“We can do that, too,” I whisper.

Jace huffs out a laugh before he kisses me. His tongue eagerly explores my mouth. I bite down on his bottom lip, spurring him on. He growls in response, lowering more of his weight on me so our bodies are flush. I trace my fingers down the length of his back and use his belt to pull him even closer to me. He deftly unsnaps my bra and begins to kiss his way down my sternum. I arch against him as the stiff fabric of his khakis rubs against me.

“Off,” I pant.

Jace doesn’t bother with a quip about my bossiness this time. He rolls off me and pulls down his pants and boxer briefs in seconds. I take the opportunity to slide off my underwear.

I marvel at the exposed view of his golden skin, but Jace doesn’t give me the chance. He leans back over me, and I let my knees fall apart in a silent invitation. He brings his lips back to mine, kissing me lazily, yet skillfully. It’s a stark contrast with the rest of his movements, as he quickly rolls a condom on and sinks inside me. We both groan as he fills me over and over again. I meet every motion, pushing back against him and urging him deeper. Sweat beads on my skin.

The pleasure intensifies. I bite Jace’s neck as every cell experiences the heady rush of bliss. Jace curses and thrusts into me twice more before I feel him find his release. We lie there for a moment, catching our breath and soaking each other in. Jace seems as unwilling to move as I am, but eventually he shifts and slips out of me to dispose of the condom. He lies right back down on the bed. I muster enough energy to crawl over and lie down on top of him. My soft curves meld to the hard ridges of his chest.

“I could get used to this,” I mumble against his warm skin. I feel his lips brush against my hair.

“Good.”

I lie there for a while, just on the brink of unconsciousness.

“Viv?” Jace finally says. I groan in response. “Do you want to talk about it? The baby?”

“I’m okay,” I whisper, even though it’s just the two of us. “It will always hurt, but I’m okay. There was nothing to be done. It just wasn’t right.” I almost drop the subject, but then I admit, “I thought it was my only chance with you. Our only chance. Knowing it’s not now—that helps.”

The feel of Jace’s lips against my forehead is the last thing I register before I sink into unconsciousness.

CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE

JACE

The annoying sound of my phone buzzing is what wakes me up. I glance down at Viv, half-shadowed in the light cast from the one lamp we have on in the room. Her face is peaceful, and her hair is spread out across the pillow in a reddish-gold curtain. My phone buzzes again, and I reach over to grab it. Anderson’s face flashes across the screen.