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“Or a whore,” I snipe, that crackling annoyance still pulsing inside me.
Jace snaps his gaze to me, anger flashing in his eyes.
I flinch at the intensity of that rage.
It’s the first time I have seen true fury in his eyes. Even after all the bullshit I have pulled this past week, I have never seen him get truly angry. Except now.
“Being experienced does not make me a whore,” Jace says, holding my gaze with hard eyes.
Guilt twists inside me, because I didn’t even mean it. I was just angry and frustrated. But before I can respond, Felicia speaks up.
“Of course not,” she says, once again leaning over to place a flirty hand on his arm. “We hate it when guys say things like that to us, so why would we say that to them?”
Embarrassment burns through me at the truth in her words.
I clear my throat and push to my feet. “I think I need to get some water.”
But the thing about drinking while sitting down is that you don’t feel just how drunk you really are until you stand up.
My legs wobble as I awkwardly climb off the chair and take a step away from the table. I immediately have to throw out a hand to steady myself on the back of Jenn’s chair.
Lionel jumps to his feet and wraps an arm around my waist for support. “Here. You should probably go and lie down for a bit.” With his arm still around my waist, he starts walking me away from the table. “Come on, I’ll take you to a quiet room.”
I gasp and almost fall over when Lionel’s body is suddenly ripped away from mine.
Jace’s dark voice cuts through the room like thunder. “Back the fuck off.”
Spinning around, I find Lionel bracing himself on the table that Jace no doubt threw him into. Jace is now standing between me and Lionel. His arms are crossed over his broad chest, and there is an unforgiving look on his face as he stares Lionel down.
Lionel’s cheeks are red with indignation as he straightens from the table and throws his arms out in frustration. “I was helping her!”
“You do not put your hands on her body unless she gives you express permission to do so,” Jace growls at him.
My heart skips a beat. At his commanding tone. At the power that pulses from his body. But most of all, at his word choice. He didn’t say that Lionel is not allowed to touch me. He said that he’s not allowed to touch me without my permission. Meaning that my will, my choice, is the deciding factor here. Not anyone else’s.
The realization sends a pulse of warmth through me.
But before I can do anything, Jace uncrosses his arms and turns back to me instead. “Come on, let’s get you home.”
I’m still a bit dazed, and very drunk, so I just nod. Then I turn to the others at the table, who are watching Jace with expressions varying from surprise to adoration.
“Bye, guys,” I manage to say while my head spins from the alcohol. “I’ll see you later.”
“Uhm, yeah,” Mitch replies, casting a hesitant glance at Lionel, who is staring daggers at Jace.
The girls wave and call out goodbyes as well. Aurora even winks at me while casting a sly look between me and Jace. I just roll my eyes at her and then start towards the doorway.
Music and laughter and loud voices envelop us as Jace and I make our way through the elegant but now very messy house and towards the front door.
Warm night winds wash over us as we step out onto the lawn. I draw in a deep breath and close my eyes. But that only makes me stumble a step to the side, because my legs are still far too unsteady.
A firm hand appears on my elbow, steadying me.
I open my eyes to find Jace there. He raises his eyebrows in silent question. I just clear my throat and start down the small path that leads to the street. The world sways around me.
Once we reach the street, I turn in the direction of my apartment. But I have to throw out a hand and brace myself on a metal pole because the abrupt turn made my head spin.
Clearing my throat again, I start forwards.
