Soft laughter rippled from between her lips. “What are you talkin’ about? You’re the most gorgeous boy I’ve ever seen. You walk the school halls, and every girl you pass swoons.”
He took her hand, pressed her palm to his thundering chest. “All my ugly is on the inside.”
“No . . . you just don’t see yourself for who you are.”
“Or maybe you’re just seeing what you want to see.”
She let her gaze sweep off to the side, to the house that sat like a massive shadow covering them. “Well, I guess it’s a good thing we have this haunted castle to keep us company, then.”
He wrapped an arm around her waist and tucked her close, swaying her around in the moonlight. She chewed at her lip, peeking up at him, something playful on her face.
“You think you aren’t goin’ anywhere, Jace Jacobs? Well, I’m not goin’ anywhere, either. I’m goin’ to stay right here in this very spot. I told you one day I was going to own this place.”
He brushed back the hair that’d fallen in her face, cupping her by the cheek, the anger and fear that had lined his voice turning light. “You gonna let me stay right here with you?”
“Mm-hmm.” Something shy and sweet took hold of her expression. “You and me. We’ll buy this place. Fix it up together. Run it together. Make something of it while we make something of ourselves.”
He spun them around, hugging her closer, their hearts beating in time as he joked, “Beauty and the beast and their haunted castle?”
“That’s right . . . except this castle is gonna be a bed and breakfast,” she said all cute and resolute.
Dreams. That was the thing about them. It didn’t matter if they were impossible or not. And Jace? He wanted to dream with her.
Chase it with her.
“What if I scare all the guests away?” he teased.
“Never . . . you’re too good to look at. I’m pretty sure once the word gets around, you’re going to be what brings in the crowds. At least the ladies.”
He shook his head. “We’re going to have to save a couple of those rooms for my brother and my cousin.”
“That’s just fine. They’re your family. And I like them. They’re sweet.”
Sweet.
Yeah, right.
Jace smiled, though there was a ripple of possessiveness behind it. “Joseph has a crush on you.”
Faith swatted at him. “Oh, he does not.”
“You really are blind, aren’t you?” There was a smile at the corner of his mouth, nothing hard in the words.
“If seeing this place as ours is blind, then so be it.”
“Hmm . . .” he mused. “Beauty’s Bed and Breakfast. Come stay at the BBB.”
A small giggle rippled up Faith’s throat. “For someone who thinks he’s so tough, that is the cheesiest thing I’ve ever heard.”
“What?” His mouth dropped open in feigned offense. “You don’t like it? Come on, Faith. This has to happen.”
She giggled a little more, a blush rushing to her face, her teeth tucking her bottom lip in a tight clamp.
And Jace let himself dream. What it might be like to get to stay there with her.
Forever.
The mood shifted around them, that intensity, the powerful energy he felt every time he was around her gliding through the damp, humid air.
He stared down at her as she tipped her face up to look at him, the moon all around her.
He touched her face. “Beauty,” he murmured.
A wistful smile played around Faith’s mouth. “Beast.”
Jace couldn’t take it any longer.
He took her mouth.
Her lips so soft.
Her tongue so sweet.
And they danced and they kissed and he let his arms roam down her sides.
Over her breasts.
Faith moaned and shuddered.
And he laid her down on the grass, hovering over her, wanting to sink inside.
But knowing he had to be careful.
That he didn’t want to taint beauty. Not when it had finally been offered into the protection of his hand.
Faith looked up at him.
Those eyes so trusting.
Jace let himself lay down over her, molding his body to hers, his kisses deep as he rocked against her.
Faith kicked her head back, gasping for air, and Jace kissed down the column of her neck.
Delicate fingers found their way into his hair. “Why’s it you feel so good? Just like this, our clothes still on?”
The threat of a smile pulled at one side of Jace’s mouth, and he moved to whisper in her ear. “Maybe that’s because we really do belong together.”
“Jace,” she whimpered, and the only thing Jace wanted was to love her. Hold her. Take care of her.
He kissed her softly. Tenderly. And he sucked in a breath when he let his hand slide under her dress.
She tensed, whispered, “Be careful with me, Jace.”
He dipped down, murmured at her lips. “Always.”
He touched her.
Carefully.
Holding himself in restraint because he refused to hurt this girl. Ruin her in any way.