Days had passed since Grace kissed Jax on the cheek in front of half the school. Since then, the speculations about their relationship had just gotten louder. The Monroe girl and the infamous Jax Reed, every student had an opinion.
Grace walked across campus as she ignored the stares and the whispered bets about what Jax would make her do today. Amber and Maya flanked her, giggling like they already knew.
"So...You gonna tell me how you two went from verbal warfare to this?" Amber teased again.
"Should we start placing bets on where he's dragging you next?" Maya nudged at Grace.
Grace sighed but said nothing, she was always composed even in this situation. Every morning, Jax found her and everyday, he made another ridiculous demand.
Yesterday, he made her feed him strawberries in the quad. The day before that, he made her tie his hoodie around his waist like she was his girlfriend.
To her, it wasn't what he made her do. It was how he did it. It was Public and he did so casually like it was nothing. And she let it happen because she had no choice.
"You could do worse, you know. At least he's hot." Maya grinned.
Then Grace gave her a dry look, "He's an arrogant, self-absorbed jerk."
"Did I hear that correctly Grace? Yet you're still following his orders." Amber shot at her playfully.
Before Grace could answer, a familiar voice cut through the courtyard, "Monroe. Come with me."
Their heads turned and Jax was standing by the stone steps, flanked by his boys. Rowan and Theo who were already laughing. He jerked his chin to mean that it was not a request.
Grace forced her feet to move as she ignored the burn of the stares. She ignored Amber's teasing grin and Maya's knowing look.
As she passed Rowan and Theo, she heard them, "Five bucks says he makes her sit on his lap today," said Rowan with a smirk.
Grace said nothing, though her expression changed.
"Ten if she does it without complaining," Theo added with a mischievous grin.
---
Jax didn't say a word until they were inside the room, the door shutting with a solid click. Sunlight filtered through the high windows as they cast golden strips across the floor.
Grace turned to face him with her arms folded, "What now? Want me to polish your boots in front of the student council?"
Jax curved his mouth into a slow wicked grin as he stepped closer, invading her space like he owned it, "Nah. Something else today."
His fingers trailed lightly over her arm, but it was the way he looked at her, with dark, hungry eyes that made her breath hitch. He was always teasing, always playing. But this felt different.
"Nibble on my ear," he said softly but firmly.
Grace stared at him thinking, 'Sure he's joking"
"No," she responded flatly.
He leaned in close enough, she could smell the faint spice of his cologne, and feeling the heat off him. His mouth brushed the shell of her ear, "That wasn't a suggestion."
Her pulse raced. She wanted to tell him to go to hell. But she needed to still keep her reputation intact.
Her teeth clenched, and she exhaled slowly leaning in.
Jax turned his head slightly, giving her room. Then her lips brushed the edge of his ear before her teeth grazed it in a light, teasing nip. She felt his breath hitch.
"Happy?" she bit quietly.
"You're not done," said Jax in a raspy voice.
His voice was rough now, losing some of its usual smoothness, "Kiss my neck. Ten times."
Grace glared at him. His neck? She was furious. But he was watching her, daring her to defy him.
Her hands fisted at her side before she lifted them, one pressed to his chest to keep him steady.
Her lips met the curve of his neck, softly at first.
Once.
Twice.
His skin was warm, and she felt his pulse beneath her mouth. By the fifth kiss, his hand slid around her waist.
By the seventh, his breathing deepened.
By the tenth, her lips lingered longer than she intended.
Then she pulled back and their eyes locked. The tension coiled between them.
"One more," Jax said huskily.
Grace shook her head. No.
"On the lips Grace. That's the deal." Jax said. But it looked more like he was pleading.
She opened her mouth to argue, but he cut her off by closing the distance. His fingers slid into her hair, tugging gently as he tilted her face toward his.
He was not playing now.
And when his lips brushed hers, it was electric. Soft, then demanding.
She stiffened at first, but it only lasted a second. She hated him. But her body betrayed her.
Their kiss deepened. Her hands, still pressed to his chest, fisted in his shirt. His other hand slid into her hip, gripping her tightly.
There was nothing sweet about it, it was a battle of control and power that was heated.
When they broke apart, they were both breathing hard.
Jax smiled slowly with a knowing look, "Still think you hate me?"
Grace glared at him, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand, "Absolutely." But even she knew her voice wasn't convincing.
Jax's thumb brushed her lip, lingering just long enough to make her shiver, "We'll see," he said softly.
He stepped back, but the air was still charged. Her heart pounded as she watched him turn and head for the door.
Before he left, he glanced back at her, "Same time tomorrow, Monroe."
The door shut behind him as Grace sagged against the desk, furious with herself for how much she felt. For how much she still feels.
Outside the door, Jax leaned in against the wall, running his tongue over his bottom lip where she'd kissed him.
He wanted to believe it was just supposed to be a game, but maybe it wasn't anymore.
But Jax and Grace were oblivious about one thing.
---
Just outside the classroom where Jax and Grace were tangled in their heated kiss, someone's shadow lingered silently.
A hand held up a phone, their camera lens aimed through the small rectangular window of the door.
The phone recorded every second of the kiss. The way Jax gripped Grace's waist and the way her fingers twisted in his shirt.
Then followed a faint click as the recording stopped. A finger swiftly saved the video to a hidden folder. Then with practiced motion, the finger swiped to the next clip. A different video played.
Although it was grainy, it was clear enough. Revealing Jax and Ms. Harper, in an empty classroom. Their bodies were moving together, unaware of being watched.
The watcher's thumb hovered over the screen, as if debating, then they locked the phone and slipped away silently.