OFF LIMITS

S.E.V.E.N.T.E.E.N

Ellery was serving her last customer of her shift when she felt her phone vibrate in her back pocket. She wiped her hands on her trousers and waved goodbye to Joshua and Christopher, another member of staff, and made her way out back. She pulled her phone from her pocket and saw a text from an unknown number.

I'm outside when you're ready x
- J

Ellery grabbed her bag and made her way out of the pub. She spotted Jace's car in the dark and got inside, smiling at him. "Thank you for doing this."

"I've told you it's no problem," Jace said and drove away. "How was your shift?"

Ellery yawned and rubbed her eyes. "Fine. Pretty slow, but it is a weekday after all."

"You look exhausted."

"I'm fine."

Jace raised an eyebrow. "So, that yawn, it's just for fun, yeah?"

Ellery rolled her eyes. "Honestly, I'm fine."

"How much sleep do you get of a night, Ellery?" Jace asked.

"Do we have to talk about this?" Ellery groaned, running her fingers through her hair.

Jace slowed the car to a stop. "I care about you," he said, lifting his hand to cup Ellery's cheek.

"Me?"

"Your health," Jace said. "All this lack of sleep is going to catch up with you."

"My health," Ellery said and nodded. "And it hasn't yet."

"Please, do not lie to me," Jace said. He brushed his thumb over Ellery's lip. "I'm not your brothers, I won't turn into the hulk if you do something I'm not pleased with. I will tell you if you ever do something I don't agree with but I'll let you make your own choice at the end of the day."

Ellery looked into Jace's eyes and butterflies formed in her stomach. "I know I should sleep more," she whispered. "I know it's bad for my health, but I'm scared. I'm so scared of closing my eyes."

"Sometimes facing your fears is the only way through," Jace said. "One way or another, eventually you'll sleep."

"Delaying it sounds good," Ellery said.

Jace sighed. "I'm sorry you have to deal with this," he said.

Ellery shrugged. "Other people are worse off than me."

"You're honestly incredible," Jace murmured.

Ellery smiled slightly. "Stop it," she mumbled.

"Am I making you blush?" Jace smirked.

"Just keep driving," she said and gently nudged him.

Jace laughed and did as Ellery said.

"Thank you again, for the lift," Ellery said when Jace pulled up outside her house.

"You're welcome," Jace said and looked over his shoulder at the house. "I just have to do something, while your brothers aren't around."

"What?" Ellery asked.

"This," Jace murmured and reached across and grabbed Ellery's chin, bringing her face to his and pressing his lips to hers.

His lips were soft, but he wasn't gentle. He kissed her with passion, and burning that had been growing since he laid eyes on her. And Ellery kissed him back.

It felt like minutes, but only seconds had passed when Jace pulled away, breathing deeply. "You drive me insane," he whispered. "And I have been waiting since I first saw you to do that."