The Impact of You

Chapter 16

Avery

Jase’s mom is gorgeous. She’s got long dark hair, neatly secured at the nape of her neck, and wide honey-colored eyes with the same thick, dark eyelashes as Jase. Her eyes are weary though, and are currently sizing me up. I wonder what Jase has told her about me. Does she think we’re dating?

When we reach the porch, she pulls Jase into a hug, and I wait nervously beside them.

“Avery?” she asks, releasing him.

I nod once. Her smile is wide and welcoming, and I see that I have nothing to worry about. “Hi, Mrs. Owens.”

“Call me Cathy.” She pulls me in for a hug too, and I hear her tell Jase over my shoulder “She’s gorgeous, Jase.”

He chuckles. “Trust me, Mom, I’m all too aware.”

I stand there stunned, trying to pretend they’re not talking about me like I’m not here, trying to pretend that Jase thinking I’m gorgeous doesn’t turn my insides to mush. We enter the house and the inside is even more immaculate than the outside. A large marble floored foyer with a round table holding a giant vase of fragrant peonies greets us. Wow. A staircase winds off one side of the foyer, and the other opens to a spacious living room with the highest ceiling I’ve ever seen.

Jase gives me a tour of the large, opulent first floor with Cathy trailing behind us, asking us each occasional questions about school. She leaves us after that, saying dinner will be at five, excusing herself to the sunroom where she perches in a lounge chair with a romance novel.

Jase leads me upstairs to his bedroom. The carpeting is so soft and plush beneath my feet as I trail after him down the long hallway. Their house really is beautiful.

His bedroom appears unchanged from high school – the walls are adorned with posters of supermodels and pro athletes, and a shelving unit holds various trophies and medals. When I get closer, I see they’re for swimming and tennis. Interesting. I didn’t take him for much of an athlete, though his lean physique begs to differ.

He crosses the room and tosses our bags onto a dark mahogany sleigh bed that sits under the window. He doesn’t expect me to sleep in here, does he? Surely his mom wouldn’t be okay with that. Surely I wouldn’t be okay with that.

“Jase?” I question, watching him walk toward me.

“I like having you in my space.”

Uncertain of how to answer, I remain still and silent as he approaches. His hand cups my jaw, his thumb skittering back and forth against my skin. My eyes flick to his mouth, lingering on his lips, that I know from experience are incredibly soft and full. His mouth curves up a fraction and I know I’ve been caught. His thumb continues its gentle caress on my cheek and his eyes are bright with desire.

“You know this isn’t going to work. Should we just get it out of the way?” he asks finally.

“Get what out of the way?”

“Sex.”

“Excuse me?”

“You’ve got to feel this raw sexual energy radiating between us.”

Lie. My damn panties are probably

skin tingle. “Despite your tendency

“Delicious?”

“Outrageously so.”

delicious? Isn’t that

And stop changing the subject.”

what subject are we on?” I ask,

we’re going to have. I’m going to

in the ovaries for the idiotic way I’m behaving. But he possesses the distinct ability to turn me into a pile

all the humor has

can’t. I need more

dart from my mouth to my eyes. “We’ll discuss this later.

to keep my clutch on his arm so I don’t stagger

surprised they’re talking so openly in front of me. On the car ride over, Jase explained the reason he needed to check on her – saying that she lost it several months ago and was briefly hospitalized. I’m sure there’s more to the story, but not wanting to pry, I allowed him to share only what he was comfortable with me knowing. Lord knew there were plenty of secrets I kept to myself. The

his hand from across the table, the simple touch meant to reassure. “I’m on a low dose anxiety pill, but I told you, honey, I really am doing much better. I’ve been exercising again, gardening a little too. Things are good right now.” She smiles at him, but Jase’s face

meatloaf onto my plate. It’s nice to have a home cooked

you’re a junior in college already. Your dad and I are both proud,” Cathy says out

“Don’t, Mom.”

serious, Jase. He felt bad about how

it. I’m sure Avery doesn’t want

“Jase,” Cathy pleads.

hand under the table and

pressure off him, and feeling inspired by how open they’ve been, I take a deep breath and launch into the story about starting my search for my birthmom. Cathy leans forward, silently encouraging me with the soft crinkles around her eyes. The crease between Jase’s brows disappears. It’s the first time I’ve confirmed to Jase that I went ahead and completed

I force the bite down.

make any sauce or gravy,

it’s great,” I

isn’t going to call me on it. Jase smirks and takes a gulp of his water to get the bite

* * *

slipping into the hot tub next to me. It takes a full minute for his words to register.

manage when I

good cook,” he says, sinking onto the bench seat beside me. He finds my hand under the warm water and gives it a squeeze. Chill bumps rise over my skin, despite the heat vapors drifting

to change,”

went to say goodnight to my

wonderfully relaxing hot tub while he took care of his mom, probably tucking her in and everything like a good son. A bad boy who loves his mom? Oh Lord, I’m done for. I shift on the bench seat,

wrist effectively stops my squirming. “Hey, Whistle. Breathe

look on my face?

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