Jace's lips were against mine. His soft lips moved expertly against my own. My eyes fluttered close as I found myself getting absorbed. Absorbed by his lips. By him.

Aggression. Dominance.

That's what this kiss was.

His hand found it's way to the back of my neck, pulling me in closer. I should have pulled away. I should have stopped this from happening. But my lips had a mind of their own and they wanted this.

Whispers.

My eyes shot open at the sound. I was so absorbed by Jace I didn't notice that students were filing into the hallway since lunch was over.

I placed my hand on Jace's chest and pushed him away breaking the kiss. A smirk filled his lips as he took a step back. He planned this. He wanted everyone to know.

They noticed. Everyone noticed.

Whispers filled the hallway. Glares, shock and confusion all were directed toward me.

"What the hell was that?" I exclaimed.

Jace looked over his shoulder as he wiped away the gloss he stolen from my lips from his bottom lip with his thumb. "For that."

I followed his line of vision and my heart fell into my stomach.

Nate stood a few feet away starting directly at me, his dark blue eyes glazed over in emotion. Hurt? Disappointment?

I felt a heat of embarrassment starting to set in.

Jace leaned in close and whispered into my ear. "Convincing enough." He pulled away giving me one last cocky smile and walked down the hallway filled with students.

The whispers grew louder and without his presence there I felt vulnerable. I grabbed my bag that had fell on the floor and bolted to my next class.

I slid into my seat and ran a hand through my dark locks with frustration.

Why?

Why the hell did he do that?

My lips still tingle from the kiss. My mind flashes back to the moment not too long ago. The feeling of his lips on mine. The aggressiveness, the desire.

I felt heat rise to my cheeks at the thought.

Stop it, Leah.

No, seriously. Why?

Was it to make Nate jealous?

Was he jealous?

Ugh!

I slammed my head into my hands. This is so frustrating!

The warning bell rung as the teacher walked into class. I tried to pay attention to the lecture. But my mind kept replaying that moment.

Over and over.

Before I knew it I was in my last class of the day. The one I had with both Nate and Jace. Great.

I walked in and Nate was already seated. Kayla wasn't in class, she had to leave early for an appointment. Jace wasn't there yet, but the tension was already evident.

Nate glanced up and met my eyes, but looked right back down to his book. I took my seat just as the bell rung.

Jace never made it to class.

Nate just ignored me.

And my partner in crime abandoned me.

I just wanted to crawl into my bed and bury myself in chocolate and fried chicken. Don't ask why.

Class went by and next thing I knew the bell rung signaling the end of the day.

I stood up and turn back to see if Nate was still there and maybe talk to speak to him, but he was long gone.

Walking outside, I felt the cool refreshing air on my face. It was much needed I felt as if my body was going to over heat being in there.

I jogged down the steps and walked into the school's parking lot.

Since I knew Kayla was going to abandon me today, I drove myself.

Yes I know how to drive. Shocking.

But sometimes I forget I can myself.

I walked up to my blue Toyota Corolla and was just about to unlock it when I saw something or rather someone out of the corner of my eye.

Jace was leaning against the hood of his car. No one was around him and I decided in the moment I wanted answers.

I took big strides over to him and in a few seconds I was standing directly in front of him.

"Do you want to tell me what the he-" I stopped mid sentence as I caught a look at his face.

A small gasp left my lips.

His bottom lip was busted open and bleeding. His right cheek discolored like a bruise was going to definitely form there. The skin on his knuckles were broken.

"What happened?" I asked unconsciously reaching towards his face.

Jace grabbed my hand to stop me. "Don't." His voice raspy.

His hazel eyes were darkened and hard. His grip on my hand loosen.

I reached into my bag and grabbed a napkin. I reach towards his face once more in a swift manner and wiped the blood that was near his lip.

Jace avoided eye contact, but grabbed the napkin from my hand.

We stood there in silence.

I spoke up once more. "What happened Jace?" I asked concern lace in my voice.

"Don't worry about it." He said pushing off the hood of his car.

"Jace." I said grabbing his arm stopping him from leaving.

"Why do you care?" He asked with narrowed eyes.

Did I care?

Yes I did.

"Because despite us being in a fake relationship. I consider you a friend and I don't want to see you get hurt." I told him.

His eyes soften slightly as he looked at me. "Leah, don't concern yourself."

"Jace, I-" I started to say, but was cut off by an unfamiliar voice.

"Jace!" The voice called out. Jace grabbed my arm and pushed me behind him in a protective manner. "Why did you run away so quickly?" The voice mocked.

"Why are you here?" Jace asked in an icy tone.

"Aww. Don't be like that. You should be happy to see me." The voice said.

I peered over Jace's shoulder to see who it was. Yes I was nosey.

A man in his mid to late twenties stood before us. His dark hair was slick back and his green eye were filled with mischief. His arms were filled with tattoos all of different types. But a tattoo of wolf's eyes in his forearm stood out to me. He stood at the same height as Jace. The man crossed his arms over his chest expanding his muscles under his black t-shirt and smirk filled his lips.

His eyes cut over to me. "Whose this?" He asked.

Jace's back tensed up as his grip on me became tighter. "No one."

"No one? You're very protective over no one." The man said playfully. "Oh is this your girlfriend?"

"Keep her out of this." Jace's tone harden.

"Oh, she is. Good to know." The man waved over to me. "Hello." He said with a devious smile on his face.

"What do you want?" Jace said through gritted teeth.

The man cut his gaze over to him. " I don't think you should be speaking to me that way. Think of the position you're in."

Jace clenched his fists. The anger that was radiating off of him was immense and didn't want to be on the receiving end of that.

As angry as Jace was he held himself back, I was surprise as he can be hot headed.

But that made me think, just who is this man?

"When you're done playing." The man said waving his hand towards me. "You are wanted."

The man gave me one last smile and walked away.

When he was out of view, I felt Jace's shoulders relax but his grip of still firm on me.

"Jace, who was that?" I said softly. I felt if I spoke any louder something would break.

He turned around to face me and looked straight into my eyes. His hazel ones where swirling with so many emotions. "Go home, Leah."

I was going to argue, but the look he gave me was filled with so many different emotions. Anger, sadness, worry. He looked broken.

All I could do was nod my head. Jace gave me one last look. "Go." Was all he said.

My feet finally found the courage and walked over to my car leaving him behind.

As I unlocked my car, I heard the roar of his engine and the squeal of his tires. I looked back and he was long gone.

I tossed my bag on my passenger seat and locked my doors. I was afraid that weird guy would come back. He seemed a little to interested.

I let my mind reel in my thoughts as I drove home. I know Jace said he had issues.

But what were they?

Is he in danger?

What did his past include?

What is going on?

I wanted answers. I want to know what Jace's past is. I wanted to know more about him.

What is he hiding?

All these questions, no answers.

But I am determined to find out.

👀