Relationship With My Boyfriends Best Friend

Chapter 3.

I open my mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. Being in this boys presence has me feeling a few things, none of which I should repeat. Despite having a boyfriend, my eyes take in Jace, the lack of doubt about his bad boy persona sings through my mind.

"Uh," I lick my lips, momentarily drawing Jace's eyes to the action. My face heats up and I speak to get the flustering feelings to stop. "Sure."

His eyes meet mine after I finally get my words to come out of my mouth, and he smirks. "Good. Should we go to my temporary room?"

A knot forms in my stomach at the question and I subconsciously turn my head towards the stairs. As if Eric would be standing there to help me out in my situation.

"Don't worry," Jace's voice snaps me out of my mini panic attack. "I don't bite."

Although, humor is in his tone, something along the lines of honesty is portrayed in his words.

"Um, I think here is just fine," I shakily tell him. Why am I so nervous? I'm acting as if I've never been in the presence of a male alone before. And even though that may only be slightly true, it's ridiculous. I've talked to many guys before, why is Jace so different?

"Okay then," he nods, and I watch as his features harden. The once joking manner he had is now gone, replaced with seriousness. "I saw the way you were looking at me downstairs."

My heart seems to stop at the accusation. He saw me checking him out didn't he? I swear that I never meant to make it seem that way. I have to explain myself before he tells Eric.

"You don't understand-"

"It's not that hard, Nina," he takes a steps closer to me. I'm momentarily stunned by the way he says my name that I don't notice the move.

Get it together, Nina. What is wrong with you? You have a boyfriend, that may I remind you is just downstairs.

"I'm afraid I don't follow," I raise my chin defiantly. He's so much taller than me, that I don't think he even notices the gesture.

"During prayer," he raises his eyebrow. "I saw the way your blue eyes judged me. It didn't take a genius to see your disapproval of my lack of religious background."

My breath catches in my throats at another step he makes towards me. This time, I back up and he raises his eyebrows at me.

"I - I didn't mean to come off that way," I stutter. "I was just curious-"

"As to how I'm friends with Eric and his family without being purely devoted to Catholicism?" He questions, running a hand through his bronze hair that flows perfectly. It may even be nicer than my own.

"You don't need to explain it to me, Jace," I tell him, my eyes holding contact with his. "It's really none of my business."

"It is if we're going to be spending a lot of time together." His mouth pulls up at the side. "And I have a feeling we will be."

My mouth falls open at the hidden meaning behind his words, but before I can even respond to his crude behavior, a voice breaks my trance.

"Nina," Eric says. "I was beginning to worry."

"I'm sorry," I swallow harshly, not daring to look at Jace. "I just - um -"

"I stopped her on her journey," Jace intervenes, and I look at him in shock, only to find his eyes already on me. "Just trying to get to know her better."

"Oh," Eric sounds joyful. "That's great."

"Yeah," I look away from Jace's burning gaze and attempt a smile for Eric. "It was a nice talk."