First

Chapter 17

"So what do you want to watch?" Jace asked, drawing me out of my errant thoughts.

I flopped back onto the couch. "It doesn't matter. Just no horror or gore; the usual."

Jace laughed and selected a movie. He held it up so I could read the title. "Harry Potter?" he asked.

Now it was my turn to laugh. "Your favourite movie; of course you would choose that."

"So is that a yes?" Without waiting for my reply, he set up the movie, knowing that I wasn't about to say no to him.

"I don't have much choice do I?" I smirked, pulling the blanket onto my lap.

"'Course not," Jace laughed, sinking onto the couch beside me as he tossed me the remote. I fast forwarded through the previews as Jace shifted, getting comfortable.

When he didn't settle down I turned to him and asked, "What is wrong with you?"

"Can't get comfortable."

I laughed. "That much is obvious." But I was caught off guard when Jace lifted me so I was settled between his legs as he lay back against the arm of the couch.

"Better?" I asked, smiling.

"Much."

As I pressed play, Jace covered us both with the blanket and wrapped his arms around my waist, resting them comfortably on my stomach. I was so incredibly cozy with him at my back; it couldn't have been any more perfect.

I snuggled into his arms and the blankets and let the world of Hogwarts surround me. I'd seen it a million times with Jace but I still loved it. But more than anything I loved watching Jace watch the movie. He was so enthralled by what was unfolding on the screen. Jace watched the movie with a childlike wonder making me pretty sure it had been an escape for him as a child. It made him such a nerd but he was my nerd.

Before I knew it, the movie was over. Jace sat up and yawned; I turned to watch as a sliver of skin was revealed as his shirt rose as he stretched.

"It's nine already. I guess I better get going," Jace said, looking at the clock and rising reluctantly.

Tonight had been amazing and I was nowhere ready for him to leave. But before I could even contemplate asking him to stay, Jace said, "But I really don't want to leave; leave you here by yourself when the roads are bad and no one's home."

And he was right. One look outside revealed the roads glazed over with ice and snow. And I didn't want him driving in that either. But more than anything, I wanted him beside me tonight; in my bed, sharing my space. We had connected so strongly tonight and I wasn't ready to let that go. So I said the one thing that I knew I would regret.

"Then stay," I whispered, rising to stand in front of .

Jace closed in on me, his eyes intense and a small smile tugging at this mouth. "What did you just say?"

"Stay," I repeated, my voice stronger. I bit my bottom lip in apprehension.

Now the smile fully broke out on his face. "Really? You want me to stay?"

I nodded.

"Okay," he said simply. "I'll stay," and he pressed his lips to my shoulder. We fell back onto the couch as his mouth moved to mine.

"I love you," Jace murmured into my hair.

Now it was my turn to smile. "And I love you."