed between her legs, she gasped.

"First time?" he asked, suddenly going still. There was something in his voice she couldn't quite place.

She gave the tiniest nod, unable to look directly at him.

Jace was quiet for a beat, then lifted himself from her. Just as Nerissa thought maybe he'd changed his mind, he reached into the drawer beside the couch and pulled out a small foil packet. He tore it open smoothly. Nerissa caught the glimpse and flushed even redder — it was a condom.

When he leaned over her again, Nerissa felt something firm and hot press against her. Panic flared in her chest.

"W-wait a sec," she whispered, so soft it was barely more than breathing. "Can we... turn off the lights?"

Jace stilled above her. He glanced at the girl beneath him — eyes shut tight, lashes trembling, skin flushed with shy pink. Something in her look made his lips tug upward.

"Nope," he murmured, grinning. "I want to see you."

And with that, he pushed in all at once.