The Blackmail Bride

Chapter 55 Part 1

Caretaker

I stayed in the shower for a long time.

Jace knocked on the bathroom door once. When I peeked out of the shower stall, my travel bag was sitting on the floor near the open door. But no Jace.

I stood in there until I was sure I had burned my skin. I wore a black cotton t-shirt dress reaching down to my calves. Jace Black was already on his side of the bed, sitting up. The only thing I could see over the blankets was his black shirt as he leaned back on pillows. He was scrolling through his phone, his messy bronze locks dangled over his forehead, covering his eyes as he leaned into the screen. Sensing me, he looked up when I came in.

Our eyes locked. Immediately, I was reminded of what happened in the shower.

"What do you want to do now?" Jace asked, rubbing at his eyes as he set the phone down beside him.

My eyes went to the blankets covering his legs before catching myself. My glance returned to his face, "I don't know."

Already washed up like this, the only thing I could think of was joining him in bed.

And as if reading my mind, Jace patted the pillow beside his. I nodded, walking over to the other side of the bed. Lifting the covers, I slid in beside him. I mimicked his pose, sitting with my back to the headboard.

Jace watched me get in, and helped by adjusting the pillow as I leaned back. Satisfied I was settled in, he leaned back and stared in front. I did the same, realizing the bed faced the floor to ceiling windows.

Angry rain continued to pour outside as we watched quietly. Glancing at Jace, his eyes were already shut. But I couldn't do that with the phone he set down on the covers vibrating nonstop.

I picked it up, and flipped it to the screen. Jace's hand was automatic, snatching it before I could see. He dropped it face-down on the bedside table.

I frowned when he glanced at me.

"Seems to me whoever that is needs you," I said.

Jace raised an eyebrow, as if measuring my tone, then shrugged.

"Whoever they are," he corrected.

The phone continued to buzz against the wood. We both glanced at it before looking at each other. I stared to be exact, leaning in close as I realized he was going to avoid my eyes.

"Why don't you answer—"

"It's nothing I don't already know." Jace's gray eyes were darker from this lighting, Him facing the rapidly darkening skies outside the window. Wasn't helping though, leaning into him and covering him with the shadows I was making.

When Jace suddenly flicked his eyes to me, I automatically drew back.

"Can't take what you dish out, huh?" He whispered teasingly.

Pursing my lips, my attention returned to his phone.

It was on the other side of Jace, and I could only grab it if I went over him.

Almost deciding on that, I showed him my hand palm up.

"No," Jace was no longer teasing.

Without thinking, I smacked the open palm against his diaphragm. The surprise made him jump and he glared at me silently.

I stretched my arm a bit and rested the hand on his knee.

"I want to see," I said in apologetic whisper.