Love or Lust - Rachael Brownell Page 0,18

her.

“If you keep bending over like that, we’re never going to be able to leave,” Jace says from behind me. When I turn, I find him looking deliciously handsome, the stark white of the sheet standing out against his bronzed skin. The toga is draped across his right shoulder and cinched at his waist, most of his chest and part of his abs on display.

“You look hot,” I say, handing him an ice-cold bottle of water when he approaches. He ignores the bottle and places his hands on my waist. “Are you trying to make us late?”

“I can’t help myself. I think they did this on purpose.”

“Did what?” I ask innocently as I bat my eyelashes at him.

“You know exactly what.” He presses his lips against mine. “I’m going to go nuts not being able to touch you tonight.”

“And why can’t you touch me? I didn’t see that in the rulebook. Unless they left out another page,” I joke.

“You know what happens every time I touch you. Every time you’re in the room,” he replies, pulling me hard against his body. “Tonight is going to be pure torture.”

“Until it’s over,” I note.

I made Jace a promise before coming out of my room after getting changed. If he behaved himself tonight at the party, he’d be handsomely rewarded when it was all over. His prize?

Me.

In my costume, without my bikini bottoms.

Him in his.

“Keep reminding me and I’m going to claim my reward before we leave.” His threat has merit, but we both know there’s no time for that.

If there’s one thing I can say about being with Jace, it’s never over quick. Amazing. Passion. Sensual. Greedy. But . . . quick? Not a chance. Even when we’re in the shower and it feels like it’s over fast, the waters always cold by the time we’re both sated.

I called him out on it last time, and his reply made me laugh. “I’m savoring every moment with you.”

After swatting Jace’s hands away when they start to roam beneath my toga, we gather up the few things Jace needs to play bartender tonight and head to the pool.

It’s been transformed into a Greek paradise.

Tall white columns surround the pool, lit torches topping them. White sheer fabric spans between each column, held open by ivy to make it look like they’re curtains. The tables all have an expanse of candles and ivy. Gold and white balloons are tied to the back of the lounge chairs.

It’s the bar that really has my jaw dropping in awe.

Columns of different heights wrapped in ivy display tonight’s treats. Each food item is served in a gold dish, and miniature statues and candles surround the entire foodscape.

My first thought . . . I wish I could post this on Instagram. It’s gorgeous.

My second thought . . . I can’t wait to be able to post again. The whole social media ban wasn’t a big deal at first, but now, when I have downtime, I’m missing my friends and wondering what they’re up to. Aside from Naomi, I haven’t talked to or checked in with anyone else. No one was allowed to know I was coming, so I’m sure it came as a big shock when they saw me on TV.

I could check on them. Log in to my accounts and browse their profiles. Silently stalk them. The urge to comment and wish my friends a happy birthday or congratulations would be too much, though. I don’t want to do anything to jeopardize being here. Not now.

“They sure went all out,” Jace notes as he begins setting up behind the bar. We’re the first to arrive, which surprises me. “You’d think they could have at least sprung for a pair of briefs.”

Rolling my eyes, I spread cheese on a cracker and savor the flavor as it hits my tongue, a small moan escaping.

“There will be no more of that unless you want me to hide back here all night.”

Looking up, I find Jace staring at me intensely. He’s dead serious.

All I can do is smile as I shove another bite of cracker in my mouth and let out a moan, louder this time.

“Tease,” he mutters at the same time Milo announces his arrival.

“Let the party begin!”

When I turn, I find him and Lennon headed in our direction. Both seem to be comfortable in their outfits.

Nodding as he passes me, Lennon steps behind the bar and whispers something in Jace’s ear. When his eyes light up, I try to sneak a peek