First

Chapter 12

I hung out with Jace while he worked on Saturday, under the pretense of my chores. I felt like everybody was watching us and could tell that something had shifted between Jace and I.

Though we tried to keep it to a minimum, we were very touchy-feely. Especially when we thought no one was looking or when we were able to get a few minutes alone. Jace would push tendrils of hair out of my face, caressing my neck as he did so. Or slyly rest a hand on my hips or waist. All of that made my heart stutter in my chest.

But what really made it race were the kisses he continually stole. Even though they were quick, they were filled with enough emotion to leave me breathless over and over again. Both of us no doubt had silly grins plastered on our faces because of it. We were in such a happy place at that moment. I knew it wouldn't last forever but a girl could hope.

Despite all this, I was still a bundle of nerves with Jace around my dad. We hadn't discussed it last night but we hadn't told anyone we were together yet; it seemed too soon. And the last thing I wanted was for my dad to find out; I knew Daddy wouldn't approve of Jace and I. And I didn't want to put Jace through all that drama... and all that hurt.

And even though I hadn't voiced my fears Jace picked up on them anyway. I think he sensed that I was nervous about something because when everyone else had gone for lunch, Jace hung back, saying he wanted to finish his task.

Once we were officially alone, Jace approached me and wrapped his arms around my waist.

Jace rested his chin on my head and I melted into his embrace. "He doesn't have to know; at least not right now." Okay, I had been wrong. Jace knew exactly what was bothering me. "Everything is going to be okay, Kadence."

I sighed and snuggled into his chest. His presence was just so calming that I almost let all my worries slip away. Almost.

I pressed a kiss to his collarbone and felt him shiver in response; that made me smile. "I just don't want him to know yet. I want to be sure we are going to work and that we'll last before I tell him. He's going to take it the hardest and be the most upset. I'm just scared," I admitted.

Jace shook his head and hugged me tighter. "We will last and we will work. Trust me on this, Kade. I was an idiot for the first four years we knew each other. I'm not stupid enough to let you go now that I've finally made you mine. Like I should have done a long time ago. I love you, baby. Just trust that and trust me."

"I do trust you. It's my dad I don't trust. I'm scared he'll try and break us up once he finds out. I don't want to lose you, Jason."

"You won't; I'm not going anywhere. What is it going to take, huh?" Jace asked gently, resting his cheek on my head.

"Time. Just give it some time okay."

"Okay, I can do that, Kadence," Jace said.

I smiled up at him. You'd think we'd been together for months instead of just two days. But I guess when both of us had hid our feelings for the other for years, it made being together in the now a little bit easier. There was no awkward stage of dating; we just dove right into it with everything we had; it was like we'd been together since the beginning.

I pressed a kiss under his chin. "Thank you; for everything you said; that means a lot. All day I've felt like I was in a dream. And I keep thinking that if this is a dream, I never want to wake up. It's all a little too perfect, you know what I mean?"

Jace sighed and led me over to the bales of hay stacked up by one of the stalls. He sat down and pulled me onto his lap where he proceeded to press a searing kiss to my lips.

I laughed when Jake snorted and huffed behind us, making Jace jump. "Someone who also disapproves," Jace muttered, a small smile teasing his mouth. Jace turned and shook his head at Jake, "Easy big guy."

I smiled and wrapped my arms around Jace's neck.

"I know it feels like a dream," Jace said, resting his forehead against mine. "I woke up this morning convinced that the entire thing between us had been a dream. Because you're right; it is too perfect. But I wouldn't expect anything less when you're involved. I'm not perfect, but you are, Kadence," he admitted.

I frowned at him but Jace studiously ignored me. "And together, your perfectness makes up for the lack of mine. But let's embrace this perfect because we both know it's not always going to be like this. So let's just enjoy it while we can, okay?"

I didn't know what to say; Jace had me speechless. Something he often achieved when he said he wasn't perfect.

After spending four years getting to know Jace, I learned pretty quickly that he had a slightly distorted sense of self. Let's just say Jace didn't exactly have the best relationship with his parents and they were the ones I thought who made him like this.

Since the twins had come along, Jace had been made to feel as if he was inconsequential; he was inferior to everyone else.

And I had a feeling deep down that it was more than just a bad relationship. Jace had come to school and work more times than I could count with unexplained bruises and cuts. But he kept himself active so I was never 100% sure if they were from sports or something else... something much worse. I was scared to find out the truth so I never asked and I felt guilty.

So whenever he said he wasn't perfect my heart hurt and I didn't know what to say to convince him otherwise.

"Kade?" Jace asked, pulling me out of my thoughts.

"Sorry. Yeah, okay."

Jace smiled and shifted me off of his lap so he could stand. He pressed one last kiss to my lips before he said, "Now, I'm hungry."

I laughed, the seriousness dissipating instantly. "Then let's get you fed."

Jaceled the way back to the house, smiling from ear to ear and holding my handuntil we got within sight of the house. Then he dropped my hand with a pout inmy direction and carried on still at my side. I wish I could tell my family butI knew they'd react horribly and I couldn't put Jace through that. Not yet.