Novel Square
Chapter 50
Chapter 50
Chapter 50
JASON
My body tenses like it does right before a fight. But I don’t resist as Grace pulls my body against hers.
Her arms are thin but strong. She rests her head on my chest and holds me close. I breathe carefully,
struggling to control the many emotions I’m feeling. Her scent envelopes me. It’s that light, faint smell
that reminds me of soft summer mornings. And quiet fall nights.
That scent inexplicably gives me a feeling of contentment.
It was as if being by her side allows me to relax completely.
Which is just ridiculous.
"Jay, didn't you say that you would never abandon me? I vow the same, I will never abandon you. No
matter what happens in the future, I will stay by your side."
Her voice is a whisper in my ear.
"Would you really stay by my side no matter what?"
"Of course," she replies matter-of-factly.
“Those are easy words, sister.” I let my wolf pulse through. Purposely trying to frighten her. ”Won’t you
be scared of me?"
She chuckles lightly. "Why would I be scared of you? My Jay…” She smiles at me.
My Jay... there she goes again with that wording. Like I belong to her. Oh, I’m not averse to hearing it. I
might even enjoy the pretense of it.
But right now I’m thinking too much and suddenly our faces are only inches apart. The tips of our noses
are almost touching as she turns her face up to mine.
Her hands twine behind my neck.
She bites her bottom lip and I stop thinking entirely.
Grace’s face flushes red, like it’s finally dawning on her that she’s in my arms. Her body pressed up
against mine. When her eyes widen and she instinctively backs up, I sling my arms around her waist,
holding her in place.
Grace freezes.
Yeah. Now she’s getting it.
My wolf rumbles beneath my skin. And she probably senses that too, because I’m not making any
effort to mask him, and he’s a very possessive beast.
Her eyes search mine.
Silly girl, I can practically read her mind, her face is so expressive.
Her eyes are nearly black, her pupils are so blown out. She’s playing with the hair at the nape of my
neck. And I can smell her arousal.
She wants me.
My hands reflexively tighten on her hips.
Her breath catches.
There’s so much vulnerability in this woman. That’s the other thing that’s easy to see. Her uncertainly.
Do I see her as something more than an ex-con.
Yes, Grace.
Do I think less of her because she’s human.
No, Grace.
What about the scars and baggage, the isolation from pack.
Don’t really care about that either, Grace.
She stays here, suspended in my arms as her gaze darts between my eyes and mouth.
“Still see me as your brother, Grace?”
She almost laughs.
And it is funny.
Because this connection, this chemistry between us, there is nothing ‘brotherly’ about it. I see straight This belongs © NôvelDra/ma.Org.
through her.
She’s attracted to me. The way a woman wants a man.
My phone rings loudly and I growl.
Grace shakes her head as if she’s coming back to reality. She shoves out of my arms.
I growl again.
* * * * * * * * * *
GRACE
"Grace, please sweep the rubbish next to the garbage can. The garbage truck is coming in a while,"
Claire says.
And just like that, I'm jolted from the memories I’ve been replaying all morning.
Memories of me. And Jay.
Almost kissing.
If I close my eyes, I can feel his big, strong body. The thought of his hands on my waist gives me
shivers.
“Earth to Claire?”
“Yes. Cleaning. All right," I tell her.
I would’ve much rather stayed home today. With Jay.
I wanted to try and connect to my wolf.
There was a second in that apartment where I felt her.
I heard her.
As Jay growled at me, angry that our moment was interrupted, something happened…
There was a second growl.
It was low and soft.
And it came from within me.
“Ava?” I call out to her again.
She was far far away, but I wanted to believe that whatever separated us, my wolf was intent on
coming home to me. And I don’t mean that as some metaphor, I think the silver distanced us, and I
wanted to believe—needed to believe—that she was making her way back to me.
The silver… I think it locked her from my body and mind, maybe it constrained her to some part of my
soul.
But if I could hear her, could connect with her on some level, then that had to mean she wasn't gone
completely.
There’s hope.
And I was clinging to that hope with everything in me that I might someday be whole again.
I catch a glimpse of Gus coming into the center and I shoot a quick glance at my friend. Nice of Claire
to take me out of Gus’s path. For a while, I wasn’t sure if Claire was going to respect my decision or if
she was going to keep trying to convince me to give Gus a chance.
He’s a nice enough man.
But… he deserves better than me.
So does Jay for that matter.
I frown.
I cherish Jay’s friendship. I try to imagine what my apartment will feel like without him in and I’m
slammed with depression.
It’d be one more small, square prison.
If I come home one day and he isn’t there…
A pang of sorrow shoots through my chest.
More of my coworkers are gossiping about the Stevens ad drama. I meant what I said to Jay, I don’t
care one way or the other about Sean. I’m just… empty as far as Sean is concerned.
If I still cared, then maybe I’d enjoy seeing Sean embarrassed. It was nice, don’t get me wrong, it
makes me believe that maybe karma does work. But if I subscribe to all of that then I’d have to think
that I had done something to earn all the turmoil and pain I’ve endured.
It’s okay. You’re okay.
Today is a new day.
I walk to the garbage can and start to sweep the surrounding area.
Suddenly, a pair of Dior high heels stop in my view.
I’ve seen plenty of luxury brands and owned Diors, red-bottoms, Manolos and others. One pair of those
shoes would pay my rent for months.
I lift me head and Lily's beautiful face comes into sight.