A Host of Fallen Dreams - After the Rising Book 1

Chapter 11

Jace

The Wasteland

'Jace?'

The door flew open and Kami stepped into the room.

'I thought I told you to get some sleep.' Jace dropped the arm holding the violin, only then realising how much his whole body ached.

'I did. Last night. And I've only just noticed the truck is still parked outside-'

'Oh, hell!' Jace cursed. 'The pick-up. I must have been playing all night.'

'All night and all morning,' Kami corrected.

'What?'

'That's right. You were supposed to be picking up Liam Rezzo three hours ago.'

Jace couldn't believe it. He quickly returned the violin to the case, and shoved the instrument at Kami. 'Can you put this back in my room?' He didn't wait for an answer, but instead pushed passed the woman and started along the corridor at a jog.

The quick footsteps behind him indicated Kami was hot on his heels.

'Don't for one minute think you're doing the pick-up,' she shouted at his back. 'You've not had a single moment of rest. If you think I'm going to let you get behind the wheel-'

'Thanks, Kami. You're the best,' he said over his shoulder, before pushing the bar across the emergency exit at the end of the hallway.

Taking the concrete steps carefully, as the snow which had fallen had turned slippery, he climbed back up to ground level and then jogged around the front of The Mansion, to where the truck was parked.

The door was unlocked, as was standard policy, and the keys were sitting in the glove compartment. It was just as Jace was turning the key in the ignition that the passenger door opened.

'Kami?'

'Look I've just swiped this from the security desk,' she said, handing him over a ceramic mug of tea and a chocolate cupcake. 'You're not going anywhere until I see you've taken on food and drink.'

Jace's stomach rumbled. He hadn't realised just how famished he was. 'You are an angel,' he muttered, turning in his seat to face her. The cake was gone in three mouthfuls. The tea, which was still hot, was going to take a little longer. Just as he was about to protest this further delay, Kami, who must have sensed it coming, tutted.

'No chance. You're already late. What's another five minutes to a kid who's been out in the freezing cold and dark all night?'

Jace stared at Kami over the top of the mug and felt something inside of him knot. 'Thanks for the guilt trip. I know I messed up. I don't need you to point it out.'

'I'm worried about you.'

'You don't need to be.'

'Sure. You're falling apart and everyone should just ignore it. Sounds like a healthy way to deal with a problem.'

Jace didn't want this conversation. Not with Kami, nor anyone else. He blew across the surface of the tea to cool it before taking a big gulp, giving him time to formulate some kind of response.

'I don't go prying into your business, Kam. I would appreciate it if you showed me the same courtesy.'

A look of anger crossed her face. 'Prying? I'm your friend, Jace. And everyone knows you're going through a tough time at the moment.'

Jace downed what was left of the tea and then banged the mug down on the dash. 'I don't know what you're talking about.'

'Yes, you do. You're not very good at hiding it. Lyra. It's been four years. You don't think you'll see her again.'

'Kami!' His voice came out like a strangled hiss as a whole host of emotions suddenly hit Jace. Pain, loss, grief, desperation. He felt like he was going to either scream or cry.

But he did neither of those things. Instead Kami was leaning towards him, her hand reaching up and taking hold of his face as she guided his mouth towards her own. Everything fell quiet and still inside him.

The kiss was strong and purposeful, full of intent. Just like Kami, Jace found himself thinking as he responded to her and kissed her back, matching her keenness with his own. As the minutes passed, the kiss became softer, and gentler, until it was no more than a sensual brushing of the lips.

'I'm here for you,' she whispered, as she pulled away. 'In whatever way you need me, I'm here for you. You know...if you can't get any sleep alone, why don't you come to my room tonight?'

Jace's imagination suddenly started firing visions through his mind of their bodies, naked, writhing together beneath the blankets of his bed, and he found his body stirring.

Was it the lack of intimacy and the need to feel close to another person, both of which had been missing from his life these past few years, which was driving his thoughts? He didn't know, but there was no denying that part of him liked her suggestion. Yet, he hadn't wanted Kami, not once, in all the years he'd known her. He hadn't wanted anyone but Lyra. And as soon as he thought her name, shame and guilt overcame him.

'Kami...I...' He couldn't find the words to kindly tell her, "thanks for the offer, but I couldn't possibly".

'I'm not hoping to marry you and have your children, Jace. All I want is a bit of comfort, you know? And I know you need that too. No strings. It wouldn't mean anything. Besides, it might help you take your mind off everything's that troubling you. If you get your focus back, we all win. Right?'

Jace didn't know what to think. Kami made it sound so reasonable. They could sleep together, and it wouldn't change anything. As if them getting intimately acquainted would make him better at his job. Yet, that made no sense. He knew the world didn't work like that. This sort of thing complicated matters, it did not make them simpler.

But before he could say or do anything else, Kami pulled herself over him, her knees taking her weight on the seat to either side of his body. Then she was kissing him again and this time what she was doing was deliberate. A forceful kiss crushed his lips, taking the breath from him, whilst her hand rested on his chest, before steadily moving lower and lower. He was gasping as her mouth glided over the sensitive skin down the side of his neck, her body moving against his in a way he liked far too much.

As she kissed a trail that led back to his mouth, he wondered what would have happened if hadn't got to go pick up Liam Rezzo? What if it had been dark outside inside of daylight?

He knew the answer.

'See you tonight,' Kami breathed heavily in his ear, as she climbed back into her seat, and got out of the car.

It took Jace a few minutes before he felt like he could drive the truck. A glance into the rear-view mirror told him he looked as guilty as he felt.

* * *

Thanks for taking the time to read this chapter. I hope you enjoyed it. If you did, please feel free to press that magic star and vote for it. Or share your thoughts and leave me a comment.

So Kami wants Jace...and Jace might want her back. But where does that leave his feelings for, and hopes for a future with, Lyra? Is this a sensible move on his part, or might this lead to something he will regret?

Please add this book to your library or reading list so you don't miss the next chapter. Regular updates are guaranteed!

Have a wonderful day!